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Hello RWI family and happy (soon to be hopefully) Spring! It's been a few years since my last major review so I am privileged and very fortunate to be able to bring forth yet another in depth watch analysis. to store in the world's greatest replica watch information repository; yet another deposit into the archives in the annals of history. This review is in large part thanks to a loan from a traveling friend who turned 50 and got a 226570 to celebrate. The watch is back with them safe and sound, so I won't be able to take any more photos, but hopefully the review below should cover most questions folks may have about the gen vs rep.
This watch is not quite popular in the rep world given its size (42mm) and relative bulk compared to slimmer and more ubiquitous cousins such as the Submariner or GMT Master II. Some may know it as the most striking white dial Rolex has ever made. Others may see it as a portable lighthouse.
Regardless, it is a very special and gorgeous timepiece that deserves some limelight. I'm happy to give it the attention it is worthy of. Behold.
Courtesy of Arial Adams from A Watch to Blog
However, GMF came up with a rendition that surpassed all expectations for an Explorer II. To give context to this statement, I shall quote the intro to my most recent review of the rep world's best attempt at this watch:
Introductory context aside, let's get right to it and see what we're working with! This should be an awesome experience for those who love photo comparisons. I will cover some major aspects of each watch, as well as little noteworthy extra. It won't be everything but enough for some insight and rumination. Sit back, relax and enjoy!
Initial side by side presentation
As with any rep vs gen comparison with reptime tier watches, we can see that from a glance, they are pretty close. Blink once, twice, and move along. Nothing to see here; (corporate wants you to find the difference; they're the same thing).
However as rep enthusiasts we like to look a little deeper. To begin with, we'll start with the crystal and datewheel for finer details!
Crystal and Datewheel
For being a rep, the GMF crystal quality is absurdly good. Gen will always be gen, the pinnacle of quality. But GMF is a great option here and plays quite well. The rep datewheel is also quite clean but print quality isn't as good as CF or VSF. The serifs are inconsistent and asymmetric at times.
Something interesting to note is the crystal tint. Usually with gens we see blue or brown tint. In the GMF, it is white and clear, which is unusual. I have yet to see a gen with this form factor, and would love it if someone in the comments can find a relevant gen sample with clear tint. I also noticed different geometries up close in which the cyclops was shaped. This may play into the halo or thick ring around gen crystals which we covet.
In my view, the halo we see is due to a more pronounced and thicker curve around the edge, giving clarity and guarding against distortion at the edges seen in rep.
A fascinating datewheel feature with the gen that is not present with the GMF (different movements) is that going in reverse after changing the date forward, requires one to reverse past 9PM for a complete switchback to the previous date. If you switch to the 10th at midnight, for example, and then reverse the hour jumping hand to 10PM, the date will only partially reverse. If you try to move forward, the date will change forward at around 10:30PM. It would cause anyone to panic thinking the movement is busted, but in reality, you'd move the jumping hand past 9PM to something like 6PM, and then move forward past midnight for the next date. For what it's worth, several gen Exp 2 samples have had the same thing happen. Please do comment on this if you notice otherwise.
Rehaut
As usual, the rep rehaut is relatively dull and unpolished compared to the gen. However, the gen engravings seem more relaxed, albeit very clear and clean, compared to GMF, which looks more aggressive but lifeless.
Hands
This is where I think the Polar Explorer 2 shines as one of the best reps available. There is no white gold seen on the hands. Thus, it is not an easy tell, as opposed to other variants we enjoy frankening. The hands are matte black with orange GMT. However, the downside for GMF is having a noticeably lighter orange colour, as opposed to a deeper orange seen in gen. This isn't as bad as Noob's 216570 being almost yellow, but it's something to note if you want to spot gen vs rep from photos. You can also see the rep hand quality, being reps, being less defined and less compact than the gen. This is very much as seen with Tudor gen vs rep matte texture. One quick tell I use to check gen vs rep matte dials with Tudor is granularity and structure, which seems to be the same tell here as well.
Dial Font
Similar to most gen vs rep dials, rep dial font is too fat, and the orange colour on the GMF is much lighter than gen. The gen indices are also more rounded, smoother and curvier than rep. But again, this is side by side andunderstood to be for analystic purposes and not to dismiss the amazing work GMF has done!
Lugs, Crown, SEL and Bezel
The lugs and crown are incredibly close, and very hard to distinguish from one another unless magnified and side by side. GMF has done a brilliant job with these aspects. The SELs are not bad at all.
The bezel and brushing show quite a difference in finishing, lustre and grain structure. However, the bezel fonts and thickness are very accurate to gen, so GMF is not a worry at all in this respect. Superb job by GMF. Reps in general are known to need refinishing or polish work (Think of gods like Legend, Keylog, Spongebob etc.) to take them to to the next level, so this really isn't much of an issue if you like to rock stock.
BONUS: Clasp and tolerances
Peek a little closer and you'll see why your rep just doesn't feel as tight.
Lume
This is one of the best watches out there if you enjoy lume (25600 Tudor tops it). The gen is brighter and lasts longer, but oiverall it is quite close. Nothing to really complain about. Beautiful, both of them.
Final Thoughts
Despite being put through the gauntlet in overly picky and micro aspects between gen and rep, the GMF proved it had earned the right to stand as one of the best and most innovative visually striking reps in recent times. However, based on many accounts of folkjs reporting keyless issues with the VR3285 movement, I am not comfortable recommending it to folks without the disclaimer that they should be ready to have the movement swapped down the road, if someone is willing to work with a casino movement. Many watchmakers seem to call the VR3285 a curse.
For this reason alone, unfortunately, I have to deduct a few points. This watch is not for the faint of heart, despite being visually amazing on the outside. This is my honest, genuine feedback.
