- 13/6/15
- 2,412
- 1,772
- 113
My two cents:
For what it’s worth.
I wanted to write up a review with the mindset goal of making the true best 1:1 rep sub! Included in this thought process was that money was not an issue (no movement talks and $$$ for the budget) and that I can only use reps to create this 1:1 model. I had used a point system from 4 to 1; 4 being the best and 1 being the worst. I ranked each watch based on the things I felt are the most important starting from case, insert, bezel, date wheel, dial markers, dial, crystal, Cyclops, hands, SELs, and finally the clasp.
Case
I had started with the case comparison because that is the foundation of a build. The case accounts to 70% of the style of your watch. All of your main important features, functions, colors, sizes, are built on to this foundation. These were the main factors: Case shape construction, Crown guard shape, and rehaut engravings. With the total goal of building a 1:1 the Noob V9 (3135) comes out with the closest to gen. The rehaut is double engraving compared to the rest but it stands out with its deep and clear letters. Next, would be ARF. Nail engravings appear very light and not as clear. ZZF good laser but R O L E X engravings appear to not line up to the dial markers (no dial shown next to rehaut). Lastly noted, ZZF serial number font is off.
Insert
Factors: Color, numbers, engravings, and PIP. This comparison was the hardest one to rank since they all have improved so much. Hulk will be the true test of insert color, when it is released for ZZF. For this example, they all appear consistent with black coloring. We all know the common issues with the current favorites, Noob and ARF. Noob losing it’s insert coloring over time and ARF with its deep engravings. The deep engravings and the combination of paint they do use makes the insert very reliable to withstand time and fading. All the number and markers are accurate and nice between all the reps. The PIP stands out with ARF and ZZF. ZZF has construction very 1:1 with the gen. Nail is surprising good too. Having Nail and ZZF, it will have to stand the test of time to see if the paint does wear off. If this does happen there score will go down possibly worst than Noob.
Bezel assembly
Factors: Style, scallops, and rotation operation. None of these are 1:1 gen yet or close. They all have nice finishes and construction. One thing to point out is the Nail bezel does look like the angles are sharper, which makes it scream rep. Noobs have the best click noise and operation. ARF still comes out on top, as it looks the closest to gen and operates very well.
Date wheel
Factors: Font, boldness, and alignment. Clean looked the best out of the pack. For ARF this is the watches kryptonite. There are some numbers there on ZZF in the 20’s that did not seem to line up as well (could be due to the alignment of the date wheel).
Dial markers
Most do not look like gen and are a tell (nothing will replicate white gold). I had separated the markers from the dials grade. Factors: Roundness 12, 30, 45 markers, and style. Noob has the most noticeable round markers with 12, 30, and 45. ZZF did come out on top as the dial markers do seem to round a bit and does have the curvature. One thing I did not grade was the consistent lume, which was unavailable at this time. I’m sure they all look good (who buys a watch for the loom anyways??)
Dial
Factors: Font, boldness, and style. Nothing gets close to gen yet and having so many variations of a dial it was difficult to score. I believe the dial is the most important feature of a watch because it covers so much space and your eyes automatically goes to it. But for this comparison I only went with what was in front of me based on the factors shown. I do know Noob has raised printed lettering, which I did not consider. Font and style looked the best with the two new kids on the block.
Crystal and Cyclops:
Factors: Halo, Black hole, laser etch crown (just have to have something).
I did not put much emphasis on the laser etch crown. No one sees this. Having a mark there at least lands you on the board. This is another feature that is not close to gen yet but based on the parts we had I ranked Nail as the best. The pictures of the Cyclops, color, had looked the best out of all of them. Most of these will not have too much of a black hole effect. There is an effect but inconsistency and bad Cyclops have led me to always say replace the crystal.
Hands
Factor: 3D effect, size, and shapes.
ARF hands down. Looks the best! No hands will replicate gen, as that white gold is too hard to create. ARF gives you that 3d presence and Noob coming in second place.
SEL’s
You already know, this is the most controversial tell. ARF hands down.
Clasp
Factors: Style, crown, operation, engravings, and smoothness. ARF is the best one out there. Noob’s etching within the clasps is awesome.
Bottom line:
First and foremorst, thank you for taking the time out for the comparison. I can’t thank JTimewatch enough for doing this for the community as it strives for all of us to get better reps lol. To my surprise, ZZF did score the best out of the box on paper. If we do hear of the paint failing like the Noobs, it will fall out of contention. Also Nail overtook Noob. Here are my results:
What do you think? Am I even close?? Just remember, money is no object and you had to build the best rep, what would you do?
Me: Noob V9 case, Insert and dial from ZZF, ARF hands and bracelet/claps with Nails crystal. Boom! The Ultimate Super Sub rep…on paper!
Am I ready yet? No, ARF and Noob has proven reliability and track record. It will be hard for me to buy the latest watches from Nail and ZZF even though they did a great job coming out with their product. One can only wish for this combination!
For what it’s worth.
I wanted to write up a review with the mindset goal of making the true best 1:1 rep sub! Included in this thought process was that money was not an issue (no movement talks and $$$ for the budget) and that I can only use reps to create this 1:1 model. I had used a point system from 4 to 1; 4 being the best and 1 being the worst. I ranked each watch based on the things I felt are the most important starting from case, insert, bezel, date wheel, dial markers, dial, crystal, Cyclops, hands, SELs, and finally the clasp.
