What should I do next ?

[Conrad]

Dear experts,

I’m writing to you as I am very confused and asking for help and in need of serious advice .

I have ordered a Rolex explorer from a TD ,which I will not reveal at the moment for obvious reasons, the ARF 904L SH3132 version. First QC sent to me were declined due to various reasons but the main one was the rehaut engraving which were completely off (common for ARF for this specific model) see below:

Second batch of QC pics were perfect were the first batch failed but something seemed odd with the dial (soon you could see) at this point I’ve verified with the TD that this is indeed the model using the link from his website which was confirmed and my confirmation email was sent along with a condition “ as long as it’s ARF 904L steel version with SH3132 movement” as I wrote.

Today I got the watch and to my surprise and disappointment it looks a lot like the NOOB version which is cheaper and inferior for obvious reasons, bracelet doesn’t feel like 904L which from my other 904L replicas I can tell by the heft of the bracelet it’s 904.. the main thing that caught my eye is the dial.

Please see below pics taken from a random TD and the one I got, pay a close attention to the ROLEX and EXPLORER writings on the dial to observe the similarity :

Now I’m really in a pickle of what should be my next move and what is the standard in these situations, I won’t accept the fact I paid for ARF and got NOOB with inferior dial, bracelet and movement but I want to handle this appropriately.

Thanks in advance for the helpers.


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[KJ2020]

Take the back off and post a pic of the movement, that will tell for sure

 

[chocolito]

That watch has the E X PLORE R font mistake that the JF used to have before they fixed it ! Or are my eyes deceiving me . The crown is central on the rehaut but it is still off which is strange .

 

[muiramas]

904 ‘feels’ the same as 316. Its also the same weight.

 

[chocolito]

904 ‘feels’ the same as 316. Its also the same weight.

Agreed especially with brushed watches perhaps with watches with lots of shiny bits on 904 is a little whiter. There may be a difference in build quality but it isn't caused by the steel used .

 

[Conrad]

That watch has the E X PLORE R font mistake that the JF used to have before they fixed it ! Or are my eyes deceiving me . The crown is central on the rehaut but it is still off which is strange .

You’re right


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[Conrad]

Guys, you’re missing the point.. look at the similarities between what I got and NOOB version, how different it is from ARF version :

Please help


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[Conrad]

Take the back off and post a pic of the movement, that will tell for sure

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[KJ2020]

It's not a Noob, they never made one other than a 2824. It may be a JF. They are roughly equal to the ARF in terms of quality, some minor differences including dial text. Personally I would rather have the Noob (I have the BP 2824) than either JF/ARF, the SH31xx movements have a history of low power reserve due to failing reversing wheels. Many people have replaced those wheels or the whole autowind device with gen parts, sometimes out of necessity.

 

[chocolito]

You’re right


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Just checked TT as they have best watch videos they have a Noob watch with a font fault . To me that dial looks Noob .

 

[KJ2020]

Look at the first two

http://www.trustytime.cc/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1_3&page=1&sort=3d

Yours does look more like the JF, the smooth bezel is a little narrower

 

[KJ2020]

Just checked TT as they have best watch videos they have a Noob watch with a font fault . To me that dial looks Noob .

Noob never made one other than 2824

 

[chocolito]

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??? That is not a Noob as the movement is an A3132 super clone . The Noob comes with an undecorated A2824 .

Very strange !!! It could be an older JF model that the TD still has knocking around . The Arf superceded JF when the factory moved to 904L . However you complain about the weight , finish etc .Your pictures don't look JF which is an excellent rep and really gen like in build quality etc except for the wrongly shaped 3 and 6 markers ( which the Arf also has) . It doesn't look like JF in your pictures however imo .

The JF v2 is still rated as the best explorer 1 on the consensual list despite new offerings from arf and BP.

 

[chocolito]

Noob never made one other than 2824

Agreed see my next post !! I hadn't finished replying to OP only just seen the movement post .

 

[chocolito]

Guys, you’re missing the point.. look at the similarities between what I got and NOOB version, how different it is from ARF version :

Please help


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You do realise that is a macro shot taken in a light box to make the watch pop !! Is this a watch you rejected if so why ??? Also the watch in the picture definitely isn't the watch you received.

You definitely haven't received a Noob as it didn't ever come with that movement. Looks like that watch is a JF however didn't know there were any still about . The fit and finish on the JF is excellent I have one in my watch box . If you are talking weight etc the Explorer 1 is a lot different from say a SD or a Daytona which has lots of shiny bits .

 

[Conrad]

??? That is not a Noob as the movement is an A3132 super clone . The Noob comes with an undecorated A2824 .

Very strange !!! It could be an older JF model that the TD still has knocking around . The Arf superceded JF when the factory moved to 904L . However you complain about the weight , finish etc .Your pictures don't look JF which is an excellent rep and really gen like in build quality etc except for the wrongly shaped 3 and 6 markers ( which the Arf also has) . It doesn't look like JF in your pictures however imo .

The JF v2 is still rated as the best explorer 1 on the consensual list despite new offerings from arf and BP.

Than what do you think ?


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[Conrad]

No matter what it is.. it’s surely not ARF

How should I handle this guys ?


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[k4jun]

No matter what it is.. it’s surely not ARF

How should I handle this guys ?


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Inner part of your clasp is polished or brushed?

 

[k4jun]

Your dial was used in both JF and ARF.

W9J polished clasp = ARF 904,
X0P brushed clasp = JF 316.

 

[chocolito]

Your dial was used in both JF and ARF.

W9J polished clasp = ARF 904,
X0P brushed clasp = JF 316.

My JF v2 has an inner polished clasp and a code of Y8C . It is definitely a JF v2.


Which looking a RWI threads in the newer clasp on the V2 it also has the corrected EXPLORER font .