GMF root beer w/3285 movement

[jokerboy]

I've had my eye on a 126711 root beer but have held off because the GMF had the timebomb movement and the BP had the ETA movement. I really wanted a jumping hour hand instead of a jumping GMT hand so I figured I'd wait until a Rolex rep movement was available in this model. Lo and behold, this morning I see a GMF with a 3285 movement listed on Puretime at https://puretimewatch.io/gmt-master-ii-126711-chnr-ss-rg-wrapped-904l-steel-gmf-1-1-best-edition-a3285-correct-hand-stack.html.


Can anybody share their experience with this watch? I recall the ARF GMT movements are considered the best so I'm curious if the GMFs use it or if they're using something else. Any ideas?

Many thanks in advance...

 

[KJ2020]

There are no clone 3285 movements. This GMF has the 2824 CHS timebomb movement with fake 3285 engraving. To add insult, the SEL sides are not covered (bare SS).

Have a look at GMT Movements Explained to learn how to better ID what TD websites are showing.

Regarding rep "gold", you will see different ways of describing it and questions asked like "Are the SEL sides plated?" Here is how that topic should be discussed.

Wrapped - thicker coating, 30mils
Plated - thinner coating, 5 mils
SEL and midlink sides - Are either covered or uncovered

It used to be that Wrapped implied covered, and Plated implied uncovered, but no more. In the last year we are seeing all possible combinations. This GMF is a good example of a less desirable combination ‐ Wrapped and uncovered.

 

[jokerboy]

Ah! So this is the old GMF with the timebomb and I got confused over the movement numbers. Thanks *very* much for the clarification.

The GMF looks like a decent option since it's wrapped with the thicker gold plating but I'm not interested in a timebomb movement, especially for that cost. I suppose I'm looking for the VR3186 but this doesn't appear to be available in a 126711 root beer. Have I got that right?

I read that long thread about the 126711 and it appears the consensus best option is the BP with the ICHS ETA clone. I don't want to open a huge debate, but is it fair to say that's still the case?

 

[KJ2020]

Ah! So this is the old GMF with the timebomb and I got confused over the movement numbers. Thanks *very* much for the clarification.

The GMF looks like a decent option since it's wrapped with the thicker gold plating but I'm not interested in a timebomb movement, especially for that cost. I suppose I'm looking for the VR3186 but this doesn't appear to be available in a 126711 root beer. Have I got that right?

I read that long thread about the 126711 and it appears the consensus best option is the BP with the ICHS ETA clone. I don't want to open a huge debate, but is it fair to say that's still the case?

ARF SH3186 only has 116710LN

VRF VR3185 (better movement than ARF) only has 116710LN and BLNR

BP 116711CHNR 2836 ICHS is indeed the current best option IMO. It is another example of a new "gold" combo, in this case a desirable one for this price point - Plated and covered.

Be aware that when buying any "gold" rep if you don't do something to protect the vulnerable areas (clasp and lower bracelet links), the "gold" is going to wear off pretty quickly. I cut out cell phone protective film into correctly sized squares. PITA, but I don't want this.

 

[jokerboy]

Very interesting. Thanks again for the information. This is incredibly helpful.

I suppose it's unsurprising that such thin gold plating would be delicate, and I'm grateful for your suggestion to protect it.

The optimal option sounds like a wrapped VRF with their 3185. Maybe I'll wait and see if they come out with one this year....

 

[KJ2020]

Very interesting. Thanks again for the information. This is incredibly helpful.

I suppose it's unsurprising that such thin gold plating would be delicate, and I'm grateful for your suggestion to protect it.

The optimal option sounds like a wrapped VRF with their 3185. Maybe I'll wait and see if they come out with one this year....

VRF has never made a wrapped RG. Their wrapped YG on Submariners has a distinct orangey hue to it which has made many people not prefer it.

The ARF 116710 caseset is much better than the VRF. Everything about it top notch quality, except the movement and the datewheel. If you are looking for a great mix and match, an ARF with a VRF movement is your best bet. The VRF movement comes with a good datewheel so all the issues are addressed.

 

[jokerboy]

Or perhaps in my case, get a BP 126711 and put in a VRF movement, eh? Even so, I can see why folks might take that approach but it's more than I'm willing to do. I don't need it *that* badly, especially compared to other things in my life. I'm going to wait for something better to come on the market, and if that never happens I'll still be able to live with it.

Thanks once again for the help. You saved me a ton of trouble.

 

[jiujitsu11]

Is there a 126711 with the ICHS ETA movement that is wrapped and covered? Doesnt look like it.

 

[KJ2020]

Is there a 126711 with the ICHS ETA movement that is wrapped and covered? Doesnt look like it.

https://www.pfclones.com/0299-33614.html

You can send a link to any TD, they all have more or less the same access to whatever any factory makes.

 

[KJ2020]

Or perhaps in my case, get a BP 126711 and put in a VRF movement, eh? Even so, I can see why folks might take that approach but it's more than I'm willing to do. I don't need it *that* badly, especially compared to other things in my life. I'm going to wait for something better to come on the market, and if that never happens I'll still be able to live with it.

