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Datejust 36 - DJF vs ARF?
- Thread starter nipe
- Start date
Tacotuesday
Active Member
- 1/6/18
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Here is an album with a lot of pictures and some wrist shot. If you want any more pictures let me know!
DJF https://imgur.com/a/3CsrU2R
And I want to give a few hints.
1. Biggest flaw is the crystal, like any other Rolex with a cyclope, the ar on the crystal is kinda shit. It takes Gen spec crystal so it's an easy fix.
2. Bracelet is ok. The clasp is solid, clicks really well, the easy link is a bit too stiff, the overall feel is good but it squeaks a bit, so a bit of lube can improve it greatly. SEL is good, isn't flush, the screws are well cutted so they come in and out easily. The head of the screws is a bit too soft.
3. QC isn't superb. I refused 2 watches because of misaligned markers (not of a great misalignment, I was just a bit anal), so far so good because the third one was spot on. Perfect markers, perfect datewheel. At least to my eyes nothing was bugging me. Movement has a good time, clicks perfectly the date at 23.59 so I don't complain at all.
BUT, it came with a broken bracelet. The upper SEL has a severe bent pin so I applied a bit (a lot) of force to bend it the other side. I hit up the TD though and he said he is ordering a replacement bracelet for me, so far so good. Maybe that underwhelmed my feelings for the bracelet though, so take it with a bit of salt.
On another note, since you're talking about BTC, I did pay via BTC and it was a very pleasing experience. And I am happy to share a few words.
I didn't use Coinbase but Kraken, I hit up the TD asking the price and discount ecc, so I made some calculations and made a bank wire (SEPA since I am in Eu) and in 24h I had EUR on Kraken website.
Then placed the order with the TD, converted the USD>EUR on Google and made a purchase around the same amount of EUR on Kraken, went through instantly. Then withrawed to my BTC Wallet (used Simple Bitcoin on Android) and sent the BTC to the TD straight away. In 2H I had 6 confirmations and sent the info to my TD.
Here things went a bit up and down, when I made the payment it was the 23rd of November, the TD couldn't check the money before Monday and in 3 days the amount I paid went down of a good 20%, and I was afraid that I had to top up because of the bitcoin fluctuation. Turns out on Monday that the TD has a Bitpay-like system, so as soon as his wallet get some BTCs, it automatically converts them in USD so my payment was perfectly fine and I didn't have to top up anything. I spent probably 3$ total in fees and conversion EUR>BTC>USD so it's has been a very good experience. So I suggest you to pay an high fee so your 6 confirmations come faster, in 1/2h price doesn't fluctuate much. If your TD doesn't have a Bitpay like system, be sure to have the 6 confirmation at 8am Chinese time, so he can confirm the payment in 3/4h after the confirmations, don't do it in weekends or just after Chinese business hours.
Sorry for typos, I wrote all on mobile. Maybe I'll ad a picture of the almost-broken bracelet
Inviato dal mio LM-G710 utilizzando Tapatalk
DJF https://imgur.com/a/3CsrU2R
And I want to give a few hints.
1. Biggest flaw is the crystal, like any other Rolex with a cyclope, the ar on the crystal is kinda shit. It takes Gen spec crystal so it's an easy fix.
2. Bracelet is ok. The clasp is solid, clicks really well, the easy link is a bit too stiff, the overall feel is good but it squeaks a bit, so a bit of lube can improve it greatly. SEL is good, isn't flush, the screws are well cutted so they come in and out easily. The head of the screws is a bit too soft.
3. QC isn't superb. I refused 2 watches because of misaligned markers (not of a great misalignment, I was just a bit anal), so far so good because the third one was spot on. Perfect markers, perfect datewheel. At least to my eyes nothing was bugging me. Movement has a good time, clicks perfectly the date at 23.59 so I don't complain at all.
BUT, it came with a broken bracelet. The upper SEL has a severe bent pin so I applied a bit (a lot) of force to bend it the other side. I hit up the TD though and he said he is ordering a replacement bracelet for me, so far so good. Maybe that underwhelmed my feelings for the bracelet though, so take it with a bit of salt.
On another note, since you're talking about BTC, I did pay via BTC and it was a very pleasing experience. And I am happy to share a few words.
I didn't use Coinbase but Kraken, I hit up the TD asking the price and discount ecc, so I made some calculations and made a bank wire (SEPA since I am in Eu) and in 24h I had EUR on Kraken website.
Then placed the order with the TD, converted the USD>EUR on Google and made a purchase around the same amount of EUR on Kraken, went through instantly. Then withrawed to my BTC Wallet (used Simple Bitcoin on Android) and sent the BTC to the TD straight away. In 2H I had 6 confirmations and sent the info to my TD.
Here things went a bit up and down, when I made the payment it was the 23rd of November, the TD couldn't check the money before Monday and in 3 days the amount I paid went down of a good 20%, and I was afraid that I had to top up because of the bitcoin fluctuation. Turns out on Monday that the TD has a Bitpay-like system, so as soon as his wallet get some BTCs, it automatically converts them in USD so my payment was perfectly fine and I didn't have to top up anything. I spent probably 3$ total in fees and conversion EUR>BTC>USD so it's has been a very good experience. So I suggest you to pay an high fee so your 6 confirmations come faster, in 1/2h price doesn't fluctuate much. If your TD doesn't have a Bitpay like system, be sure to have the 6 confirmation at 8am Chinese time, so he can confirm the payment in 3/4h after the confirmations, don't do it in weekends or just after Chinese business hours.
