3K Aquanaut review

[Anadrol5]

Sorry if this is off-topic, but I'm genuinely interested in it: how come a factory like 3K can make an almost flawless replica, but leaves in glaring mistakes. (Painted words on a 1:1 replica movement, links sticking out on the steel bracelet). Does anyone know if this is a deliberate strategy? Wouldn't they be able to get more sales if they just released one without these flaws? (Also, competitors would be disincentivized to compete with them). I'd love to learn more about this.

When you play the rep game for a long time you will realise that the business model of rep factories is not to make the prefect rep. Their business model is to make a good enough rep to sell the current version having regard to the competition. That means that they deliberately leave certain flaws so that the next version can improve on it and be sold. Each time they make a new version they only make minor improvements so that, again, the next version can be sold. Given that there are so many parts to a watch this game of only making minor improvements can last many many versions thereby ensuring the rep factory's future sales.

 

[jasonbaylee]

Sorry if this is off-topic, but I'm genuinely interested in it: how come a factory like 3K can make an almost flawless replica, but leaves in glaring mistakes. (Painted words on a 1:1 replica movement, links sticking out on the steel bracelet). Does anyone know if this is a deliberate strategy? Wouldn't they be able to get more sales if they just released one without these flaws? (Also, competitors would be disincentivized to compete with them). I'd love to learn more about this.

No wonder I love my v9.5 of the AP ROO ! I should have waited for 3 years hahahaha.

 

[2841]

I received my gen 5167 strap today. The spring bars that comes with the 3KF is garbage. I had a set of Rolex spring bars laying around (20 x 18mm) and they fit perfectly. There is no gap between the case and strap, no matter how you bend it, and it sits exactly like Gen. (I compared to the photos on chrono24.

So in short, good spring bars will solve your problem

 

[Rainbowkin]

I received my gen 5167 strap today. The spring bars that comes with the 3KF is garbage. I had a set of Rolex spring bars laying around (20 x 18mm) and they fit perfectly. There is no gap between the case and strap, no matter how you bend it, and it sits exactly like Gen. (I compared to the photos on chrono24.

So in short, good spring bars will solve your problem

Ha, I was thinking of the same thing. Thanks for confirming, and I guess I will grab the said spring bars right naw.

edit: I suppose that's 20mm width by 1.8mm diameter spring bars?

 

[2841]

Ha, I was thinking of the same thing. Thanks for confirming, and I guess I will grab the said spring bars right naw.

edit: do you happen to know the diameter of your spring bars for the perfect fit? Or perhaps where to find them on the Bay?

Yep, like i wrote 20mm x 18mm (20mm is the length, 18mm is the diameter) Don't buy the cheap shit you find on ebay, get them from Everest https://www.everestbands.com/collec...ht-master-and-datejust-spring-bar-1-8mm-thick

 

[Rainbowkin]

Yep, like i wrote 20mm x 18mm (20mm is the length, 18mm is the diameter) Don't buy the cheap shit you find on ebay, get them from Everest https://www.everestbands.com/collec...ht-master-and-datejust-spring-bar-1-8mm-thick

Thanks. I was just looking at Everest!

1.8mm is the thickness!

 

[thechoppiestgreens]

Just read through this whole thread. Wow, thank you all for your thoughts, expertise, and opinions. I think I’m going to bite the bullet and get the 3KF. Just a bit scared that they’ll release a new version with an engraved movement.

I do have one question before I order, though. I noticed that many were saying that there is no accurate rep of the the khaki green/camo green strap. I reaaaaally want the camo green. Has this changed at all? Have any manufacturers decided to finally make an accurate camo green strap? Seems like a no-brainer to me, unsure of why they haven’t.

If there are no good reps of it, has anyone ordered an aftermarket version from any of the eBay sellers? I found a couple, and I might just get one of those instead. Would appreciate someone’s thoughts.

 

[Rainbowkin]

Just read through this whole thread. Wow, thank you all for your thoughts, expertise, and opinions. I think I’m going to bite the bullet and get the 3KF. Just a bit scared that they’ll release a new version with an engraved movement.

I do have one question before I order, though. I noticed that many were saying that there is no accurate rep of the the khaki green/camo green strap. I reaaaaally want the camo green. Has this changed at all? Have any manufacturers decided to finally make an accurate camo green strap? Seems like a no-brainer to me, unsure of why they haven’t.

If there are no good reps of it, has anyone ordered an aftermarket version from any of the eBay sellers? I found a couple, and I might just get one of those instead. Would appreciate someone’s thoughts.

For the 3k you mentioned, I personally pity the large bracelet link more than the lack of movement engraving.
Regarding the green straps - no. Don't buy aquanaut straps from Ebay, well, unless they are gen you are talking about.

