C+ Factory GMT Master II Batman 126710BLNR review

[migvid]

Hi all,

I just received my C+ Factory GMT Master II and wanted to share some pictures with you and at the same time start a discussion. I had a previous one but not sure from what factory. I actually bought it in a website that claimed to offer exact 'swiss' replicas and i was new at the time so i paid some $1200 USD for them. Movement has been great but recently the fonts start to fade and i bought different inserts but i realized that color is not white and there is kind of a embossing. When i finally got a Clean factory bezel replacement i think i broke something, probably a retainer, and now it fits but if i try to move it the bezel falls of. Anyway i decided to get a new one from C+ Factory as in someplace i read they are the best (or so).

First the pictures:




More pictures:




Now my comments. Let's start with the good ones:

• The overall build looks very good
• Came with a NFC card that actually points to the right model and color on the website
• The ceramic bezel insert i think is very accurate
• Lume is really good
• My time grapher shows -1/sec a day
• The unwinding of the crown is very smooth just like my gen sub.
• The movement looks good. Anyone knows what movement is this?
• The bracelet edges are smooth. I remember having an old sub rep and i could scratch anybody skin easily.

Now my "i dont know"s:

• The bracelet makes some weird noises. The previous one it was more quiet. Could it be because it;s new?
• The rotor is noisy. Not sure if oiling is missing. Should i oil?
• The winding is quiet; not sure if that's how it should go. My previous rep will issue a 'tick' when winding. Not sure how is in the gen. Is quit winding a tell?
• This is the most weird one. When setting the hour "in advance" it's set moving the crown counter clockwise. My previous rep and my gen Tudor GMT move the hour marker in advance by moving the crown clockwise. Any comment on this? This is the one that concerns me the most.
• Setting the hour hand issues a 'tick'' that my previous rep didnt have.

Would love to hear your comments.

 

[KJ2020]

The movement is an SH3285, made by the Shanghai factory. There is a better quality movement made by the Dandong factory, the DD3285. This determination is being made by me and is based largely on looking at side by side pics of each movement part. Also I have a good deal of experience with rep and gen GMTs. In addition, the DD3285 is based on Dandong's VS3235 which is widely recognized as the best rep 3235. The Shanghai factory is less well regarded.

As you'll see in the thread linked below, C+ factory simply "stalked" CLEAN and got their parts from the same sources as CLEAN, except for the DD3285 movement which as of now CLEAN has exclusive rights to.

Ctime 3285 comparison GEN/DD/SH

So your model is as nearly as good as the reigning champ CLEAN GMT and it would be a good thing if the SH movement holds up OK. There have been some real lemon rep GMT movements in the past, we hope this is not another one. You can read more about it in the thread above.

Regarding time setting, the newer model 32xx gen Rolex movements set time in crown position 3 and hour jump in crown position 2 "backwards". Both the rep 3285s we're discussing here have mirrored those gen characteristics exactly.

The rep and newest gen rotors are no longer axial but have ball bearings so they can be noisier. You can lube the ball bearings with a couple drops of some light oil. I would not use grease. That's a common mistake. It will silence the rotor more at the expense of it moving freely which defeats its purpose. Also it can spread to other parts.

Clean the bracelet in an ultrasound cleaner if you have one. Some folks swear by a baby oil bath. I'm not a fan of that - IMO the only way that can be an improvement is by leaving remnants of oil in tiny crevices, which are just going to eventually attract and retain dirt and grime. 100% clean and dry is my choice, YMMV.

Some movements wind quietly, it's not a tell. I've handled a gen GMT that wound so quietly I could not hear it at all and would have thought it wasn't winding if the second hand hadn't started moving. What is a tell is the fake free sprung balance arm on the downward side of the balance, and the two real regulators on the upward side. It's nothing like a gen balance so don't show that to anyone who is knowledgeable if you don't want to be called out.

Congrats on your new toy. It's a beauty for sure and hopefully will give you years of good service.