The GMF 226570 Polar gets a 7/10!
It was an incredible honor and opportunity to showcase how far reps have come, and I look forward to everyone's thoughts and comments here in this thread.
Thank you for reading this far and for giving me a home to review and share information. I love you all.
RWI ROCKS!
This watch is not quite popular in the rep world given its size (42mm) and relative bulk compared to slimmer and more ubiquitous cousins such as the Submariner or GMT Master II. Some may know it as the most striking white dial Rolex has ever made. Others may see it as a portable lighthouse.
Regardless, it is a very special and gorgeous timepiece that deserves some limelight. I'm happy to give it the attention it is worthy of. Behold.
Courtesy of Arial Adams from A Watch to Blog
However, GMF came up with a rendition that surpassed all expectations for an Explorer II. To give context to this statement, I shall quote the intro to my most recent review of the rep world's best attempt at this watch:
Introductory context aside, let's get right to it and see what we're working with! This should be an awesome experience for those who love photo comparisons. I will cover some major aspects of each watch, as well as little noteworthy extra. It won't be everything but enough for some insight and rumination. Sit back, relax and enjoy!
Initial side by side presentation
As with any rep vs gen comparison with reptime tier watches, we can see that from a glance, they are pretty close. Blink once, twice, and move along. Nothing to see here; (corporate wants you to find the difference; they're the same thing).
However as rep enthusiasts we like to look a little deeper. To begin with, we'll start with the crystal and datewheel for finer details!
Crystal and Datewheel
For being a rep, the GMF crystal quality is absurdly good. Gen will always be gen, the pinnacle of quality. But GMF is a great option here and plays quite well. The rep datewheel is also quite clean but print quality isn't as good as CF or VSF. The serifs are inconsistent and asymmetric at times.
Something interesting to note is the crystal tint. Usually with gens we see blue or brown tint. In the GMF, it is white and clear, which is unusual. I have yet to see a gen with this form factor, and would love it if someone in the comments can find a relevant gen sample with clear tint. I also noticed different geometries up close in which the cyclops was shaped. This may play into the halo or thick ring around gen crystals which we covet.
In my view, the halo we see is due to a more pronounced and thicker curve around the edge, giving clarity and guarding against distortion at the edges seen in rep.
A fascinating datewheel feature with the gen that is not present with the GMF (different movements) is that going in reverse after changing the date forward, requires one to reverse past 9PM for a complete switchback to the previous date. If you switch to the 10th at midnight, for example, and then reverse the hour jumping hand to 10PM, the date will only partially reverse. If you try to move forward, the date will change forward at around 10:30PM. It would cause anyone to panic thinking the movement is busted, but in reality, you'd move the jumping hand past 9PM to something like 6PM, and then move forward past midnight for the next date. For what it's worth, several gen Exp 2 samples have had the same thing happen. Please do comment on this if you notice otherwise.
Rehaut
As usual, the rep rehaut is relatively dull and unpolished compared to the gen. However, the gen engravings seem more relaxed, albeit very clear and clean, compared to GMF, which looks more aggressive but lifeless.
Hands
This is where I think the Polar Explorer 2 shines as one of the best reps available. There is no white gold seen on the hands. Thus, it is not an easy tell, as opposed to other variants we enjoy frankening. The hands are matte black with orange GMT. However, the downside for GMF is having a noticeably lighter orange colour, as opposed to a deeper orange seen in gen. This isn't as bad as Noob's 216570 being almost yellow, but it's something to note if you want to spot gen vs rep from photos. You can also see the rep hand quality, being reps, being less defined and less compact than the gen. This is very much as seen with Tudor gen vs rep matte texture. One quick tell I use to check gen vs rep matte dials with Tudor is granularity and structure, which seems to be the same tell here as well.
Dial Font
Similar to most gen vs rep dials, rep dial font is too fat, and the orange colour on the GMF is much lighter than gen. The gen indices are also more rounded, smoother and curvier than rep. But again, this is side by side andunderstood to be for analystic purposes and not to dismiss the amazing work GMF has done!
Lugs, Crown, SEL and Bezel
The lugs and crown are incredibly close, and very hard to distinguish from one another unless magnified and side by side. GMF has done a brilliant job with these aspects. The SELs are not bad at all.
The bezel and brushing show quite a difference in finishing, lustre and grain structure. However, the bezel fonts and thickness are very accurate to gen, so GMF is not a worry at all in this respect. Superb job by GMF. Reps in general are known to need refinishing or polish work (Think of gods like Legend, Keylog, Spongebob etc.) to take them to to the next level, so this really isn't much of an issue if you like to rock stock.
BONUS: Clasp and tolerances
Peek a little closer and you'll see why your rep just doesn't feel as tight.
Lume
This is one of the best watches out there if you enjoy lume (25600 Tudor tops it). The gen is brighter and lasts longer, but oiverall it is quite close. Nothing to really complain about. Beautiful, both of them.
Final Thoughts
Despite being put through the gauntlet in overly picky and micro aspects between gen and rep, the GMF proved it had earned the right to stand as one of the best and most innovative visually striking reps in recent times. However, based on many accounts of folkjs reporting keyless issues with the VR3285 movement, I am not comfortable recommending it to folks without the disclaimer that they should be ready to have the movement swapped down the road, if someone is willing to work with a casino movement. Many watchmakers seem to call the VR3285 a curse.
For this reason alone, unfortunately, I have to deduct a few points. This watch is not for the faint of heart, despite being visually amazing on the outside. This is my honest, genuine feedback.
The GMF 226570 Polar gets a 7/10!
It was an incredible honor and opportunity to showcase how far reps have come, and I look forward to everyone's thoughts and comments here in this thread.
Thank you for reading this far and for giving me a home to review and share information. I love you all.
RWI ROCKS!