Sorry for typos, I wrote all on mobile. Maybe I'll ad a picture of the almost-broken bracelet
Inviato dal mio LM-G710 utilizzando Tapatalk
My god what a beauty! Looks absolutely perfect on you. Got to get me one of those now.. damn. Thank you for the review buddy, we thought we had lost you there for a bit
This is superb info - especially on the bitcoin payment process!! def v keen on discount offered by BTC pmt
thanks!Here there is a nice video wrist roll, so you can see the bezel that's a pretty good bezel.
And you can see the wrong of the bracelet, I have a painful video up. Let me know if you know a fix, but hopefully the new bracelet will come soon from the TD.
https://imgur.com/a/pe39gtc
About the question regarding which TD I used, ask me in private, since he is not a TD here on this forum.
But for complete transparency I believe that any TD has a Bitpay system, otherwise using Bitcoin would be a pain in the ass for them, to manually exchange the BTC since the high fluctuations.
Ryan at InTime would deal with hundreds of people that need to top up/refund every day because of fluctuations, I don't think he would use that payment option if that was the case.
Inviato dal mio LM-G710 utilizzando Tapatalk
And you can see the wrong of the bracelet, I have a painful video up. Let me know if you know a fix, but hopefully the new bracelet will come soon from the TD.
https://imgur.com/a/pe39gtc
About the question regarding which TD I used, ask me in private, since he is not a TD here on this forum.
But for complete transparency I believe that any TD has a Bitpay system, otherwise using Bitcoin would be a pain in the ass for them, to manually exchange the BTC since the high fluctuations.
Ryan at InTime would deal with hundreds of people that need to top up/refund every day because of fluctuations, I don't think he would use that payment option if that was the case.
Inviato dal mio LM-G710 utilizzando Tapatalk
The QC issues sound a little disconcerting. Have others had similar experiences, having to reject two before accepting?
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I have seen 4 or 5 of these on reddit from other TDs and they didn't have misaligned markers or anything. So I believe I was just unlucky. I got a third perfect dial to be honest, so can't complain.
The bracelet has been the most underwhelming experience, I was super happy with the clasp (I am always afraid that it doesn't close firmly) but the broken SEL pin made my mood blue.
Hopefully the TD will resolve the issue with a new bracelet, and I'll lube the shit out of it. It's overall a very decent bracelet.
Inviato dal mio LM-G710 utilizzando Tapatalk
The bracelet has been the most underwhelming experience, I was super happy with the clasp (I am always afraid that it doesn't close firmly) but the broken SEL pin made my mood blue.
Hopefully the TD will resolve the issue with a new bracelet, and I'll lube the shit out of it. It's overall a very decent bracelet.
Inviato dal mio LM-G710 utilizzando Tapatalk
I'm a bit confused, was the SEL pin already broken upon receipt? My question is why did your TD send that out?
Yes it was clear just after I opened the parcel. I don't know why they sent it out to be honest, that's why probably they aren't a TD here.
However on their behalf I must say that it wasn't noticeable when the watch was full in plastics. The watch was really packed, plastics full around the bracelet, around SELs, around dial, around case, I spent probably more removing all the plastics than resizing the bracelet lol
So probably they didn't noticed or thought that the stiffness was because of all the plastics and not a bent pin. If the SEL link was removable from the bracelet this would have been probably an easy fix, but Rolex has made SEL+some fixed links a pain in the ass to remove.
They just said that they're sorry though and they will order a new bracelet for me. Don't know if that means that I've to pay for shipping, I would do to be honest since it's just 25$ for a brand new bracelet, and it takes 2 days via DHL to recieve the parcel.
Hopefully the SEL fitment is good like on this one.
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Yeah it was probably not noticeable when wrapped. Still a pain though and makes you question the QC from DJF. Never the less, with a proper bracelet it's an awesome watch with a reliable ETA clone you could always exchange for gen. Nothing that put me off ordering one for sure. Just somethign to keep in mind.
Again, looks awesome! Thanks for the review
Tacotuesday
Active Member
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It's definitely good to know that there are some QC issues. I'll make sure to pay extra attention when I get the pics.
The bracelet problem sounds like a hassle, but for 25 bucks its not too much of a problem. At least you'll have the old one for replacement link / extra clasp should the new one ever get scratched or have any issues. 25$ is much less than the inevitable polishing cost you'd have to pay for those center links.
The bracelet problem sounds like a hassle, but for 25 bucks its not too much of a problem. At least you'll have the old one for replacement link / extra clasp should the new one ever get scratched or have any issues. 25$ is much less than the inevitable polishing cost you'd have to pay for those center links.
Yep I'll probably buy an ARF Jubilee and a blackhole crystal, then it's a perfect.
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Tacotuesday
Active Member
- 1/6/18
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I might do the same. Could you let us know how that goes? From what it looks like the gen parts for the datejust arent as pricey as the sub's that everyone loves to franken.
Hi can i just ask whether the silver or blue color is closer to the genuine one? plan on getting one myself but i am stuck between these 2 colors. thanks alot