ARF vs VRF - GMT II 116710LN (clone 3186) - GAMECHANGING BATTLE.

[couchp0tat0]

AR factory produces great value,. Vrf is more about detailing the products

 

[SOLEX]

ARF.... give us a damn Pepsi!

 

[mega12]

ARF insert is great for a rep insert. Only negative is the engravings are deeper than gen, and we can't know how long the "platinum" color will last in them. Most rep inserts will ultimately need some kind of paint or coating mod on the markers. Gen prices on inserts are going up and availability going down due to these reps.

It’s us creating those prices... without us Franken freaks, no one would need a used dial or used hands

 

[Redheart]

Exactly... I "had" to buy a gen insert, cause they are so beautiful and no rep will ever surpass! Even though I am sure, even a non rep enthusiast / regular Joe gen owner would fall for an ARF insert (while the paint's still on it of course)...

 

[mari115]

Any news about the arf gmt? i'm kinda scared since i just placed an order, but seems like some people say that they won't send it until after CNY?

Is this for real? isn't it scummy for TDs to keep quiet about this so that you'll send them the money first anyways? what the heck?

 

[occb2]

I will tell you what I know. A buddy and I were talking, he is very close with the ARF/JF group. We had been in contact over the last year about the 116710 with a rep 3186. He told me days before by email that the ARF was not going to be completed until CNY. Then a few days later VRF came out with their watch on TD's website. I contacted him and he got me an ARF to do the comparison with the VRF.

I think that VRF through it out knowing ARF was close to release. I really do like the ARF and the VRF. They both have their ups and downs. ARF is very close to Rolex on bezel and bracelet. Insert needs to be replaced. The crystal is passable but I would throw in a real one. Dial, VRF is better. I used the ARF movement for my first build with out service. The hour jumper is now broken. That was just using it a few times.

I served the VRF movement, It runs good but the GMT hand is off. After Mike mentioned it. I checked it. Normally 24 clicks would snap the date. It sometimes slips and it sometimes takes 25 clicks. I ordered the part and will replace it. I will also repair and service the ARF movement and replace the spring on that.

I know this is not what anyone wants to here but I would hold off on both of the watches. There is errors on both movements that need to be addressed. Or buy them and get them repaired. The part for there is a new part Rolex came out with one that will work for the ARF. There is a new spring.

 

[jcher]

occb2 thanks for the above

Do you know if ARF is working on fixing the issues for a launch after CNY?

 

[occb2]

occb2 thanks for the above

Do you know if ARF is working on fixing the issues for a launch after CNY?

I can ask. Nothing rushed is good. I even told him to just ship it to me and not to send pics. I would let ARF take their time. They do have the best bracelet and full bezel. Like I said just the insert needs changing. I personally do not like the fonts on the dial. But unless you are zooming in, one really can't tell. I will know more about the movement when I get into it. It worked fine for the week or two I wore it. Then I let it die instead of putting it in a winder. So when I went to adjust the 8 or so days which meant I had to jump the hour hand 24 X8 times it started to slip. Will ARF fix the problem? I do not know. There are other people on here that have been giving ARF info on the 116710 over the last year also. If the case was made to Rolex interior specs I would only get the ARF. I may still use the ARF case. I just don't like tabs. Two of my watch use tabs. My LV which is all Rolex but the mid case, I used a JF. That is loose now. I have to open it and tighten the tabs. Same thing happen to my Noob 116520. It is a simple fix. Just rather use a case/movement screw that secures it to the case. Personal opinion.

 

[webby48]

occb2 so are you saying both the ARF and VRF models are timebombs just like the one Noob uses, but that the ARF one will be fixable with a small part if it ever breaks? Thanks for the details!

 

[Cadows]

I guess 20 years after we all die, some other dudes will still talk about how things will be better in the next version... like V156

 

[mega12]

I can’t find anything that rob was saying VR3185 is a time bomb - or did I miss something? He says that the GMT hand runs sometimes incorrectly or needs 25 turns to set 24 hours but that’s far away from a time bomb if you ask me. It’s not COSC standards, for sure, but call it a time bomb? occb2 maybe you can jump in once again as some people get very nervous about some of your statements many thanks

 

[Kalev007]

So everybody who wished VRF and ARF would release a pepsi as well can go and buy right away the good old more reliable Noob Pepsi.

 

[ap@12]

i think the best option is for now is still the convrted yuki into 3185 or gen movement

 

[jcher]

Hi mega12 indeed no mention of time bomb but Occb2 does advice to hold off from the ARF and VRF unless bought to be fixed.

I know this is not what anyone wants to here but I would hold off on both of the watches. There is errors on both movements that need to be addressed. Or buy them and get them repaired.

 

[ginopino]

Hi mega12 indeed no mention of time bomb but Occb2 does advice to hold off from the ARF and VRF unless bought to be fixed.

I thinks Rob suggested that for a very prudent investment for people that doesn’t want to spend in servicing movements.

 

[Dissemination]

.

 

[ginopino]

Well this likely isn't true either... at least in the sense that these movements are fixable or can still use gen parts right from the get-go to prevent needing to be fixed in the first place

That’s what I was saying.
but if someone don’t want to spend other money to service and swap gen parts, He must wait.

 

[Dissemination]

So everybody who wished VRF and ARF would release a pepsi as well can go and buy right away the good old more reliable Noob Pepsi.

Well I can't imagine this is quite true either. I'm no expert, but at least the ARF and VRF can be repaired, and some service and gen part(s) can prevent it from being a "time bomb."

With the previous CHS I guess some people are having luck converting them to an ICHS but that seems less desirable still.

 

[Dissemination]

That’s what I was saying.
but if someone don’t want to spend other money to service and swap gen parts, He must wait.

Sorry meant to quote the guy that I did above ^ :huh1:

 

[Tobel]

So everybody who wished VRF and ARF would release a pepsi as well can go and buy right away the good old more reliable Noob Pepsi.

The only noob pepsi available at the moment is with the noob CHS movement which is precisely the time bomb. Not sure where you saw that this is a reliable option