Hi guys
With all these sub releases my head is spinning, and its getting a confusing and hard to choose.
Since i really liked my old ZZF v2.2 and liked how the quality matched my gens, i thought i would start with the v3.
Crystal: Good, a lot better than v2.2 but still no substitute for a gen. Not only does the gen crystal have better magnification, black hole effect ect. but it also makes the dial pop in a way i havent seen a rep crystal do. IMO always go gen crystal.
Inlay: I sadly don't have a gen hulk to compare it to, so i won't comment on the color. The platinum inlay looks good, nice/correct blend of white/platinum color and i see no difference compared to my gen.
Bezel: They redid the teeth on the v3 and they are a lot better. They now have the same "sharpness" as gen, and the shape looks pretty spot on to me. The bezel action is a tiny bit more firm then gen, but nothing you would notice day to day. (I'm sure you could benefit with gen click springs, but imo it's not important)
Dial: Again, sadly no gen Hulk to compare. But it looks like they toned down the sunburst effect since v2.2. It now looks less "harsh/sharp" and i like this better. The hour makers are 100% spot on compared to gen, and really captures the light. Text is imo perfect.
Datewheel: The font is SLIGHTLY thinner den my 2020 gen, but has the same thickness as my 2019 Batman 126710. Again, the gen crystal magnifies correctly, and i see no point in upgrading to gen datewheel
Hands: Well comparing to gen, i think they are 99% there. The balance on the second hand looks a tiny bit flat, other then that, i can't tell a difference. Size and proportions compared to a gen 2020 is spot on.
Crown: Winds in and out smoothly, maybe a fraction more rough on the nerling then gen.
Case: Maybe i'm going crazy, but the CG looks a bit better on the V3, but i'm not sure The brushing is not good (Pretty much all reps i've had have subpar brushing) Imo the whole 316 vs 904 discussion is ridiculous, it all comes down to the brushing. I reworked the case with Bergeon blocks to give it the same satin look as gen. (I think maybe even Tate would approve of the lug reflections now )
Bracelet/clasp: The v3 came with the new ARF developed bracelet, and i can confirm that the clasp look to be same quality/standard as an old ARF clasp. The bracelet had PERFECT SELs, 100% like gen. The clasp feels and functions like a gen glidelock. Again, the brushing is not good. I reworked the bracelet and clasp with Bergeon blocks to give it the same satin look as gen. I also did a repolish of the rehault, to give it a bit more shine as gen.
Movement: Running -1 second a day, and winds a bit rough, not as smooth as gen, and my old v2.2 was actually smoother.
Weight: Bracelet clasp, same as gen. Watchhead 1g less than gen.
Let me know if you have any question. The work done was installation of gen crystal and gasket, resetting bezel, greasing of all gasket and pressure tested to 6 ATM, bracelet and clasp has been rebrushed to "Gen spec" And repolish of the rehault.
My overall conclusion is that build quality is superb, and when i use this (And the old v2.2) in rotation with my gens, i really don't feel a difference. I have absolute no brand loyalty, and in a very near future, i will be testing out either the VSF, mostly for the movement or the ZF, mostly for the case and rehault.
This is exciting times for rep lovers, we might nitpick tine macro details, but the truth is, these watches are VERY good OTB. And for me, that extra bit of modding love i give them, makes them special
Pics in different light scenarios, and a couple of work in progress pics
VS gen
Work
With all these sub releases my head is spinning, and its getting a confusing and hard to choose.
Since i really liked my old ZZF v2.2 and liked how the quality matched my gens, i thought i would start with the v3.
Crystal: Good, a lot better than v2.2 but still no substitute for a gen. Not only does the gen crystal have better magnification, black hole effect ect. but it also makes the dial pop in a way i havent seen a rep crystal do. IMO always go gen crystal.
Inlay: I sadly don't have a gen hulk to compare it to, so i won't comment on the color. The platinum inlay looks good, nice/correct blend of white/platinum color and i see no difference compared to my gen.
Bezel: They redid the teeth on the v3 and they are a lot better. They now have the same "sharpness" as gen, and the shape looks pretty spot on to me. The bezel action is a tiny bit more firm then gen, but nothing you would notice day to day. (I'm sure you could benefit with gen click springs, but imo it's not important)
Dial: Again, sadly no gen Hulk to compare. But it looks like they toned down the sunburst effect since v2.2. It now looks less "harsh/sharp" and i like this better. The hour makers are 100% spot on compared to gen, and really captures the light. Text is imo perfect.
Datewheel: The font is SLIGHTLY thinner den my 2020 gen, but has the same thickness as my 2019 Batman 126710. Again, the gen crystal magnifies correctly, and i see no point in upgrading to gen datewheel
Hands: Well comparing to gen, i think they are 99% there. The balance on the second hand looks a tiny bit flat, other then that, i can't tell a difference. Size and proportions compared to a gen 2020 is spot on.
Crown: Winds in and out smoothly, maybe a fraction more rough on the nerling then gen.
Case: Maybe i'm going crazy, but the CG looks a bit better on the V3, but i'm not sure
The brushing is not good (Pretty much all reps i've had have subpar brushing) Imo the whole 316 vs 904 discussion is ridiculous, it all comes down to the brushing. I reworked the case with Bergeon blocks to give it the same satin look as gen. (I think maybe even Tate would approve of the lug reflections now )Bracelet/clasp: The v3 came with the new ARF developed bracelet, and i can confirm that the clasp look to be same quality/standard as an old ARF clasp. The bracelet had PERFECT SELs, 100% like gen. The clasp feels and functions like a gen glidelock. Again, the brushing is not good. I reworked the bracelet and clasp with Bergeon blocks to give it the same satin look as gen. I also did a repolish of the rehault, to give it a bit more shine as gen.
Movement: Running -1 second a day, and winds a bit rough, not as smooth as gen, and my old v2.2 was actually smoother.
Weight: Bracelet clasp, same as gen. Watchhead 1g less than gen.
Let me know if you have any question. The work done was installation of gen crystal and gasket, resetting bezel, greasing of all gasket and pressure tested to 6 ATM, bracelet and clasp has been rebrushed to "Gen spec"
And repolish of the rehault.My overall conclusion is that build quality is superb, and when i use this (And the old v2.2) in rotation with my gens, i really don't feel a difference. I have absolute no brand loyalty, and in a very near future, i will be testing out either the VSF, mostly for the movement or the ZF, mostly for the case and rehault.
This is exciting times for rep lovers, we might nitpick tine macro details, but the truth is, these watches are VERY good OTB. And for me, that extra bit of modding love i give them, makes them special
Pics in different light scenarios, and a couple of work in progress pics
VS gen
Work
