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New Release: Noob Skydweller
- Thread starter Stuvetjee
- Start date
- 12/3/18
- 34,663
- 66,755
- 113
As you know there is no Noob factory like it once was. Several factories made Skydwellers after Noob was raided, maybe by some former Noob workers, who knows?
The best of these versions was the JNF. I've read that J indicates fake in China, so JNF = fake Noob factory. The JNF model was also frequently referred to as Noob V2. It is a good version, having some improvements over the original Noob primarily proper GMT wheel fonts.
Nowadays, the JNF models are harder to find by that name on TD sites and instead the same models are being listed as Noobs. if you want to post a link to one you might want here, I can tell you if it's a JNF / Noob V2 / Noob. All names for the same, current best option.
Unfortunately this current best option has a less gen-like blue dial that is too dark and tends to purple in some lights. So best to go for a black or white dial.
Current Noob blue dial in first pic. Color of the original Noob dial in second pic. (pics borrowed)
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You will need a crystal ball for that answer.
I'll wait this rep.
+1 here. This could end up becoming my first Sky-Dweller. Now the thing is, by the time we get this color model available, should we expect to see any progress in terms of new rep Sky-Dweller version released with improvements?
- 12/3/18
- 34,663
- 66,755
- 113
I wouldn't count on it. The only significant improvement existing models need is a better movement. The current one is a low beat DG2813 modded with a single extra gear to drive the GMT wheel. However this 5833 as it's called is quite cheap (about $45) and is very reliable so there isn't much incentive to create a new movement that accomplishes the same thing. The gen 9001/2 Skydweller movement is far too complex to be repped accurately at a reasonable cost in a model that isn't wildly popular.
- 12/3/18
- 34,663
- 66,755
- 113
That's an old school no name factory cheapie. I have two of them, bought about 3 years ago from Reg for $158. One of them is still running, they have the same DG5833 movement that all the newest ones have. Really a far cry from gen but was tolerable when it was all there was.Anyone know what factory this one is from
The month indicator is stuck at August, the DW is bad and the GMT wheel is awful.
Gen for comparison
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Thx, thought so. Did find a Noob 2 from a TD that will also install a 2XR Crystal. Trying to determine if the 2XR is needed and worth the extra $200That's an old school no name factory cheapie. I have two of them, bought about 3 years ago from Reg for $158. One of them is still running, they have the same DG5833 movement that all the newest ones have. Really a far cry from gen but was tolerable when it was all there was.
The month indicator is stuck at August, the DW is bad and the GMT wheel is awful.
Gen for comparison
- 12/3/18
- 34,663
- 66,755
- 113
That crystal looks pretty good. But that sample looks like it might have a crooked center dial section. This is a common issue with this model rep. The center dial section is adhered with two tiny pieces of double-sided tape and there is very little clearance between the center hole and the hour hand post. The dial section gets caught and dragged clockwise til resistance is sufficient to overcome further rotation. I would ask for a dead center straight on pic as angles can affect this appearance.Thx, thought so. Did find a Noob 2 from a TD that will also install a 2XR Crystal. Trying to determine if the 2XR is needed and worth the extra $200
I used the same method to re-adhere the dial section after a GMT wheel replacement. Even though I took extraordinary efforts to prevent shifting it still happened after a few months. I had to take it apart again and this time I used 3 small blobs of epoxy. It will be a little harder to remove if necessary but it's rock solid now. We do what we gotta do.
Noob Skydweller GMT wheel replacement
Also I would get clarification on whether the model is really a JNF or a JWF. JNF is the only one that should be being sold as a Noob.
The JWF has a better looking blue dial but has had many reports of a loose bezel, loose enough to be moved by a shirt sleeve.
The JNF has more distance between ROLEX and the red triangle, unlike the sample you pictured
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Thx will get confirmation on JWF vs JNF. You think adding the 2XAR is worth the extra $200?That crystal looks pretty good. But that sample looks like it might have a crooked center dial section. This is a common issue with this model rep. The center dial section is adhered with two tiny pieces of double-sided tape and there is very little clearance between the center hole and the hour hand post. The dial section gets caught and dragged clockwise til resistance is sufficient to overcome further rotation. I would ask for a dead center straight on pic as angles can affect this appearance.
I used the same method to adhere the dial section after a GMT wheel replacement. Even though I took extraordinary efforts to prevent this it still happened after a few months. I had to take it apart again and this time I used 3 small blobs of epoxy. It will be a little harder to remove if necessary but it's rock solid now. We do what we gotta do.
Noob Skydweller GMT wheel replacement
Also I would get clarification on whether the model is really a JNF or a JWF. JNF is the only one that should be being sold as a Noob.
The JWF has a better looking blue dial but has had many reports of a loose bezel, loose enough to be moved by a shirt sleeve.
The JNF has more distance between ROLEX and the red triangle, unlike the sample you pictured
Makes sense. As you very well said, considering it’s Rolex’s most modern and complex movement to-date, it sounds like a long shot.
Hopefully, however, down the road some factory will accomplish what seemed impossible up until that moment — just like it has happened with other rep models in the last 5 years.
The Sky-Dweller has become increasingly interesting model, personally speaking, and a Gen one is becoming more and more appealing as a watch enthusiast.
Hopefully, however, down the road some factory will accomplish what seemed impossible up until that moment — just like it has happened with other rep models in the last 5 years.
The Sky-Dweller has become increasingly interesting model, personally speaking, and a Gen one is becoming more and more appealing as a watch enthusiast.
I’m still hoping to give that one a try soon. Just trying to think of another watch I want from a TD that offers it to save on shipping.
If the loose bezel is it’s big flaw, any chance that’s fixable?
- 12/3/18
- 34,663
- 66,755
- 113
Probably not easily. There is bezel gasket that holds the bezel on but allows rotation, and a gear that turns the month indicator disc. Changing anything about these parts would be a hit or miss guessing game that risks damaging them with no source for replacement parts.
My Noob V1 sat for a year after the GMT wheel got damaged. No TD or Ali Express vendor could source that common part for me.
Noob Skydweller GMT wheel replacement
Breitling lover Tino
Getting To Know The Place
zoals ik lees is de JNF de beste model Sky Dweller, wie daar de beste TD voor? en werkt alles op deze horloge? zoals de datum wiel? de maand indicator? enzThat crystal looks pretty good. But that sample looks like it might have a crooked center dial section. This is a common issue with this model rep. The center dial section is adhered with two tiny pieces of double-sided tape and there is very little clearance between the center hole and the hour hand post. The dial section gets caught and dragged clockwise til resistance is sufficient to overcome further rotation. I would ask for a dead center straight on pic as angles can affect this appearance.
I used the same method to re-adhere the dial section after a GMT wheel replacement. Even though I took extraordinary efforts to prevent shifting it still happened after a few months. I had to take it apart again and this time I used 3 small blobs of epoxy. It will be a little harder to remove if necessary but it's rock solid now. We do what we gotta do.
Noob Skydweller GMT wheel replacement
Also I would get clarification on whether the model is really a JNF or a JWF. JNF is the only one that should be being sold as a Noob.
The JWF has a better looking blue dial but has had many reports of a loose bezel, loose enough to be moved by a shirt sleeve.
The JNF has more distance between ROLEX and the red triangle, unlike the sample you pictured