Rolex SD43 GEN vs ARF review

[zaeim]

Hi guys

Here we go, a mini review side by side Rolex SD43 126600 vs ARF V3.

I wait almost one year for that Gen, I received it in April and just received the ARF V3 2 days ago.

Sorry for the poor quality pictures, I used my iPhone XS Max, I don’t have any professional camera.

Please feel free to ask any question, I will be happy to answer.

I’ve done 2 mini gen vs rep reviews in the past , Gen AP survivor vs Noob and Gen Blue deapsea vs Noob v7.

Gen

Rep

Lume, Rep on the left

I’am not an expert so I will give only my opinion about flaws I noticed.

Please keep on mind that the replica is about 400€ and the Gen is 12000€, ARF did a good work on the V3.

1 - Bezel insert color is good on the ARF but still a little bit darker then the Gen.

2 - The red text color is brighter on the Gen.

3 - Dial color is a little bit darker on the REP.

4 - Dial text on the Gen is a littler bit different.

5 - Different engraving text on the buckle

6 - The logo on the REP buckle is off

I’am sure there is lot of other flaws I didn’t noticed but what is sure is ARF done an excellent work on this one, without putting theme side by side it’s very hard to call it except if you are an Rolex expert.

I think I will wear only the ARF and put the Gen in a safe place

Thanks for watching.

Cheers

 

[Lawny]

Very Nice comparison thanks for sharing, I’ve been eyeing up one of these for a while and now I am defiantly going to pull the trigger! Don’t think you can get a better Rolex ootb in my opinion.

 

[MrBeasy]

Thanks Zaeim for the review.

I really liked your deep blue and survivor reviews also.

 

[rlos1000]

I should’ve gotten the black vs hulk. grr

 

[Lawny]

zaeim is there any difference in weight? Does it feel much different on the wrist?

 

[xartan]

Thanks for this awesome comparison!

 

[xartan]

I should’ve gotten the black vs hulk. grr

This is a sea dweller not a submariner. The hulk is a submarner.

 

[Runna180haiza]

I really like the datewheel. Looks so gen and not to bold!

 

[rlos1000]

This is a sea dweller not a submariner. The hulk is a submarner.

yea, i wish i had gone that route. the sea dwellers look a lot sharper to me

 

[zaeim]

zaeim is there any difference in weight? Does it feel much different on the wrist?

I will check it when it’s possible and let you know

 

[xartan]

I really like the datewheel. Looks so gen and not to bold!

The rep looks a bit bolder to me. But not bad at all!

 

[xartan]

I’m excited as I have a v3 on the way from Li. This comparison makes me even more confident it was a good decition to get one.

 

[Cadows]

I’m excited as I have a v3 on the way from Li. This comparison makes me even more confident it was a good decition to get one.

I have to agree mate, it looks same even to my OCD.
Is just movement different in V3 or smt else as well?

 

[mech500]

Very nice comparison bro. Thanks for sharing.


What bothers me the most about ARF rolex reps in general, is the 12 o’clock marker (and to a lesser extent the 9 and 6 markers), which all have flat/pointy hour surrounds.

ARF lume (in general) is also too white and flat. Gen lume is raised slightly and grainy/puffy.

Everything else is spot on as far as I am concerned...just hour marker surrounds and lume colour.

ARF seem to have fixed the pointy/flat 12 marker surround on the latest subs, hopefully they will fix the SD43K soon.

However, let’s not forget the price difference.


Sent from my iPhone using RWI

 

[xartan]

I have to agree mate, it looks same even to my OCD.
Is just movement different in V3 or smt else as well?

I thought it came with either a2824 or 3135. But I only see the 2824 for v3. But I don’t intent to franken so I prefer the ETA clone anyway.

 

[Swerepguy]

Very nice comparison bro. Thanks for sharing.


What bothers me the most about ARF rolex reps in general, is the 12 o’clock marker (and to a lesser extent the 9 and 6 markers), which all have flat/pointy hour surrounds.

ARF lume (in general) is also too white and flat. Gen lume is raised slightly and grainy/puffy.

Everything else is spot on as far as I am concerned...just hour marker surrounds and lume colour.

ARF seem to have fixed the pointy/flat 12 marker surround on the latest subs, hopefully they will fix the SD43K soon.

However, let’s not forget the price difference.


Sent from my iPhone using RWI

The biggest tells are the bezel ingravings, much deeper on the ARF. No frosting around the cyclops and the pearl position is different.

I owned a ARF SD43, very good replica.

Edit: bezel action is far from Gen.

 

[MrBrock]

Firstly, many thanks for the review.........

I have the same watch on order with BK with all of his mods including the Swiss ETA.
How does the crystal compare to GEN?

I bought a Noob V8 Bluesy 116613 (wrapped bracelet) from him with all the mods plus a Prof Crystal so I was keen to do the same but was advised the ARF crystal is very good to start with and the upgrade wasn't worth the money.
I'm keen on your feedback vs. Gen, please.
Many thanks.....

 

[LaraA]

Thanks for the nice comparison

 

[mech500]

Firstly, many thanks for the review.........

I have the same watch on order with BK with all of his mods including the Swiss ETA.
How does the crystal compare to GEN?

I bought a Noob V8 Bluesy 116613 (wrapped bracelet) from him with all the mods plus a Prof Crystal so I was keen to do the same but was advised the ARF crystal is very good to start with and the upgrade wasn't worth the money.
I'm keen on your feedback vs. Gen, please.
Many thanks.....

Be careful, Gen Swiss eta may have short hand stack which looks ugly on rollies (hands too close to dial).

Don’t think BK claims to instal the eta himself...I believe it comes like that from China and he does the “alignment” if required (but can’t see this needing any re-alignment, especially if he uses a half decent China supplier.


Sent from the RWI App

 

[MrBrock]

Be careful, Gen Swiss eta may have short hand stack which looks ugly on rollies (hands too close to dial).

Don’t think BK claims to instal the eta himself...I believe it comes like that from China and he does the “alignment” if required (but can’t see this needing any re-alignment, especially if he uses a half decent China supplier.


Sent from the RWI App

Ok..... Interesting, thanks for the heads up. I didn't really give it much thought but makes sense.

I must admit, the mathematics of adding a Swiss ETA vs the clone, then what happens to the clone that is taken out?
For what extra he charges, the sums don't add up if he were to buy the movements, remove the clone, refit, and mod the Swiss one.
For a few extra hundred dollars, it's a fair bit of work and mucking around.
I was really happy with the 116613 mentioned above and had no issues buying from him again.
I have seen 126600 ARF's that he has sold and they look excellent so I'll keep my fingers crossed that mine will be ok too.