New Noob Daytona 116520 4130 clone build thread.

[Nur-Uhr]

Dear members,

some days ago (or better said nearly two weeks ago ) my Noob Daytona 116500 White Dial with 4130 fully working chrono movement arrived.
I did some comparioson pictures with my ARF Daytona 116520 White Dial below. (please note - 116520 White Dial / Stainless Steel bezel = ARF || 116500 White Dial / Ceramic bezel = Noob)

To be very honest, both watches are very nice and well made.
Each of them has their own pros and cons. Neither the ARF nor the Noob are perfect at all.

I will also mod both watches because than is each of them nearly "perfect" for my use.
ARF modding plans: center the dial | shorten /shape the pushers | install a slimmed caseback (already removed the deco plate / rotor ETA installed and silenced)
Noob modding plans: dial change to an ARF | bezel change to an ARF | rebrush the bracelet | modify the clasp ot change the clasp


>> Here are my personall PRO's and CON's for each of them:

ARF
+ dial and texture / printing and font typing
+ look and feel of the complete watch
+ crystal is very good
+ rehaut thickness
+ crown (winding crown)
+ bracelet
+ clasp
+ 904 stainless steel
+ SEL fitment

- non working chrono = only stop-second function
- 7750 movement
- caseback (too thick = cause of deco plate & rotor inside)
- pushers too long
- incorrect position of pushers


NOOB
++ movement clone of 4130 and with all of its functions = +++
+ look and feel of complete watch (but not the bracelet!)
+ crystal (but not the gasket!)
+ hand stack and hands
+ windings crown
+ pushers = very accurate
+ SEL fitment

- dial and texture and font typing (also sub dials too fat)
- bezel could be much better for 116500
- bracelet: the polished center links are very "sharp" in the area to the brushed links // not very good
- clasp and looks and feel of the clasp compares to the ARF


I compared both watches also with a Gen Daytona (116520 white dial = old model without rehaut engraving) from a friend of mine. He did not want that I take pictures compared with these two watches and I put pictures of his watch to the www. I respect his argument and point of view.
I have to say again that both watches are very nice. I think 99% of the people out there cannot say if it is a ARF / Noob / Gen or know any difference.
My friend was also very fascinated to both watches. He liked both and he liked them much more as I told him the prices for each

Please note again, I like both of them for their own pros and cons. Both will be modified for my personal satisfaction


And here are now some pictures for comparison
116520 = ARF // 116500 = Noob

 

[thinwhiteduke]

Nur-Uhr , thank you for the inspiration. Very interesting and informative. Subscribed to your build progress. Would you share with us where we can buy the ARF 116520 bezel (and white dial)? My TD can't give me one. TIA and good luck, mate!

 

[guru]

Nur-Uhr You should have posted it in my thread, noob vs arf Daytona, that is the comparions thread. Anyhow, great post. And I agree, both watches are fine for the money and there is no big difference. Modding the noob bracelet with an oil bath and it feels better.


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[Stuvetjee]

Dial is still putting me off from buying a noob.

 

[Nur-Uhr]

thinwhiteduke
Yes of course I can share where I got the parts.
The ARF bezel and the ARF dial I got from MrTimeZone. MrTimeZone is also here as "TD / Supporting Vendor" ==> https://forum.replica-watch.info/forum/new-probationary-trusted-dealers/mr-timezone
It took some time, but the bezel has already arrived, dial is in shipping progress.

 

[thinwhiteduke]

thinwhiteduke
Yes of course I can share where I got the parts.
The ARF bezel and the ARF dial I got from MrTimeZone. MrTimeZone is also here as "TD / Supporting Vendor" ==> https://forum.replica-watch.info/forum/new-probationary-trusted-dealers/mr-timezone
It took some time, but the bezel has already arrived, dial is in shipping progress.

Thanks, Mate! Appreciate it much!

 

[guru]

Regarding modding a noob with an ARF dial. Have received several pm‘s about this toppic and how to get ARF dials.....

I measured both dials, noob is 28.6 mm, gen dial is 28.5 mm and ARF dial is 29.6 mm. Ther are 2 possibilities, shave down the ARF by one mm or modd the case. Both modds need a lathe. I am waiting for QC of 2 noob 116500 and then we‘ll do it. This is not a 1:1 swapp, it requieres a modder which has the right tools


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[gb7007]

Regarding modding a noob with an ARF dial. Have received several pm‘s about this toppic and how to get ARF dials.....

