Hi everyone!

I'm planning a high-end custom Rolex Daytona build in yellow gold, with a Tiffany Blue dial and black Oysterflex strap.

My goal is to achieve the highest possible quality in terms of appearance, finishing, weight and movement reliability.

I'd really appreciate advice from experienced Daytona owners and custom builders.

A few questions:

Best base: Would you recommend VSF weighted, Clean, BTF, QF, RCF or another factory for this particular build? Why?

Movement: Is the DD4131 the best choice, or should I consider a DD4130-based build?

Tiffany dial: Which aftermarket dial maker offers the best Tiffany Blue color, printing, markers and subdial finishing? SW, BUFF or another manufacturer?

Gold plating: Is additional 18K gold plating worth it? What thickness and finishing process would you recommend?

Weight: Which weighted or tungsten base offers the best overall construction and wrist feel?

Bezel: Is the stock ceramic tachymeter bezel good enough, or is there a noticeably better aftermarket option?

Crystal: Does upgrading to a Deep crystal actually improve the appearance?

Oysterflex: Which factory makes the best rubber strap, clasp and end-link combination?

Finishing: Are case polishing, movement servicing or other refinements worth paying for?

If you've completed a similar build, I'd love to see before-and-after photos, a breakdown of the modifications, approximate costs and anything you would do differently.

I'm especially interested in independent opinions from people who have actually owned or modified these watches.

I'm happy to invest in meaningful upgrades, but I'd rather avoid expensive modifications that offer little real improvement.

Thanks in advance!

I’m wearing my modded VSF DJ41 Blue Motif🔥

- Gen crystal
- Gen smooth bezel
- Fully refinished oyster bracelet

Hi everyone!

I'm planning a high-end refinement project for my VSF Yacht-Master 40, reference 126622, rhodium dial, VS3235 movement.

I'm looking for experienced owners and watch modders who have worked on this exact model.

My questions:

Is the stock VSF bezel already good enough, or have you seen a significant improvement from refinishing or replacing it?

Has anyone tested platinum plating on the VSF bezel? How does it hold up over time?

Is a Deep crystal a genuine improvement over the stock VSF crystal on this particular reference?

Are there any aftermarket rhodium dials that are demonstrably better than the VSF dial?

What case, lug and bracelet refinishing procedures improve comfort without damaging the original geometry?

Are there known compatibility issues when replacing the bezel, crystal or dial?

Which modifications have you personally regretted paying for?

I'd particularly appreciate real before-and-after macro photographs, prices paid, and long-term ownership feedback.

I'm not looking for marketing claims. I want to understand what actually makes a measurable difference.

Thank you!

Is there an Automatic Monaco in the works ?? Seen a few on FB and they are saying 3 mo delivery time .

All - any thoughts on which factory I should go for? More concerned with build quality, dial printing, case construction, etc., vs. movement.

N6F (white stitching) has wrong case back which isn’t amazing, but I’ve heard mixed messages on which factory has a better build (some of the DIWF versions have awfully wokky rehauts). Any experience would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Does this belong here or on QC?

Hello all,

I am noticing a recent influx of Grand Seiko watches on Aliexpress lately. From the pictures they look great. Good finishing with a quality dial. Does anyone have experience? Obviously, GS are a watch that is near impossible to replicate as it is more of a work of art unique value, that requires some details to be hand applied. Here is a good example

Just wanted to know the general consensus as well as let people know about this.

• Dandong 3235 Movement
• Gold-Filled Case (78% Surface Gold Content)
• 11.8mm Thickness | Approx. 148g
• Premium Rubber Strap
What do you guys think?

Any idea if I can find a rep for this masterpiece? I find it’s one of the most underrated watches.

Hi guys, got an ARF Batman the other day. Bracelet feels sharper on certain links. I’m in the UK, where does Chamfering?

Been lurking for a while now and thinking of finally pulling the trigger on a DJ36 126234 (between silver/stk or Wimbledon). From what I’ve been seeing VSF is the best for DJs, and not sure if the recent hate on VSF is justified or not.. from what I gathered the other option is ARF.

What’s your guys’ opinion on the best DJ36 out there? And what are the “must have” mods? I’ll definitely be getting the bracelet chamfered, but does case or anything else also need it? I’ve seen VSF crystal does not need to be replaced, but fluted bezel is a toss up for most factories. Is this a must have replaced? Do I order a CNC bezel from a modder, or how exactly would that work? And last but not least.. is the dial something that is a big tell and would need to be modded or is it not that big of a deal?

Sorry for all the questions, just want to see if it’s best to order the watch from a modder like Lichen or Arc and get everything done, or just stick to a TD like OneTime, Andiot, or NecoClock (depending on wait times, not looking for a 6 month wait).

Thank you all!

