RXF vs VSF besides for movement?

[Duckber]

First, please forgive me for making yet another Rolex sub topic. I did as much research as I could but couldn't find concrete answers on this. A lot of conflicting information.

I think best OOTB is the VSF. However, I could not care less about movement. In fact I prefer ETA.

Is that the only difference between the two? In some topics I hear the insert is better, or that the bracelet is better. Some other comments have been it's just the movement.

What is the truth exactly?

 

[GrandmasterChime]

Get the rxf. Technically the case is different but only to accomdate the different movement. Dont believe the secret updates nonsense. Its a solid value buy.

 

[KJ2020]

Quite happy with my RXF bro. If you don't care about correct hand setting direction, I don't see any real differences. I don't have a VSF but they look good too so take your pick.

 

[Cowboy45]

I am more than happy with the RXF also. I wrote in another thread about how i wore it to an AD not even thinking and they cleaned it complimented it. RXF is a solid buy.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

[Cowboy45]

Unless you NEED the clone movement, this one checks all the boxes.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

[jodelaplaya]

The main difference is the rxf rehaut isn't sharp as the vsf. But it's well aligned

 

[tonywatches]

Well was looking if such question does exist here:
since i have both on hands i can maybe contribute with my deffinetely not proffesional knowledge.
To start since vsf got lengendary fame: they are close.. i do find differences that gives the vsf the edge -besides always the movement - but only one is the one i would consider worth the extra bucks.

btw the vsf movement has a small issue i hope i will fix. It stalls every half an hour -not consistenly -changing the time. the minutes do stall every now and then but is not catastrophic it does continue after you continue turning the crown.

Down to my observations:

CASE:
Bad way to start, call me noob but i cant say wich is better. vsf does look having better shaped crown guards if thats whats called.

BEZEL INSERT:
the only obvious big difference: slightly faded insert on the rlx. Vsf has more contrast on the bezel numbers. both nice and precise etched numbers.

BEZEL:
rlx has a bit play on the bezel, vsf is tight - nice there.. I find VSFs bezel turning quite noisy nothing big there i would just prefer the rlx clicking sound. vsf feels better when turning too.
bezel teeth very similar cant tell wich is better. ceramic looks same colour to me.

PEARL:
Both great, vsf is a bit dirty on the nickel base hope is not oxidation by the glue -if they use glue. we talk about 10X magnification here.

SAPHIRE - CYCLOPS:
yes we all know black hole effect- saphirre is top on the vsf. But honestly i try but cant see difference even on the black hole effect between the two versions. Was sure vsf was much better but no.

DATE:
vsf has better font on some dates, and has a nice click sound on transition when turning by time- perhaps is the movement here-. I like looking at the dates on the vsf maybe better zoom or bigger dates on the date plate. cant tell why, maybe printing fills more the space on the date wheel?
it does have a strange transition on the date plate. Dates seem to play a lot when changing manually dates.

SELS:
slightly better fitting on the vsf sels. nothing major.

CROWN AT 6:
omg rlx has a perfectly shaped etched crown in there. vsf is sloppy on the upper part

LOGO on the dial
vsf looks it has a tiny bit better font. i might be wrong. looks like is have a better contrast - crispier lettering too. minimal 10x stuff here.

HANDS - INDICLES:
both look great in hands and indicles.

INHAULT engraving:
vsf is clearly much better here. some letters look funny on the rlx. laser engraving it self is again better on the vsf.

CROWN:
Both great among the best i ever had, vsf slightly cleaner look on the rolex crown.

CLASP:
tbh i dont know the gen crown recession on the clasp, vsf is much more recessed in the clasp. if that makes sense. is almost even with the rest of the clasp, rlx has thick crown if i would choose it would be the vsf

BRACELET:
Brush looks same to me, shine, material great on both. cant tell wich is better , could be smoother on the inside edges.

DIVER EXTENSION:
Rlx is easier to move arround on the rail system, vsf is stiffer. Is personal i guess- i prefer stiffer.


Surprised with rlx wonder why is not more "famous" among the rep fans in here.

cheers guys

 

[LongyUK]

btw the vsf movement has a small issue i hope i will fix. It stalls every half an hour -not consistenly -changing the time. the minutes do stall every now and then but is not catastrophic it does continue after you continue turning the crown.

