- 22/1/19
- 1,331
- 1,693
- 113
I just picked up this Noob SD43 Sea-Dweller SD43 126600 with the SA3235 movement on a whim. I've had multiple copies of every iteration of the ARF SD43 (v1-3) MkI dial. While I loved certain aspects of the quality, there were always some small and not-so-small detail issues I had with them. With a dearth of real life pics and review info on the Noob version, I thought it would be a fun thing to do for the community.
First off, some general studio pics:
The pearl (lume pip) is miles better than my previous ARFs.
The inconsistent appearance of the matte black dial is only reflections from the camera. This pic highlights the most important from-five-feet-away difference between the Noob and the ARF: the lume colour. Notice here how all the lume pots are a nice creamy white. Every ARF I've had was skim-milk-blue-white and stuck out like a sore thumb from across a table.
For me, just about everything about the dial/bezel/crystal is better on the Noob.
The HE valve is a better color match than the ARF.
Hands are very nicely finished. Good hand stack. Minute hand is a little fuzzy on one edge and needs cleaning up.
Now on to the movement:
I couldn't capture a good lighting shot to show how overall this movement is well finished. It's not a VSF 3235, but it's not far off in terms of finish. Regulation is straight forward. I haven't done a power reserve test. I will run one in the next couple days.
The Matte Dial
These next images in studio lighting help illustrate the nice contrast between the gloss of the ceramic bezel and the matte finish of the dial.
On the Wrist...
I think it really looks great in the daylight. Overall I like it on my wrist better than previous ARF versions.
What the pics don't show....
The bracelet finish out of the box was total crap. I could cut myself shaving with the raised center ridge on the clasp surface. I spent several hours with a rotary tool making the edges palatable and let it soak overnight in coconut oil. The end result is certainly wearable, but not to ARF standards. The foldover clasp guard has a very nice gen action to it, though. Probably the only redeeming feature of the bracelet/clasp. Interestingly enough, the clasp code is C4R, normally used by ZZF Subs. Go figure.
I hope this helps some of you SD43 fans who always wondered about an alternative to ARF. The XF/VSF will probably trump both of them, but for now, there's a lot to like about this Noob SD43.
First off, some general studio pics:
The pearl (lume pip) is miles better than my previous ARFs.
The inconsistent appearance of the matte black dial is only reflections from the camera. This pic highlights the most important from-five-feet-away difference between the Noob and the ARF: the lume colour. Notice here how all the lume pots are a nice creamy white. Every ARF I've had was skim-milk-blue-white and stuck out like a sore thumb from across a table.
For me, just about everything about the dial/bezel/crystal is better on the Noob.
The HE valve is a better color match than the ARF.
Hands are very nicely finished. Good hand stack. Minute hand is a little fuzzy on one edge and needs cleaning up.
Now on to the movement:
I couldn't capture a good lighting shot to show how overall this movement is well finished. It's not a VSF 3235, but it's not far off in terms of finish. Regulation is straight forward. I haven't done a power reserve test. I will run one in the next couple days.
The Matte Dial
These next images in studio lighting help illustrate the nice contrast between the gloss of the ceramic bezel and the matte finish of the dial.
On the Wrist...
I think it really looks great in the daylight. Overall I like it on my wrist better than previous ARF versions.
What the pics don't show....
The bracelet finish out of the box was total crap. I could cut myself shaving with the raised center ridge on the clasp surface. I spent several hours with a rotary tool making the edges palatable and let it soak overnight in coconut oil. The end result is certainly wearable, but not to ARF standards. The foldover clasp guard has a very nice gen action to it, though. Probably the only redeeming feature of the bracelet/clasp. Interestingly enough, the clasp code is C4R, normally used by ZZF Subs. Go figure.
I hope this helps some of you SD43 fans who always wondered about an alternative to ARF. The XF/VSF will probably trump both of them, but for now, there's a lot to like about this Noob SD43.
