GMF V3 Asian Clone 3285 Movement Released

[trustytime]

GMF Factory has just released their V3 Asian Clone 3285 Movement.

This new movement will be released on their V3 GMT, such as the 126710 Jubilee Pepsi and Batman GMT, and Root Beer GMT 126711CHNR and 126715CHNR.

Here are some pictures of the movement for your reference.

 

[Texastimekeeper]

How does this movement differ from the previous models and what problems does this updated movement eliminate?

 

[trustytime]

How does this movement differ from the previous models and what problems does this updated movement eliminate?

The movement is a more accurate copy of the gen 3285 movement.

The current market 3285 movements are simply using the older 3186 movement with the 3285 stamp.

GMF has worked with the movement factory to release the latest updated true Asian Clone 3285 movement which closely reassembles the gen 3285, and not using a 3186 movement and simply stamping the 3285 onto it.

Quality and stability of the new Asian 3285 is similar to the new V3 Asian 3186 movement.

 

[KJ2020]

GMF needed to address their V3 GMT movement issues. Since the V3's release 6 months ago, they have used 3 different movements in the model.

Intially the V3 released with the SA3186, a base SA3135 model widely regarded as the least desirable 3135 movement. VR>SH>SA.

GMF releases true clone GMTs

3135 movement comparison Gen-SA-SH-VR

GMF's SA3186 has a proprietary jump click (factory jury-rigged) that operates opposite to gen/VR/SH. When you rotate the crown forward in position 2 with a GMF SA3186, the hour hand jumps anti-clockwise, unlike the others. This means that part can't be replaced by a gen like the others can. This is significant because all rep jump clicks are weak compared to gens.

Then without warning, GMF suddenly started using the much better VR3185 (as we call it at RWI) in the V3. Several TDs still have pics up of the V3 showing the easily recognizable VR movement as coming equipped in the V3. While this was a welcome move, it left us wondering why. Was the SA3186 with proprietary jump click found to be defective? Did they just run out of stock and decided to use the best? No one knew. At nearly the same time GMF discounted all of its V2 models with the 2824 CHS timebomb movements and clearanced them out at $288.

Then, in a truly bizarre move, GMF stopped using the great VR3185 in its V3's and began selling them with the 2824 CHS timebombs. Whoa, WTF? This looked like a bait and switch money grab because the difference between a VR3185 and 2824 timebomb in terms of cost and quality is night and day. They are at the complete opposite ends of the spectrum. What's worse is customers got these without warning and it's lead to some conflicts with TDs who are stuck selling what the factory supplies. The V3's are supposed to be 904L while the $288 V2 's are 316L but there's no way a V3 2824 timebomb is worth the same as a V3 VR3185.

So now we have this new 3285. The gen 3285 is based on the gen 3235. The 3 main differences in the 3235/85 are a skeleton escape wheel with thinner pallet forks, a larger mainspring barrel with thinner walls to house a longer mainspring and a monobloc ball bearing rotor.

I really can't see rep factories changing the escape wheel/pallet forks and reps already have the ball bearing monobloc rotors. So unless this new GMF 3285 has a larger mainspring barrel, it's still basically a 3135 with some cosmetic fluff and a 3285 engraving. It still has an SA3135 balance assembly, the worst of the 3 rep choices. VR>SH>SA.

https://quillandpad.com/2019/11/19/w...ich-is-better/

It would be nice if this GMF 3285 at least included a proper gen-spec jump click, like the VR3185 and SH3186 already have. And at least now maybe GMF will quit pawning off 2824 timebombs in the V3's as they move toward the 4th movement to be used in the first 6 months of the V3's release.

 

[shel504]

I'll be waiting to read more about what the experienced guys think of this. I bailed on my CHNR order once it was clear that not only had the VR movement been removed but what you got seemed to be a bit of a crap shoot.

 

[kevBquick]

i need a new pepsi since my movement broke on my GMF v1 with a 2836-2. So i'm hoping we get this sorted out.

 

[KJ2020]

i need a new pepsi since my movement broke on my GMF v1 with a 2836-2. So i'm hoping we get this sorted out.

You should just replace that with another 2836 ICHS. The case won't take a true clone and the dial feet positions and hands are different, etc.

 

[kevBquick]

You should just replace that with another 2836 ICHS. The case won't take a true clone and the dial feet positions and hands are different, etc.

TD was saying GMF v1 shold fit the GMF v3 movement. Messaged a watchsmith....no return. TD reached out as well....no response.that movement broke.
i really didn't want to replace it with a movement that the same thing could happen. crystal height is taller on v1 than v3...should have no clearance issues.

 

[KJ2020]

TD was saying GMF v1 should fit the GMF v3 movement.

The only way that is true is if the V3 in question had the 2824 CHS timebomb in it, which some did. A true clone GMT movement (VR3185, SH3186, SA3186, SA3285) will not fit in a 2836 case without some modding and even then the stem position is not optimal. Plus the dial feet have to be clipped and reglued, you need new hands, and the ETA date window will likely not line up with a 3185/6 datewheel. A sliver of silver will likely show due to there being a bare silver outer perimeter on the 3185/6 datewheel. Even if you swap in an all white gen or gen-spec DW, the numbers will be left justified. It's not worth fooling with on a GMF bro. You'd be better off cutting your losses and buy a new VRF or V9F or even a GMF with 3285 if you can be sure that's what it will have.

