- 3/4/23
- 374
- 231
- 43
QF Lemans Review
Overall, this was a great effort towards recreating the elusive Lemans Daytona. I’m not sure why many factories have not created this version, but what made me reluctant to try QF was the lack of the sunburst dial. Not anymore…
The QF LEMANS HAS THE SUNBURST DIAL.
Although, I feel like you have to ask for it. And depending on the dealer, you might get different responses. I have a very good relationship with mine, as I have purchased countless watches from them. So some of these problems I hear about don’t necessarily apply. Money talks, period.
This quick (no pun intended) review will primarily address the dial qualities and to a lesser extent the SEL fit (because it really depends on the piece that you get), rehaut, and overall case accuracy.
The Dial:
It has the SUNBURST. At that point I was sold.
Interestingly, it is very difficult to spot the sunburst in low light or indoor settings. I’m not sure if this is common in the gen or if it is a consequence of the black dial color, but I initially thought that it didn’t have it. What you can see, initially, is the way the light bends and warps, which would lead someone to think sunburst. But it is not readily apparent. When I first saw it, I used my iPhone flashlight to try to elicit the effect and tried putting in down light (indoors). All with little success IMO. Again, I have never seen the gen in person and probably never will, so I don’t know if this is how to real one works too.
But this story takes a drastic turn, when brought outside. The dial jumps to life and the effect is inescapable. It is like a symphony of light and every small detail on the dial surface shines. At this point, there is absolutely no denying the presence of the sunburst. Again, not sure if this is how the gen responds to lighting situations.
Overall, it is a beautifully crafted dial with the details seemingly there. The Daytona is not my main focus in comparison to other watches I focus on, but from looking at gen pictures, it seems very close. I had the Clean 12 Daytona, and there is nothing that sticks out that says “inferior” to it. The markers and hands seem very good and nothing about them sticks out to lead me to believe instantly that it is a replica. The dial printing is sharp and substantial. The red on the Daytona is a rich but not dark red. The subdials look silver in indoor light but sparkle when brought outdoors. Text and dial spacing were unremarkable, no problems noted. 10/10
SEL:
The bracelet seems substantial. My dealer does a very good job of picking good cases and bracelets for me, but being that the “sunburst” version might be a novelty, I wasn’t very picky. This bracelet in comparison with my Clean, was not as even with regard to symmetry but QF was more solid in regard to fit. There was no lateral movement whatsoever. I am very impressed when replicas accomplish this because even genuines may have one that slightly, ever so SLIGHTLY, moves, like so minuscule that you might think it didn’t. So an A in my book to QF, at least for the fit. 9/10
Rehaut:
I’ve never seen the Gen, but it looks pretty good to me. I know how submariner rehaut looks, this one looks pretty good IMO. 8/10
The Case:
The case shape and overall presentation is impressive. pushers seem on point and the crown seems well detailed. Decorative elements of the movements seem somewhat polished and generally seem impressive. I’m not too picky about that kind of things. The glass is a good height, clarity was unremarkable, and thickness was spot on. So it was 9/10 in my books.
Other:
What always makes me reluctant of the gold versions is the inaccurate tone. Unless you just wear this watch outside, in low light settings it will be an easy tell for those informed. Maybe even outside for the well informed. If factories could just get this done from the get go, it would be great, but other than that you have great alternatives in the US (Flandad and Majorwilliams) who do an excellent job! In some ways, they probably will do a better job than if a factory does it. It will just set you back about $300. For me, it’s more a matter of time. When I get my watch, I want to go ahead and start wearing. Sending it off is not really what I want to do. Which is what you need to do (at least for Flandad) who require stickers to be present prior to plating. And finally, with regard to weight, it clocked in at 142g with full bracelet. Not a deal buster for me but would love to see it heavier.
In summary, I would rate this rendition of the Lemans from Q Factory a 9/10. It’s a good option for those itching to get a Lemans. I don’t think you’ll regret it (at least for the sunburst model).
Hope this helps anyone looking to purchase this version of the Lemans.
