GMF released a GMT 3186 clone movement

[Hazing]

I have to say, I have a modded Daytona that has a ARF bracelet and compared to my GMF the ARF bracelet is superior in fit and finish. The GMF clasp is not as sturdy as my ARF clasp, the ends of each link on my GMF are sharper and less refined in overall feel, and the GMF links are tight and bind up slightly when you fold the links together as far as they will go.

I hear ya. I'm surprised as anyone. I've never had a GMF bracelet before and at first, when I opened it and thought it *felt* more substantial, I thought it could be in my head or just holding it with my dominant hand. But the more I played with it, the more I was convinced.

When I took the bracelets off the watches and looked at the engravings, I couldn't believe how sharp and crisp and gen like the GMF engravings are. Compared to VRF. And definitely compared to ARF.

And the finish is subtle, the way I said the brushing is more consistent and uniform - and it is but the pictures don't do it justice.

Maybe they upgraded for the V3?

Just take a look at the engravings alone.

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[Hazing]

Yes, great pics bro. This is definitely a nice piece in fit and finish. Bracelet better than ARF, who would have guessed?

At some point I'm guessing you would want to run the movement through its paces. I'm curious about the feel and function of time setting and hour jumping. Please don't overdo it on our account, the last thing we want to happen is for it to break due to unnecessary manipulation!

Here's a refresher on how the movements work.

Gen model characteristics
116710 LN / BLNR ‐ 3186, single coronet dial, oyster bracelet, shorter hands, rotate crown clockwise to advance hands forward and hour jump forward.

126710 BLNR / BLRO - 3285, double coronet dial, jubilee bracelet, longer hands, rotate crown anti-clockwise to advance hands forward and hour jump forward.

Rep model characteristics
All kinds of combinations are offered regarding dials, bracelets, hands length, and crown operation. It's pretty rare that a stock rep model would have everything correct. The ARF 116710 LN has all of these characteristics right. VRF comes very close but the cases are all engraved 126710, and both models are 116710's. This new GMF 116710 hour jumps opposite to gen. All new rep 126710's using any one of the new VR/SH/SA 3185/6 true clone movements will set time opposite to gen.

Rep movement characteristics
DG2813, DG3804 ICHS and CHS, A2824 CHS, A2836 ICHS
Rotate crown anti-clockwise to advance hands forward and hour jump forward (DG3804 CHS and A2824 CHS only).

VR3185, SH3186
Rotate crown clockwise to advance hands forward and hour jump forward.

SA3186
Rotate crown clockwise to advance hands forward and anti-clockwise to hour jump forward.

So, this SA3186 movement is a bit of a unicorn according to the videos we've seen. Hopefully that won't translate into it being something else, I won't even say the word!

Yeah I was almost wondering before they got here I'd they were using the same or a similar movement. But as soon as it got here, it's obvious it wasn't. The Date wheel alone is obviously different.

GMF - 3186:
On the hour jumping hand, to move the hour and date forward (I'm the middle position) you turn the crown anticlockwise.

For the GMT hand (the 3rd position/quickly cycle the time) you turn the crown clockwise.

When using the hour jumping hand, the movement is smooth and the hour hand moves with solid, difinitive progress. There is no doubt which hour you're on. But it's tough to compare as these are my. First clone gmt movements and I've only had each for a short time.

Ive jumped back and forth with the date several times. I haven't been bold and aggressive with the movement but I haven't babied it at all either.

I will say, when you unscrew the crown and it pops into that first position to wind and power the movement, with no problem at all. However, to pull it into that second position, it takes a little tug. Or perhaps it's just trying to find the groove
I'm not sure yet.

On the VRF - 3186, you're totally correct KJ. You turn it clockwise in position 2 to jump forward and advance forward.

In the 3rd position, it's the opposite. Anticlockwise to set the GMT hand and cycle the hand stack.

When you turn in the 2nd position, the hour hand jumps a lot *softer*. On the GMF, when you move the hour hand, you can feel it in the stem/crown. On the VRF you can not. It is also easier to pull the crown out on the VRF.

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[KJ2020]

On the VRF - 3186, you're totally correct KJ. You turn it clockwise in position 2 to jump forward and advance forward.

In the 3rd position, it's the opposite. Anticlockwise to set the GMT hand and cycle the hand stack.

When you turn in the 2nd position, the hour hand jumps a lot *softer*. On the GMF, when you move the hour hand, you can feel it in the stem/crown. On the VRF you can not. It is also easier to pull the crown out on the VRF.

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Thanks for the feedback bro. Can you check your VRF on position 3 again? I have 2 of them on my bench and they work like the gen 3185. Clockwise crown rotation = forward hands setting movement. I can't imagine why yours would be different.

Good news that the hour jumping is snappy and not sloppy on the GMF. Looking forward to tearing one of those down to see how they made it work the opposite way. And why.

 

[Hazing]

Thanks for the feedback bro. Can you check your VRF on position 3 again? I have 2 of them on my bench and they work like the gen 3185. Clockwise crown rotation = forward hands setting movement. I can't imagine why yours would be different.

Good news that the hour jumping is snappy and not sloppy on the GMF. Looking forward to tearing one of those down to see how they made it work the opposite way. And why.

