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VSF has provided a comprehensive information on the VS4131 movement found on their Daytona 1265xx, based on their knowledge and development of the VS4131.
The write up is translated, but the general information that VSF is trying to inform can be understood.
The VS4131 Daytona Movement - More Stable, More Exquisite
People are asking why the SH4131 movement is already so widely sold by many factories, and the VS4131 movement is so late to the market?
That is because the development paths of the SH4131 and VS4131 are very different. The VS4131 is directly developed based on the gen's 4131 movement. With a more rationale design and better stability, 95% of VS4131 parts can be interchanged with the genuine movement. The SH4131 movement is based on the 4130 movement made based on 7750 technology, and then modified from the SH4130. Only the exterior of the movement looks similar, but many of the internal parts of the movement are pieced together by technology from low-end movements. Not to mention the so-called parts that can be interchanged with the gen movement, some of which are exaggerated. You can look at the disassembly and comparison of the SH4131 and the gen movement from earlier reviews. In fact, the workmanship and completion of the SH4131 movement are about the same level as the "blue hairspring" 3135 movement in 2018, and it is still unrefined.
1. Front Finishing details:
When playing with replicas, everyone wants to buy a similar, good, and stable one. However, the replica 4131 movement in the market so far, based on the SH4131 movement, the workmanship and finishing appearance is similar to the stainless steel basin/table used at home, shallow and unclear. Even from different angles, the texture is low-end.
Rolex models are mostly closed caseback, and the workmanship and appearance of the movement are usually invisible to everyone. However, the difference in the level of movement finishing essentially tells you about the difference in the quality of the movement factory's equipment and technicians' workmanship. If a factory cannot handle a simple finishing appearance, will such a factory be able to produce a high-precision and stable quality movement? It can't be, just like the many China domestic cars, if the car companies can't even make the car frame well, it is also unlikely to have a good domestically made engine. This measurement of standard not only measures the difference in standard but also the quality of the products.
2. Back Finishing Details:
You can see clearly from the above details, that the VS4131 clearly has the finishing like the original, while the SH4131 currently in the market has unrefined workmanship. Don't underestimate this difference. In the world of a watch movement, a slight difference in precision can lead to a huge difference in quality.
Some people may wonder if the SH4131 was photographed so dark and rough. To clear this up, look at the other comparison pictures of other details below, and you will find that it is actually quite rough. Compare it with the genuine 4131 and the back of the the SH4131 movement. You will be surprised! Right? It's so rough!
The SH4131 movement is not as consistent as what was advertised previously in reviews, and the finishing are so unrefined and rough.
3. Shock Absorber Comparison:
VS4131 and the genuine 4131 movement both uses real shock absorbers, with the same appearance and structure and real functionality. The SH4131 movement is equipped with a fake shock absorber decoration, hiding an Asia low-end movement shock absorber. A fake free sprung balance, completely different from the genuine movement. More importantly, the stability and resistance to drops and knocks of the movement is much worse than the genuine or VS4131.
4. Is There a Shock Absorber?:
After removing the automatic rotor winding module, you can see the secondary part of the movement. Here, the "clever"/cutting corners of the SH4131 movement are performed again! Again! Again! Again, using an ordinary ruby to replace where the shock absorber should have been. Use gemstones to replace shock absorbers because customers/you can't see it either.
The reason why the stability of these high-end Rolex movements is so awesome is that there are many amazing design details, such as using shock absorbers in key positions to avoid quality problems such as breakage. VSF invested in the new VS3135 movement and installed the same shock absorber as the original.
While the 3135 movement on the market is only equipped with an ordinary gem, and the appearance is completely different from the original. The stability and drop resistance of the movement will be much worse than the original and VSF.
5. Details of the Gem Hole:
From the details of the gem hole, we once again look at the "cleverness"/cutting corners of this commonly used SH4131 movement. Areas that are visible are made better, but cut corners at the hidden areas.
The genuine 4131 movement, the gem hole at this position has two upper and lower rubies to secure the transmission shaft, and the gem hole of the VS4131 movement is also secured with two rubies.
The SH4131 movement has only the one visible ruby, which causes the transmission shaft to shake a lot, and cause quality problems such as unstable movement. The winding will feel light, but the gears will be easily damaged, resulting in quality problems such as failure to wind.
