ARF Blue Two Tone Submariner

[frosterosen]

I'm not so sure whether TD try the luck to give different watch to their customer..Plus i'm one of their regular customer.

Payment refunded by TD, unfortunately my TD cannot source ARF Blue Sub 2 Tone with decent date wheel.

 

[Rolemars]

I'm not so sure whether TD try the luck to give different watch to their customer..Plus i'm one of their regular customer.

Payment refunded by TD, unfortunately my TD cannot source ARF Blue Sub 2 Tone with decent date wheel.

I think the one you showed is ARF. They are known for using really bold fonts. Maybe it's a very old batch. I would only get a new ARF if it had gold sided SEL's and nice insert color like the one Aston has

 

[Aston]

If it is from an old batch of ARF's, then the upside of it is that the crown sits nicely and not sitting proud of the case like the usual early ARF's.

 

[FourAP]

I was looking at the ARF but given frosterosen's recent experience I'm considering Noob's offering. Does anyone know if the mid links are gold wrapped on the sides of the Noob? Is there anything I'm missing here on why people seem to go for the ARF or VRF over the Noob? The Vrf's gold to my eyes is just a shade too deep and orange.

https://puretime.io/submariner-1166...zel-blue-dial-on-ss-yg-bracelet-a2836-v8.html


Also there is the GMF and JF options to consider. Would love ifAston or jampo or Pelagic or anyone with deep knowledge of the bluesy could give their insight. Thanks all and thanks to the folks at RWI for a great resource and keeping the lights on. I've been looking at this forum for about a month now and only joined today. I want to contribute in any way I can.

This will be my first rep purchase as my funds for a gen just aren't there. Also my AD gave me a very long waiting period for a TT sub when I asked a few months ago. So here I am. Thanks again.

 

[KJ2020]

There were a couple of JFs listed for sale on M2M as recently as yesterday. Widely regarded as the best insert. I had a VRF and agree the gold was toward orange. Pretty sure I am going to order a Noob soon.

 

[freeart]

I like, very good watch!!!


Inviato dal mio iPhone utilizzando Tapatalk

 

[FourAP]

KJ2020 Thanks for the heads up on the JF insert. So you know, I read the gold on the Noob mid links don't go all the way around on the sides. Which isn't great if true. Hard to believe they wouldn't wrap the whole way but that what was said by another member on this forum. Is there anyone who knows for sure?

Am I overthinking this!?

Also, besides the JF GMF ARF there's also the BP to consider but I'm not sure which one everyone seems to be talking about in other threads. I'm usually fairly good at sorting the wood from the trees but this is a minefield with lots of conflicting information.


I might just go Noob and be done.

 

[FourAP]

There were a couple of JFs listed for sale on M2M as recently as yesterday. Widely regarded as the best insert. I had a VRF and agree the gold was toward orange. Pretty sure I am going to order a Noob soon.

JF looks really good.

https://puretime.io/submariner-116613-lb-jf-1-1-best-edition-blue-dial-on-ss-yg-bracelet-sh3135.html

SH3135 movement can be less than ideal from what I've read but can be serviced.

Only question is the finish of the SELs and the wrapping of the mid links on sides. Any knowledgeable members on this?

 

[Tobel]

JF looks really good.

https://puretime.io/submariner-116613-lb-jf-1-1-best-edition-blue-dial-on-ss-yg-bracelet-sh3135.html

SH3135 movement can be less than ideal from what I've read but can be serviced.

Only question is the finish of the SELs and the wrapping of the mid links on sides. Any knowledgeable members on this?

Just look at the video on Puretime and you'll see that the side of the middle links are not gold

 

[Aston]

FourAP I’ve also had the BP and JF versions as well as the VRF Max and ARF.

The BP was my second 116613LB after a cheap 21j taster version and at first I loved it, but the dial was too purple and the end links were silver, so I then got the JF with the SH3135 and it was fantastic although it still had silver endlinks but the side of the midlinks were gold. It was one of the better versions out there and is a fantastic base for any Franken work. The VRF is a decent watch, and the bracelet is fully wrapped with mid and endlinks but as been said, the gold seems too orange. You can see my earlier pics with my VRF and ARF side by side with the gen bezel to compare the gold colour. I seem to have got a new batch of the ARF I think and it is really good and has the updated v2 SH3135. The dial is fantastic with good gen like 3D type print and has a great blue colour. The insert is also very close to the gen blue but the engraving and pearl positioning let it down a bit, but that could just be a QC issue on mine. In general if you can get a new batch ARF that would be my choice or a JF, but new JF’s don’t seem to be available any more.

 

[FourAP]

FourAP I’ve also had the BP and JF versions as well as the VRF Max and ARF.

