RAF 16610, New 5 Digit Factory

[KushBandit]

I reckon those 6 and 9 markers are an improvement over the old arf ones

They look much better to me as well, they don't have the squared off edges. The contour matches the round markers nicely.

 

[KushBandit]

and there's NOT enough demand to improve it.

Fixed typo

 

[shotgun]

I guess i just need to force it. I found the raf insert very easy to get in. Was the gen tighter?

Yes gen is tighter

 

[Clarkent]

Funny, that happend to my JF16610 too, it literally just fell of my wrist.

My thoughts all along were the JF and RARF is the same thing (different movement aside).

Yes

Seems the counter sunk tube is hit or miss with these. As @KJ2020 said, it's been an issue with ARF for a long time. The datewheel doesn't bother me much because I'm swapping the movement out anyway. Your case is properly counter-sunk for the tube, so that's great to hear.

A gen crown is a solid upgrade, and it's one I'll be doing if the next watch has the same one. The wrong trip-lock dots may not bother you, but they do for me. I don't expect too much from reps, but the tube flange sticking out far is an instant reject for me. I don't want to spend nearly $500 on a watch that's case needs machined out of the box. There's really no excuse for that. I think they don't care much because it's the best 5 digit sub available, and there's enough demand to improve it.

Looks like the clasp on my QC may have been a JF, since it has the pin that is indented like gen. I'm not sure if the JFs also had batches woth off-center coronets though.

My plan is to eventually install a gen tube and crown, VR/VS 3135, gen date wheel, gen LEC crystal(maybe gen 295-CAR), gen clasp or complete bracelet, gen bezel insert, and possibly gen bezel assembly. If it comes out the way I plan, I'll keep it until I get a gen 16610.

complete bezel assembly gen + Crystal gen + insert + VS/VR + DW gen + Gen Bracelet.. it's perfect like my watch! but be careful because the crown and the gen tube will not solve the problem, unfortunately the entry hole is less wide than it should be, there are some models in which it is very visible and others it is seen much less.

 

[Clarkent]

Yes

complete bezel assembly gen + Crystal gen + insert + VS/VR + DW gen + Gen Bracelet.. it's perfect like my watch! but be careful because the crown and the gen tube will not solve the problem, unfortunately the entry hole is less wide than it should be, there are some models in which it is very visible and others it is seen much less.

 

[KushBandit]

Yes

complete bezel assembly gen + Crystal gen + insert + VS/VR + DW gen + Gen Bracelet.. it's perfect like my watch! but be careful because the crown and the gen tube will not solve the problem, unfortunately the entry hole is less wide than it should be, there are some models in which it is very visible and others it is seen much less.

That's good to know. If I can get one with the tube as recessed as yours, I won't be as objective towards it. I'll still plan on doing a proper counter sink and loctite the new tube. As @KJ2020 pointed out, the crown guards are short enough, the crown sticking out farther just makes it worse

Andrew at TrustyTime got back to me and said he'll try to find me one that is better in regards to the crown. He doesn't see an issue about the crown and clasp, which I suppose isn't a big deal anyway considering I'm swapping out those parts once I collect everything needed.

Your watch looks so good dude! Now I understand the love for the Kermit. I may need to get a LV insert to swap around with my LN in tbe future, even if I don't have Maxi dial/hands.

 

[shotgun]

Modded RAF is a beauty watch…

 

[heska]

I reckon those 6 and 9 markers are an improvement over the old arf ones

Definitely, this is how it looked on my JF, razor sharp edges :

@Clarkent your dial look better than the old JF so maybe only the band is JF

Best way to see the difference is clasp blade engraving :

Top is RAF and you can see the 92350 and Eo6 are laser engraved when on the JF it’s stamped

 

[shotgun]

RAF have index and dial best respect to JF and ARF for me..

 

[Clarkent]

I don't know if my dial is Arf or JF, but the indices have a nice rounded look like gen:



instead this is my Stock Arf clasp:

Definitely, this is how it looked on my JF, razor sharp edges :

@Clarkent your dial look better than the old JF so maybe only the band is JF

Best way to see the difference is clasp blade engraving :

Top is RAF and you can see the 92350 and Eo6 are laser engraved when on the JF it’s stamped

 

[Clarkent]

I don't know if my dial is Arf or JF, but the indices have a nice rounded look like gen:



instead this is my Stock Arf clasp:

** stock Raf Clasp ( not arf )

 

[heska]

I don't know if my dial is Arf or JF, but the indices have a nice rounded look like gen:



instead this is my Stock Arf clasp:

That’s definitely a JF bracelet. But the watch head looks way better (case/dial/insert/Crystal/datewheel) or at least upgraded from a JF

 

[mmax]

I don't know if my dial is Arf or JF, but the indices have a nice rounded look like gen:



instead this is my Stock Arf clasp:

Definitely, this is how it looked on my JF, razor sharp edges :

@Clarkent your dial look better than the old JF so maybe only the band is JFt

Best way to see the difference is clasp blade engraving :

Top is RAF and you can see the 92350 and Eo6 are laser engraved when on the JF it’s stamped

Also on my RAF the clasp is stamped and the dial indices are rounded.

 

[Clarkent]

That’s definitely a JF bracelet. But the watch head looks way better (case/dial/insert/Crystal/datewheel) or at least upgraded from a JF

for me it is like this: Case JF, bezel JF ( my stock bezel did not take the gen insert, it had to be shaved to be able to enter ) dial + hands + sh3135 + crystal all ARF. but this I can only say about my watch, or rather, probably all those without RRR that arrived in the first orders

 

[pf78]

Theoretically an RAF insert can fit on a RAF bezel right?

 

[Clarkent]

Theoretically an RAF insert can fit on a RAF bezel right?

Yes sure, but Gen insert not fit in my Raf bezel

 

[shotgun]

Love it!!!

 

[KushBandit]

Love it!!!

You guys posting these is making me so impatient


Such a lovely build! Can't wait until mine gets here

 

[mmax]

Really amazing work. I have purchased a new VR 3135 that I plan to install as a start. What makes me hesitant is a little clicking sound that sometimes occurs when the rotor turns. Do you know perhaps if this is normal for these movements? The other thing is the nice, bold font of the stock DW which is so special for 2003-2007 subs. I hope I can keep it when swapping the movements.

 

[Clarkent]