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

[King of Coffee]

This is exactly what I was looking for and I can’t wait to reread it and take notes. It’s answering a lot of questions I had regarding a project I want to start on a 116508. Thanks Cheeps!


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[johndoe27]

I know I'm fairly new here, but first of all thanks a lot for this guide.

I already own a Noob 116500 V2, but after more than one year I am not at all satisfied with the bracelet and the clasp, it has broken apart again and again. Further I had varioud problems with the movement as well. Therefore I decided to buy a new Noob 116500 V3 and to modify it a little.

PT will swap the bezel to a CF one. Further they will swap the bracelet and clasp to a ARF one, but for the moment I‘m not quite sure in which way this should be done. I have no comparison, but I was very dissatisfied with the bracelet of the Noob V2. What is important to me is a functional, haptically and optically good result. They offered me to swap the bracelet and clasp, but I still have to tell them how to do it. I have already read here several times that the ARF bracelet would not fit the Noob V3 properly. However, there are people here who claim the opposite ... Perhaps there are some new experiences and recommendations in this regard.

Finally, I consider giving the watch to Domi immediately after receipt. Is it worth performing a service right after buying the watch? Does this have a noticeable effect on the durability and accuracy of the movement? What exactly is he doing mentioning it a “full service”?

Are there any other suggestions or improvements?

 

[Mullaar]

Can someone help me contact Domi, I emailed twice before and no reply... don't know if I have the wrong email or whats up. I'm trying to put a 116520 together

He is fully overloaded with work. Sent you a PM. I know him pretty well and he is living nearby where I live

 

[Fontaine]

For anyone wanting to see an example, here's my modded Noob (I don't know what version but possibly a V1?) with ARF dial and CF bezel - all modding work and servicing impeccably done by red1. All I need is an ARF bracelet/clasp and I'll be happy with this (at least until I cop a gen...).

IMO no more is really needed!

 

[Meshnawy]

For anyone wanting to see an example, here's my modded Noob (I don't know what version but possibly a V1?) with ARF dial and CF bezel - all modding work and servicing impeccably done by red1. All I need is an ARF bracelet/clasp and I'll be happy with this (at least until I cop a gen...).

IMO no more is really needed!

ARF bracelet and a gen or prof crystal and you’re done! Crystal makes a huge difference


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[audiwt]

ARF bracelet and a gen or prof crystal and you’re done! Crystal makes a huge difference


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Could you please tell me why Crystal makes a huge difference?


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[Meshnawy]

It makes the dial really shine. I didn’t want to invest in a gen, but I got a prof crystal. The difference between the stock Noob crystal and prof’s crystal is night and day. The gen is probably better because of the better Laser Etched Crown and clarity, but for the cost, Prof’s is pretty good.

Prof has different crystals, with and without LEC. The 2AR crystal (2 Anti Reflective coatings, top and bottom, I think) is great but less gen-like. 1AR crystal is more gen-like but not as clear as 2AR. I have the 2AR and like it a lot . If I were to go back in time, I think I would have gotten 1AR to be more gen-like

 

[Xcromance]

Nice write up ! Might be ordering noob and change the bezel to CF

 

[hockeyhead019]

Awesome write up! Thanks for consolidating so much info. I do have a question that I didn't see in this thread though.

What is the feeling/opinion/accuracy of the OM Factory Daytona Rep? At least compared to the ARF and Noob? I'm leaning towards the noob because of the movement but the price of the OM Factory caught my eye and it claims to have a modified 7750 with full functionality? https://trustytime.shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_6&products_id=19887 there's the link to what I'm referring to.

A quick search didn't have anything pop up, so maybe it would be good to add here?

 

[doumstyle]

7750 modifié avec toutes les fonctionnalités

hi

I'd avoid this move if I were you. It's unreliable if you use stopwatches. I've paid the price.
This movement also exists with the dials with 3 and 9 frozen, like at ARF.

 

[hockeyhead019]

hi

I'd avoid this move if I were you. It's unreliable if you use stopwatches. I've paid the price.
This movement also exists with the dials with 3 and 9 frozen, like at ARF.

