GMF released a GMT 3186 clone movement

[rabl253]

If it blows up I’ll put in a VR movement. Still less than Noob.

so are we sure that the VR movement fits the GMF case?

 

[Hazing]

I have been eagerly looking forward to the GMF Batman Bezel, but the font of "1" is wrong (atleast per TD pics). See attached pic. To give some perspective - I look at a gen bezel/insert everyday for hours (colleague at work), so my expectations are high Have been looking around for a gen for my franken but to no avail. Well, the search continues...

I don't usually trust the pics on the dealer pages but these are accurate in that they are the 1s on the gmts. At least according to the qcs that I've seen so far of an actual watch.

Ideally, I'd like a perfect insert but I'd rather have a flawed 1 than a wonky transition.

I'll finally ordered a VRF GMT last week and I've been awaiting QC.

However, I placed an order for this batman last night and I'm anxious and eager for this model to come in. I'm Suddenly extremely excited.

But I am going to hold off judgment until I see the watch in person. Or not TD pics on the website. I just don't trust those.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

 

[Conceyted]

Just placed an order with Li at Jtime and he is saying that GMF has updated the insert for their ICHS models, too. If he is correct then I should be receiving my QC photos showing an ICHS 2836 BLNR with the v3 insert. Will keep you guys posted!

 

[KJ2020]

so are we sure that the VR movement fits the GMF case?

Nobody has one yet, they just came out. But I can confirm the VR3185 fits in the ARF case. The two movements VR3185 and SH3186 are identical diameters.

 

[Duc]

Just placed an order with Li at Jtime and he is saying that GMF has updated the insert for their ICHS models, too. If he is correct then I should be receiving my QC photos showing an ICHS 2836 BLNR with the v3 insert. Will keep you guys posted!

That would be good news. I’m in for an ICHS with this new insert. That’s a winner for me.

 

[Bobi01]

Just placed an order with Li at Jtime and he is saying that GMF has updated the insert for their ICHS models, too. If he is correct then I should be receiving my QC photos showing an ICHS 2836 BLNR with the v3 insert. Will keep you guys posted!

Wow can you ask him if they updated on both jubilee and oyster and did they updated crystal? Crystal was too high on old ichs

 

[Repmaster1337]

Ok, these watches look insane. But they have wrong dicrection turn on the movement? To change the time/date and so on.
Video
YT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKzL5kKpIbI

 

[RiffRalf]

Ok, these watches look insane. But they have wrong dicrection turn on the movement? To change the time/date and so on.
Video
YT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKzL5kKpIbI

Nobody is going to see that on the wrist "social distancing " away ....

 

[Downing]

No one ordered a batman yet?

Count me in I have pre-ordered GMF v3 from Li.

 

[KJ2020]

Ok, these watches look insane. But they have wrong dicrection turn on the movement? To change the time/date and so on.
Video
YT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKzL5kKpIbI

Gen model characteristics
116710 LN / BLNR ‐ 3186, single coronet dial, oyster bracelet, shorter hands, rotate crown clockwise to advance hands forward and hour jump forward.

126710 BLNR / BLRO - 3285, double coronet dial, jubilee bracelet, longer hands, rotate crown anti-clockwise to advance hands forward and hour jump forward.

Rep model characteristics
All kinds of combinations are offered regarding dials, bracelets, hands length, and crown operation. It's pretty rare that a stock rep model would have everything correct. The ARF 116710 LN has all of these characteristics right. VRF comes very close but the cases are all engraved 126710, and both models are 116710's. This new GMF 116710 hour jumps opposite to gen. All new rep 126710's using any one of the new VR/SH/SA 3185/6 true clone movements will set time opposite to gen.

Rep movement characteristics
DG2813, DG3804 ICHS and CHS, A2824 CHS, A2836 ICHS
Rotate crown anti-clockwise to advance hands forward and hour jump forward (DG3804 CHS and A2824 CHS only).

VR3185, SH3186
Rotate crown clockwise to advance hands forward and hour jump forward.

SA3186
Rotate crown clockwise to advance hands forward and anti-clockwise to hour jump forward.

 

[Repmaster1337]

Nobody is going to see that on the wrist "social distancing " away ....

Very true, will get a vr in it when it dies but they look best ootb.

 

[srhoque]

With both 3185 and 3186 clones out (and given early opinions about good quality on VR3185), can someone explain why would someone still buy ICHS? I don’t mean to sound condescending, just trying to understand.

 

[KJ2020]

With both 3185 and 3186 clones out (and given early opinions about good quality on VR3185), can someone explain why would someone still buy ICHS? I don’t mean to sound condescending, just trying to understand.

Pros of 2836 ICHS, even today these aspects favor buying one

Movement is rock solid
Easy to work on, ETAs are great learner movements
Easy servicing, can do it yourself
Replacement movement parts are cheap and readily available
Can install a gen Swiss ETA and carry over the GMT bits
The jump click (which operates the GMT hand) never breaks
Quickset date change (I hate hour jumping to change the date even on my gen)
Cheaper and more availability of GMT dials to swap things up if you want
ETA hands easily available if needed or desired. I have yet to see gen-spec aftermarket 6 digit hands for sale other than gen. TDs could be a source, but not easy these days.
Can still use gen crystal and DW if you want
Correct setting direction when used in a 126710 rep.