As usual, you’re correct with the vrf. I think I read your previous post about position 3 moving forward in the opposite direction as I tried to test, write, and remember each model, each position, and each direction I just got confused.

im actually anxious to open the GMF case myself. I won’t tinker anywhere near as much as you but I’d like to swap out the date wheel at least and most likely the crystal too. In just haven’t had the time setup, patience to wrestle with the caseback yet. It’s not moving easily and I figure no reason to force it until I have parts in hand.

let me ask you, if I go to swap out the crystal, will everything just plug and play in your opinion? Do you think the gen crystal will work/take the gen crystal gasket? Based on what you know so far! Should I have anything else standing by for parts?

 

[Dissemination]

Hazing do you happen to have an ARF Jubilee to see if it would fit with the gmf clasp? I just really like the batgirl vs batman to be honest lol. Not sure if I wanna wait and see what GMF will do with a jubilee... I'm sure one will come but I'm not sure what they'll do with the insert!

 

[KJ2020]

let me ask you, if I go to swap out the crystal, will everything just plug and play in your opinion? Do you think the gen crystal will work/take the gen crystal gasket? Based on what you know so far! Should I have anything else standing by for parts?

It should take a gen crystal 1:1. Try not to damage the GMF gasket in case you need to use it. There may be a gasket thickness difference (remember your ARF) but there shouldn't be a height difference like there is on the ETA models. If so, the gasket height can be shaved a little. Pay attention to the apparent size of the date numerals when you install the new crystal. If it looks over or under magnified, some tweaking can be achieved by adjusting gasket height. I'd take proper magnification over proper crystal height, to a degree.

You will likely need a die or thick washer or metal ring to re-press the scalloped retaining ring on after the new crystal and gasket are in place. It needs to contact the top edge of the retaining ring while missing the outer side of the crystal gasket. You can use a sufficiently thick washer that would be pressed down using a crystal press with a delrin die on top of the washer. A 16570 bezel works for this task as an example.

The crystal retaining ring needs to go back on very close to the same rotational alignment it had before if you are going to try to reseat the bezel without taking the Insert out. I just take the insert out, then it doesn't matter and I don't risk cracking it on reinstall. I know others don't do that but I've never cracked an insert on a re-install. So then you would need new 3M tape rings and sometimes it takes two to get flush height with the bezel.

Take great care not to mangle the bezel gasket, those are essentially not replaceable.

 

[Hazing]

Hazing do you happen to have an ARF Jubilee to see if it would fit with the gmf clasp? I just really like the batgirl vs batman to be honest lol. Not sure if I wanna wait and see what GMF will do with a jubilee... I'm sure one will come but I'm not sure what they'll do with the insert!

I don't. But I have another cheap jubilee around. I can try to throw thay on to see how it looks.

I will say, I got the arf sub bracelet and put it on the VRF GMT and it fits great. I tried to swap it out and put the arf on the GMF and it didn't look good at all. There was a big difference in the SEL which leads me to believe it probably wouldn't work.

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[Noleex]

Here are some details I took a time ago ARF in comparison to a noob v10. I don’t have a GMF v3 to my hand but maybe someone have an eye on it.





handy upload


handy upload

 

[Noleex]

BTW, I will have a new ARF Batman build ready in a week or so, gen hands, gen datewheel if someone is interested, will drop it to the sale section then ^^

 

[Dissemination]

I don't. But I have another cheap jubilee around. I can try to throw thay on to see how it looks.

I will say, I got the arf sub bracelet and put it on the VRF GMT and it fits great. I tried to swap it out and put the arf on the GMF and it didn't look good at all. There was a big difference in the SEL which leads me to believe it probably wouldn't work.

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I think that's a fair assumption. I suppose I can just grab this and then the bracelet seperate. Hopefully they are improving their bracelets in general

Thanks for the info btw

 

[Hazing]

Here are some details I took a time ago ARF in comparison to a noob v10. I don’t have a GMF v3 to my hand but maybe someone have an eye on it.

Good thinking. I'll take some of them both (or all 3) but its worth saying, the clasp is definitely better on the arf. But also keep in mind that the ARF is a dive clasp with the glidlock.

What caught my eye was the engravings on the endlinks and the brushing and the general feel of the links/bracelet itself. I don't know if I was impressed with GMFs endlink engraving or disappointed with ARF.

I'm wishing I had an ARF gmt bracelet to compare.

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[Noleex]

I‘m lucky to have some of the ARF GMT bracelets ;-)

 

[andreynitro]

Hello guys, just got another portion of QC pics, now it's seems proper GMF v3, please take a look:

 

[Scottymagic]

Hello guys, just got another portion of QC pics, now it's seems proper GMF v3, please take a look:

Looks lovely man! Good to go from me

 

[KJ2020]

Hello guys, just got another portion of QC pics, now it's seems proper GMF v3, please take a look:

Take it bro

 

[Hazing]

You're not going to get any better than that.

 

[andreynitro]

Thanks folks, already GL'it! Appreciate your help!

 

[ViperGTS]

those SELs dont seem to be sitting right.

 

[Hazing]

I know a few people asked about the clasp.


Here's the GMF.

Here is the ARF clasp

And here is the VRF

GRF on left/ARF on right.

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[lolo1972sg]

Does not seem to me that GMF clasp is too bad