Clean Factory vs BT Factory - 116500 Panda Daytona - Updated

[Reaps]

CF have the worst crystals in the industry. Which should always be replaced IMO as they ruin what are otherwise good reps. You can take the crystal from any mid range rep like BP / GMF and it would be a dramatic improvement in the stock CF.

I think some people look at a photograph and mistake reflection for what is actually a hazy included sapphire, while others just parrot misinformation.

Having owned CF Daytonas, CF 41 Datejust, CF Submariners + CF GMT, CF 36 Datejust, and CF 36 OP, I completely agree. The Deep Crystal is almost certainly, per dollar, a worthy upgrade to all CF models.

I will say :

• CF Daytona : the crystal must absolutely be replaced on the white/black dial. The reflective dials? Swapping crystal has only a slight improvement.
• For the 12x Subs, Clean crystals are "ok". Not VSF level but tolerable enough to not replace them. The deep hole on them is not as good as VSF or deep. The 11x though? Definitely need replacing.
• The old generation 41 Datejust and OP, definitely need crystal replaced no matter what.
• New generation 36 OP/Datejust/Explorers, are tolerable now, they're alot better now.
• Same goes with the GMTs. Any old generation pre-DD3285 needs the crystal changed. But the new GMT crystal is tolerable and fine now. Only the cyclop lacks the "black hole" effect per VSF/Deep.

 

[Tompa]

Clean vs BTF in macro lens

Clean:



BTF

 

[Tompa]

Look at the handpinions on the BTF , it looks like they have smashed the hands on with a hammer

 

[Zeta7]

Unless a person is an expert in watch crystals and knows exactly what they’re looking at from across the room they really should buy their replacement crystals from a reputable watch parts house like Esslinger’s. Buying from Aliexpress, eBay, amazon and others is a gamble at best. Lots of counterfeit and sub quality products are sold on those sites and we know this. How do you differentiate a $5 crystal from an $80 crystal? I look at the little stickers because I don’t know. Esslingers can tell you everything you want to know about the various crystals they sell. Us guys who’ve been in the rep game several decades didn’t have the interweb back in the day we had to source our parts from brick and mortar watch repair shops and actually talk to experts with decades of expertise in the family business. Sapphire crystals were about $50 back in the 90’s and Wendy’s hamburgers were about $3. Now a Wendy’s burger is about $7 and aliexpress has sapphire crystals for as low as $6. Of course they also have Rolex crowns for $2 so they could be lying. We don’t think twice about paying $600-$800 for a quality rep but we won’t spend $50-$80 on a quality crystal. They call that penny wise and pound foolish. Just my $0.02

 

[mmaggi]

Look at the handpinions on the BTF , it looks like they have smashed the hands on with a hammer

True. But I would never see it on the wrist. Both CF & BTF make the best 116500. There is no incorrect choice.

 

[Tompa]

True. But I would never see it on the wrist. Both CF & BTF make the best 116500. There is no incorrect choice.

Nope you need a macro lens to see it. Just wanted to show you guys the differens of the 2 brands in Marco. Crazy good looking well made watches for sure

 

[Storm.]

God subdial print on Btf is so much better

Why does cf always look like the ink is bleeding into the subdial rings lol

 

[Tompa]

God subdial print on Btf is so much better

Why does cf always look like the ink is bleeding into the subdial rings lol

But the only thing that holds me back for keeping the BTF over the clean is the fucking orange ”Daytona” lettering, why cant they do it darker. It looks shite bro, and Im verry sad over this, its ruin the hole watch(for me) on the black dial they have nice red color but on white dial they cant nail it.

 

[Storm.]

But the only thing that holds me back for keeping the BTF over the clean is the fucking orange ”Daytona” lettering, why cant they do it darker. It looks shite bro, and Im verry sad over this, its ruin the hole watch(for me) on the black dial they have nice red color but on white dial they cant nail it.

Not noticable on wrist
Also the btf panda dial is emulating the 2022 model and for that, the color is correct

2021, 2020 have the cherry, before models a dark vibrant red.

2022 is light red.

 

[Tompa]

Not noticable on wrist
Also the btf panda dial is emulating the 2022 model and for that, the color is correct

2021, 2020 have the cherry, before models a dark vibrant red.

2022 is light red.

Okey didnt know that. Thanks bro

 

[2841]

Not noticable on wrist
Also the btf panda dial is emulating the 2022 model and for that, the color is correct

2021, 2020 have the cherry, before models a dark vibrant red.

2022 is light red.

That’s funny, I have a handful of friends in my network that has Pandas (newest one is a 2023) and I’ve seen absolutly no difference in Daytona text color.
Im guessing your statement is based on internet photos

 

[Storm.]

That’s funny, I have a handful of friends in my network that has Pandas (newest one is a 2023) and I’ve seen absolutly no difference in Daytona text color.
Im guessing your statement is based on internet photos

No sir.

Have a few friends with gen, as well as one of my business partners.

All different reds.

 

[Zeta7]

True. But I would never see it on the wrist. Both CF & BTF make the best 116500. There is no incorrect choice.

I totally agree. It’s just something to keep in the back of one’s mind for if they ever need to replace the crystal that came with the watch from the factory.

 

[uneek]

Cf black dial my brother! Freundian mistake!

I ordered a 116500 BTF V3 Panda, and I want to have a black dial also for reserve incasse I want tto change it, should I get a Clean or BTF black dial?

 

[AROLS]

Where can I get this dial to put into a ZF and how much should it cost?

 

[Reaps]

Where can I get this dial to put into a ZF and how much should it cost?

Not worth. Clean makes the best model for that. Then swap in a deep crystal. Done.

 

[AROLS]

Not worth. Clean makes the best model for that. Then swap in a deep crystal. Done.

Which crystal do you recommend and where do I get it?

 

[Storm.]

Which crystal do you recommend and where do I get it?

A deep crystal as he said. From xing. They have a section in the forum Supporting Vendors

 

[speedyguy]

So what is the better panda? It sounds like ZF is pretty great and is probably just as good as CF with a deep crystal? Am I understanding that right? It sound some might prefer the BTF.

 

[Reaps]

So what is the better panda? It sounds like ZF is pretty great and is probably just as good as CF with a deep crystal? Am I understanding that right? It sound some might prefer the BTF.

Cf and btf > zf simply due to movement, DD4130 is not the same as SH4130