 

[thechoppiestgreens]

For the 3k you mentioned, I personally pity the large bracelet link more than the lack of movement engraving.
Regarding the green straps - no. Don't buy aquanaut straps from Ebay, well, unless they are gen you are talking about.

No, probably won't be buying a gen green strap. Only looking at reps or just some aftermarket that look good. Why not buy them off eBay? Bad experience?

 

[maison888]

No, probably won't be buying a gen green strap. Only looking at reps or just some aftermarket that look good. Why not buy them off eBay? Bad experience?

I'd stay away from the ebay one as well. I purchased two and the color is obviously off and the pins did not line up with the case for both. I don't believe there is an aftermarket strap with the correct color, your best bet is to get one from a TD.

 

[160million]

I'd stay away from the ebay one as well. I purchased two and the color is obviously off and the pins did not line up with the case for both. I don't believe there is an aftermarket strap with the correct color, your best bet is to get one from a TD.

you can get them from chrono24?!

 

[Rainbowkin]

you can get them from chrono24?!

Not sure how the aftermarket straps on chrono24 are any better than that on the Bay. Have you gotten any?

 

[maison888]

you can get them from chrono24?!

From what I've heard some of those "aftermarket" listed on chrono are basically the same Chinese made parts you'd find on Ebay/Etsy. Choppy mentioned he's not buying gen so might as well go with a a replacement from a TD, expected price and it'll surely fit.

Not worth the hassle of trying to return/refund if it doesn't fit. It took me a month to get my money back for both straps I purchased.

 

[maison888]

No, probably won't be buying a gen green strap. Only looking at reps or just some aftermarket that look good. Why not buy them off eBay? Bad experience?

You can try this if you're willing to shell out a bit more. https://www.vagenari.com/products-detail.php?ProId=164

 

[Anthonye]

I received my gen 5167 strap today. The spring bars that comes with the 3KF is garbage. I had a set of Rolex spring bars laying around (20 x 18mm) and they fit perfectly. There is no gap between the case and strap, no matter how you bend it, and it sits exactly like Gen. (I compared to the photos on chrono24.

So in short, good spring bars will solve your problem

Thanks for the info

 

[LebronXiJames]

I received my gen 5167 strap today. The spring bars that comes with the 3KF is garbage. I had a set of Rolex spring bars laying around (20 x 18mm) and they fit perfectly. There is no gap between the case and strap, no matter how you bend it, and it sits exactly like Gen. (I compared to the photos on chrono24.

So in short, good spring bars will solve your problem

Really appreciate this info. Just ordered a set of the Rolex spring bars myself. Possibly have any before or after pics just for my eyes curiosity?

Will also be pulling the trigger on a green khaki strap soon and will post pictures when it arrives on the watch with the new spring bars

 

[Tobel]

I received my gen 5167 strap today. The spring bars that comes with the 3KF is garbage. I had a set of Rolex spring bars laying around (20 x 18mm) and they fit perfectly. There is no gap between the case and strap, no matter how you bend it, and it sits exactly like Gen. (I compared to the photos on chrono24.

So in short, good spring bars will solve your problem

That's quite interesting indeed just make sure I understand, do you mean that with good spring bars, there is no gap between gen strap and case, the metal pins from the gen strap fit into the case holes, and there is no gap between the side of the strap and the inner sides of the lugs? Thanks mate!

 

[nasar73]

timnic54 Great write up and fantastic photos.

What is your view on the Blue dial WG version? There are two on the market. ZF or KMF?

​​​​​​https://trustytime.shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=19359:9c54711a8fa27cd1529e4a94605bf1ad

​​​​​​https://trustytime.shop/index.php?m...cts_id=19170:2575c857df983996d49550f3e924755f

 

[2841]

That's quite interesting indeed just make sure I understand, do you mean that with good spring bars, there is no gap between gen strap and case, the metal pins from the gen strap fit into the case holes, and there is no gap between the side of the strap and the inner sides of the lugs? Thanks mate!

Yep, thats it. The pin hole placement in the 3K case is correct, and if you use the mentioned size quality springbars with the gen strap, there is zero gap or difference from the Gen. I went trough about 20 ads on Chrono24, and checked from all angels. it sit perfectly

 

[2841]

timnic54 Great write up and fantastic photos.

What is your view on the Blue dial WG version? There are two on the market. ZF or KMF?

​​​​​​https://trustytime.shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=19359:9c54711a8fa27cd1529e4a94605bf1ad

​​​​​​https://trustytime.shop/index.php?m...cts_id=19170:2575c857df983996d49550f3e924755f

I would never buy anything else then steel. Rep "gold" watches will never have the same weight as Gen, i cant live with that.