6. Escapement Details Comparison:
In fact, many parts of SH4131 are not developed according to the genuine movement, but from the 7750 movement. For example, the details of escapement structure. Both the VS customized 4131 movement and the genuine 4131 movement are based on Rolex's unique herringbone escapement. The SH4131 movement still uses the T-shaped escapement used by Asia movements such as 7750. There are also many different parts, such as the limit structure under the balance wheel, in the shape of a horseshoe is also different.
This small part is installed under the balance wheel, and it has a nickname, called horseshoe. The horseshoe shape of VS4131 movement and genuine 4131 movement is the same, and the function is the same. The gourd-shaped belly limits the escape wheel. The SH4131 movement is different from the genuine one, and the function is not good. Two small pins need to be added to have the limit function.
7. Limit Structure Comparison:
VS4131 movement and genuine 4131 movement, there isn't two extra small pins under the balance wheel. SH4131 has two more pins under the balance wheel, and the structure is different from the genuine one. The function of these two pillars is to limit the horse wheel, which is a design from the 1980s and 1990s. Now high-end movements have long stopped using this design, but low-end movements are still using this design. Interested friends can take a look at the two antique movements below.
8. Timing After Disassembly and Assembly:
VS4131 movement, after disassembly and reassembly, the amplitude can reach 300, and the rate can be regulated, and the timing is perfect. The genuine 3135 movement, after disassembly and reassembly, does not need any adjustment, and the timing data is still very good. Very awesome.
The SH4131 movement, after being disassembled and reassembled, proves that Asia movements, especially low-end ones, cannot withstand the curse of disassembly and assembly. After disassembly and assembly, the swing amplitude cannot go up, hovering around 200. After disassembly and assembly, it is already half-disabled. This is also the reason why many Asia movements of average quality cannot be repaired, repeatedly repaired, or become more and more disabled after quality problems. (The machining precision of movement parts is not high enough, and the fit between parts is not perfect enough)
SH4131 is limited by the manufacturing equipment and technology of the movement factory, as well as the "clever"/cutting corners attitude in the details of internal structure and accessories, which is results in its unstable quality, many problems and return rate. The dyke of a thousand miles, destroyed by ant's den. Not changing the quality of the movement, but only repeatedly screen those movements with good timing data. This practice of individual factories is a bit of a cover-up. It can only ensure that the timing data looks good when shipped. After the customer receives it, whether it is stable or not depends on the customer's character.
9. Movement Disassembly:
Finally, here is a movement disassembly photo that everyone likes. It is important to choose the right version.
The write up is translated, but the general information that VSF is trying to inform can be understood.
The VS4131 Daytona Movement - More Stable, More Exquisite
People are asking why the SH4131 movement is already so widely sold by many factories, and the VS4131 movement is so late to the market?
That is because the development paths of the SH4131 and VS4131 are very different. The VS4131 is directly developed based on the gen's 4131 movement. With a more rationale design and better stability, 95% of VS4131 parts can be interchanged with the genuine movement. The SH4131 movement is based on the 4130 movement made based on 7750 technology, and then modified from the SH4130. Only the exterior of the movement looks similar, but many of the internal parts of the movement are pieced together by technology from low-end movements. Not to mention the so-called parts that can be interchanged with the gen movement, some of which are exaggerated. You can look at the disassembly and comparison of the SH4131 and the gen movement from earlier reviews. In fact, the workmanship and completion of the SH4131 movement are about the same level as the "blue hairspring" 3135 movement in 2018, and it is still unrefined.
1. Front Finishing details:
When playing with replicas, everyone wants to buy a similar, good, and stable one. However, the replica 4131 movement in the market so far, based on the SH4131 movement, the workmanship and finishing appearance is similar to the stainless steel basin/table used at home, shallow and unclear. Even from different angles, the texture is low-end.
Rolex models are mostly closed caseback, and the workmanship and appearance of the movement are usually invisible to everyone. However, the difference in the level of movement finishing essentially tells you about the difference in the quality of the movement factory's equipment and technicians' workmanship. If a factory cannot handle a simple finishing appearance, will such a factory be able to produce a high-precision and stable quality movement? It can't be, just like the many China domestic cars, if the car companies can't even make the car frame well, it is also unlikely to have a good domestically made engine. This measurement of standard not only measures the difference in standard but also the quality of the products.
2. Back Finishing Details:
You can see clearly from the above details, that the VS4131 clearly has the finishing like the original, while the SH4131 currently in the market has unrefined workmanship. Don't underestimate this difference. In the world of a watch movement, a slight difference in precision can lead to a huge difference in quality.