Thanks once again for the help. You saved me a ton of trouble.

The VRF movement takes hands with gen size hand holes. You would have to source gen hands to do this. The BP ETA hands would not be compatible and AFAIK there are no aftermarket RG hands available. Also the ETA dial would have to have feet clipped and new feet glued/soldered on at the 3185 feet positions.

 

[jokerboy]

The VRF movement takes hands with gen size hand holes. You would have to source gen hands to do this. The BP ETA hands would not be compatible and AFAIK there are no aftermarket RG hands available. Also the ETA dial would have to have feet clipped and new feet glued/soldered on at the 3185 feet positions.

Oh, wow. Then definitely not in the BP case. Once again, you saved me a ton of trouble.

Regarding that wrapped GMF with the ETA movement, that looks to have a nice case and good gold plating. Do you think it's worth almost $1K?

 

[KJ2020]

Oh, wow. Then definitely not in the BP case. Once again, you saved me a ton of trouble.

Regarding that wrapped GMF with the ETA movement, that looks to have a nice case and good gold plating. Do you think it's worth almost $1K?

I'd really like to see one of those in hand. GMF makes really nice 116711s. They make a plated uncovered version of this one that several members have and show in the wristies threads.

https://www.ts-stations.cn/mobile/goods.php?ProId=24484

I actually ordered and paid for the GMF Bluesy equivalent of the Wrapped covered model. Same price, give or take. I ended up rejecting it and getting 3 other reps for the same amount for one main reason - rehaut engraving. GMF had and may still have stock left of a batch of cases that have notoriously badly aligned rehaut engraving on the left side of the case. All the ROLEX letters are supposed to line up with a minute tic mark, R's at 1, 6, 11, 16, 21, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55. The letters should be centered on the tics, spacing should be consistent and even.

I totally panicked seeing the QC pics of what my $1K bought (incl. shipping). Look at the rehaut engraving on the left side. The R at 35 and 40 is off a whole tic. The X at 43 should be at 44 and the gap to the R there is badly uneven. Never saw anything so atrocious. And on a $1K watch? Um, no. I have $80 DHGate beaters with nearly perfect engravings.

This rehaut flaw was/is on every model GMF except the RG models. I've never seen an RG (TT or FG) that had this flaw. And I look at a lot of reps on websites and multiple forums.

Compare that to the rehaut engraving on this ARF

So, it it worth it? I think so, if you can get one without any glaring flaws. I'd sure love to have 6 or 8 to cherry pick one, I would do it. A good TD like Li of Jtimewatch will work with you on getting a great sample. Other TDs have lower tolerances for rejections.

 

[jiujitsu11]

You think these wrapped versions decay with wear like the picture you showed in an earlier post?

 

[KJ2020]

You think these wrapped versions decay with wear like the picture you showed in an earlier post?

Eventually they would without protection, but it would theoretically take 6 times longer. How much and how hard you scuff it has everything to do with it. I don't plan on it happening at all to my 5mil plated models, all of mine have the protection.

 

[KJ2020]

Wearing this beauty today. Just took the first pic. It's about 5 months old, still pristine.

 

[jokerboy]

Redundant post

 

[jokerboy]

I've been emailing with Li about the wrapped version and he thinks it's too expensive for what it is. Big props to him for being honest.

 

[RiffRalf]

.....

BP 116711CHNR 2836 ICHS is indeed the current best option IMO. It is another example of a new "gold" combo, in this case a desirable one for this price point - Plated and covered.

Be aware that when buying any "gold" rep if you don't do something to protect the vulnerable areas (clasp and lower bracelet links), the "gold" is going to wear off pretty quickly. I cut out cell phone protective film into correctly sized squares. PITA, but I don't want this.

LOL that's me!!
I still wear it, just close my eyes when I put it on and only look at the front!
When I order another rep from Li I will ask him for a clasp and do the cellphone protcetive mod.
Otherwise I concur in recommending the BP with the ICHS. My CHS keeps ticking but as KJ2020 pointed out the hour hand is sometimes not well aligned on these. The ICHS in my GMF BLNR is perfect.

My SS GMF BLNR clasp is also scufffed, can that be polished up with a Brillo pad or Polywatch?

 

[KJ2020]

LOL that's me!!
I still wear it, just close my eyes when I put it on and only look at the front!
When I order another rep from Li I will ask him for a clasp and do the cellphone protcetive mod.
Otherwise I concur in recommending the BP with the ICHS. My CHS keeps ticking but as KJ2020 pointed out the hour hand is sometimes not well aligned on these. The ICHS in my GMF BLNR is perfect.

My SS GMF BLNR clasp is also scufffed, can that be polished up with a Brillo pad or Polywatch?

Tape off the brushed sides. Use 600/800/1500/2000 grit sandpaper on it. You can get it pretty darn mirror-like with just sandpaper. That's how you know you're ready for the Cape Cod. Can be made good as new!

 

[jokerboy]

Out of curiosity, have you guys tried anything like https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mini-Plate...649551?hash=item25f36ac08f:g:pIoAAMXQhuVRWde1 to repair the plating? I expect it won't be perfect but it could help with small scratches.