Noob Explorer II 42 White - Best Rollie Rep So Far?

[theskull]

the movement is pretty good, i pre ordered this exp II, since never had a problem, keeps great time, and they used a ICHS because the CHS wouldn't be as stable...
What more do you need? lol much more reliable than a CHS...

 

[GetSomeMoney]

I thought the general consensus was the Asian 2836 movement was one of if not the most reliable

 

[Tonyy]

I thought the general consensus was the Asian 2836 movement was one of if not the most reliable

The 3135 clone is what you're talking about I think.

 

[theskull]

we're not talking about a 3135 for the exp II....
and the only 3135 which is worth mention is the yuki 3135 much more reliable than the SA3135...

But still yes the 2836 clone is really good!! at the time, Angus received a lot of emails because of the ICHS in the exp II, and he explain over at RG that the factory prefered to use this movement because the CHS wasn't reliable enough and didn't want to have to repare all watches with broken movement...

 

[Tonyy]

Oops my bad. Read his post wrong.

 

[ShiroTenshi]

I thought the general consensus was the Asian 2836 movement was one of if not the most reliable

I believe with te GMT mod it is less reliable than the default 2836. Prove me wrong.


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[kobewoods]

pretty new to reps, but does this movement run quietly ? i've only owned couple reps (pam 111 and iwc big pilot) and both watches you can hear when the room is quiet, or maybe i just have really good ears.

 

[Bonesey]

6497 is a notoriously noisy movement. You shouldnt' be able to hear this running on your wrist unless your in a sound proof booth.

 

[set2374]

Rep left, Gen right:

I have had the Noob Exp2 (2nd or 3d batch?) since April and It's really one of my favorites and one of the few that I will not part with unless an even better version pops up down the road. I agree with the PJSayer's take on this watch. The look and feel of it are truly remarkable for a rep at any price, let alone at $240.00. Of all the watches in my collection, this one probably gets the most wrist time. It feels great on the wrist! Very smooth and comportable. I have been using this watch and my Diver 3.5 for swimming at the beach, pool and even dove (well actually jumped is a more accurate description) off a 10m olympic platform (33feet) with the explorer 2. I intentionally wore the watch for the dive/jump just to see what would happen. NO LEAKS OR ISSUES AT ALL!!!! Good job noob! The only issue I had to date with the watch was that the cyclops fell off it when I was in the shower on vacation. I found it though and put in a contact lens case and retired the watch for the rest of the trip. I reattached it using UV glue and a UV light and it's as good as new and even centered better than it was from the factory.

If the bezel markers are thinner on the gen than the rep, I'll take your word for it. I have seen the gen many times and I never would have noticed--nor would this bother me. There are very few (if any) real world tells on this watch. The only one that strikes me as particularly noticeable is the ICHS and that is the one tell that simply can't be avoided and is only noticeable twice a day. The other flaw that I would that should be easily rectified in the future is that the orange print for "Explorer 2" on the dial is a bit too light compared to gen. In TRF, the members complain about the color of the orange print on the polar dial being too light as well, but the rep is still a shade or two fainter than the gen. Just something I hope to see resolved in the future but hardly a deal breaker.

If you don't have the Noob Sub V2 or Noob Exp2 and you're on the fence, I think the Exp2 is probably more accurate of the two watches and it's at least $60 less depending on the TD. The polar dial is also a less common look which makes it stand out from the crowd a bit.

 

[egroegart]

I have the black face. Just purchased a little over a month ago. The face is exactly as it should be. I think whatever issues with being too glossy have been worked out. IMO and my opinion is of little experience I think the lume is awesome. It is bright. It is the right color, and it glows clearly all night long. I haven't tested to see how long it does last though. The 2836 has been very reliable. I would love to do a comparison with a gen, and if I get the opportunity I certainly will. Here is a link to my thread when I got it and pics of it too. Still learing how to take pics so not the greatest yet.
http://forum.replica-watch.info/vb/showthread.php/explorer-2-its-150422

Here's some shots of the lume from last night.

