[pompompurin's] Let's review and franken an ARF 116234 Datejust :D

[pompompurin]

Only lately have I been seeing the term ARF. Unfortunately I’m not familiar with it. Is it a new factory? If so, what TD sells them. I’d like to do some research on them.


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ARF is a new factory (well... there are a lot of evidence to suggest that they are basically JF rebranded) and they are well-known for being the first-mover (factory) to use 904l steel (with exception to the ARF milgauss and ARF 116610 sub)

you can start by reading here
https://forum.replica-watch.info/threads/new-arf-date-just-36.390543/

then pick a TD of your choice from the TD section because they can all supply this watch

 

[pompompurin]

Very closely following this thread. You sir, are one of a kind! Beautiful work as always.

lolol thanks, i am just experienced at breaking watches to be honest... I would hardly consider my work beautiful or professional xD

 

[pompompurin]

5. Franken process with pics

At the moment, I have franken-ed the watch with the following parts:
- Gen 116200 / 116234 dial
- Gen 25 295c LEC non-AR crystal
- Gen 3135 date disc

In the future, I will additionally franken it with gen hands (because when I look at the watch dial from an angle, the hands look really thin and flat and not to mention, the seconds hand doesn't meet my OCD satisfaction).

First step was to remove the bracelet. The bracelet fits extremely tightly between the lugs and I had a hard time removing it

Here is the genuine dial (uninstalled) next to the stock un-modified ARF. The gen dial is on the right

IMO, the gen dial has a lighter silver sunburst colour when under different lighting condition

Here is the back of the gen and rep dial (rep dial on the top; gen dial on the bottom)

Gen dial on the right

Installing a gen 3135 date disc onto the SH 3135 movement requires some modification to the date disc retaining studs. See more information here: https://forum.replica-watch.info/th...-sh3135-no-sanding-no-gen-part-needed.388304/

Gen dial installed onto the SH 3135 movement (with gen 3135 date disc)... the date flip was tested before I assembled everything

Gen dial installed onto the SH3135 movement

Assembling the watch with the gen crystal pressed into it

 

[ginopino]

Sneak preview of the franken-ed 116234

I have installed the following parts from yesterday:
Gen dial
Gen (used) 25 295c crystal with LEC
Gen 3135 date disc

Lovely.... and that crown on the dial

 

[pompompurin]

Lovely.... and that crown on the dial

thanks! it will be my favourite watch once i get it serviced

 

[d4m.test]

Only lately have I been seeing the term ARF. Unfortunately I’m not familiar with it. Is it a new factory? If so, what TD sells them. I’d like to do some research on them.


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Intime sells them and there are plenty of threads here you can research!! Apparently there are a lot out of stock


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[irishjohn]

I agree with SH and yuki movement - they all crap out on me lol
but i really reallyyy want to use gen dial without cutting their feet so I got no choice

anyways, here is a sneak preview of my franken-ed 116234 (review + franken process will be coming soon)

an oysterquartz...love those things, One of Gentas finest designs

 

[wm9z]

Pompom..why did you use an LEC non AR crystal instead if the LEC/AR crystal?

 

[ssouthall6]

I'm guessing cos it's period correct and cheaper. I'll be removing the rehaut engraving but using an AR LEC crystal, not period correct but personal preference > OCD in this case [emoji57]


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[pompompurin]

Pompom..why did you use an LEC non AR crystal instead if the LEC/AR crystal?

because the gen doesn't use LEC AR crystal

I have walked into a Rolex AD to confirm that (for 116200, 116231, 116233, 116234)

and startime specs confirms it
http://www.startimesupply.com/product/116200-REF.html

Manufacturer: Rolex
Caliber: 3135
Crown for Case: 24-604-0
Tube for Case: 24-5330-0
Crystal Gasket for Case: 29-295-3
Case Back Gasket for Case: 29-310-8
Case Crystal : Cyclops Sapphire 25-295C

 

[pompompurin]

I'm guessing cos it's period correct and cheaper. I'll be removing the rehaut engraving but using an AR LEC crystal, not period correct but personal preference > OCD in this case [emoji57]


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By the way when I removed the bracelet, there are no serial number engraved between the lug. Only the rehaut has the serial number engraved on it

 

[Timmetje83]

Pompom..why did you use an LEC non AR crystal instead if the LEC/AR crystal?

Still believe ar one ist correct.

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[pompompurin]

Still believe ar one ist correct.

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I literally went to a Rolex AD and it shows otherwise (crappy phone pic sorry) so I got AD evidence and that is as official it gets - maybe another AD would have Datejust with AR crystal if someone can show proof

and plenty of latest google pics would back me up to show that the crystal does not have AR cyclops

i have seen google pics of the datejust with AR cyclops too, but the Datejust in my AD shows that it doesn't have AR cyclops

 

[Timmetje83]

We'll just make both [emoji6] [emoji1]

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[pompompurin]

We'll just make both [emoji6] [emoji1]

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haha damn right! I guess both choices of crystal ok if google image gens have AR and non-AR cyclops

 

[Stuvetjee]

Looks awesome mate!


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[Spatiumtemporis]

because the gen doesn't use LEC AR crystal

I have walked into a Rolex AD to confirm that (for 116200, 116231, 116233, 116234)

and startime specs confirms it
http://www.startimesupply.com/product/116200-REF.html

My friends gen defenetly has ar.

I literally went to a Rolex AD and it shows otherwise (crappy phone pic sorry) so I got AD evidence and that is as official it gets - maybe another AD would have Datejust with AR crystal if someone can show proof

and plenty of latest google pics would back me up to show that the crystal does not have AR cyclops

i have seen google pics of the datejust with AR cyclops too, but the Datejust in my AD shows that it doesn't have AR cyclops

The ar is hard to tell when thw dial is not black/blue or any other dark colour in general. But you knew that already

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[wm9z]

Actually....i have seen both AR and non AR on the gens...so both could be correct depending on year

 

[pompompurin]

My friends gen defenetly has ar.

The ar is hard to tell when thw dial is not black/blue or any other dark colour in general. But you knew that already

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The difference was massive between the 116610 and 1162xx series when I was inside the AD so it occurred to me that the 1162xx had non-AR cyclops

There is a possibility that they were sold with AR and non-AR crystal. If that is true then going for a cheap gen non-AR LEC 25 295c would be an affordable upgrade

 

[pompompurin]

And I want to add that the ARF stock hands have pretty much the same lume colour as the gen dial's lumed indices