 

[KJ2020]

trustytime

So Andrew, two big questions about this new GMF 3285. It would be great if you could find out for us.

1. Which direction does the hour hand jump when you rotate the crown forward in position 2?

2. Which direction do the hands go when you rotate the crown backwards in position 3?

For the gen 3285, the answer to both questions is: Forward

Thanks a lot for the heads up on this bro. If you have any comparison pics like you showed for the VS3135, that would be most appreciated as well.

 

[kevBquick]

The only way that is true is if the V3 in question had the 2824 CHS timebomb in it, which some did. A true clone GMT movement (VR3185, SH3186, SA3186, SA3285) will not fit in a 2836 case without some modding and even then the stem position is not optimal. Plus the dial feet have to be clipped and reglued, you need new hands, and the ETA date window will likely not line up with a 3185/6 datewheel. A sliver of silver will likely show due to there being a bare silver outer perimeter on the 3185/6 datewheel. Even if you swap in an all white gen or gen-spec DW, the numbers will be left justified. It's not worth fooling with on a GMF bro. You'd be better off cutting your losses and buy a new VRF or V9F or even a GMF with 3285 if you can be sure that's what it will have.

big ups on the info bro....much appreicated! so a VRF, or whatever works good...I have a good bezel insert for my pepsi and paint mod so I want to keep it. hopefully the insert swaps because i can't deal with these rough transitions...some require paint mod for too dark of silver. some don't have union of blue/red in the right spot.

 

[KJ2020]

big ups on the info bro....much appreicated! so a VRF, or whatever works good...I have a good bezel insert for my pepsi and paint mod so I want to keep it. hopefully the insert swaps because i can't deal with these rough transitions...some require paint mod for too dark of silver. some don't have union of blue/red in the right spot.

GMF insert fits perfectly in a VRF bezel. You might need two tape rings to bring it to a nice flush fit, but that's common for any custom insert install.

GMF insert in a VRF bezel

 

[trustytime]

trustytime

So Andrew, two big questions about this new GMF 3285. It would be great if you could find out for us.

1. Which direction does the hour hand jump when you rotate the crown forward in position 2?

2. Which direction do the hands go when you rotate the crown backwards in position 3?

For the gen 3285, the answer to both questions is: Forward

Thanks a lot for the heads up on this bro. If you have any comparison pics like you showed for the VS3135, that would be most appreciated as well.

Let me try to get that arranged with factory.

I will update here on RWI for the GMF V3 3285 movement comparison.

Thanks

 

[KJ2020]

Let me try to get that arranged with factory.

I will update here on RWI for the GMF V3 3285 movement comparison.

Thanks

Any news bro? I see you have some GMF V3s listed now showing this new movement. Perfect Clones listed one as a V4. What up?

 

[trustytime]

Any news bro? I see you have some GMF V3s listed now showing this new movement. Perfect Clones listed one as a V4. What up?

Factory informed that it is the V3 ones. There were never any V3 3285 released prior to this. Officially, GMF only released the V3 GMT, and if there is any other newer versions, it will simply be just dealers listing as "newer" ones to make it look new and mislead you.

So the V4 that they listed are simply just V3.

For the movement, it works similar to the gen, the direction for adjusting the time and hour hand are the same.

I was waiting for factory to pass us the other movements to do the comparison, but as usual, parts take a long time to come in from factory.


Here is the video of just the GMF V3 3285 movement.

 

[abs10]

KJ2020 So if I read your post right and am seeing it in the video correctly, it does not work the same as the genuine 3285. When Andrew turns the crown forwards in position 2 the hand jumps backwards...

 

[KJ2020]

Factory informed that it is the V3 ones. There were never any V3 3285 released prior to this. Officially, GMF only released the V3 GMT, and if there is any other newer versions, it will simply be just dealers listing as "newer" ones to make it look new and mislead you.

So the V4 that they listed are simply just V3.

For the movement, it works similar to the gen, the direction for adjusting the time and hour hand are the same.

I was waiting for factory to pass us the other movements to do the comparison, but as usual, parts take a long time to come in from factory.


Here is the video of just the GMF V3 3285 movement.

Thanks a lot Andrew, that does indeed set time in position 3 and hour jump in position 2 just like the gen 3285. Only one like it so far. In both cases crown backwards = forward movement.

This is different from GMF's SA3186, which hour jumped the same (incorrect for 3185/6) but which set time in position 3 forward = forward.

 

[KJ2020]

KJ2020 So if I read your post right and am seeing it in the video correctly, it does not work the same as the genuine 3285. When Andrew turns the crown forwards in position 2 the hand jumps backwards...

The gen 3285 does the same bro.

Crown position 2, hour hand jumping

Gen
3185/6 ‐ fwd crown = forward jump
3285 - fwd crown = backward jump

True clone Rolex GMTs
VR3185, SH3186 - fwd crown = forward jump
SA3285 (new GMF) - fwd crown = backward jump

ETA and (most) DG3804s GMT
2824 CHS timebomb - fwd crown = backward jump
2836 and 3804 ICHS - back crown the GMT hand jumps backward

 

[abs10]

Thanks for clarifying. I have a gen exp ii w 3185 and misunderstood your post thinking it worked the same.


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[KJ2020]

Thanks for clarifying. I have a gen exp ii w 3185 and misunderstood your post thinking it worked the same.


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One of those was my first Rolex and after many reps, I just made one of those today from parts I've been collecting. This one is special.