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Rolex SD43 GEN vs ARF review

Cadows

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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.

With gen crystal and DW that would be as good as gen imo. Post wrist shots when you get it and tag me please
 

zaeim

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For those who asking about weight and lume, I just added pictures on the first poste.
 
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muiramas

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With gen crystal and DW that would be as good as gen imo.

A $500 Chinese fake is as good as a gen huh?

giphy.gif
 
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zaeim

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^^ and that is exactly why I love rep watches.

Thats a great review and comparison, I don't think it is possible really without studying the pictures closly to be able to tell the difference between them.

Sure thing
 

Tschacko

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It is a very nice comparison ! Thanks indeed. We need guys like you. Actually if it is really a V3, then you see the newly introduced flaw on the V3s that the Insert numbers are too deep.
V2 had much better depth of the numbers. However V2 had too deep scallops. Thats better on the V3. You need a mix.
V2 and V3 share the same problem that the pearl is a little too big. There is more space around the pearl on the gen. Once you know, cannot be unseen compared to gen.
Anyway I really like it for what it is :D
 
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Swerepguy

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It is a very nice comparison ! Thanks indeed. We need guys like you. Actually if it is really a V3, then you see the newly introduced flaw on the V3s that the Insert numbers are too deep.
V2 had much better depth of the numbers. However V2 had too deep scallops. Thats better on the V3. You need a mix.
V2 and V3 share the same problem that the pearl is a little too big. There is more space around the pearl on the gen. Once you know, cannot be unseen compared to gen.
Anyway I really like it for what it is :D

Wrong, all the versions got to deep ingravings, owned a V1 and changed it it for a V2. Same flaw.
 

mrsullivan

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This model is on my list and your post helps a lot, thank you for this clear and efficient VS job, should do more ????
 

madmax42

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One thing that sticked out to me when I received arf was uneven sels. One side wasn’t recessed at all. OP how are the sels of v3 comparing to the gen?
 

m5smg2

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Mr. Zaeim, excellent review and photos. Thank you!
 
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Hazing

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The crown guards are boxier on the ARF.

And the most significant tell for me when looking at a rep is the hour markers. I don’t know if it’s the thickness of the white gold rim around the lume or if it is just because it’s white gold, but on a rep it’s never as bold. That's always what I look at when trying to spot a rep.
 
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Bigcity777

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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.


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Gen
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Rep
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Lume, Rep on the left
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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


I'm wondering if ARF has changed anything with the weight becouse I have a ARF V3 For sure and also the noob v2 sd43 and a high quality digital scale and I've weighed both of them with all the links intact and the AR SD43 weighed 186 grams and the noob weighed 187 grams and in your review your scale said it weighed 197 grams .. either that or one of the scales is off ..

Thank you for the terrific review I love to see these comparisons . I was going to mod the noob v2 but the fact that he HEV is very different compared to gen and the ARF as well as the crystal height on the noob v2 is slightly higher and to me those are a instant tell more then the boxy lugs on the ARF so I've decided to mod the ARF .. as I've just recieved a insert from the great Spongebob and one of the epic PROF crystals intill i can source the GEN :D
 
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Hazing

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Bigcity777 I have the Noob and the ARF V3 and they’re both 188 grams. 10 grams is about the weight of the divelink extension (iirc) just to give a point of reference. 188 grams is total weight with all links of each watch.
 

Bigcity777

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Bigcity777 I have the Noob and the ARF V3 and they’re both 188 grams. 10 grams is about the weight of the divelink extension (iirc) just to give a point of reference. 188 grams is total weight with all links of each watch.

Lol that's my fault When I said all links attached I also ment the dive link extension is on both watches as well to achieve the weight of 187 grams .. I'm guessing it's my scale is off ?!? :D
 

Hazing

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No, it’s right on. Both the ARF and noob that I have weigh 188 with all links On my scale.

It appears yours weigh the same. The gen is 188 too - Or 180 with the divelink removed. The op here had them both at 197 grams, right? Because the op weighed them both @197, I’m guessing it’s his scale that is off because they both also weighed the same. It’s just off by a few grams.
 

chrisscarr

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Bigcity777 I have the Noob and the ARF V3 and they’re both 188 grams. 10 grams is about the weight of the divelink extension (iirc) just to give a point of reference. 188 grams is total weight with all links of each watch.

And, wich are your favourite between them?

I have ARF V3 and I´m thinking to change for Noob.
 

Bigcity777

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No, it’s right on. Both the ARF and noob that I have weigh 188 with all links On my scale.

It appears yours weigh the same. The gen is 188 too - Or 180 with the divelink removed. The op here had them both at 197 grams, right? Because the op weighed them both @197, I’m guessing it’s his scale that is off because they both also weighed the same. It’s just off by a few grams.

Perfect ! Thanks