Factory guide
ZF Factory Guide
ZF is one of the broadest super clone factories in the research. Its value is multi-brand coverage — not a Rolex Submariner or Daytona specialty.
If you are shopping Audemars Piguet outside the obvious APSF rows, Tudor Black Bay, IWC, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Vacheron Constantin, or Rolex Sky-Dweller, ZF is often part of the shortlist.
Quick facts
- Factory
- ZF
- Known for
- Wide multi-brand coverage — AP, Tudor, IWC, JLC, VC, and selected Patek/Rolex references
- Major brands
- Audemars Piguet · Tudor · IWC · Jaeger-LeCoultre · Vacheron Constantin · Patek Philippe · Rolex (selected)
- Popular collections
- Royal Oak (selected sizes) · Black Bay · Portugieser / Big Pilot · Overseas · Master Ultra Thin · Sky-Dweller
- Notable movements
- 3120 / 4302 clones (AP) · Miyota 9015 · Asian 2824 / 2836 · Custom Sky-Dweller builds
About ZF
Treating ZF like “another Rolex factory” misses the point. Rolex appears in the ZF data, but mainly on selected references such as Sky-Dweller and lower-priced Datejust paths.
The more useful ZF story is how often it leads or closely contests AP, Tudor, IWC, JLC, and VC listings.
Because the brand mix is wide, ZF pages should be read by collection. A factory that looks excellent on Black Bay is not automatically the answer for Nautilus.
What Is ZF Known For?
- Broad coverage across AP, Tudor, IWC, JLC, and VC
- Strong Tudor Black Bay research support
- Frequent AP alternative — and occasional first choice by size or Offshore reference
- Rolex Sky-Dweller custom builds
ZF Audemars Piguet Watches
APSF usually leads core 41mm Royal Oak clone references. ZF still matters because it takes several sizes and Offshore rows, and because it is the standard second option even when APSF is first.
If you are looking at 37mm 15450, 39mm 15202/16202, or certain Offshore references, check ZF carefully before defaulting to APSF.
ZF Tudor Watches
Black Bay is a ZF strength: GMT variants, 41mm diver, and Diver 58 rows frequently list ZF first.
Pelagos titanium is different — XF is often preferred there, with ZF as the usual alternative.
ZF IWC and Jaeger-LeCoultre
IWC Big Pilot and Portugieser lines show a heavy ZF presence across steel pilots, chronographs, and calendar complications.
On JLC Master Ultra Thin, ZF and ZF v2 appear across small-seconds, power-reserve, and some moonphase paths, while other moonphase variants point to APSF or IMF depending on the execution.
ZF Vacheron Constantin and Patek Philippe
Overseas and Fifty-Six rows often include ZF, sometimes shared with PPF. Later Overseas versions may reference ZF v2 specifically.
On Patek, ZF is more relevant on Miyota-path Aquanaut and Calatrava listings. When a 324 clone is available, 3KF usually leads instead.
Selected Rolex coverage
Sky-Dweller is the clearest Rolex ZF signal in the research, including tungsten-weighted gold paths.
Budget Datejust 41 Asian-movement options also appear under ZF. That is a different buyer path from Clean/VSF clone Datejust conversations.
Popular Models & References
These rows are research-backed shortlists for ZF. “Often preferred” means the factory is frequently listed first for that path — not that every example is perfect.
