• Tired of adverts on RWI? - Subscribe by clicking HERE and PMing Trailboss for instructions and they will magically go away!

ARF GMT 116710 SH3186 photo review

Knxvlln

Active Member
Certified
14/5/20
250
163
43
United States
Been beating this ARF around for a week now. Hands down the best rep OTB I've ever seen. Still keeping time to the second, sh3185 feels the same as gen. Bracelet incredible.
these recent ones seem to have a great bezel and Dw compared to gen imho. Can't wait to see the next arf suprise. Maybe a Daytona or a dweller.....
 
  • Like
Reactions: m5smg2

Nivka

Respected Member
10/4/15
5,200
1,385
113
Australia
I received my ARF 116710LN from Li a couple of days ago. I must say that it is probably the equal best rep i'v bought to date (along with the pam 111 and the AP v7 diver). I have bought a gen bezel/insert, but it's honestly indistinguishable to the naked eye. I'd planned on buying a gen date wheel, dial, hands and crystal, but having seen the ARF, maybe the crystal will be enough. What a bloody good watch
 

Nivka

Respected Member
10/4/15
5,200
1,385
113
Australia
I received my ARF 116710LN from Li a couple of days ago. I must say that it is probably the equal best rep i'v bought to date (along with the pam 111 and the AP v7 diver). I have bought a gen bezel/insert, but it's honestly indistinguishable to the naked eye. I'd planned on buying a gen date wheel, dial, hands and crystal, but having seen the ARF, maybe the crystal will be enough. What a bloody good watch
 

Nivka

Respected Member
10/4/15
5,200
1,385
113
Australia
I received my ARF 116710LN from Li a couple of days ago. I must say that it is probably the equal best rep i'v bought to date (along with the pam 111 and the AP v7 diver). I have bought a gen bezel/insert, but it's honestly indistinguishable to the naked eye. I'd planned on buying a gen date wheel, dial, hands and crystal, but having seen the ARF, maybe the crystal will be enough. What a bloody good watch
 

lolo1972sg

Respected Member
Certified
3/10/15
3,595
333
83
Sillypore
I received my ARF 116710LN from Li a couple of days ago. I must say that it is probably the equal best rep i'v bought to date (along with the pam 111 and the AP v7 diver). I have bought a gen bezel/insert, but it's honestly indistinguishable to the naked eye. I'd planned on buying a gen date wheel, dial, hands and crystal, but having seen the ARF, maybe the crystal will be enough. What a bloody good watch

You are not alone to feel that way. I wonder why is this not considered a Super rep (except perhaps the crystal because if one does the QC well, the thick DW issue can be eliminated).
 
  • Like
Reactions: m5smg2

kiz1

Renowned Member
9/11/15
704
45
28
You guys are killing me!!! Grrr must resist! :)

Keep you posted if a place an order!

Sent from my SM-G986B using Tapatalk
 
  • Like
Reactions: cassapanca

Knxvlln

Active Member
Certified
14/5/20
250
163
43
United States
I honestly love this piece. I can't stop looking at it! It seems as though ARF has really improved the datewheel font. I can't tell it apart from then gen.


Nah youre not crazy. They must have improved the DW and insert just from photos seen at the beginning of this thread. Now if only one of us would open it and film the sh3186... it's still on the second after a week and that's better than I can say for my gen after a fresh service..?2"this is it. I'm purchasing more ARF after I see this new OF Tag chrono 1 clone and this VSF Pam carbotech w cloned black movement v2 w power reserve behind rotor.. gonna be shocked if either makes me tingle like this GMT..
 
  • Like
Reactions: thechoppiestgreens

thechoppiestgreens

Active Member
Certified
2/4/18
230
52
28
Nah youre not crazy. They must have improved the DW and insert just from photos seen at the beginning of this thread. Now if only one of us would open it and film the sh3186... it's still on the second after a week and that's better than I can say for my gen after a fresh service..?2"this is it. I'm purchasing more ARF after I see this new OF Tag chrono 1 clone and this VSF Pam carbotech w cloned black movement v2 w power reserve behind rotor.. gonna be shocked if either makes me tingle like this GMT..

this is one of the best, if not the best, rep watches that I’ve ever seen.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Knxvlln and m5smg2

jumpope

Active Member
Supporter
Certified
3/12/09
294
91
28
Nashville, USA
I just installed a gen jumping hour wheel and spring in my SH3186, and boy, what difference. It is so precise and clicks gen like.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Knxvlln

Knxvlln

Active Member
Certified
14/5/20
250
163
43
United States
I just installed a gen jumping hour wheel and spring in my SH3186, and boy, what difference. It is so precise and clicks gen like.

how difficult was it? Did you take any photos? How much did it Cost you? Hella interested i like this sh3186
 

jumpope

Active Member
Supporter
Certified
3/12/09
294
91
28
Nashville, USA
Well... it’s a bit of wrenching with a few watchmaking tools. You must uncase the movement and pull the hands and dial. Then you have to take off the center bridge, which is held by two of the smallest screws you ever saw. This bridge is unique to the 3186. The 3135 and 3185 does not have it. Remove the dial ring seating plate. Then you must remove one of the the winding and setting bridges, and then you can lift out the jumping hour wheel and spring. I did it in an hour, but I am familiar wi the dial side of the 3186. I paid $170 for the parts.


Sent from my iPad using RWI
 

Goon3r

Getting To Know The Place
19/4/20
97
34
18
UK
All this love for the SH3186 is making me rethink the swapping out for the VR3185. I think its time someone did another deep dive on the SH movement
 

jumpope

Active Member
Supporter
Certified
3/12/09
294
91
28
Nashville, USA
We, I have a VR coming and I will change them out. I have a gen hand set and dial and the gen hour hand that I have is for the 3185.


Sent from my iPad using RWI
 

thechoppiestgreens

Active Member
Certified
2/4/18
230
52
28
Sort of related question: now that we have seen the stark improvements made to the ARF datewheel on the 116710, do you guys think that ARF might have also improved their datewheel font on all of their models? I'm also in the market for a DJ 36 (116234), but the hugely bold DW font is a turn-off. Any thoughts?
 

BiH855

Active Member
18/3/19
376
150
43
Germany
Did some reshaping and polishing on the case and want to share the result :)
Also swapped the crystal with gen, but the date looks a bit small or what do you think? Thinking of getting a taller gasket for more magnification but crystal height looks good as it is and gen gasket didn't fit so could be a long search for a good one..
Or does the CAR-V3-C1 crystal which i used have a lower magnification then CAR-C1 ? AFAIK they should be the same crystal ?

wYmnE.jpg























































































wYi22.jpg
 
Last edited: