Review: GMF Datejust 36 two tone v2 (wrapped, w/ added weight) Ref: 126233

[Itto]

Hey gang! Wishing y'all a great start into the weekend - let's kick off the day with a short Review of my new two tone GMF DJ36.

Got this one in the mail yesterday - thanks to Sead who sourced it for me. On the PT website it was/is listed as JDF v2, but Sead quickly confirmed my suspicion that it is in fact GMF.

What intrigued me was the little paragraph on the PT site, that stated: "JDF add some Cu-W metal to increase watch weight to match the genuine gold watch weight, almost same weight as genuine two tone gold watch".

I asked Jennifer/PT where the weight was added, but supposedly the factory wouldn't give out that info. No problemo, let's just buy it blind. To be transparent: there's no exact reason why i did not buy via PT, it's just that Sead is and has been my go-to TD for quite some time now. You know the deal.

I opted for the wrapped version with the champagne diamond dial - which should imho (after a quick and probably quite sloppy research) be the closest to gen - and the vr3235 movement. Not cheap, but nothing good in life comes cheap i guess.

Now for my first impressions:

Overall look/feel: this thing is awesome. I have yet to figure out where the weight was added, but heres the deal: with a few links removed, the gen (according to a review on YT) weighs 133 grams. The GMF, with the same amount of links removed, comes in at 126 grams.

So that's not a world of difference there, nice! And because it is a compact 36mm watch, the weight really adds to the perceived value.

After a little Spa treatment, the Jubilee feels absolutely great. Perhaps a few sharp edges here and there, but really nothing to write home about - it is very soft on the inside. Feels silky, no hair pulling whatsoever. I think it is safe to say that this Jubilee OOTB is on par or even a hint better than the VSF Jubilee i have on my DJ41.

Clasp closes with a nice click. No rattling.

The gold color is pretty spot on i think. I got the wrapped version - note that in some shots i found on the net (and probably also on my own pictures), the bezel color seems to be lighter than the gold on the bracelet. This is not the case, it is merely an optical effect on some photos due to the lighting or whatever.

I will add to this review from time to time, but so far I'm really surprised and also a bit stunned with what GMF has done here. Due to the weight and the gold color, this watch feels absolutely Gen on wrist. I'm sure we can find little faults, if we really dissect all the features - the Rehaute for example is a bit roughly finished - but for now, I'm really a happy camper as i mostly look for the overall package/feeling in reps and try not to focus too much on single features.

The VR3235 winds ultra smooth, runs steady and the date flips exactly at 12pm. What more could i ask for?
So far, so nice!

On to the pictures:

 

[RX7GP]

Itto Thanks for the review, bezel and bracelet gold tones look way different on TD photos,and a little different with your some of your photos too. After almost a month of using, can you still say gold tone is good and bezel & bracelet tones are matching? Thanks again.

 

[Yogibear]

I forgot you were buying it! So is it case heavy only or does the bracelet have some decent weight? I know it's just a TT so it's not going to be crazy but I'm curious if you have weighed them individually the case and the bracelet to see where they added it.

 

[RX7GP]

Just saw the price, $788 with VR3235 - price does not make sense for a 36mm GMF, how much gold can they use to wrap this little fella for this price tag

 

[Yogibear]

Just saw the price, $788 with VR3235 - price does not make sense for a 36mm GMF, how much gold can they use to wrap this little fella for this price tag

The wrapped versions on any Rep are a total scam . Just buy the regular if your interested in the model.

 

[Itto]

Itto Thanks for the review, bezel and bracelet gold tones look way different on TD photos,and a little different with your some of your photos too. After almost a month of using, can you still say gold tone is good and bezel & bracelet tones are matching? Thanks again.

Yes, they are matching. Most Photos really do not capture this - the gold tone is still like ootb and no visible difference between bezel and bracelet.

 

[Itto]

I forgot you were buying it! So is it case heavy only or does the bracelet have some decent weight? I know it's just a TT so it's not going to be crazy but I'm curious if you have weighed them individually the case and the bracelet to see where they added it.

I assume it is mostly the case, but tbh the bracelet feels better / heavier than a gmf (and bp) jubilee i owned some time ago. I will weigh it all separately this weekend, perhaps there is someone with a "standard" gmf jubilee so we can compare the results.

Edit: but it is not particularly top-heavy, feels kind of balanced i must say.

 

[Yogibear]

I assume it is mostly the case, but tbh the bracelet feels better / heavier than a gmf (and bp) jubilee i owned some time ago. I will weigh it all separately this weekend, perhaps there is someone with a "standard" gmf jubilee so we can compare the results.

Edit: but it is not particularly top-heavy, feels kind of balanced i must say.

Yea this will be interesting the results. Can't wait!

 

[RX7GP]

Yes, they are matching. Most Photos really do not capture this - the gold tone is still like ootb and no visible difference between bezel and bracelet.