 

[migvid]

The movement is an SH3285, made by the Shanghai factory. There is a better quality movement made by the Dandong factory, the DD3285. This determination is being made by me and is based largely on looking at side by side pics of each movement part. Also I have a good deal of experience with rep and gen GMTs. In addition, the DD3285 is based on Dandong's VS3235 which is widely recognized as the best rep 3235. The Shanghai factory is less well regarded.

As you'll see in the thread linked below, C+ factory simply "stalked" CLEAN and got their parts from the same sources as CLEAN, except for the DD3285 movement which as of now CLEAN has exclusive rights to.

Ctime 3285 comparison GEN/DD/SH

So your model is as nearly as good as the reigning champ CLEAN GMT and it would be a good thing if the SH movement holds up OK. There have been some real lemon rep GMT movements in the past, we hope this is not another one. You can read more about it in the thread above.

Regarding time setting, the newer model 32xx gen Rolex movements set time in crown position 3 and hour jump in crown position 2 "backwards". Both the rep 3285s we're discussing here have mirrored those gen characteristics exactly.

The rep and newest gen rotors are no longer axial but have ball bearings so they can be noisier. You can lube the ball bearings with a couple drops of some light oil. I would not use grease. That's a common mistake. It will silence the rotor more at the expense of it moving freely which defeats its purpose. Also it can spread to other parts.

Clean the bracelet in an ultrasound cleaner if you have one. Some folks swear by a baby oil bath. I'm not a fan of that - IMO the only way that can be an improvement is by leaving remnants of oil in tiny crevices, which are just going to eventually attract and retain dirt and grime. 100% clean and dry is my choice, YMMV.

Some movements wind quietly, it's not a tell. I've handled a gen GMT that wound so quietly I could not hear it at all and would have thought it wasn't winding if the second hand hadn't started moving. What is a tell is the fake free sprung balance arm on the downward side of the balance, and the two real regulators on the upward side. It's nothing like a gen balance so don't show that to anyone who is knowledgeable if you don't want to be called out.

Congrats on your new toy. It's a beauty for sure and hopefully will give you years of good service.

Thank you. Your article is very, very, very insightful.

 

[mcboom]

The movement is an SH3285, made by the Shanghai factory. There is a better quality movement made by the Dandong factory, the DD3285. This determination is being made by me and is based largely on looking at side by side pics of each movement part. Also I have a good deal of experience with rep and gen GMTs. In addition, the DD3285 is based on Dandong's VS3235 which is widely recognized as the best rep 3235. The Shanghai factory is less well regarded.

As you'll see in the thread linked below, C+ factory simply "stalked" CLEAN and got their parts from the same sources as CLEAN, except for the DD3285 movement which as of now CLEAN has exclusive rights to.

Ctime 3285 comparison GEN/DD/SH

So your model is as nearly as good as the reigning champ CLEAN GMT and it would be a good thing if the SH movement holds up OK. There have been some real lemon rep GMT movements in the past, we hope this is not another one. You can read more about it in the thread above.

Regarding time setting, the newer model 32xx gen Rolex movements set time in crown position 3 and hour jump in crown position 2 "backwards". Both the rep 3285s we're discussing here have mirrored those gen characteristics exactly.

The rep and newest gen rotors are no longer axial but have ball bearings so they can be noisier. You can lube the ball bearings with a couple drops of some light oil. I would not use grease. That's a common mistake. It will silence the rotor more at the expense of it moving freely which defeats its purpose. Also it can spread to other parts.

Clean the bracelet in an ultrasound cleaner if you have one. Some folks swear by a baby oil bath. I'm not a fan of that - IMO the only way that can be an improvement is by leaving remnants of oil in tiny crevices, which are just going to eventually attract and retain dirt and grime. 100% clean and dry is my choice, YMMV.

