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Arf datejust v3 REVIEW : franken with gen dw
- Thread starter Countess Koscowicz
- Start date
The ARF v3 looks great! I can't decide wether to get the DJ36 or the OP...the fluted bezel is maybe a little to blingy for my taste.
How's the power reserve on these reps?
How's the power reserve on these reps?
Thanks for the kind words ! I’ve been off the forum for a few months with our new baby and I’ve been buying a few gens so had to stop myself from any more Franken projects! With the v3 datejust in hand with gen I can honestly say unless you are desperately looking it’s really a negligible difference - the thing that winds me up about this watch is the sh31315 ado did a great service and the moment feels sturdy and smooth but the power reserve and time keeping is ultimately frustrating compared to gen Rolex and Tudors.
all my gens are 1 sec a day and have constant power reserve - even if off the wrist for a couple of days - ultimately I enjoy some Frankens and replicas as I’m watch obsessive - but they never feel the same as my gens - more like a bit of fun. I sold and old noob sub v7 though that was lovely and kept great time with the 2826 movement with no service. I’m going for a a gen 1675 next but tempted by the new zzf subs... need to to read up a bit more but no date with a 2826 would be a beautiful and reliable purchase
Thanks for the kind words ! I’ve been off the forum for a few months with our new baby and I’ve been buying a few gens so had to stop myself from any more Franken projects! With the v3 datejust in hand with gen I can honestly say unless you are desperately looking it’s really a negligible difference - the thing that winds me up about this watch is the sh31315 ado did a great service and the moment feels sturdy and smooth but the power reserve and time keeping is ultimately frustrating compared to gen Rolex and Tudors.
all my gens are 1 sec a day and have constant power reserve - even if off the wrist for a couple of days - ultimately I enjoy some Frankens and replicas as I’m watch obsessive - but they never feel the same as my gens - more like a bit of fun. I sold and old noob sub v7 though that was lovely and kept great time with the 2826 movement with no service. I’m going for a a gen 1675 next but tempted by the new zzf subs... need to to read up a bit more but no date with a 2826 would be a beautiful and reliable purchase
It had a quick set date - but was clunky but after a service it runs s per gen - smooth and reliable when date changing
Temperamental- the no date 2826 is fairly sturdy 3135 is pot luck - I get around 15hours out of mine but then I tend not to wear my reps for very long- looks wise they are always close but in terms of functionality and reliability they will never compare to gen - I’ve had a lot of enjoyment out of reps but the sh3135’s are always losing or gaining time or needing resetting from stopping.
First off big thanks to ado213 for the fast turnaround and brilliant work servicing and installing the gen dw onto the sh3135. These are obviously just my personal opinions.
Overall really impressed with quality of the v3. Here’s a brief review in no particular order:
Crystal: much improved and have spoke with people who’ve installed the gen xtal on the v3 just because they had it but agree it’s no longer essential. Nice frame around the date and black hole. The cyclops is perfect is correct magnification.
Rehaut: nice and neat, especially at this size no one is carrying a loupe around with them.
The dial: dial is so good at 36mm it’s hardly worth swapping out for gen. coronet is well placed and print is great. Dial markers catch the light very well too.
Datewheel: In all honesty the stock dw is much improved on the v3. The clarity and finish is not comparable to gen though. The photo with the date at 28 is arf. The red 9 photos are gen obviously. No longer a must change but I’m glad I did.
Here is the stock v3:
Here’s the gen:
Crown: I’m not a fully fledged expert but it looks very well done to me.
Case: polishing lugs etc are all as they should be. Caseback knurling is excellent.
Bracelet: the arf jubilee is superb. Looks and feels identical to gen. polishing is impeccable and catches the light so well. Clasp is solid and makes the same satisfying snap when fastened. Rolex etching on clasp steelinox etc very well done.
Bezel: rhodium coating is impressive and the fluted bezel looks no different to the gens I have had it next to in my opinion
Hands: often rep hands don’t have that shine or finish of gen. But again at this size they look amazing.
Movement: sh3135 needs no introduction. It was running smooth upon arrival but was immediately sent to ado for a service and dw install. Was running at +17 seconds but now appears to be keeping around +\- 2 seconds or so. Date jumping is slick and smooth winding is lovely. Fingers crossed it holds out. Glad I didn’t shell out for reversing wheels etc now.