Mine has a more or less identical issue....

 

[tonywatches]

RLX = obviously RXF lol

 

[tonywatches]

Mine has a more or less identical issue....

i removed the crown stem, reinstalled it, it worked. im guessing big gap somewhere on the barrel?

 

[LongyUK]

tonywatches mine has now got progressively worse and instead of stopping for 5minutes once and then carrying on as normal the minute hand stops as soon as it hits 12 and stays there….

I may attempt your crown stem reinstall trick. Do you have any tips? I assume I just whip off the back, remove the crown stem, clean and reinstall?

Any tips?

 

[Slugger]

It's difficult to say what is going on without actually seeing the watch. Regardless, if you like the watch and want to keep it running for the long-haul, you should have the watch serviced rather than tinker with it yourself. You knew this time would eventually come. Maybe there were some mods you were thinking about? Now would be the time to do them. Bite the bullet and you'll be glad you did.

 

[Spiral_Cabbage]

tonywatches mine has now got progressively worse and instead of stopping for 5minutes once and then carrying on as normal the minute hand stops as soon as it hits 12 and stays there….

I may attempt your crown stem reinstall trick. Do you have any tips? I assume I just whip off the back, remove the crown stem, clean and reinstall?

Any tips?

If you wind the movement 40 times, will it still stall soon after?

 

[LongyUK]

RabanJr, yes, the minute hand still stops at 12 although the second hand keeps on moving… even after a good wind!

 

[Spiral_Cabbage]

RabanJr, yes, the minute hand still stops at 12 although the second hand keeps on moving… even after a good wind!

Ah. Gotcha. So the watch is still running.
I might be way off, but it could be possible that the minute hand is loose on the pinion. Has the watch suffered any trauma? Or perhaps the hands were installed in haste.

Maybe try to see if the minute hand needs a little push.
You can do this yourself ot take it to watch smith.

Good luck

 

[Yogibear]

Quite happy with my RXF bro. If you don't care about correct hand setting direction, I don't see any real differences. I don't have a VSF but they look good too so take your pick.

You like the RXF even with that terrible rehaut?

 

[tonywatches]

Ah. Gotcha. So the watch is still running.
I might be way off, but it could be possible that the minute hand is loose on the pinion. Has the watch suffered any trauma? Or perhaps the hands were installed in haste.

Maybe try to see if the minute hand needs a little push.
You can do this yourself ot take it to watch smith.

Good luck

i think this way the hour hand would be showing wrong in relation with the minutes.
i think is something in the keyless parts barrel jumbing or loose. next guess maybe dirt on the wheels making them jump

 

[Spiral_Cabbage]

i think this way the hour hand would be showing wrong in relation with the minutes.
i think is something in the keyless parts barrel jumbing or loose. next guess maybe dirt on the wheels making them jump

Not necessarily. If the hour and the minute hands are moving correctly, then the minute hand or minute pinion might be the culprit.
As far as I know, the keyless does not affect the hands individually. All of the hands would be problematic.

It would certainly be easier to check the fitment of the minute hand than to be able to check the keyless works from the dial side.

Good luck.

 

[tonywatches]

Not necessarily. If the hour and the minute hands are moving correctly, then the minute hand or minute pinion might be the culprit.
As far as I know, the keyless does not affect the hands individually. All of the hands would be problematic.

It would certainly be easier to check the fitment of the minute hand than to be able to check the keyless works from the dial side.

Good luck.

yep agree.
would add that all hands do stall not just the minutes.

 

[LongyUK]

Hi guys to confirm the hour hand also stops but the second hand keeps ticking.

So basically when the minutes reach approx twelve the minute hand and hour hand stop for a long period of time (initially 5 minutes - now about 24hours; it’s got worse) during this time the second hand sails around perfectly. After this period the watch starts again until we get to five to the hour again and it repeats.

setting the watch works just fine… all hands turn easily and smoothly as you would expect.

finally on inspection it seems that the second hand actually moves very slowly between 11 and 1 if the watch is stuck and I look at it a few hours later the minute hand looks to have moved on a few minutes…

Such a shame - I have an event on Thursday where I wanted to wear this one!