—UPDATED with gen case, new pics on page 5–
Well I guess this is the Perfect Daytona part 2
I got my name on the list for a Gen black 116500 at my AD, and I thought, why not do a build with the CF until I get the lucky call.
We based it on the CF mainly because the case is a better start out point, and you can achieve a result that’s closer to the gen case shape.
I knew going in, that if I where to enjoy this build in rotation with my gen Rolex collection I would need something as “flawless” as possible. So, yes, we went a bit nuts with gen parts on this build. This was definitely not done on a budget
Let’s me run you through the build, and the changes we did. (Every single surface of this watch was worked over)
CASE: As said before, the case is a better base compared to NOOB, but we still had to work on every surface to get as close to the gen shape as possible. That included lapping the case, correcting lug angle and sharpness, correcting case flank curvature and lug thicknesses with a smooth, elegant and perfect surface finish. The result is as close as you can get with a rep case. (Next level would have been a gen case) Fun fact: We had 3 different CF watches for this project, and there are 2 different version of CF cases. One with very thin lugs, and the version we used. (Lugs are still a bit to thin on the left side, but way better than the other one) Lugs on both version of cases is a tiny bit to short, and that is why the SEL recess is not a 100 % correct. —— UPDATE —— I got my hands on a gen case, so I of course had to do the change
even though I liked the reworked CF case, a gen just takes it to the next level
Updated pics on page 5.
REHAUT: It looked pretty good from the factory, but we did a full polish of the rehaut for a brilliant luster / rainbow effect like the gen. (The letters line up perfectly on this one, and the engraving/laser is very nicely done)
PUSHERS / CROWN: The pusher construction is complete fantasy (See pic below, gen on the left) and we decided to go with gen pushers. They did not fit the case, so new treads had to be cut. The crown is pretty high quality, but as most of you know, the 3 dots are not in the correct shape/line so we had to go gen on the crown as well.
DIAL: The overall quality of the black CF dial is pretty good, but the fat subdials are a joke. And since none of the other factories produce a good black dial (We looked at Buff, Noob and ARF v1) there was just no compromise for me on this very essential part… We had to go gen! And boy was that a good decision, that dial just makes the watch.
HANDS: Well buff/CF hands are nicer than Noob, but they are not even close to gen, so we of course went with gen hands as well. (Putting rep hands on a gen dial, should be a punishable offence)
BEZEL: CF latest bezel is as good as it gets. Between this one and the other factories there is no doubt. In sunlight it is very close to the gen, but in indoor light the numbers are slightly more muted, and the gens black surface has a bit more luster to it. Something you would only notice when its next to a gen. I did not see a strong enough difference here to get a gen bezel. (Fun fact: the CF bezel will not fit on a gen crystal gasket, so use the CF gasket. We leaned that the hard way, with a cracked bezel)
CRYSTAL: CF crystal is the best rep crystal we have seen for a Daytona, but the edges are still slightly different on a gen, and since we are already balls deep in this build, Yep we went with a gen crystal.
CASEBACK: The polished part of the caseback is too big, so we brushed that down to the correct size/diameter.
BRACELET / CLASP: Hands down the best Daytona bracelet I’ve seen in terms of fit, quality and polish/brush. We smoothed out the backside, and rounded out the overall edges for a gen look and feel. The clasp functions and sounds like a gen.
MOVEMENT: Quality is on the same level as the Noobs, the movement of course received a full strip down and service, and it runs butter smooth with a 1 sec a day gain.
FINAL CONCLUSION: CF did a very nice job on this release, and it is by far the best out the box Daytona ever released. The details on the white dial are VERY good, subdial size is perfect. BUT the white color is too white with an almost gray/blue hue to it. The black dial is unusable due to the fat subdials. Most people would probably be happy to wear this watch with out mods and think that I’m an absolute lunatic. But hay, its my watch and I know what I need to enjoy it.
Let me know if you have any questions, below are a fuckton of pics form the work process, parts assembly and final result with my white dial Gen.
No, I’m not going to take any more pics from your weird OCD angle and no, the watch is not for sale and won’t be until I get a call from my AD
Thanks for reading
Here is the link to my Noob build:
https://forum.replica-watch.info/for...-rep-pic-heavy
Before and After
Work and parts
Gen vs CF pushers
Final result vs my white dial gen. I tried to do as many angles as possible in different lighting conditions. In the pics where you cant see the dial, the Gen is always on top.
