The Ultimate Daytona Buying Guide (Ref. 116520/116500)

[Thewatchwolf]

I just replaced both my new CFs with Deep crystals. It’s non negotiable for me at this point.

Is the height of the deep higher than the stock CF? The gen has a taller crystal and it is very noticeable, to me at least.

 

[aHero]

Just need a 2.3mm gasket

 

[Cheeps]

Just need a 2.3mm gasket

is this still up to date for Clean daytonas? thought this was only the case with noob gaskets.

 

[Bloody9]

I'm getting close to making my purchase. Let me know if I'm doing this right. I will give it a week for CNY traffic to chill out then was planning on this:

• Rolex Daytona 116500LN Black dial with 4130 movement from Clean Factory through a TD. Opting for the previous ref. that has a time tested 4130 in it.
• Deep Crystal - I think I found a US TD that sources them. Or are these Deep Crystals common enough to ask the same TD I buy my watch from to include it?
• Send both pieces to a trusted servicer to have a full service done on the watch and the crystal installed. I'm a little skeptical about the first time service on a watch that's brand new from China, what they seem to be selling is piece of mind since factory QC on movement is not the best?

Did I cover all the steps?

 

[aHero]

I'm getting close to making my purchase. Let me know if I'm doing this right. I will give it a week for CNY traffic to chill out then was planning on this:

• Rolex Daytona 116500LN Black dial with 4130 movement from Clean Factory through a TD. Opting for the previous ref. that has a time tested 4130 in it.
• Deep Crystal - I think I found a US TD that sources them. Or are these Deep Crystals common enough to ask the same TD I buy my watch from to include it?
• Send both pieces to a trusted servicer to have a full service done on the watch and the crystal installed. I'm a little skeptical about the first time service on a watch that's brand new from China, what they seem to be selling is piece of mind since factory QC on movement is not the best?

Did I cover all the steps?

1) Make sure the Clean still has DD4130 (SA4130) as it's been said that Clean will stop using this movement soon
2) Most TDs will be able to source and often times have crystal installed for you prior to delivery
3) It's peace of mind. I literally have 20 Daytonas (Clean/BTF) and all work fine. Clone movements often aren't the "cleanest" specimens, so it certainly wouldn't hurt to have them serviced. A 4130 service will likely run you north of $400 USD. If your peace of mind is worth $400+ and you can find someone to service it in a timely manner, go for it. I personally have not and would not.

 

[Bloody9]

1) Make sure the Clean still has DD4130 (SA4130) as it's been said that Clean will stop using this movement soon
2) Most TDs will be able to source and often times have crystal installed for you prior to delivery
3) It's peace of mind. I literally have 20 Daytonas (Clean/BTF) and all work fine. Clone movements often aren't the "cleanest" specimens, so it certainly wouldn't hurt to have them serviced. A 4130 service will likely run you north of $400 USD. If your peace of mind is worth $400+ and you can find someone to service it in a timely manner, go for it. I personally have not and would not.

Thanks! So what's DD4130 and SA4130? Is that the same thing and you are just noting to make sure I get that movement and not the new 4131?

 

[aHero]

SA4130=DD4130

It's not officially been said but Clean will likely transition to SH4131.

Source: https://forum.replica-watch.info/th...rice-to-get-ready-for-126xxx-models.10965147/

The rumor said Clean will use SH4130 in the future 126xxx models, that’s clearly not their plan, in fact, Clean will stop using any 4130 movement soon.

 

[Bloody9]

2) Most TDs will be able to source and often times have crystal installed for you prior to delivery

I wish there was a way to edit and delete posts on RWI! I had another question as soon as I wrote the first one.
2) Even though most TD's will offer to do the crystal installation, if I'm going to spend the $400 on a service from a trusted service in US, would it be more prudent to just have them do the installation? (quality wise)

 

[aHero]

I wish there was a way to edit and delete posts on RWI! I had another question as soon as I wrote the first one.
2) Even though most TD's will offer to do the crystal installation, if I'm going to spend the $400 on a service from a trusted service in US, would it be more prudent to just have them do the installation? (quality wise)

Editing posts is a privilege reserved for financial supporters of the forum.

Crystal installation is very easy. It will be much cheaper to have your TD do it if it's a service that TD offers. There will be no "quality" difference...

 

[Bloody9]

Do you all use the chrono functions on Daytona or just leave it for aesthetic purposes? I'm curious if it's one of those things that's best not to touch since it's Chinese-manufactured and another thing that can break. Or if it is safe to play with it.

 

[asusundevils1971]

I run the chrono on my Clean V3 for about an hour when wearing it (about once a month ) but wouldn't make it a common practice to do it if worn daily. Even though the DD4130 is a proven beast, these are clone movements and are not made in the cleanest environment with no or very little quality control.

 

[Bloody9]

I run the chrono on my Clean V3 for about an hour when wearing it (about once a month ) but wouldn't make it a common practice to do it if worn daily. Even though the DD4130 is a proven beast, these are clone movements and are not made in the cleanest environment with no or very little quality control.

I forgot to mention v3 in my notes above. I’ll be sure to specify clean v3. Thanks.

 

[Bloody9]

Are there any TDs that are known for sourcing higher quality 116500LN Clean v3 Pandas?

I know they all ultimately come from the same factory, but I'm wondering if some TDs are better than others about weeding out the bad apples before sending them to us to QC.

 

[aaronglass]

Thanks for this, grabbing a Daytona again soon.

 

[Thewatchwolf]

is this still up to date for Clean daytonas? thought this was only the case with noob gaskets.

Im wondering the same thing. And also would like to know best place to source gasket.

 

[Cheeps]

Im wondering the same thing. And also would like to know best place to source gasket.

Clarks from eBay works fine

 

[joeyc]

Are there any TDs that are known for sourcing higher quality 116500LN Clean v3 Pandas?

I know they all ultimately come from the same factory, but I'm wondering if some TDs are better than others about weeding out the bad apples before sending them to us to QC.

Jtime is very good about that, lucy is on the one who hand picks them, but be prepared for like a few month wait with her

 

[Thewatchwolf]

Huge thank you to @daytonadude for sending me the proper gasket for my 116520. Definitely makes an an improvement.

 

[Bloody9]

Jtime is very good about that, lucy is on the one who hand picks them, but be prepared for like a few month wait with her

Months on a clone? Yikes! I ended up using a non-TD. I told him get me a good QC one and I wouldn't be a difficult QC'er. Got pics in 48 hours and greenlighted it after having my trusted watch servicer and another friend look at it with me.

 

[wildkid]

Folks, I keep finding my top start/stop chrono button can endlessly rotates clockwise although it's "locked in" and cannot actuate the function anymore. The bottom reset button is fine however, after watching this video it seems like it wasn't screwed in all the way from the inside, right?