| Collection | Model / reference | Movement | Research note |
|---|---|---|---|
Royal Oak Audemars Piguet | 15450 37mm | 3120 clone | Often preferredOne of the clearer ZF-first Royal Oak rows; APSF remains the usual lead on many 41mm references. |
Royal Oak Audemars Piguet | 15202 / 16202 39mm | Miyota 9015 | Often preferred |
Royal Oak Offshore Audemars Piguet | 15703 / 15710 / 15720 | 3120 or 4302 clone / Miyota | Often preferredAPSF is still the main alternative on several Offshore listings. |
Black Bay Tudor | Pepsi GMT / Two-Tone GMT / Heritage GMT / 41mm diver / Diver 58 | Asian GMT / 2824 / Miyota 9015 | Often preferred |
Pelagos Tudor | Titanium Black / Blue | 2824 Asian | Strong alternativeXF is frequently listed first on Pelagos titanium; ZF is the usual second option. |
Big Pilot / Portugieser IWC | Big Pilot SS / Miramar / Portugieser chrono & calendar lines | A23J / modified 7750 / custom | Often preferred |
Master Ultra Thin Jaeger-LeCoultre | Small seconds / power reserve / selected moonphase paths | Clone / Miyota / 925 clone (ZF v2 on some) | Often preferred |
Overseas / Fifty-Six Vacheron Constantin | 4500V / Fifty-Six date & complete calendar | Miyota 9015 / custom (ZF v2 on some Overseas) | Often preferredPPF shares some Overseas listings; GRF appears on moonphase/GMT Overseas rows. |
Aquanaut / Calatrava Patek Philippe | Miyota-path Aquanaut and several Calatrava references | Miyota 9015 | Strong alternativeWhen a 324 clone is available, 3KF is usually listed ahead of ZF. |
Sky-Dweller Rolex | All models / tungsten-weighted gold paths | Custom | Often preferred |
Datejust 41 Rolex | Lower-priced Asian-movement Datejust | 2824 / 2836 Asian | Budget path |
RM055 Richard Mille | Ceramic | RMLU2 | Often preferredAPSF is listed first on the NTPT version in the same research set. |
ZF Movements
ZF uses a wider movement mix than Rolex specialists because it covers more brands and complication types.
AP 3120 / 4302 clones
Used across Royal Oak and Offshore builds where ZF either leads a specific size or sits just behind APSF.
Miyota 9015
A common reliable workhorse on many ZF Patek, VC, and some AP rows when a dedicated clone caliber is not the path being ranked.
Asian 2824 / 2836 and custom modules
Appear on Tudor divers/GMTs, budget Rolex Datejust, and more complex Rolex Sky-Dweller builds that the research treats as custom rather than simple clone drops.
Strengths
- One of the broadest brand footprints in the research
- Often preferred across Tudor Black Bay and large parts of IWC / JLC / VC
- Useful AP coverage on sizes and Offshore rows where APSF is not automatic
- Clear Rolex Sky-Dweller signal
Things to Know
- ZF is not a Rolex Submariner/Daytona specialist. Those conversations usually start with VSF or Clean.
- On many 41mm Royal Oak clone rows, APSF is still listed first.
- Pelagos titanium often favors XF over ZF.
- Patek 324-clone Nautilus/Aquanaut conversations usually start with 3KF, not ZF.
Comparisons
ZF vs APSF
This is the main Audemars Piguet factory comparison in the research.
| Area | ZF | APSF |
|---|---|---|
| Core 41mm Royal Oak clones (15500/15510/15400) | Common second option | Often preferred |
| 15450 37mm / 15202–16202 39mm | Often preferred | Common alternative |
| Selected Offshore rows | Often preferred | Strong alternative / selected leads |
| Brand focus | Multi-brand factory | AP-centered specialist |
ZF vs XF (Tudor)
| Area | ZF | XF |
|---|---|---|
| Black Bay GMT / diver lines | Often preferred | Less central in these rows |
| Pelagos titanium | Common alternative | Often preferred |
ZF vs PPF
Both appear on Patek and VC, but not for the same reasons.
| Area | ZF | PPF |
|---|---|---|
| Patek Miyota-path sports/dress | Often in the conversation | Strong on selected Nautilus dial/OOTB paths |
| VC Overseas / Patrimony rows | Shared or leading on several references | Shared or leading on several references |
| 324-clone Patek path | Usually not the lead | Also usually behind 3KF when a 324 clone exists |
Browse Related Watches
Explore matching brand and collection pages in the store.
Frequently Asked Questions About ZF
ZF is a multi-brand super clone factory that appears across Audemars Piguet, Tudor, IWC, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Vacheron Constantin, selected Patek models, and a few Rolex references such as Sky-Dweller.
ZF is useful for selected Rolex models — especially Sky-Dweller and some lower-priced Datejust paths — but it is not the main research lead for Submariner, Daytona, or GMT-Master II.
For many 41mm Royal Oak clone references, APSF is often preferred. ZF is often preferred on certain 37mm/39mm rows and several Offshore listings, and it remains the usual alternative even when APSF leads.
Breadth. Buyers usually encounter ZF when comparing non-Rolex sports and dress watches, Tudor Black Bay, IWC pilots/Portugieser, and VC Overseas-family models.