 

[srhoque]

Pros of 2836 ICHS, even today these aspects favor buying one

Movement is rock solid
Easy to work on, ETAs are great learner movements
Easy servicing, can do it yourself
Replacement movement parts are cheap and readily available
Can install a gen Swiss ETA and carry over the GMT bits
The jump click (which operates the GMT hand) never breaks
Quickset date change (I hate hour jumping to change the date even on my gen)
Cheaper and more availability of GMT dials to swap things up if you want
ETA hands easily available if needed or desired. I have yet to see gen-spec aftermarket 6 digit hands for sale other than gen. TDs could be a source, but not easy these days.
Can still use gen crystal and DW if you want
Correct setting direction when used in a 126710 rep.

Thanks KJ!! Good to learn. Never understood (or cared) about ICHS movements but my perspective is changing after reading your note.

 

[CaptTango1]

Pros of 2836 ICHS, even today these aspects favor buying one

Movement is rock solid
Easy to work on, ETAs are great learner movements
Easy servicing, can do it yourself
Replacement movement parts are cheap and readily available
Can install a gen Swiss ETA and carry over the GMT bits
The jump click (which operates the GMT hand) never breaks
Quickset date change (I hate hour jumping to change the date even on my gen)
Cheaper and more availability of GMT dials to swap things up if you want
ETA hands easily available if needed or desired. I have yet to see gen-spec aftermarket 6 digit hands for sale other than gen. TDs could be a source, but not easy these days.
Can still use gen crystal and DW if you want
Correct setting direction when used in a 126710 rep.

Thanks so much for this amazing INFO as I am also lost in this GMT world of options. To sum it up, we should I be looking to get the GMF Version 3 with ICHS movement which is only now starting to come out? THANK YOU so much for the info!

 

[CaptTango1]

Just placed an order with Li at Jtime and he is saying that GMF has updated the insert for their ICHS models, too. If he is correct then I should be receiving my QC photos showing an ICHS 2836 BLNR with the v3 insert. Will keep you guys posted!

Looking forward to see your QC pics. Please let us know

 

[Conceyted]

Looking forward to see your QC pics. Please let us know

I will share as soon as I receive them. I'm not holding my breath though, and am expecting that they will not contain the new v3 insert until proven otherwise. That said, Li seems to have a good reputation so perhaps I'm just being pessimistic.

 

[KJ2020]

Thanks so much for this amazing INFO as I am also lost in this GMT world of options. To sum it up, we should I be looking to get the GMF Version 3 with ICHS movement which is only now starting to come out? THANK YOU so much for the info!

You have to decide what's best for you. It might be better for someone just starting out in reps to stick with the tried and true 2836 ICHS. Especially with the GMF clone SA3186 being the least preferred base movement of all of them. CHS is overrated IMO, in 30 years of owning a gen no one has ever even noticed that or asked about it. Of the many GMT reps I own only one is CHS and I only bought that one as a lab rat to tinker with, lol.

As a reminder, look at what misiekped said about the SA3186 movement. He is a master watchmaker and the ultimate authority on GMT movements, gen and rep.

Looking at the movement balance its a SA version which wasn’t so good on 3135 (no parts interchangeable)
If that’s the case I wouldn’t put that in my watch

So if buying this GMF SA3186, I would be thinking about swapping in a VR3185 (~$180 plus labor) at some point. Nobody knows how long the SA3186 will last. Odds are it won't be as long as a 2836. If the higher cost and greater risk of movement issues are worth it to you to have CHS, then it's an easier decision.

 

[Dissemination]

In regards to all that has just been said above, I would definitely go with ICHS too if the goal wasnt to use some amount of Gen parts.

Although one thing that I don't quite understand... in some reps I notice the date window isn't quite lined up with cyclops if using a gen-spec crystal. I mean, I understand that the date window is placed to accommodate the different diameter date wheel, but why then are some rep date windows aligned perfectly? I'm just referring to 2836 and 2824, not rolex clone movements

 

[srhoque]

Thanks so much for this amazing INFO as I am also lost in this GMT world of options. To sum it up, we should I be looking to get the GMF Version 3 with ICHS movement which is only now starting to come out? THANK YOU so much for the info!

Hey Mate - My 2 cents...KJ’s explanation is very informative but it no way means that you should be “looking” for ICHS version only. His post was trying to explain the benefits of ICHS. In the end you need to form your own opinion.

For me, a VR3135 converted to 3185 using gen parts is the best (and the only GMT movement you should consider) So you need to decide what factors (like price, gen like functionality, reliability, franken capability, parts interchange etc) are important to you and then decide on a choice.

Edit: Just read KJ’s reply. He must have sent it the same time. He has said it aptly, perfect response