That is what I figured but I had to ask.

Thanks for the response! Cheers

 

[audiwt]

It makes the dial really shine. I didn’t want to invest in a gen, but I got a prof crystal. The difference between the stock Noob crystal and prof’s crystal is night and day. The gen is probably better because of the better Laser Etched Crown and clarity, but for the cost, Prof’s is pretty good.

Prof has different crystals, with and without LEC. The 2AR crystal (2 Anti Reflective coatings, top and bottom, I think) is great but less gen-like. 1AR crystal is more gen-like but not as clear as 2AR. I have the 2AR and like it a lot . If I were to go back in time, I think I would have gotten 1AR to be more gen-like

Thanks. Did you know if the 1AR from the GEN is on the top, or bottom? Because my Watchmaker can coating AR on Crystals. And i dont need a new/other Glas.


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[LawSam]

This is super useful info, thank you

 

[DrMaRcO]

Great thread, thx a lot Cheeps

 

[carking07]

Just want to say thanks for the write up! As everyone has mentioned, it's this sort of post that makes this forum special. Thanks again!

 

[daytonagator]

Awesome write up, thanks very much. Based on the info in this thread I bought a NOOB V3 116500 with black dial from Andrew at Trusty Time and received it yesterday. 23 days from order to delivery so I’m happy with the service. Awesome watch and keeping time well. I just ordered an ARF white dial from a seller in Germany and will look for someone in the USA to do the dial swap. Will probably get a CF bezel while we’re at it. I’m a little torn whether or not to try and source an ARF bracelet and have them mod to fit the NOOB endlinks. Andrew said that ARF doesn’t like to sell its parts so I’d have to get one from a private seller. I’m going to research if there’s a enough of a difference between bracelets to make it worthwhile. When I get caught up with work I’ll take some pics of the NOOB vs my Gen black dialed 116520.

 

[BlackJaguar]

Awesome write up, thanks very much. Based on the info in this thread I bought a NOOB V3 116500 with black dial from Andrew at Trusty Time and received it yesterday. 23 days from order to delivery so I’m happy with the service. Awesome watch and keeping time well. I just ordered an ARF white dial from a seller in Germany and will look for someone in the USA to do the dial swap. Will probably get a CF bezel while we’re at it. I’m a little torn whether or not to try and source an ARF bracelet and have them mod to fit the NOOB endlinks. Andrew said that ARF doesn’t like to sell its parts so I’d have to get one from a private seller. I’m going to research if there’s a enough of a difference between bracelets to make it worthwhile. When I get caught up with work I’ll take some pics of the NOOB vs my Gen black dialed 116520.

I might have an ARF Daytona bracelet up for sale soon. I'll message you if I decide to sell it (after acquiring approval from mods, of course).

 

[daytonagator]

I might have an ARF Daytona bracelet up for sale soon. I'll message you if I decide to sell it (after acquiring approval from mods, of course).

Thanks, let me know!

 

[Meshnawy]

Thanks. Did you know if the 1AR from the GEN is on the top, or bottom? Because my Watchmaker can coating AR on Crystals. And i dont need a new/other Glas.


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I’m not sure, but I assume it would be at the bottom


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[Journeyman]

Awesome write up, thanks very much. Based on the info in this thread I bought a NOOB V3 116500 with black dial from Andrew at Trusty Time and received it yesterday. 23 days from order to delivery so I’m happy with the service. Awesome watch and keeping time well. I just ordered an ARF white dial from a seller in Germany and will look for someone in the USA to do the dial swap. Will probably get a CF bezel while we’re at it. I’m a little torn whether or not to try and source an ARF bracelet and have them mod to fit the NOOB endlinks. Andrew said that ARF doesn’t like to sell its parts so I’d have to get one from a private seller. I’m going to research if there’s a enough of a difference between bracelets to make it worthwhile. When I get caught up with work I’ll take some pics of the NOOB vs my Gen black dialed 116520.

There are lots of subtle differences between the Noob and ARF. A good ARF bracelet is streets ahead of the Noob.


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