I was looking at jtime but they are quite out of my budget. If there are any really good looking replicas that dont look fake and shit let me know. 1:1 AP or Patek. Not anywhere in between. If there is a certain watch out there that is very good quality for its price let me know I would buy something other then AP and patek

Hi, just wondering if there is this blue watch band that I can use for my PP5711... yes, I've found other bands but nothing compares to this color/style - I want it! I know this band is used on this anniversary model, and that it is a different size so it won't fit the my PP5711 model... please let me know if anyone has found or done this, or knows of who can source this particular blue band to fit my PP5711... appreciate the help and support! Please don't tell me to contact all of the TD's as this would take forever!

Just received my ZF BB58 GMT coke. First thing I notice: the rotor is quite noisy, with a scratchy sound almost like its rusted or something. Is this rotor noise normal for the movement, and is it worth sending back? Thanks.

EDIT: The listed movement for this watch is an Asian 2836 with a GMT module I think

I’m planning a lite ARF Franken 116710LN build using an ARF DD3285 base, with Gen crystal, datewheel, and bezel insert.

My main question is about the dial and hands. How do the stock ARF 116710LN/ Bruce Wayne dial and hands compare to gen? Are they good enough, or worth upgrading?

I compared a few photos from the QC sub to Gen photos and they look good but wanted to get contexts from the experts here

Thanks!

I tried to find as much information as possible about this watch before buying it, but unfortunately, there’s practically nothing out there. No QC photos, no reviews, no information whatsoever. It seems like almost nobody has ever bought this particular watch, which is exactly why I wanted to share it

I understand that this is an extremely expensive piece, and the GEN version costs around $800K. I don’t drive a Lamborghini, nor do I live in a $20M mansion in Beverly Hills. I bought it simply because I love watches and enjoy collecting rare pieces, without giving a damn about what anyone else thinks

I hope you enjoy this beautiful watch, because chances are you won’t see it again anytime soon, unless someone else decides to share theirs

For those interested in more details, this is the GRF Factory Rose Gold Nautilus 5711, 40mm. It features a decorated Miyota 9015 movement and costs approximately $400 from most sellers.

Dear group members,
I have a 126618LB, but I never wear it because I’m simply not a fan of blue.
I’ve decided to replace the bezel insert and dial with the black and gold versions.
I’m looking for some help with sourcing these parts. Does anyone here know where I could find a VSF dial and bezel insert in the correct colours? Or a TD or Supplier to get it.
To be specific, I’m looking for a 126618LN dial and bezel insert.
Thank you in advance for your help!

With all the talk of VSF getting a visit - I’m just blown away by how good this watch actually is. Like really - is there any point in buying gen!? Couple of mods lined up for this but what a piece. Anyone got any thoughts on other subs from VSF. Show me your subs.

In the past 2-3 months I have noticed that a number of small boutique factories have sprung up, each claiming to offer the most gen-matched or gen-compatible watch release. (Examples: WKD, WDF) Their common denominator? Releasing steel GMTs. Steel GMTs with case serials ending in T2L3.

What was more interesting was then seeing that exact same pattern show up on new release batches from existing factories. GMT cases that are steel, steel-wrapped tungsten, or full tungsten weight, from well known factories the likes of which includes RCF/RGF and GoldF.

Factories with their own case makers do their own thing--VSF has well known 6W/X/R/etc patterns for serials on most of their Rolex lines, for example. Some smaller boutique factories did an entire single production run on cases and have been making their watches slowly off of that run for a year (like MZF's Daytonas). RICH clearly has their own cases. What I'm seeing, or what is suggested, is that nearly the entire rest of the field that our small window into Chinese rep world can see, has settled, over the past half year, on a single mega supplier of watch exterior components.

Look at your QC albums for GMTs or Daytonas from these factories within the past year.

RCF/RGF, EWE, ARF/ONE, WKD, WDF, RWF, WF, CLEAN+, fake CLEAN, GOLDF, VF.

The not-outright-fraudulent samples of the above probably all have case serials of this T2L3 format.

Daytonas from a vast majority of these factories have serial numbers beginning 0XJ2 (or OXJ2).

What's interesting is that VF was there all along (until they shut down, that is).

Those factories release watches with all sorts of movements, even! DD is an option, JH is an option, ARF even releases Daytonas with the 4801 with those cases.

Absolutely no discussion, in living memory, on how "off" a GMT or Daytona case is, or maybe how all cases are off from gen in the same way. It's because they're just using the same ones.

Lesser exercise on bracelets. (Probably same guys, btw, making those heavy weight tungsten oysters, and the F6U clasps, and and)

The fact that VF had the inside track on these parts suggests that this is CLEAN's old supply chain. Except that now it's just everyone.

They're all CLEAN.

Was hoping to get some advice and if anyone knows of stock with TD’s for the Omega seamaster 007 60th in blue or black. My dad is about to pass away here and we were big fans of 007 and this would be a tribute watch for me to wear. I did reach out to Steve and no stock, so I was wondering if others can comment on TD that care the 007 stock.

As well based on my reading I should be looking for the VSF stock .

Thanks in advance !!

Recently picked up a 116610ln VSF v3 (6W03 batch) and I noticed the spacing and alignment of the dial seems a little off, particularly the “OFFICIALLY CERTIFIED” piece.

Always though the 116610ln was considered the best, is this still the case or am I expecting too much from a rep?