The BP was my second 116613LB after a cheap 21j taster version and at first I loved it, but the dial was too purple and the end links were silver, so I then got the JF with the SH3135 and it was fantastic although it still had silver endlinks but the side of the midlinks were gold. It was one of the better versions out there and is a fantastic base for any Franken work. The VRF is a decent watch, and the bracelet is fully wrapped with mid and endlinks but as been said, the gold seems too orange. You can see my earlier pics with my VRF and ARF side by side with the gen bezel to compare the gold colour. I seem to have got a new batch of the ARF I think and it is really good and has the updated v2 SH3135. The dial is fantastic with good gen like 3D type print and has a great blue colour. The insert is also very close to the gen blue but the engraving and pearl positioning let it down a bit, but that could just be a QC issue on mine. In general if you can get a new batch ARF that would be my choice or a JF, but new JF’s don’t seem to be available any more.

Thanks for this Aston and Tobel for steering me and any of those looking at this thread. I've been reading almost everything related to the blue TT sub here and on repgeek and it's a very difficult one to choose. If only the VRF hadn't put too much copper or whatever it is into the "gold" mix I would go for that in a flash.

 

[FourAP]

I've received a few interesting close ups of ARF's current stock. I think the crown looks good. Again, as others have commented bare SELs but the mid links plated on the side. Pearl and date looks good. Not seeing a problem with LEC as others have. One of the TDs I've been in contact with agrees with me, saying that VRF's gold just isn't good. Leaning towards ARF but you would think with all the trouble of making a fairly good rep they would go that little extra bit and plate the SEL. It's a bit irritating.

Anyway here are some closeups for those who are interested. Comments welcome.


https://i.postimg.cc/FKsD71nT/IMG-5461-1.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/MKgS0J80/IMG-5462-1.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/d04NBGyM/IMG-5463-1.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/VNdZKdBd/IMG-5464-1.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/vm2LDsj9/IMG-5465-1.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/FKSH8tcm/IMG-5466-1.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/L5cyy1Mm/IMG-5467-1.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/L8Tcsxpf/IMG-5468-1.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/9QR9mnTg/IMG-5469-1.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/1XXtW8r7/IMG-5470-1.jpg

 

[KJ2020]

I've received a few interesting close ups of ARF's current stock. I think the crown looks good. Again, as others have commented bare SELs but the mid links plated on the side. Pearl and date looks good. Not seeing a problem with LEC as others have. One of the TDs I've been in contact with agrees with me, saying that VRF's gold just isn't good. Leaning towards ARF but you would think with all the trouble of making a fairly good rep they would go that little extra bit and plate the SEL. It's a bit irritating.

Anyway here are some closeups for those who are interested. Comments welcome.

Hey bro, Best to use picr.me

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Copy codes, paste here


I'm still leaning toward the Noob

 

[Aston]

I've received a few interesting close ups of ARF's current stock. I think the crown looks good. Again, as others have commented bare SELs but the mid links plated on the side. Pearl and date looks good. Not seeing a problem with LEC as others have. One of the TDs I've been in contact with agrees with me, saying that VRF's gold just isn't good. Leaning towards ARF but you would think with all the trouble of making a fairly good rep they would go that little extra bit and plate the SEL. It's a bit irritating.

Anyway here are some closeups for those who are interested. Comments welcome.


https://i.postimg.cc/FKsD71nT/IMG-5461-1.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/MKgS0J80/IMG-5462-1.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/d04NBGyM/IMG-5463-1.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/VNdZKdBd/IMG-5464-1.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/vm2LDsj9/IMG-5465-1.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/FKSH8tcm/IMG-5466-1.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/L5cyy1Mm/IMG-5467-1.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/L8Tcsxpf/IMG-5468-1.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/9QR9mnTg/IMG-5469-1.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/1XXtW8r7/IMG-5470-1.jpg

Take it they are Mary's QC pics? You can't tell from the pics if the SEL's are bare. I thought mine were bare and I was pleasantly surprised to find they were gold when it arrived.

 

[FourAP]

Hey bro, Best to use picr.me

Go to www.picr.me
Create account
Upload pics
Select pics to post
Tap action, get embed codes
Tap viewer links drop down, BB code full
Copy codes, paste here


I'm still leaning toward the Noob

Thanks for that bud, I'll use that for the future. Just wondering why you're leaning towards the Noob. I was swinging in that direction in the beginning of my research but thinking differently now that I've done my reading on the LB. A lot of experienced members prefer other LBs. That said, what do I know; I'm new to this and Noob seem to make quality watches generally.

Take it they are Mary's QC pics? You can't tell from the pics if the SEL's are bare. I thought mine were bare and I was pleasantly surprised to find they were gold when it arrived.

Yes they are! Thanks to you I was alerted to her expertise in the area. Do you know does she do the time test and pressure test like some of the TDs?

Btw, I'm thrilled to hear the SELs are covered on your watch bro. I think it will make a big difference when you're wearing the watch in public. While there's slim to no chance someone will notice, it could be in the back of your mind. No you can wear it with confidence. Just so you know, Mary said the SELs weren't wrapped on the AR. I wasn't going off the photos. Who knows, if I get the watch maybe mine will be gold too! Thanks Aston and KJ2020 & RWI too, I really appreciate this site.