Overall: The v3 is a wholly impressive package, the 904L Steel and finishing of the watch take this into super rep status as far as I’m concerned. Now I have frankened with the gen dw it’s as close as you’re going to get if you’re looking for a 116234 without going gen. the bp/ djf from what I can see have a fair way to go to catch up ar factory with regards to overall fit and finish. Originally I intended to swap out the dial and xtal but with the v3 I don’t feel it’s a must anymore. Anyways hope you enjoy the review
Howdy, mind me asking who you sent it to for service (I know you wrote a name there but do you have a user or a link). Thanks for your input much appreciated!
MolluskMan
Known Member
Hey all, really love the look of this watch in all the photos I’ve seen. Was wondering, has anyone had experience with the pink dial version? Is it at all close to gen in shade and sheen? Haven’t seen much about that variant.
Shany
Active Member
- 24/6/19
- 258
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Nivka
question to you mate:
does a gen smooth bezel fit this ARF v3 datejust 36 ?
iam about to do exactly the same builds like you posted.
Fluted bezel + Oyster
Smooth bezel + jubilee
I wondered if the fluted bezel (gen) will also exactly fit to the watch, from what ive read the ARF one is abit bigger.
question to you mate:
does a gen smooth bezel fit this ARF v3 datejust 36 ?
iam about to do exactly the same builds like you posted.
Fluted bezel + Oyster
Smooth bezel + jubilee
I wondered if the fluted bezel (gen) will also exactly fit to the watch, from what ive read the ARF one is abit bigger.
The gen smooth bezel fit my arf like a glove. I haven’t tried a gen fluted bezel sorry
- 22/2/17
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@mollushman Yo - ARF pink dial doesn’t look like a genuine pink dial at all to me. I have gen pink dial and I haven’t seen ARF v3 pink in person but straight away on peoples pics and videos I was noticing how the v3 pink dial is really orange-toned and odd. The thing is I’ve seen people on Reddit buy them and they enjoy the ARF pink for what is it all the same though ). It’s just not for me.
Shany Hey, gen fluted bezel fits like a glove. I put one on. The outer measurement of gen fluted bezel and the ARF fluted bezel was identical on my callipers but the ARF look minisculey ‘skinnier’ so perhaps this teeny tiny difference in looks is on the inside measurement. Gen bezel looks great on it, fits easy. Also perhaps useless extra info but I noticed my gen whitegold bezel is the same colourtone as ARF. I was anticipating that the gen might be warmer greyer... ARF colour is just like it for me
). It’s just not for me. Shany Hey, gen fluted bezel fits like a glove. I put one on. The outer measurement of gen fluted bezel and the ARF fluted bezel was identical on my callipers but the ARF look minisculey ‘skinnier’ so perhaps this teeny tiny difference in looks is on the inside measurement. Gen bezel looks great on it, fits easy. Also perhaps useless extra info but I noticed my gen whitegold bezel is the same colourtone as ARF. I was anticipating that the gen might be warmer greyer... ARF colour is just like it for me
- 22/2/17
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Shany (with your plans for a smooth bezel on jubilee. I wonder if the ARF smooth bezel is different from gen smooth. If it’s not, maybe you could try ask your TD for a smooth bezel 116200 (they might still call a ‘smooth bezel 116234’) straight from the factory.
Sometimes I forget ARF do smooth bezels. https://vimeo.com/273516502 Please excuse the overshare of info. Hope you’ll love your watches. Hands and crystal were my most enjoyed mods I think
Sometimes I forget ARF do smooth bezels. https://vimeo.com/273516502 Please excuse the overshare of info. Hope you’ll love your watches. Hands and crystal were my most enjoyed mods I think
- 22/2/17
- 2,916
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Shany (with your plans for a smooth bezel on jubilee. I wonder if the ARF smooth bezel is different from gen smooth. If it’s not, maybe you could try ask your TD for a smooth bezel 116200 (they might still call a ‘smooth bezel 116234’) straight from the factory.
Sometimes I forget ARF do smooth bezels. https://vimeo.com/273516502 Please excuse the overshare of info. Hope you’ll love your watches
Sometimes I forget ARF do smooth bezels. https://vimeo.com/273516502 Please excuse the overshare of info. Hope you’ll love your watches
Hi everybody,
I am waiting to receive my 116234 arf V3 and I would like to know if it was possible to mount a VR3135 movement instead of the original SH3135?
I am waiting to receive my 116234 arf V3 and I would like to know if it was possible to mount a VR3135 movement instead of the original SH3135?
Hi guys, I received yesterday a 116234 ARF V3 which is really of excellent quality. I'm planning to make a franken out of it but I wanted to share with you some pictures comparing some parts with a gen 1601 which has been in the water!
Stradivarius
Known Member
- 12/11/17
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