Thanks for feedback, i just checked photos again, i'm seeing some non-wrapped parts on sides and few gold cracks if not a photo illusion (my wrapped BP's gold parts started to crack like this, wrap doesnt stick to metal well like plated golds)

Maybe just a photo illusion

 

[Yogibear]

Thanks for feedback, i just checked photos again, i'm seeing some non-wrapped parts on sides and few gold cracks if not a photo illusion (my wrapped BP's gold parts started to crack like this, wrap doesnt stick to metal well like plated golds)

Maybe just a photo illusion

He said he did an oil bath so it's probably the remains of it.

 

[kavorca1]

Good eye

 

[Saint888]

OMG with that price tag without plating side middle link :xj4:

 

[Yogibear]

OMG with that price tag without plating side middle link :xj4:

Scroll up to the top pics.... The middle links sides are indeed plated.

 

[Yogibear]

I'm torn on these "wrapped" versions. Yes the colour looks more like gold but the price tag is ridiculous. I get the process they use is more expensive for "wrapped" but at the same time if I get the regular version and then just plate it with real gold I have the best look possible however for wear resistance these replica will outlast real gold plating by a long shot.

 

[johnlogan]

My GMF GMT TT plated came with added weight. Very noticeable ootb. Watch feel balanced so it’s hard to tell where the “added” weight is allocated.

 

[RX7GP]

I'm torn on these "wrapped" versions. Yes the colour looks more like gold but the price tag is ridiculous. I get the process they use is more expensive for "wrapped" but at the same time if I get the regular version and then just plate it with real gold I have the best look possible however for wear resistance these replica will outlast real gold plating by a long shot.

I'm not sure about durability of wrapped reps, here is a pic of my wrapped BP (i got it for $1000 back in 2016 or 17 while plated one was near $400)

This is not a heavy use, maybe 1-2 times a week in 2 years. (I'm not using this watch since 2019, just used 2 years - few times)

I'm no expert so cant say anything but wrapped golds tend to lift off easier than plated ones i guess (because of the steel surface or chinese low quality craftsmanship)

I agree about gen look of wrapped ones, this looks damn beautiful like gen, i also have gen, almost no difference. this shines just like gen.

 

[Itto]

The middle links are all plated. Yes there are some remains of the oil bath on the pictures, which give the illusion of steel showing through - but thats not the case

 

[RX7GP]

The middle links are all plated. Yes there are some remains of the oil bath on the pictures, which give the illusion of steel showing through - but thats not the case

Sounds good then, thanks I asked my TD if they can source this with VR3235 instead of SA3235, they all list SA3235 on their website now. I'll order same one with black dial if they have with VR. Cant trust SA with that amount of money for rep.

Gold looks orange in TD photos, but will see how it ends up

 

[Yogibear]

I'm not sure about durability of wrapped reps, here is a pic of my wrapped BP (i got it for $1000 back in 2016 or 17 while plated one was near $400)

This is not a heavy use, maybe 1-2 times a week in 2 years. (I'm not using this watch since 2019, just used 2 years - few times)

I'm no expert so cant say anything but wrapped golds tend to lift off easier than plated ones i guess (because of the steel surface or chinese low quality craftsmanship)

I agree about gen look of wrapped ones, this looks damn beautiful like gen, i also have gen, almost no difference. this shines just like gen.

Yea so unfortunately you got a bad batch.
So ill explain it further since that wrapped guide is very outdated and not correct in its information about replicas.

So the regular plated version of replicas are TiN PVD deposited pieces. Titanium nitride is darker yellow and can be that orange tint you sometimes see in Replicas e.g. VSF 116613 and usually needs carbon parameters played with in order to get a proper gold colour. You can even get Rose gold.

These "wrapped" versions are ZrN PVD deposited. When you see these replicas that look more like Champagne in appearance it's ZrN, which people say it's more gold like in appearance which I kinda see as well..... however they should be done CVD deposited because they claim in their description it's thicker plating right. CVD is for a thicker deposit and PVD is thinner.

Cost wise, the ZrN is more expensive than TiN and more durable.

For your issue. 2 things... Cracking occurs when the TiN/ ZrN is applied too thick and not deposited properly. Personally I don't think factory's will take the time to actually apply it too thick.
The other thing which I believe applies to you and 90% of PVD problems is the watch needs to be very very clean before or it will have adhesion issues as well as an electroplated layer finish. TiN or ZrN will attack the stainless steel if not sealed properly. If the seal is broken you get your cracks and corrosion on your SS like your pictures.

I think you got unlucky unfortunately because these replicas will always outlast real gold plating.

The best plated watches ever were the Seiko watches. They were the first to use PVD deposited TiN and real gold in the vacuum chamber. The TiN since porous would trap the real gold in the valleys and protect it from wear. The real gold would wear off on the top of course like any gold plating but the real gold was trapped at the bottom. Once the real gold wears off the bottom you STILL have the TiN left which looks like gold.

 

[Yogibear]

Another thing to point out is these replica PVD plated watches will sometimes look like door handles of casinos or bathroom faucets because that's mainly where this is applied to. It's annoying when these replica watches come out looking like a brass trumpet because the factory had a low volume order. That's why I believe BP/GMF usually have the best colour because of their high volume of precious metal models they produce.

ARF matches gold pretty well too but they seem to have a good contact with their manufacturers because their bracelets are still sought after today.