Case
I had started with the case comparison because that is the foundation of a build. The case accounts to 70% of the style of your watch. All of your main important features, functions, colors, sizes, are built on to this foundation. These were the main factors: Case shape construction, Crown guard shape, and rehaut engravings. With the total goal of building a 1:1 the Noob V9 (3135) comes out with the closest to gen. The rehaut is double engraving compared to the rest but it stands out with its deep and clear letters. Next, would be ARF. Nail engravings appear very light and not as clear. ZZF good laser but R O L E X engravings appear to not line up to the dial markers (no dial shown next to rehaut). Lastly noted, ZZF serial number font is off.
| ZZF | ARF | NOOB | NAIL | |
| CASE | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 |
Insert
Factors: Color, numbers, engravings, and PIP. This comparison was the hardest one to rank since they all have improved so much. Hulk will be the true test of insert color, when it is released for ZZF. For this example, they all appear consistent with black coloring. We all know the common issues with the current favorites, Noob and ARF. Noob losing it’s insert coloring over time and ARF with its deep engravings. The deep engravings and the combination of paint they do use makes the insert very reliable to withstand time and fading. All the number and markers are accurate and nice between all the reps. The PIP stands out with ARF and ZZF. ZZF has construction very 1:1 with the gen. Nail is surprising good too. Having Nail and ZZF, it will have to stand the test of time to see if the paint does wear off. If this does happen there score will go down possibly worst than Noob.
| ZZF | ARF | NOOB | NAIL | |
| INSERT | 4 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
Bezel assembly
Factors: Style, scallops, and rotation operation. None of these are 1:1 gen yet or close. They all have nice finishes and construction. One thing to point out is the Nail bezel does look like the angles are sharper, which makes it scream rep. Noobs have the best click noise and operation. ARF still comes out on top, as it looks the closest to gen and operates very well.
| ZZF | ARF | NOOB | NAIL | |
| BEZEL | 3 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
Date wheel
Factors: Font, boldness, and alignment. Clean looked the best out of the pack. For ARF this is the watches kryptonite. There are some numbers there on ZZF in the 20’s that did not seem to line up as well (could be due to the alignment of the date wheel).
| ZZF | ARF | NOOB | NAIL | |
| DW | 3 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
Dial markers
Most do not look like gen and are a tell (nothing will replicate white gold). I had separated the markers from the dials grade. Factors: Roundness 12, 30, 45 markers, and style. Noob has the most noticeable round markers with 12, 30, and 45. ZZF did come out on top as the dial markers do seem to round a bit and does have the curvature. One thing I did not grade was the consistent lume, which was unavailable at this time. I’m sure they all look good (who buys a watch for the loom anyways??)
| ZZF | ARF | NOOB | NAIL | |
| DIAL | ||||
| MARKERS | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
Dial
Factors: Font, boldness, and style. Nothing gets close to gen yet and having so many variations of a dial it was difficult to score. I believe the dial is the most important feature of a watch because it covers so much space and your eyes automatically goes to it. But for this comparison I only went with what was in front of me based on the factors shown. I do know Noob has raised printed lettering, which I did not consider. Font and style looked the best with the two new kids on the block.
| ZZF | ARF | NOOB | NAIL | |
| DIAL | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
Crystal and Cyclops:
Factors: Halo, Black hole, laser etch crown (just have to have something).
I did not put much emphasis on the laser etch crown. No one sees this. Having a mark there at least lands you on the board. This is another feature that is not close to gen yet but based on the parts we had I ranked Nail as the best. The pictures of the Cyclops, color, had looked the best out of all of them. Most of these will not have too much of a black hole effect. There is an effect but inconsistency and bad Cyclops have led me to always say replace the crystal.
| ZZF | ARF | NOOB | NAIL | |
| CRYSTAL | ||||
| CYCLOPS | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
Hands
Factor: 3D effect, size, and shapes.
ARF hands down. Looks the best! No hands will replicate gen, as that white gold is too hard to create. ARF gives you that 3d presence and Noob coming in second place.
| ZZF | ARF | NOOB | NAIL | |
| HANDS | 1 | 4 | 3 | 2 |
SEL’s
You already know, this is the most controversial tell. ARF hands down.
| ZZF | ARF | NOOB | NAIL | |
| SELS | 2 | 4 | 1 | 3 |
Clasp
Factors: Style, crown, operation, engravings, and smoothness. ARF is the best one out there. Noob’s etching within the clasps is awesome.
| ZZF | ARF | NOOB | NAIL | |
| CLASP | 2 | 4 | 3 | 1 |
Bottom line:
First and foremorst, thank you for taking the time out for the comparison. I can’t thank JTimewatch enough for doing this for the community as it strives for all of us to get better reps lol. To my surprise, ZZF did score the best out of the box on paper. If we do hear of the paint failing like the Noobs, it will fall out of contention. Also Nail overtook Noob. Here are my results:
| ZZF | ARF | NOOB | NAIL | |
| CASE | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 |
| INSERT | 4 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| BEZEL | 3 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| DW | 3 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| DIAL | ||||
| MARKERS | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
| DIAL | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| CRYSTAL | ||||
| CYCLOPS | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| HANDS | 1 | 4 | 3 | 2 |
| SELS | 2 | 4 | 1 | 3 |
| CLASP | 2 | 4 | 3 | 1 |
| 28 | 27 | 22 | 23 |
What do you think? Am I even close?? Just remember, money is no object and you had to build the best rep, what would you do?
Me: Noob V9 case, Insert and dial from ZZF, ARF hands and bracelet/claps with Nails crystal. Boom! The Ultimate Super Sub rep…on paper!
Am I ready yet? No, ARF and Noob has proven reliability and track record. It will be hard for me to buy the latest watches from Nail and ZZF even though they did a great job coming out with their product. One can only wish for this combination!
