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Gen SD4k 116600 vs Noob 116600 v2, A3135 [UK]

mech500

Mythical Poster
6/4/12
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I only have access to the forum via my phone, so unfortunately I do not have the means to do a more detailed review. I hope to add to this mini-review over the next week or so (when I have more time) but for now I just wanted to share some quick and dirty iPhone pics showing gen vs rep by side.

First impressions:
Wow, the rep is very very Very good. Honestly, it’s THAT good. Obviously gen is gen and it’s hard to beat a real Rolex but there is nothing about the rep that looks UGLY in real life (to my eyes).

I am not very good at spotting small gen vs rep differences (I don’t care for rubbish like that) but I do look for overall quality, feel and beauty when comparing watches. If a watch looks pretty, then I’m happy to wear it.

Normally, with reps, there is something about them that is “not pretty”. Sometimes, it’s the flat hands, or milky crystal or funny date alignment etc. BUT in the case of the Noob 116600 v2, I genuinely can’t find anything about it that I don’t like. Having said that it goes without saying that gen is gen.
Gen (left), Rep(right):
ce11c83afc014079437e7df2eceb3d7c.heic


Dial:
Both look basically the same in terms of quality. There are different undocumented gen dial variations and nobody has committed them all to memory, so there’s no point in getting hung-up over small differences. The rep is matte with a slight sheen under certain lighting (basically same as gen):
Gen:
a6bb772e620ffff87c79b949ea0bf4a4.heic

Rep:
44b489c648330627750195b83e03f979.heic


Rehaut:
Gen is slightly brighter and sparkles more. The rehaut engraving on the rep is very close indeed. I think the rep crystal makes the rehaut look duller/milky under certain lighting/angles but like I said, in real life the difference is small.
Gen:
e49fc549f307b97f427a1bb9ceaa6bae.heic

Rep:
a67c9329bf07a35be647124e3d4dde56.heic


Bracelet:
Feel is basically the same. Lol. Seriously, I can’t FEEL any difference between gen £2k bracelet and a £100 rep bracelet. Normally, you’d expect the rep to have sharp edges or whatever but the rep bracelet is excellent!! I can’t express how good the rep is. Sure, there is some difference in brushing but please note the gen is used and has been rebrushed whilst the rep is essentially brand new. My wife thinks the rep looks better and she might be right. Hahahah.

Used Gen (bottom), Rep (top):
7def1339d0360b25660290f0e38d9d18.heic

Gen (left), Rep (right):
a4d39177050daa8b6c21e6760c97f05c.heic


Clasp:
Feel is same between gen and rep. The gen glide lock operates a little smoother but that could be down to it being used and “loosened”. Flip lock operation on rep is solid. Rep engraving looks more solid but probably because the gen has been polished.

Rep(top), gen (bottom):
a5502d1310ea1fa18ad1af7d40ba27b1.heic

Gen (top), Rep (bottom):
a367719a93b4bf6a682523ab9416f039.heic


Solid-End-Link (SEL):
Rep community is obsessed with SEL. It’s basically how well the bracelet fits into the gap between mid-case lugs..... and how the lug profile compares with the bracelet end-link profile. Gen SEL is solid! I mean solid! There is NO play between SEL and mid-case.

The rep end-link on the other hand, has a small, SMALL amount of play (ie gap).

Gen SEL profile extends past the lugs and is slightly raised. Rep is close enough IMO.
Gen:
eb2a6b587a6e788d6410fe217c31b7bb.heic

Rep:
1f66571b2906645e83923521cb6dc9f7.heic


HEV:
Looks similar enough to me. It’s not something that I care to compare. Lol. On the photos you can see that the gen HEV fits more precisely into the case opening, Rep.... not so much.
Gen (top), Rep (bottom):
6663fed4e08b0f0508b38cdb4cd9e5ba.heic


Bezel insert:
This is probably the biggest difference. The gen numerals are brighter (whiter). The rep insert looks just as pretty IMO but the numerals are grayer. This doesn’t bother me. Gen insert is BEAUTIFUL!! It’s so glossy and shines like diamond dust on your wrist!