Viva RWI! Thank your Mods!!
Overall, this was a great effort towards recreating the elusive Lemans Daytona. I’m not sure why many factories have not created this version, but what made me reluctant to try QF was the lack of the sunburst dial. Not anymore…
The QF LEMANS HAS THE SUNBURST DIAL.
Although, I feel like you have to ask for it. And depending on the dealer, you might get different responses. I have a very good relationship with mine, as I have purchased countless watches from them. So some of these problems I hear about don’t necessarily apply. Money talks, period.
This quick (no pun intended) review will primarily address the dial qualities and to a lesser extent the SEL fit (because it really depends on the piece that you get), rehaut, and overall case accuracy.
The Dial:
It has the SUNBURST. At that point I was sold.
Interestingly, it is very difficult to spot the sunburst in low light or indoor settings. I’m not sure if this is common in the gen or if it is a consequence of the black dial color, but I initially thought that it didn’t have it. What you can see, initially, is the way the light bends and warps, which would lead someone to think sunburst. But it is not readily apparent. When I first saw it, I used my iPhone flashlight to try to elicit the effect and tried putting in down light (indoors). All with little success IMO. Again, I have never seen the gen in person and probably never will, so I don’t know if this is how to real one works too.
But this story takes a drastic turn, when brought outside. The dial jumps to life and the effect is inescapable. It is like a symphony of light and every small detail on the dial surface shines. At this point, there is absolutely no denying the presence of the sunburst. Again, not sure if this is how the gen responds to lighting situations.
Overall, it is a beautifully crafted dial with the details seemingly there. The Daytona is not my main focus in comparison to other watches I focus on, but from looking at gen pictures, it seems very close. I had the Clean 12 Daytona, and there is nothing that sticks out that says “inferior” to it. The markers and hands seem very good and nothing about them sticks out to lead me to believe instantly that it is a replica. The dial printing is sharp and substantial. The red on the Daytona is a rich but not dark red. The subdials look silver in indoor light but sparkle when brought outdoors. Text and dial spacing were unremarkable, no problems noted. 10/10
SEL:
The bracelet seems substantial. My dealer does a very good job of picking good cases and bracelets for me, but being that the “sunburst” version might be a novelty, I wasn’t very picky. This bracelet in comparison with my Clean, was not as even with regard to symmetry but QF was more solid in regard to fit. There was no lateral movement whatsoever. I am very impressed when replicas accomplish this because even genuines may have one that slightly, ever so SLIGHTLY, moves, like so minuscule that you might think it didn’t. So an A in my book to QF, at least for the fit. 9/10
Rehaut:
I’ve never seen the Gen, but it looks pretty good to me. I know how submariner rehaut looks, this one looks pretty good IMO. 8/10
The Case:
The case shape and overall presentation is impressive. pushers seem on point and the crown seems well detailed. Decorative elements of the movements seem somewhat polished and generally seem impressive. I’m not too picky about that kind of things. The glass is a good height, clarity was unremarkable, and thickness was spot on. So it was 9/10 in my books.
Other:
What always makes me reluctant of the gold versions is the inaccurate tone. Unless you just wear this watch outside, in low light settings it will be an easy tell for those informed. Maybe even outside for the well informed. If factories could just get this done from the get go, it would be great, but other than that you have great alternatives in the US (Flandad and Majorwilliams) who do an excellent job! In some ways, they probably will do a better job than if a factory does it. It will just set you back about $300. For me, it’s more a matter of time. When I get my watch, I want to go ahead and start wearing. Sending it off is not really what I want to do. Which is what you need to do (at least for Flandad) who require stickers to be present prior to plating. And finally, with regard to weight, it clocked in at 142g with full bracelet. Not a deal buster for me but would love to see it heavier.
In summary, I would rate this rendition of the Lemans from Q Factory a 9/10. It’s a good option for those itching to get a Lemans. I don’t think you’ll regret it (at least for the sunburst model).
Hope this helps anyone looking to purchase this version of the Lemans.
Viva RWI! Thank your Mods!!