 

[KJ2020]

FourAP i like the shade of YG on the Noob. I care a lot less about the YG being close to gen than I do about loving what I see on my wrist. Also, I think the Noob is going to have covered SELs just like the ARF, based on the Noob TT GMT having them despite TD pics not showing it. Also, Noob has the best DWs available. ARF's DWs are inconsistent except that they are consistently bad.

Pic shows Noob vs VRF bracelet

 

[FourAP]

FourAP i like the shade of YG on the Noob. I care a lot less about the YG being close to gen than I do about loving what I see on my wrist. Also, I think the Noob is going to have covered SELs just like the ARF, based on the Noob TT GMT having them despite TD pics not showing it. Also, Noob has the best DWs available. ARF's DWs are inconsistent except that they are consistently bad.

Pic shows Noob vs VRF bracelet

"ARF's DWs are inconsistent except that they are consistently bad." Brilliant.

All good points. Damn this is hard!! I'm going to throw one back at you. Andrew at Trusty said he thought the AR is better than the Noob LB. Then again he said the mid links on the AR weren't plated on the side. Who knows at this point. I'm definitely with you on the gold on the Noob. I like it. I can't spot that much of a difference between it and the AR. They're both not a million miles away from the gen. However, the VRF is on another galaxy. For me it's between the AR and Noob and until you just posted I thought I had settled on the AR! This is a tough one and I may end up just waiting to buy a second hand or new gen. It's a really beautiful piece when you see it in person. Just need to work harder!!

 

[KJ2020]

"ARF's DWs are inconsistent except that they are consistently bad." Brilliant.

All good points. Damn this is hard!! I'm going to throw one back at you. Andrew at Trusty said he thought the AR is better than the Noob LB. Then again he said the mid links on the AR weren't plated on the side. Who knows at this point. I'm definitely with you on the gold on the Noob. I like it. I can't spot that much of a difference between it and the AR. They're both not a million miles away from the gen. However, the VRF is on another galaxy. For me it's between the AR and Noob and until you just posted I thought I had settled on the AR! This is a tough one and I may end up just waiting to buy a second hand or new gen. It's a really beautiful piece when you see it in person. Just need to work harder!!

I take things TDs tell me with a grain of salt. The ARF insert is engraved off center, how many of those did they buy and have to pawn off on us before a better batch arrives? The ARF 116610 LN had the same issue for 8 months after release. If you've narrowed it down to these two, why not buy both and flip the one you like least? Either one you keep should be fine with some minor modding, crystal for sure.

 

[FourAP]

I take things TDs tell me with a grain of salt. The ARF insert is engraved off center, how many of those did they buy and have to pawn off on us before a better batch arrives? The ARF 116610 LN had the same issue for 8 months after release. If you've narrowed it down to these two, why not buy both and flip the one you like least? Either one you keep should be fine with some minor modding, crystal for sure.

Just want to get your advice on the photos above. Do you think there's anything amiss? Do you think the insert engraving isn't aligned properly? I'm looking hard and tbh I'm finding it hard to see much wrong with the watch but again, I've only just started and am new to these forums. I think seeing something in person is a whole other ball game and if something is wrong I know it will bug me. Good idea on buying both. I also agree with what your saying on flaws and batches. From my reading of the rep market the main reason for conflicting information is that stock from TDs is cleared at different rates, so flaws and improvements will be dispersed. It's not like we're dealing with Toyota's JIT here.

 

[KJ2020]

Just want to get your advice on the photos above. Do you think there's anything amiss? Do you think the insert engraving isn't aligned properly? I'm looking hard and tbh I'm finding it hard to see much wrong with the watch but again, I've only just started and am new to these forums. I think seeing something in person is a whole other ball game and if something is wrong I know it will bug me. Good idea on buying both. I also agree with what your saying on flaws and batches. From my reading of the rep market the main reason for conflicting information is that stock from TDs is cleared at different rates, so flaws and improvements will be dispersed. It's not like we're dealing with Toyota's JIT here.

In the pics you posted, I only see the insert and the DW as pretty noticeable negatives. The DW has to go, you could probably get used to the insert. But look at the distance from the marker to the crystal on the 45 compared to the 5. Or the outside of the 10 compared to the inside. It's just sloppy on a very visible part.

Are you fully aware of all the pros and cons of a superclone movement vs. ETA? For one thing it means you need a gen DW, there really aren't any other viable alternatives. The Sh3135 has a history of poor quality reversing gears often resulting in teeth grinding and ultimate failure. It's common to replace those or even the whole autowind device wirh a gen. I stay with ETAs because they are generally more reliable and generic parts are readily available. It's all a matter of what you want, the 3135 will take gen parts which is incentive for some. It's the best choice if you are going to Franken. In buying about 35 reps so far I've managed to avoid the 3135 superclones so this makes the choice much easier for me too. Noob it is.