Some movements wind quietly, it's not a tell. I've handled a gen GMT that wound so quietly I could not hear it at all and would have thought it wasn't winding if the second hand hadn't started moving. What is a tell is the fake free sprung balance arm on the downward side of the balance, and the two real regulators on the upward side. It's nothing like a gen balance so don't show that to anyone who is knowledgeable if you don't want to be called out.

Congrats on your new toy. It's a beauty for sure and hopefully will give you years of good service.

Answers like this are why I love being part of this community

 

[aHero]

I’m not really into rep BLNRs (I have a gen, so no real desire for a rep), but is the blue black transition that “clean” cut on all reps? Whereas the BLRO transition isn’t as straight cut. Just curious.

 

[muiramas]

+1 for not bothering with the baby oil bath. I think it’s a bad idea, which just gets repeated way too much.

 

[muiramas]

I’m not really into rep BLNRs (I have a gen, so no real desire for a rep), but is the blue black transition that “clean” cut on all reps? Whereas the BLRO transition isn’t as straight cut. Just curious.

CF bezel is much better / softer transition.

 

[StreetFighter]

That has a Pepsi bezel on it. BLNR has a different bezel and I'm not talking about the insert.. I'm talking about the metal ring the insert sits inside.

 

[migvid]

That has a Pepsi bezel on it. BLNR has a different bezel and I'm not talking about the insert.. I'm talking about the metal ring the insert sits inside.

I will try to get a better picture but when i look close it's soft. Is that how the gen is?

 

[KJ2020]

I’m not really into rep BLNRs (I have a gen, so no real desire for a rep), but is the blue black transition that “clean” cut on all reps? Whereas the BLRO transition isn’t as straight cut. Just curious.

It depends on the factory but AFAIK C+ is using CLEAN inserts so there should be no difference between C+ and CLEAN BLNR to BLNR or BLRO to BLRO

 

[KJ2020]

That has a Pepsi bezel on it. BLNR has a different bezel and I'm not talking about the insert.. I'm talking about the metal ring the insert sits inside.

@migvid

This may not be apparent to you but the gen BLRO has a wider bezel lip next to the insert. Even CLEAN did not catch this on initial release.

Your C+ BLNR has the bezel lip, which should only be on a BLRO. It's not something to be overly concerned about IMO. Many gen owners have no clue. I informed my AD about it when handling a BLNR that was reserved for someone else. He wears a BLRO. His response was "Oh, neat!"

 

[KJ2020]

I will try to get a better picture but when i look close it's soft. Is that how the gen is?

The gen Pepsi has a blended, more gradual color transition. It's not as noticeable on the Batman I think because technically it isn't two colors.

Gen

 

[migvid]

Hi @KJ2020 @StreetFighter here are some additional pictures for your reference. Hope they are clear.
It is my opinion that the bezel color transition is smooth and unlike my old rep there seems to be a smoother transition between the insert and the crystal.

 

[MR. Blaze]

Recently bought a C+ M2M on RWI and I’m very impressed by the look. Overall would agree with the point from OP @migvid

An issue I’m facing: Instead of GMT setting, pulling the crown once, it is moving only the hour marker per hour marker, and not GMT-pointer. Furthermore, no option to set the date separately? Or is that my noob lack of knowledge that these movements do not allow this?

 

[MR. Blaze]

Recently bought a C+ M2M on RWI and I’m very impressed by the look. Overall would agree with the point from OP @migvid

An issue I’m facing: Instead of GMT setting, pulling the crown once, it is moving only the hour marker per hour marker, and not GMT-pointer. Furthermore, no option to set the date separately? Or is that my noob lack of knowledge that these movements do not allow this?

Doing better research before doubting would be the lesson of today! Found my answer so please ignore the above

 

[flopaklopp]

How are these C + models holding up? I've got my eye on a pepsi with the blue dial.

 

[mcboom]

How are these C + models holding up? I've got my eye on a pepsi with the blue dial.

No issue with my Batman and meteorite Pepsi