• Tired of adverts on RWI? - Subscribe by clicking HERE and PMing Trailboss for instructions and they will magically go away!

Compare ARF 116710LN with the VRF 116710LN

occb2

Super Moderator
Staff member
Global Moderator
Certified
10/6/14
14,018
4,053
113
It's fresh from oiling so need to break in, will test it out tomorrow after some time on the winder. But as far I know and read on it 300 is max. 270 would be ideal 260 maybe on the lower side ? Anyway it's a nice step from rep factories, at least now we can fix those and have access to parts.


I wish they make nice Batman or root beer...

Root beer would RULE!!!! But that would be a lot.
 

occb2

Super Moderator
Staff member
Global Moderator
Certified
10/6/14
14,018
4,053
113

Understand that there is so much especially in the rep watches that mess with the actual numbers. What you would read is not reality in our watches. Most watches are made with perfect alignment in mind. Like an actual Rolex 3135. But depending on age and wear your numbers will be off. Now when it comes to China reps, or at least the rolex reps. SH mostly, VR I've done only a handful, I am lucky to be breaking 260 after service. I do have a different timegrapher. The basic ones read odd. I can put a 3135 on mine and get a reading that would scare you, lol then throw it on my basic 1000 and it shows perfect. If you plan on servicing I would invest in a timegrapher. While the 1000 is fine for someone who is just adjusting their watch or bringing with you when you are buying something to make sure it is not a POS.

Best thing is that you are doing it with out the case on. Lots of people adjust with the case on.

Good luck.
 

occb2

Super Moderator
Staff member
Global Moderator
Certified
10/6/14
14,018
4,053
113
what ? this is FANTASTIC ! Could you point to pictures ?

I never ask for QC pics. I personally believe them to be a waist of time. I have never said no to a watch when I use to get QC pics.

People go over them with a fine tooth comb. They think its a real rolex. LOL. Me I know I am getting a $500 fake of a $15,000 watch. So if the date wheel is misaligned I will align it. If the crystal is off a little I will re-press it. It my movement is dead I will replace it or service it.

I just got the VR batman and the crystal cyclopes is not centered. I don't care because I am going to put a real crystal on it. I do have to say the VR batman dial is nice!!!!

I am just so praying that ARF nails the batman bezel! I don't want to spend that much on a bezel!!!!
 

jcher

I'm Pretty Popular
Patron
Certified
1/8/17
1,890
702
113
Me I know I am getting a $500 fake of a $15,000 watch. So if the date wheel is misaligned I will align it. If the crystal is off a little I will re-press it. It my movement is dead I will replace it or service it.

I entirely agree, I'm in the game for the same reasons. However I didn't know that ARF had released a batman therefore if you had prototypes' pictures or a link to TD's pages that would be awesome!

Kr
 

occb2

Super Moderator
Staff member
Global Moderator
Certified
10/6/14
14,018
4,053
113
I entirely agree, I'm in the game for the same reasons. However I didn't know that ARF had released a batman therefore if you had prototypes' pictures or a link to TD's pages that would be awesome!

Kr

Trust me. I get them I will post them. I had zero clue I was getting the VRF batman today or the Daytona. I asked for all 3. The VRF, ARF and V3 noob Daytona. I was told it wasn't happening till after CNY. Then my wife called me telling me there was a DHL from china that she just signed for. I drove home to the VRF and the Daytona and no ARF. I have been told it wasn't going to happen till after CNY so if I get ANY pics of it I will blow up a new thread!!! LOL.

Im going to pass out. Good night. TTY all tomorrow.
 
  • Like
Reactions: freediver and jcher

sickopsycho

Active Member
15/6/19
285
125
43
NC, USA
Trust me. I get them I will post them. I had zero clue I was getting the VRF batman today or the Daytona. I asked for all 3. The VRF, ARF and V3 noob Daytona. I was told it wasn't happening till after CNY. Then my wife called me telling me there was a DHL from china that she just signed for. I drove home to the VRF and the Daytona and no ARF. I have been told it wasn't going to happen till after CNY so if I get ANY pics of it I will blow up a new thread!!! LOL.

Im going to pass out. Good night. TTY all tomorrow.

Interesting- looking forward to seeing the pictures! When I ordered my VRF 116710, Li asked me if I wanted the batman instead, saying he had them both available. I received mine about 3 weeks ago, but opted for black. :shrug:
 

markiemark

Bracelet King
Supporter
Certified
18/4/13
2,315
693
113
EU
I just received my VRF GMT and I wonder if the same rule applies from the CHS A3186 clones to "Never adjust the hour/date hand in position 2, whilst GMT hand is between 10:00 - 02:20. This will break the movement apparently."

If so, when I remove and reinstall the dial and hands, how do I know then which position that GMT hand needs to be in (on the gear)? Can I tell by looking at the part, or do I just need to remember what position the gear and the GMT hand was?
 

jcher

I'm Pretty Popular
Patron
Certified
1/8/17
1,890
702
113
On my VRF at 6 o'clock the springbars holes aren't aligned hence the band looks bent. Do you guys have any suggestions on how to fix the poor SELs due to machining?

gmt-2b7c017399b368520.jpg

gmt-17039f4e4f7a3b6b8.jpg
 

sickopsycho

Active Member
15/6/19
285
125
43
NC, USA
I just received my VRF GMT and I wonder if the same rule applies from the CHS A3186 clones to "Never adjust the hour/date hand in position 2, whilst GMT hand is between 10:00 - 02:20. This will break the movement apparently."