To be confined........



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frosterosen

Active Member
10/7/17
291
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Thank you for the review..excellent..agree with the bezel insert..most ppl will do paint mod for rep ceramic bezel insert..

How about bezel teeth? i noticed the gen have more shining teeth as compare to rep.
 
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mech500

Mythical Poster
6/4/12
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UK
The rep pearl is quite different but I don’t find it ugly.

I’ve tried the sharpie paint mod but it makes your watch look home-made. Lol.

Sponge-bob mod looks very good indeed. I’ll give it a go on the Noob SD4k.

Crystal:
Looks basically the same. Clarity is comparable. The gen crystal has a slightly more blingy raised edge.
Rep (top), gen (bottom):
b68e837710ad20e288850f66bc8f40fe.heic


Rep (top), gen (bottom);
fe338186c16cdbc5f1816ef2af7bfd6b.heic

69472732835efbe9fe65c5110eab3d1f.heic


Bezel:
It’s hard to compare bezel teeth because my gen has been polished and looks MUCH shinier.
cbaaf575f44f270c06fd7fa3d30bc89c.heic


Hands:
Gen are slightly more 3D and perfect looking but rep are very good indeed.
Gen:
72c5329cb85c04aa7b68a854ada22c6c.heic

Rep:
1509a225280de6d8fcdfd3bf0dfa89e8.heic


Conclusion:
The noob SD4k 116600v2, A3135 (not ETA version) is definitely a SUPER-REP IMO. Just stop reading and get one! With a sponge-Bob insert mod, the rep is just as good as gen. I will keep the gen since it’s a short lived/discontinued model and I’m sure it’ll be worth more in years to come. For day to day wear, I’m happy with the rep.

Hope this quick comparison has been useful.



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chris3007

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24/8/13
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Very nice post. Thanks for sharing.
The SD4K is still the only modern Rolex I really like.
And I’m also really happy with me Noob V2
 

tinitonsi

Put Some Respect On My Name
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Impressive, indeed. Thanks for sharing.
I’m waiting the ARF to make it in 904L ;)
 

mech500

Mythical Poster
6/4/12
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Very nice post. Thanks for sharing.
The SD4K is still the only modern Rolex I really like.
And I’m also really happy with me Noob V2

Ha! I also normally prefer vintage and classic Rolex but I think the SD4k is a good blend of modern and classic. I also have a U serial 16600 and to be honest I still haven’t decided which I prefer out the two. I don’t think I can justify keeping both but as it stands the SD4k wins (purely because it’s increasingly becoming rarer).
a5d046f96b6ec7af22a22650410f971c.heic



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D

d4m.test

Guest
Beautiful watch mate! Wear it in good health :)
I noticed that the gen has a more white hue compared to the rep on your pics. Is this something you've noticed in real life?
 
D

d4m.test

Guest
Thank you for taking the time to post this thread. This and many other threads have clearly demonstrated this is one of the best Rolex stainless diver OOTB offerings currently available.

Enjoy your new daily mate!
 

macarone

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Great review, I purchased a Noob SD4K v2 2836-2, are there any changes in build other than a3135 that you know of? Thanks


Don't Mind Me, I'm here for complications!
 

muiramas

Erect Aristocrat
Supporter
18/1/17
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Awesome rep - my favourite by a long way.
This is a must have as far as I am concerned.
 
D

d4m.test

Guest
Thanks for the comparison thats a really impressive rep. Can you tell me which TD you purchased from please ?
 

mech500

Mythical Poster
6/4/12
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Thanks for the comparison thats a really impressive rep. Can you tell me which TD you purchased from please ?

Makes no difference which TD you use.

I’ll be listing mine for sale/trade later this weekend [emoji6]


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svshawn

Renowned Member
24/2/14
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Excellent review! It’s great to see a review not butchered with small differences that 99.9% of people would even notice.
 

quaresma

Known Member
20/6/16
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Everything absolutely stunning but that paint...still unwatchable don’t understand why Noob doesn’t put a little bit more white in their color...so easy to do...