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ARF GMT 116710 SH3186 photo review
- Thread starter m5smg2
- Start date
The bezel is nuts. Next to gen I can't see or feel a difference without a loupe. And the bracelet.. actually feels gen after an oiling specifically the links attached to lugs. The shape and size is perfect, it's not as chunky as previous models. I was actually impressed with the SH3186, it's motion is smooth and the rotor is completely silent. Beat sounds gen. Maybe I got a good one. You can definitely feel that the jump hour click spring is fragile, I cycled thru all thirty days gently and it still works fine. Also, hour, gmt, mins all sync up. I noticed another thread about that. If you hack it right on the hour you just set to, And adjust the min to 00, it's up to you to physically line up the gmt and hour/minute. It will hit right on the hour every hour thereafter. Gonna wear for a few days because I still haven't lost a noticeable second, set it against my precisionist and they sweep in unison. I'll post more pics and details when I pop it open or unscrew the crown. I'm open to any PM's with parts and upgrades if anyone wants to sell some stuff. I think I'm keeping this insert.. it's better than advertised. Worth the wait. When ARF releases a batman, they will be gone for a year. I'll wait for round two. Worked this time.
after seeing outside:
consider polishing bezel edges slightly
gen hands, gen dial, datewheel. But frankly, seems so trivial. Crystal dial hands would probably make the only noticeable diff. Inside, we'll see when we see. Gen jump spring and overhaul and visble plates may be all it really needs. We'll see. I'd love to see if anyone has any photos of SH3186 torn down.
The bezel is nuts. Next to gen I can't see or feel a difference without a loupe. And the bracelet.. actually feels gen after an oiling specifically the links attached to lugs. The shape and size is perfect, it's not as chunky as previous models. I was actually impressed with the SH3186, it's motion is smooth and the rotor is completely silent. Beat sounds gen. Maybe I got a good one. You can definitely feel that the jump hour click spring is fragile, I cycled thru all thirty days gently and it still works fine. Also, hour, gmt, mins all sync up. I noticed another thread about that. If you hack it right on the hour you just set to, And adjust the min to 00, it's up to you to physically line up the gmt and hour/minute. It will hit right on the hour every hour thereafter. Gonna wear for a few days because I still haven't lost a noticeable second, set it against my precisionist and they sweep in unison. I'll post more pics and details when I pop it open or unscrew the crown. I'm open to any PM's with parts and upgrades if anyone wants to sell some stuff. I think I'm keeping this insert.. it's better than advertised. Worth the wait. When ARF releases a batman, they will be gone for a year. I'll wait for round two. Worked this time.
after seeing outside:
consider polishing bezel edges slightly
gen hands, gen dial, datewheel. But frankly, seems so trivial. Crystal dial hands would probably make the only noticeable diff. Inside, we'll see when we see. Gen jump spring and overhaul and visble plates may be all it really needs. We'll see. I'd love to see if anyone has any photos of SH3186 torn down.
The Batman would be some differences from this one, overall pretty much the same watch. ARF doesn’t disappoint. I’m waiting around just for the release take my money take my money!
- 23/8/07
- 6,470
- 8,420
- 113
Batman update: still working to perfect bezel insert before release. ARF may take longer, but they try and get it right early on and not offer new versions every month 
saucin
Renowned Member
- 20/4/20
- 587
- 577
- 93
[mention]Knxvlln [/mention] thanks for your nice review. Glad to hear the SH movement is working well for you. My watch just shipped on 5/24. Hopefully I have similar luck with my movement! I’ll be sure to be gentle when adjusting the hour. The tip you sent for syncing the hands was great as well.
This is my first ARF purchase and I can’t wait to experience it!
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This is my first ARF purchase and I can’t wait to experience it!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Still drooling over it, still keeping time to the SECOND. Did I get the one functional SH3186 lmao time will tell.
No, you weren't just lucky. I received my ARF last week. I gave it an initial wind and put it on my Timegrapher. It was running at a rate of -2 to +3, (which is spot on) with a beat error of 2ms. The best thing is that it amped at 290, dial high, and didn't drop below 276 in any other position. After wearing and mowing the lawn and some other activities, it keeps time to the second over 3 days. Amplitude is 300 to 310, dial high, and doesn't drop below 286 in any other position. That, to me, is an awesome movement. I have a VR coming from thrillofthehunt, but, I don't know... One thing I didn't like to see was the coating flaking off of a reversing wheel. Maybe that was a manufacturing foopah.
