- 30/9/06
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Yes, it is running very good. +1 sec / day since I have it and powerreserve of 74h. post some pics when you get it.I am thinking about a John Wayne
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ARF Pepsi V3 review
- Thread starter guru
- Start date
- 23/6/17
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Thats great to hear. I think the improved Movement is doing really well and is a cpmpetitor to the DD3285.
Yeah, will post some pics when it arrives.
No, apparently SH and DD3285 main plates are different so they're not a direct swap.
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They do not update every new release. You will always get the latest release.
But this is clean or arf? Serial is .... Y2L3(clean)Pepsi history
The Rolex “Pepsi” is a popular nickname for the Rolex GMT-Master II, specifically the models featuring a blue and red bezel, resembling the colors of the Pepsi logo. Here’s a brief history of its development:
1954: The Rolex GMT-Master was introduced to meet the needs of airline pilots and international travelers. It featured a 24-hour dial and a rotating bezel to track two time zones simultaneously.
The blue and red bezel configuration earned the nickname “Pepsi” in the 1980s due to its resemblance to the Pepsi logo. This color scheme became iconic and sought after by collectors.
1982: The GMT-Master II was released, improving on the original with a more advanced movement and the ability to set the hour hand independently from the 24-hour hand, allowing for easier tracking of multiple time zones.
2005: Rolex updated the GmtMaster II with a ceramic bezel, enhancing durability and scratch resistance. This model continued the Pepsi color scheme and became known as the “Ceramic Pepsi.”
The Pepsi GMT-Master II has seen a resurgence in popularity, especially with the reintroduction of the blue and red bezel in stainless steel in 2018, featuring the new Caliber 3285 movement.
The watch has been embraced by celebrities and watch enthusiasts alike, cementing its status as a symbol of luxury and adventure.The Rolex Pepsi continues to be a favorite among collectors, representing both function and style in the world of horology.
As always, I acquired my watches from Chazing Time, a dealer I highly recommend. Their service is consistently excellent, with fast delivery and outstanding communication throughout the process. Whether you're a seasoned collector or a first-time buyer, working with Chazing Time ensures a smooth and reliable experience.
I’m starting with the bezel. The inlay of this ARF Pepsi is a CF Ceramic v3. There are many threads in the forum discussing the various color options, so I won’t delve into that. Under blue light, the blue section of the bezel shifts to red, similar to the genuine model. What I particularly appreciate about this bezel is that the teeth are more true to the original—longer and shinier under different lighting compared to my v1.The bezel click feels solid, with no play at all.
The rehaut is exceptional. All the letters are perfectly aligned, and the font looks good. Most notably, the rehaut is polished far better than many other watches I’ve encountered, resulting in a brilliant shine that closely resembles the genuine models.
The hands feature a 3D effect similar to the quality produced by the old AR Factory, and their length is perfect. The printing on the dial, including the font, is excellent. The date is well-centered, although the font could be slightly bolder. The lume is impressive; after charging it in the evening, I can still read the time eight hours later.
The movement is an Asian Shang Hai Super Clone 3285 automatic GMT movement with the correct hand stack. My Pepsi runs for 74 hours when fully wound. The amplitude on the Weishi shows 282, and it gains just 1 second. After a few days, it’s running perfectly. The Shanghai Factory has significantly improved its quality standards over the past year. My previous watch had the DD3285 movement but suffered from low amplitude. A service didn’t help, and depending on how I laid the watch down—face up or down—it would either lose or gain time. It was one of the first Pepsis released with the DD3285. Time will tell how well the SH movement performs. All movement functions are to genuine specifications, which you can verify by downloading the details from the Rolex homepage.
The crystal looks excellent; it features the black hole effect and has the perfect height.
I measured the case and compared it with my old one, and the dimensions match the genuine model perfectly.
The Jubilee bracelet exudes high quality and craftsmanship. The bracelet feels firmer, and when you hold the watch, the radius of the band is slightly better, with less sagging in the band.
ARF has done an excellent job with this Pepsi; for the price, you get a high-quality watch. When I wear it, it truly feels authentic. This won’t be my last ARF GMT. Thinking about a gain weight 126711 Root Beer with 175 gr.
ARF
My Old
More pics are available on request.
Arf has ...L6V6
Hey Guru - thansk for the review! From my eyes, the gasket seems to be the correct height on the ARF compared to clean and therefore the date magnification seems to be more gen-like than Clean's, whose magnification makes the DW look too large.
Does this seem accurate to you?
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Yes, that’s correct. Even the crystal has the correct height, just like the original.
Glad to hear that your movement runs well. Mine came in damaged upon arrival and I‘m still waiting on a new one. Was thinking about getting a clean Bruce to scratch the itch till that is solved and so that I can compare the two but probably should just stay patient 
- 30/11/24
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thanks @guru. Do you mind sending a straight shot of the two? obviously the DD has its pluses but the ARF is better out of the box visually than the Clean it looks like!
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