Some people may wonder if the SH4131 was photographed so dark and rough. To clear this up, look at the other comparison pictures of other details below, and you will find that it is actually quite rough. Compare it with the genuine 4131 and the back of the the SH4131 movement. You will be surprised! Right? It's so rough!
The SH4131 movement is not as consistent as what was advertised previously in reviews, and the finishing are so unrefined and rough.
3. Shock Absorber Comparison:
VS4131 and the genuine 4131 movement both uses real shock absorbers, with the same appearance and structure and real functionality. The SH4131 movement is equipped with a fake shock absorber decoration, hiding an Asia low-end movement shock absorber. A fake free sprung balance, completely different from the genuine movement. More importantly, the stability and resistance to drops and knocks of the movement is much worse than the genuine or VS4131.
4. Is There a Shock Absorber?:
After removing the automatic rotor winding module, you can see the secondary part of the movement. Here, the "clever"/cutting corners of the SH4131 movement are performed again! Again! Again! Again, using an ordinary ruby to replace where the shock absorber should have been. Use gemstones to replace shock absorbers because customers/you can't see it either.
The reason why the stability of these high-end Rolex movements is so awesome is that there are many amazing design details, such as using shock absorbers in key positions to avoid quality problems such as breakage. VSF invested in the new VS3135 movement and installed the same shock absorber as the original.
While the 3135 movement on the market is only equipped with an ordinary gem, and the appearance is completely different from the original. The stability and drop resistance of the movement will be much worse than the original and VSF.
5. Details of the Gem Hole:
From the details of the gem hole, we once again look at the "cleverness"/cutting corners of this commonly used SH4131 movement. Areas that are visible are made better, but cut corners at the hidden areas.
The genuine 4131 movement, the gem hole at this position has two upper and lower rubies to secure the transmission shaft, and the gem hole of the VS4131 movement is also secured with two rubies.
The SH4131 movement has only the one visible ruby, which causes the transmission shaft to shake a lot, and cause quality problems such as unstable movement. The winding will feel light, but the gears will be easily damaged, resulting in quality problems such as failure to wind.
6. Escapement Details Comparison:
In fact, many parts of SH4131 are not developed according to the genuine movement, but from the 7750 movement. For example, the details of escapement structure. Both the VS customized 4131 movement and the genuine 4131 movement are based on Rolex's unique herringbone escapement. The SH4131 movement still uses the T-shaped escapement used by Asia movements such as 7750. There are also many different parts, such as the limit structure under the balance wheel, in the shape of a horseshoe is also different.
This small part is installed under the balance wheel, and it has a nickname, called horseshoe. The horseshoe shape of VS4131 movement and genuine 4131 movement is the same, and the function is the same. The gourd-shaped belly limits the escape wheel. The SH4131 movement is different from the genuine one, and the function is not good. Two small pins need to be added to have the limit function.
7. Limit Structure Comparison:
VS4131 movement and genuine 4131 movement, there isn't two extra small pins under the balance wheel. SH4131 has two more pins under the balance wheel, and the structure is different from the genuine one. The function of these two pillars is to limit the horse wheel, which is a design from the 1980s and 1990s. Now high-end movements have long stopped using this design, but low-end movements are still using this design. Interested friends can take a look at the two antique movements below.
8. Timing After Disassembly and Assembly:
VS4131 movement, after disassembly and reassembly, the amplitude can reach 300, and the rate can be regulated, and the timing is perfect. The genuine 3135 movement, after disassembly and reassembly, does not need any adjustment, and the timing data is still very good. Very awesome.
The SH4131 movement, after being disassembled and reassembled, proves that Asia movements, especially low-end ones, cannot withstand the curse of disassembly and assembly. After disassembly and assembly, the swing amplitude cannot go up, hovering around 200. After disassembly and assembly, it is already half-disabled. This is also the reason why many Asia movements of average quality cannot be repaired, repeatedly repaired, or become more and more disabled after quality problems. (The machining precision of movement parts is not high enough, and the fit between parts is not perfect enough)
SH4131 is limited by the manufacturing equipment and technology of the movement factory, as well as the "clever"/cutting corners attitude in the details of internal structure and accessories, which is results in its unstable quality, many problems and return rate. The dyke of a thousand miles, destroyed by ant's den. Not changing the quality of the movement, but only repeatedly screen those movements with good timing data. This practice of individual factories is a bit of a cover-up. It can only ensure that the timing data looks good when shipped. After the customer receives it, whether it is stable or not depends on the customer's character.
9. Movement Disassembly:
Finally, here is a movement disassembly photo that everyone likes. It is important to choose the right version.
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