I did uncase the movement and pulled the hands and dial to install the Rolex jumping hour hand spring and wheel. As occb2 has said, it is pretty dirty, but appears to be oiled. Too much oil in some places. I have a gen, Chromalight dial and hands and a gen bezel and insert, but, guys, I'll just tell you, this ARF doesn't need any help. The coronet is just a tad different in the oval. I may have wasted $1200 for these parts. But, hey, this watch is a keeper
Just my .02.
I did uncase the movement and pulled the hands and dial to install the Rolex jumping hour hand spring and wheel. As occb2 has said, it is pretty dirty, but appears to be oiled. Too much oil in some places. I have a gen, Chromalight dial and hands and a gen bezel and insert, but, guys, I'll just tell you, this ARF doesn't need any help. The coronet is just a tad different in the oval. I may have wasted $1200 for these parts. But, hey, this watch is a keeper
Just my .02.
saucin
Renowned Member
- 20/4/20
- 587
- 577
- 93
Very exciting news!!! And if the spring fails, you‘ll be ready
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Well it seems they did it. Loving the fact that I can swap gen parts as needed. Was the jump spring a major improvement in the feel of the click when adjusting the hour? That's what would have been a "tell" for me. Hell, even date wheel looks great. I'm keeping this SH, and I'm just putting a few gen parts in it. Maybe more than a few. It even sounds like gen. Keep us posted on the accuracy.. maybe they really did clone the 3186 well enough. Jump spring and quality of finish are the only reasons I've heard a VR3185 could Ben superior. with a few gen parts.. I'd prefer a true 3186.. mine on the wrist OTB with a baby oil bath and is 3 days exactly synced with my precisionist. The motion of the second hand with a SH3186 is incredibly fluid. ARF did it. I'm trying to buy another watch, and I'm afraid everything else will disappoint. Maybe ill try something custom cloned from VRF, like the new nautilus 8.3mm or an Omega co-axial. Now I'm on a buying frenzy. Maybe a DJ 41 sh3132 from ARF to see the quality of the jubilee.
A Rolex 3186 is not perfectly smooth either. It is an escapement movement. The escapement stops and starts the movement 8 times per second. That’s just how it is. My gen 16710 is the same.
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Baby oil bath and hyperflexing each link while wet increases smoothness and evenness, stops squeaking and stiff links. Makes it feel like gen. I don't know how I can post a vid on this forum, id be more than happy to send you one if you PM your email. I consider this sweeping smooth as gen with even ticks, not jumpy or choppy. You have to focus to see chop. If you look at the dot on the second hand, you can hardly see any stop at all. Much better than most 28.8bph watches I've had rep and gen. This one is a winner. Trying to decide my next, I think I may get an ARF DJ 41, in hopes the jubilee will swap, or a VR clone omega.
- 23/8/07
- 6,470
- 8,420
- 113
The gen-like feel, finish, presence and solid build of the ARF speaks for itself. Regarding the movement, mine has been working beautifully 7 months now.
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What do you use to clean after the oil bath to prevent grime/debris buildup from the oil in between the links?
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Be careful about the movements on eBay. I have bought 2 and they are crap...not VR. They have blue hairspring and KIF shock springs but that’s the end. The VR movements have blued screws on the dial side date wheel plate. The ones on eBay do not. Also, the case bridge screws are not the same as VR. The QC isn’t there.
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Cheers bud, in terms of video just upload it here https://streamable.com/ thats what i do.
Quick picture of my ARF ootb
Fab87pz
Active Member
- 2/8/18
- 464
- 120
- 43
Batman update: still working to perfect bezel insert before release. ARF may take longer, but they try and get it right early on and not offer new versions every month
I appreciate this attitude of ARF. My fav factory, hands down.
saucin
Renowned Member
- 20/4/20
- 587
- 577
- 93
Let me suggest the Omega AT 8900 by VSF. Amazing quality rep - NWBIG. Fantastic movement, gorgeous dial. Check it out in Olive Green. Will not disappoint.
This thread is killing me. I feel like a kid on Christmas Eve (a Christmas Eve that lasts 2-3 weeks) waiting for my ARF GMT to arrive lol.
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