 

[set2374]

I'm more concerned about the reliability of the a2836 GMT movement.
Someone convince me that its good enough so I can go buy one please


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Shiro, I have been using mine at least twice a week since April and I have had no issues at all with the 24 hour hand. There have been quite a few of these sold and I haven't read any threads yet where people posted anything about having a bad experience with the movement in this watch. Most of the posts with problematic with GMT's seem to go back to watches that used the CHS. I would also suggest you get the asian clone version of this watch. The only GMT 28XX series made by ETA is the 2893--which is a completely different movement. Any clone or swiss 2824/36 with a GMT function is modded in china, with a few extra gears and a cp to run a GMT with ICHS. Since that's the case, you may as well get a clone movement.

 

[Tonyy]

pretty new to reps, but does this movement run quietly ? i've only owned couple reps (pam 111 and iwc big pilot) and both watches you can hear when the room is quiet, or maybe i just have really good ears.

You shouldn't hear it unless you put it up to your ear or in a dead silent room.

And the 6497 is a pocket watch movement. You'll hear that thing from a mile away.

 

[theskull]

I have the black face. Just purchased a little over a month ago. The face is exactly as it should be. I think whatever issues with being too glossy have been worked out. IMO and my opinion is of little experience I think the lume is awesome. It is bright. It is the right color, and it glows clearly all night long. I haven't tested to see how long it does last though. The 2836 has been very reliable. I would love to do a comparison with a gen, and if I get the opportunity I certainly will. Here is a link to my thread when I got it and pics of it too. Still learing how to take pics so not the greatest yet.
http://forum.replica-watch.info/vb/showthread.php/explorer-2-its-150422

Here's some shots of the lume from last night.

Can you post pic of the dial?? just to see the changes you are talking about see if i see the differences with the ealiest batches... Thanks man!

 

[egroegart]

Yes, give me a few minutes here skull. No problem

 

[boneyjr]

I have had the Noob Exp2 (2nd or 3d batch?) since April and It's really one of my favorites and one of the few that I will not part with unless an even better version pops up down the road. I agree with the PJSayer's take on this watch. The look and feel of it are truly remarkable for a rep at any price, let alone at $240.00. Of all the watches in my collection, this one probably gets the most wrist time. It feels great on the wrist! Very smooth and comportable. I have been using this watch and my Diver 3.5 for swimming at the beach, pool and even dove (well actually jumped is a more accurate description) off a 10m olympic platform (33feet) with the explorer 2. I intentionally wore the watch for the dive/jump just to see what would happen. NO LEAKS OR ISSUES AT ALL!!!! Good job noob! The only issue I had to date with the watch was that the cyclops fell off it when I was in the shower on vacation. I found it though and put in a contact lens case and retired the watch for the rest of the trip. I reattached it using UV glue and a UV light and it's as good as new and even centered better than it was from the factory.

If the bezel markers are thinner on the gen than the rep, I'll take your word for it. I have seen the gen many times and I never would have noticed--nor would this bother me. There are very few (if any) real world tells on this watch. The only one that strikes me as particularly noticeable is the ICHS and that is the one tell that simply can't be avoided and is only noticeable twice a day. The other flaw that I would that should be easily rectified in the future is that the orange print for "Explorer 2" on the dial is a bit too light compared to gen. In TRF, the members complain about the color of the orange print on the polar dial being too light as well, but the rep is still a shade or two fainter than the gen. Just something I hope to see resolved in the future but hardly a deal breaker.

If you don't have the Noob Sub V2 or Noob Exp2 and you're on the fence, I think the Exp2 is probably more accurate of the two watches and it's at least $60 less depending on the TD. The polar dial is also a less common look which makes it stand out from the crowd a bit.

My cyclops fell off in the ocean! I just went and bought an aftermarket crystal from ebay and had it installed.. Only problem is that the installer ****** up my bezel.. well, maybe not ****** up.. but definitely left some scratches.

 

[set2374]

My cyclops fell off in the ocean! I just went and bought an aftermarket crystal from ebay and had it installed.. Only problem is that the installer ****** up my bezel.. well, maybe not ****** up.. but definitely left some scratches.

How the f--k could he scratch the bezel gluing the cyclops. There is no reason why he would be going anywhere near the bezel at all!!

In case any of you lose a cyclops, it is a very easy DIY repar. I did this job at the kitchen table in less than 30 minutes. You need to buy the following items (I bought them from amazon, but they are also available from Esslinger, Ofrei, Cousins etc.):

http://www.amazon.com/Uv-Glue-With-Tip-GLU-112-00/dp/B0058ED0VE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1376935752&sr=8-2&keywords=UV+glue

http://www.amazon.com/LEDwholesalers-Ultraviolet-LED-flashlight-7202UV395/dp/B001Q70A0G/ref=pd_bxgy_watch_img_y

I also always use latex gloves when I work--I recommend you do the same. You don't want to get any finger prints under the cyclops.

