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The SH4131 Daytonas - Long-term reliability test
- Thread starter trailboss99
- Start date
- 30/3/08
- 43,352
- 16,304
- 113
- 30/3/08
- 43,352
- 16,304
- 113
A couple of initial observations.
Firstly, and this a Rolex issue not a CF issue, the adjustments available on the clasp are way too course, somewhere around 4 5ths of a link. I can't get this bracelet to an ideal size, it's either tight or a bit too loose. I've gone with loose.
Secondly, bring me the head of whoever it is on the design team at Rolex who thinks it is appropiate to use white gold hands on a white dial watch. This freaking thing is so hard to read under most low light conditions, even in a less than bright room during the day. If I had the gen I'd be swapping the hands to black if I was going to wear it regulary, it is going to drive me nuts by the end of this.
Firstly, and this a Rolex issue not a CF issue, the adjustments available on the clasp are way too course, somewhere around 4 5ths of a link. I can't get this bracelet to an ideal size, it's either tight or a bit too loose. I've gone with loose.
Secondly, bring me the head of whoever it is on the design team at Rolex who thinks it is appropiate to use white gold hands on a white dial watch. This freaking thing is so hard to read under most low light conditions, even in a less than bright room during the day. If I had the gen I'd be swapping the hands to black if I was going to wear it regulary, it is going to drive me nuts by the end of this.
Panda's legibility is shit, I hate it. Clearly it's not the design team's concern, and if it is, the marketing team has the saying here...
- 30/3/08
- 43,352
- 16,304
- 113
- 24/10/17
- 3,522
- 5,721
- 113
- 30/3/08
- 43,352
- 16,304
- 113
Fully with you on this! I have always had the same issue with the 116500LN (both Gen and CF). I typically start the day with the "tight" bracelet and switch over to "loose" via the easylink comfort extension before the left hand turns all blue...
Great and thanks for doing for rigorously putting the watch to the test. I look forward to seeing the results in 3 months.As we all know the new SH4131 movement is now available in the latest C Factory Daytonas and thanks to both C Factory and our dealer @CTime I was sent the very first one off the line for testing and evaluation. Now, there are far more experienced Daytona experts than I discussing the sub-millimetre accuracy of both the rep and the movement so I'll just say that the fit and finish, to my eyes, is superb with nice edges, brushing and polishing so what am I going to do?
I'm not big on the looks of the movement, it's a closed case back after all but what I do care about is how well it's made, will it (and the watch as a whole) take daily wear and a bit of abuse? CF's latest GMT has just come off some four months of use as my daily and it has stood up very well indeed. It's been worn to (and into) housefires, road crash rescues, wildland fires and more. It's been worn wrenching on cars, drowned in engine oil, it's had spray paint on it and cleaned with thinners. It's been cleaned with a toothbrush and dishwashing liquid in hot water and even worn while operating a jackhammer to break up a concrete slab. The GMT has come thru all of that with flying colours while maintaining accuracy within 20 seconds a week.
Now, we'll find out if the new Daytonas are as solid as the GMT because I'm going to beat the crap out of it for three months at least and report back here when it's done and dusted.
The movement in question
The watch on the timegrapher. A lot of the "noise" on the screen is due to the MTG-5000 preferring a naked movement to a cased one (even with the case back off) but I didn't wish to decase the movement at this point.
Two print traces from CH and H12 positions.
We will see how things compare after a few months of beating the hell out of it so watch this space and we'll see how both the watch and the movement cope with being used and abused in a manner that few if any of you would treat a Daytona in. Hell, I doubt many of you would treat a GMT the way I do
What do I expect? Based on the way the GMT held up I expect good things even of the far more complicated chrono movement and I expect the watch itself to take everything I dish out to it. Let's find out if I'm right.
Have you ever done a similar experiment to a CF Daytona with DD4130?
- 23/8/07
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Agreed, most of us never use the chronos. I ask for testing and durability purposes…
- 22/11/20
- 8,703
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That really depends on the wrist size. I for myself got AP Royal Oaks as favorite watches, but no chance to wear them with good fit. Either to tight or to loose. even with a 1,5half link (only gen available) its not working. For my wrist the rolex bracelets (easylink AND glidelock) work perfectly.
So you cant blame Rolex for that one, its just subjective i guess.
About the design thing I am totally with you, even if the gen has beter AR, choosing white gold hands is just dumb.
Wait a minute - the Daytona got a chrono function?
IMO The chrono function is not a "problem" running. the flyback Spring part is the most weak point on a rep chrono afaik. so the setting back causes mostly damage, not letting it run. but who uses that anyhow.
- 23/8/07
- 6,471
- 8,425
- 113
We dont use the chronos, even most gen owners dont. I thought since @trailboss99 was torture testing it anywayWait a minute - the Daytona got a chrono function?
IMO The chrono function is not a "problem" running. the flyback Spring part is the most weak point on a rep chrono afaik. so the setting back causes mostly damage, not letting it run. but who uses that anyhow.
Once you finish the movement test, you can send it to to @p0pperini for bracelet testing.
This makes me wish I joined RWI before. So much more informative 
that's why the pushers has screw down function, heheWe dont use the chronos, even most gen owners dont. I thought since @trailboss99 was torture testing it anyway
mmaggi
Renowned Member
This is great because I wouldn't mind purchasing a ZF for $500 given the movement is durable. Thanks @trailboss99 !
Question: Which CF GMT did you test?
Question: Which CF GMT did you test?