If so, when I remove and reinstall the dial and hands, how do I know then which position that GMT hand needs to be in (on the gear)? Can I tell by looking at the part, or do I just need to remember what position the gear and the GMT hand was?

If you have the new VR3186, you no longer have the same issue in crown position 2 as the old movement, as it is an entirely different movement. The old movement was not a clone of the rolex movement, as this new one is. There are still some minor issues that look like they need addressing, but nothing like the previous "3186" movement. I have never done hands on a GMT (but am now curious about this too), so I'll digress to someone more skilled than I. I would guess as long as the hands are all lined up at 12/24, everything should be ok when you go to reinstall them. If someone else would chime in and confirm this, I'd appreciate it.

Edit: I've watched some teardown videos on the tube- watchrepair channel does a teardown and service of the 3185, which is the movement your VR3186 is a clone of. It was mislabeled a 3186, but it's actually a 3185. Pretty much everything about the teardown of the Rolex 3185 should apply to this movement.
 
Last edited:

KJ2020

Time Traveler
Supporter
12/3/18
34,661
66,753
113
I just received my VRF GMT and I wonder if the same rule applies from the CHS A3186 clones to "Never adjust the hour/date hand in position 2, whilst GMT hand is between 10:00 - 02:20. This will break the movement apparently."

If so, when I remove and reinstall the dial and hands, how do I know then which position that GMT hand needs to be in (on the gear)? Can I tell by looking at the part, or do I just need to remember what position the gear and the GMT hand was?

I've worked on several of the CHS 2824 timebomb movements, even repaired a few. I believe that the caution should read "Never jump the hour hand in position 2, while the HOUR hand is between 10:00 - 02:00." The GMT hand could have an offset to it, so if for example you set it to 12 hours offset from local that would mean you couldn't set your hour hand at noon or midnight +/- 2 hours., which is not true.

The GMT hand on the 2824 CHS is on a 24 hour GMT wheel that has no adverse interaction with the hour wheel or hour hand at any particular time of day. It's the hour hand that has an adverse interaction with the datewheel between 10PM and 2AM, and its jumping movement should be avoided during those times. Just like avoiding the quickset date change on any watch during those times. It can damage or weaken the spring or cam in the datewheel driving wheel and result in partial or incomplete date flips. In the case of the 2824 CHS timebomb, it can also break the jump click due to the increased force on it by the resistance of the date wheel driving wheel which is under spring tension of an impending date change, or right after a date change because the cam is still contacting and caught on a tooth on the datewheel.

I would apply the same practice to the new 3185/6 clones, do not hour jump when the local time on the HOUR hand is between 10PM and 2AM, it equates to quicksetting the date at a time of risk.
 
Last edited:

markiemark

Bracelet King
Supporter
Certified
18/4/13
2,315
693
113
EU
If you have the new VR3186, you no longer have the same issue in crown position 2 as the old movement, as it is an entirely different movement. The old movement was not a clone of the rolex movement, as this new one is. There are still some minor issues that look like they need addressing, but nothing like the previous "3186" movement. I have never done hands on a GMT (but am now curious about this too), so I'll digress to someone more skilled than I. I would guess as long as the hands are all lined up at 12/24, everything should be ok when you go to reinstall them. If someone else would chime in and confirm this, I'd appreciate it.

Edit: I've watched some teardown videos on the tube- watchrepair channel does a teardown and service of the 3185, which is the movement your VR3186 is a clone of. It was mislabeled a 3186, but it's actually a 3185. Pretty much everything about the teardown of the Rolex 3185 should apply to this movement.

Ok, because just received mine and when setting the time (last crown position), the crown 'slips', as if there is a gear that is missing a tooth or multiple teeth. I can't remember if it was like this when it arrived or after I played a little with it.

I will open it up and see what the issue is...
 

occb2

Super Moderator
Staff member
Global Moderator
Certified
10/6/14
14,018
4,053
113
Ok, because just received mine and when setting the time (last crown position), the crown 'slips', as if there is a gear that is missing a tooth or multiple teeth. I can't remember if it was like this when it arrived or after I played a little with it.

I will open it up and see what the issue is...

Was it when winding or when adjusting/jumping the hour hand. If so its the spring. If you know how to replace them I have a few.
 

markiemark

Bracelet King
Supporter
Certified
18/4/13
2,315
693
113
EU
Was it when winding or when adjusting/jumping the hour hand. If so its the spring. If you know how to replace them I have a few.

it happens actually when setting the minute hand (last crown position)
 

markiemark

Bracelet King
Supporter
Certified
18/4/13
2,315
693
113
EU
Was it when winding or when adjusting/jumping the hour hand. If so its the spring. If you know how to replace them I have a few.

Just opened it, clutch wheel is missing 2 teeth...
 

markiemark

Bracelet King
Supporter
Certified
18/4/13
2,315
693
113
EU
Just installed gen jumping hour hand module 3185 660, but both gen and rep hand do not fit!

Edit: never mind. I forgot to install the rep cap haha
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: KJ2020

wNe

O.G.
27/11/11
1,342
264
83
Just installed gen jumping hour hand module 3185 660, but both gen and rep hand do not fit!

Hm? Why should it not work with the module? The module is not the pinion where the hands are on.

By the way, Domi build 2 VRFs (complete Franken) incl the 3185–660, no issues working perfectly.
 
  • Like
Reactions: KJ2020