Here are my instructions:

1. Removed the bracelet.

2. Clean the watch head with dish detergent and luke warm water.

3. Clean the cyclops also using dish detergent and luke warm water. Don't do this using your hands. Instead, use a tea strainer or, if you want to get fancy, buy one of these: http://www.amazon.com/FindingKing-Ultrasonic-Cleaner-Parts-Basket/dp/B0011GIM16/ref=sr_1_9?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1376936015&sr=1-9&keywords=tea+strainer

4. let the watch head and cyclops air dry on a papers clothes for 20 minutes or so. Then gently wipe them down using a clean microfiber cloth.

5. Wearing latex gloves, place the watch head in a case holder and make sure it is secure and that you have good lighting.

6. Attach the syringe to the glue container and follow the directions that come with the glue for its use.

7. Using the included syringe, I put a small 1mm dab of UV glue directly onto the crystal over the date window.

8. I then place the cyclops on the cyrstal over the date window so the glow is smack dab in the middle of the cyclops.

9. Don't expect that you're going to have it perfectly positioned. Using toothpicks, move and adjust the cyclops so that it is centered over the date window. Don't worry if you get a little extra glue on the crystal... this is normal.

10. Once you are satisfied with the position of the cyclops, Then use the UV flash light to cure the glue for 10-15 minutes. It may take less time to cure, but I like to be sure.

11. Use a little acetone on a lint free cloth/microfiber and wipe away the extra UV glue. You can use a little elbow grease, but it should come right off.

12. Reattach the bracelet. Give the watch and bracelet a good clearning, again with soap and water. Then wipe it off as you ordinarily would.

13. Pat yourself on the back. Job done!

 

[Tonyy]

^^ I think he replaced the whole crystal. Not just the cyclops.

Either way, a professional watchmaker shouldn't be leaving any marks during a service.

 

[set2374]

I agree. Pro should not be leaving any marks, but it does happen every now and then unfortunately. I have also found that some watchsmiths seem to take less care when they are handling reps. I have an excellent watchsmith that I have used to service two gen JLC's, including a vintage 1960's master control alarm and his work was impeccable. I asked him to change the hands on a sub-c and scratched up the side of the watch. I know he thought it was a POS rep (he was anti-rep), but that really pissed me off. I would still use him again, because it's hard to find a master watchsmith that can work on unusual movements, but I won't bring him any reps. His loss, since I could be giving him a lot of business.

Now, I am bit confused about here particular situation. Did you buy an entire replacement crystal or just a cyclops??? I wouldn't recommend replacing the crystal if you don't have to on the Exp2. The rep crystal is very good quality with the clear beveled edge. Most replacement crystals don't have this feature. It also has the LEC, which is the best I have every seen. I would believe it's gen if I didn't know better. The cyclops AR is the worst "part" of the crystal and I would consider replacing it with a clark cyclops. The rep cyclops isn't bad by any means, but the AR isn't as strong as gen and it has a blue tint, where is the gen is clear (actually the gen does have a tiny bit of blue in it at certain angles, but much less so than the rep cyclops).

 

[Brodders]

Just ordered one from Sora after reading this thread. A super rep for 1 dollar shy of 240. Happy days.

 

[set2374]

Yeah, it's a great rep in my book. Some of the early reviews were a bit negative. They first batch had some issues with the application of the lume--which was a bit on the lumpy side. There were also a few other complaints issues here and there with the bezel font and claps. Most of it was over analysis and nit picking IMO. The black dial version did have a a glassy finish which was incorrect and the reason most people now recommend the white. Sead told me this was fixed sometime in May or June. I personally prefer the white dial, so it was a non-issue for me. Not only is this one of the best OTB rolex reps you can buy, but I think it's one of the best reps you can buy for under $500 period... You have to start looking at TC Subs or pre-owned WM9's in m2m to find a watch that is more accurate or has a more gen-like feel.

Btw, this is not an invitation to start listing all the sub-$500 super reps. I am quite aware of them, but for $230-240 it doesn't get any better than the Exp2 (including the Noob 111N, which is much easier to rep and doesn't have a bracelet to rep).