Audemars Piguet 26331 APS Factory Review

Audemars Piguet Wristwatch 26331 model is produced by APS Factory with a solid stainless steel case, standard case diameter and high-precision automatic Super Clone movement architecture. It is among the most successful 1:1 super clone watch reviews on the market, with its sapphire crystal AR coating glass, original case tolerances and detailed workmanship.

Dial and Hand Details

Those who know the AP series closely know; In the early years, many manufacturers such as APW released similar models on the market, also with the 4801 movement, but the actual usage experience was quite bad: the chronograph worked incorrectly, the gears wore out easily, and the failure rate was extremely high. Many buyers had to send the watch back to the factory shortly after taking it home. Over time, the word '4801' turned into a trauma in everyone's mind.

But now the situation is different. The 26331 offered by APS this time not only preserves the classic design language of the original, but also makes an in-depth improvement on the core mechanics. This improved Dandong 4801 movement achieves truly full-function chronograph synchronization: the longest chronograph hour hand, 30-minute chronograph counter and 12-hour total counter, all working properly and are no longer just for show.

Movement and Caliber Performance

In particular, this should be mentioned: in many versions in the past, due to movement limitations, the 12-hour chronograph counter was 'dead', it could only be adjusted manually, which completely eliminated the meaning of being a chronograph watch. Now, APS 26331 provides automatic progression of each stage and truly brings back the original operating logic.

Now let's look at the external details. The three small counters on the dial (popularly called 'three eyes') have a tight and orderly layout; spacings have been fine-tuned and the visual proportions of the original have been captured. Stainless steel ring design has also been added to the edges; It doesn't look bare and textureless like some early versions. These kinds of details are the main point that determines the difference between 'rough imitation' and 'fine imitation'.

A lot of effort was also put into the dial craftsmanship. The CD pattern is clear and layered, the hour markers are smooth and plump, the hour and minute hands are smoothly processed, there are no burrs. Whether in strong light during the day or in dim conditions at night, reading the time is extremely clear and comfortable. The overall finish of the dial is very high; It's almost impossible to find fault.

Case and Body Workmanship

On the case side, although APS and its predecessor APW share raw parts from the same supplier, the processing quality of the final product is a step ahead. The brushed pattern is even and fine, the direction of the lines is consistent; Especially the side surfaces and ears were processed very successfully. Polished surfaces, on the other hand, offer a mirror-like shine and create a distinct contrast with the brushed areas, giving the feeling of a rich layer.

More importantly, the assembly precision of the entire watch is very high: the case joints are tight, the crown operation is smooth, the chronograph pushers give a clear and strong feedback; There is no feeling of cheapness. This subtle feeling from the inside out is no longer something that can be achieved by simply putting parts together; Behind it is meticulous attention to quality control.

Currently, the number of factories producing AP series in the market is decreasing and APS has almost created a de facto 'monopoly' position with the technical experience it has accumulated over the years. They not only have various single-piece mechanism solutions, but also a structure that they constantly update and improve; They try to find the best balance between stability and fidelity to the original.

General Evaluation and Conclusion

In summary, if you are looking for an AP style watch that is both durable and similar to the original, the APS 26331 is really worth paying close attention to. It produces a satisfactory result, whether in daily use or in the collection. Especially the concrete improvement of the mechanism this time transforms this watch from a 'toy' into a reliable friend that you can carry with you for a long time.
I hope this article will be useful to you. I will share more detailed disassembly, real shot review and real-replica comparison in the coming days.