I measured both dials, noob is 28.6 mm, gen dial is 28.5 mm and ARF dial is 29.6 mm. Ther are 2 possibilities, shave down the ARF by one mm or modd the case. Both modds need a lathe. I am waiting for QC of 2 noob 116500 and then we‘ll do it. This is not a 1:1 swapp, it requieres a modder which has the right tools


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Thanks Guru, this helps a lot

 

[KJ2020]

Regarding modding a noob with an ARF dial. Have received several pm‘s about this toppic and how to get ARF dials.....

I measured both dials, noob is 28.6 mm, gen dial is 28.5 mm and ARF dial is 29.6 mm. Ther are 2 possibilities, shave down the ARF by one mm or modd the case. Both modds need a lathe. I am waiting for QC of 2 noob 116500 and then we‘ll do it. This is not a 1:1 swapp, it requieres a modder which has the right tools


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Thanks guru. Modding the case would require a new movement ring so it seems shaving the dial would be simpler. Little riskier though.

 

[guru]

Thanks Guru, this helps a lot

Here are the pics

no movement ring required

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[alvedon]

Anyone tried slamming on a SS bezel on the white ceramic tona? It would look like a modern 16520

 

[KJ2020]

Here are the pics

no movement ring required

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I see, so only the dial perimeter of the case gets shaved a little.

 

[guru]

That’s the part I’m struggling with! Can’t wait to see my Daytona franken????


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about 8 watches in front of you ....


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[guru]

I see, so only the dial perimeter of the case gets shaved a little.

plus 1, you got it


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[jjkatter]

This thread is the final verdict and answer to the popular question: "Should I buy the celebrated ARF Daytona or the new Noob Daytona with the 4130 clone?"

ANSWER:

If you want the most accurate and best Daytona by far externally, and if you do not care about all subdials working, buy the ARF Daytona for less than 500 USD and enjoy it immediately out of the box.

If you care a lot about the new 4130 clone movement and that all the subdials are working, buy the new Noob Daytona for around 600 USD. But be prepared to fiddle around for weeks and months in order to mod and franken that inaccurate rep for achieving the same ARF Daytona out of the box quality and look. And that might easily add another 1.000 - 2.000 USD or more.

You choice.

Is this true of the Noob v2?

 

[ssouthall6]

Is this true of the Noob v2?

Yes. Dial and bezel still aren't good enough


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[Nate0624]

Received my black dial Noob 116500 from TD. As someone who has owned a few gen Rolxes and this is my first Rep Rolex, I am extremely impressed. I've extensively read through hundreds of posts on RWI Before pulling the trigger. So glad I did.

A co-worker who owns the white dial gen 116500 pictures below could not believe mine was a replica. He said he "never felt more foolish" in his life (for overpaying for gen Daytona). When astute hobbyists claim only a small percentage of people could recognize the difference, it is an understatement. Many of the people posting on these threads harbor a passion for watches, both gen and rep. They argue smallest amount of detail and push the industry further. I'm thankful for that.

But, the following statement is for the casual observer who wants a Daytona and is either on the list or could not realistically afford one. The differences between metal, weight, aesthetics, and functionality between gen and rep are nearly indistinguishable. Even under a lupe the Noob Daytona is beautiful.

I'm on the wait list for gen and I'll be honest, this watch has made me reconsider ever purchasing a brand new gen luxury watch again. I'm mean, really, what makes it unique? I'll stick to vintage for now and the 116500. Who knows, by the time my turn is up to buy gen, maybe I'll need to scratch the itch again.

Lastly, as someone who wears a gen Rolex on a regular basis, this watch feels good to wear on the wrist. That should scare the bejesus out of luxury watch makers.

Question: does anyone know if the quick release on the Noob bracelet is supposed to be functional? Mine doesn't seem to work.

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[Nate0624]

Not sure those pics uploaded.

Cheers.

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Edit: bonus lupe shot

 

[watchtiger]

Not sure those pics uploaded.

Cheers.

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Edit: bonus lupe shot

Thanks for the pics. You can clearly see the thick subdials of the Noob vs Gen. Still a great watch though!

 

[mui.richard]

Nate0624 the Easylink works perfectly on mine

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