ARF 16610 LV Submariner 904L Kermit photo review

[KJ2020]

Can someone clear something up for me, the crystal height on the new ARF is higher than that of the JF, and some are wondering if it's a 6 digit sub crystal being used.

To me, the crystal height on the gen posted also looks high and the ARF looks more like the gen posted than the JF does (at least with respect to the crystal height)

I think the crystal in that gen pic looks higher than it is. A gen 5 digit should not have a tall sitting crystal like the ARF has.

Can you post a side profile of this watch?

 

[KJ2020]

Any of the pros feel like weighing in on these QC pics?

Datewheel is terrible, nothing new for JF/ARF. Another minor criticism not mentioned before though I saw it on OP's pics - the coronet stamp on the clasp is off-center right. Overall it's a respectable rep, it will please most of us with a few minor tweaks.

 

[waterproofpt]

I think the crystal in that gen pic looks higher than it is. A gen 5 digit should not have a tall sitting crystal like the ARF has.



Can you post a side profile of this watch?

Yes that first pic did make the crystal look higher. Probably from the angle it was taken.

Here’s some new pics.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[m5smg2]

Thanks gents. Regarding the 316 vs 904 yes there is a noticeable difference in the color of the steel. 316 is a little more grey; 904 is noticeably whiter and brighter.

Regarding the lug chamfers, I didn’t notice the difference until I saw my pics on my PC, which is to say I don’t notice any lug difference on the wrist. Hope this helps.

 

[m5smg2]

Wristies

 

[KJ2020]

Yes that first pic did make the crystal look higher. Probably from the angle it was taken. Here’s some new pics.

Thanks bro.

 

[KJ2020]

I guess if ARF was going to screw a couple things up, it may as well be the crystal and datewheel since those are the most commonly replaced parts anyway. Lugs and CG's can be tolerated if you're not too picky.

 

[botsyboy]

Great pics but I’m yet to see one with good sel fit. Usually a good point on ARF’s but not this time.


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[Kayatsu1]

Thanks gents. Regarding the 316 vs 904 yes there is a noticeable difference in the color of the steel. 316 is a little more grey; 904 is noticeably whiter and brighter.

Regarding the lug chamfers, I didn’t notice the difference until I saw my pics on my PC, which is to say I don’t notice any lug difference on the wrist. Hope this helps.

Thanks! Nice to know that they have really changed the steel.

 

[stufuse]

I guess if ARF was going to screw a couple things up, it may as well be the crystal and datewheel since those are the most commonly replaced parts anyway. Lugs and CG's can be tolerated if you're not too picky.

I agree, if you were to buy a Gen Kermit now chances are it would have been polished along the way. So the chamfers and CG can be forgiven. There are some badly polished pieces that circulate

The dw is no thicker than the v3 TC Dwos, this was obviously improved on in V4 Dwo but you do see some 5 digit subs with a hair thicker font. That’s probably on 5 digit models a little older than this is based though.


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[andyc]

I have had many, many reps over the years - some of which are / were 316 steel, some of which are / were 904.

I absolutely cannot see any difference at all, which could mean one of two things:

1, My eyesight is really poor, or

2. The Chinese rep makers have a great eye for marketing.

Answers on a postcard please!

 

[cjt202020]

I’ve got a rep Kermit from 2005 with better crystal, dw and insert than the new arf - going backwards with this at quite a hefty cost !

 

[m5smg2]

Of course it’s easier for me to see 316 vs 904....I have both in hand. I hope you can see some color difference in these pics. Shot side by side, both angles, same natural lighting.

 

[jeremyhuang13]

@ m5smg2 - Thank you for your photos. (don't know why my fonts are in yellow).........

from the photos, I find the JF (right photos) to have thinner case or more defined. Perhaps it is just the photo?

 

[m5smg2]

Important to note the 904 steel difference is visible on brushed finishes. On polished mirror finished I can’t see a difference either.

 

[Onoratoa54]

Of course it’s easier for me to see 316 vs 904....I have both in hand. I hope you can see some color difference in these pics. Shot side by side, both angles, same natural lighting.

What is the best between jf and arf ?

 

[KJ2020]

I agree, if you were to buy a Gen Kermit now chances are it would have been polished along the way. So the chamfers and CG can be forgiven. There are some badly polished pieces that circulate

The dw is no thicker than the v3 TC Dwos, this was obviously improved on in V4 Dwo but you do see some 5 digit subs with a hair thicker font. That’s probably on 5 digit models a little older than this is based though.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The DW fonts look rough and not gen-like though. ARF needs to get a new source for DW's, WTF?

 

[KJ2020]

What is the best between jf and arf ?

I like the shape of the ARF coronet better. But as I mentioned the stamp is off-center right on every sample I've seen (batch issue). Also the left 3 spires on the ARF coronet appear to have an indentation running across them. The quality of the JF stamp is better - the balls at the top are better defined.

 

[KJ2020]

Thanks! Nice to know that they have really changed the steel.

Yep, the 3 cents of chromium they added to make it look shinier is well worth the extra cost.

Sorry, I don't mean to be sarcastic but I just don't buy it (literally, unless there's no other choice).

 

[Kayatsu1]

Yep, the 3 cents of chromium they added to make it look shinier is well worth the extra cost.

Sorry, I don't mean to be sarcastic but I just don't buy it (literally, unless there's no other choice).

Ahahah I agree with you. Not worth the extra cost but at least there is a difference. Plus from what I know 904L (if it really is) should be more difficult to machine.