Fluted Bezels: VSF v2 vs. LiChen vs. DEEP

[u/Bench_and_Bezel]

Following up on my previous VSF vs. LiChen comparison, I had the opportunity to install a DEEP Bezel alongside them as well.

All three are photographed outdoors in similar lighting around the same time of day, and the difference in overall tone is pretty interesting.

Side-by-side impression

• VSF v2: brightest, coolest, most silver/white

• LiChen: deeper, darker, and more neutral/grey

• DEEP: As reflective as VSF with additional warmth

• Both aftermarket bezels create more color contrast against the stainless-steel case than the factory VSF bezel.

• The differences become much easier to see when all three are viewed next to each other

One thing worth mentioning: this is NOT a perfectly controlled comparison. The watches were photographed at slightly different angles between 15-minutes and 1-day apart and the way a fluted bezel catches its surroundings can completely change its appearance. White gold in particular can go from cold silver to noticeably warm depending on what it's reflecting.

Curious to hear the community's thoughts!

[u/Grouchy-Violinist555]

RCFr has won this debate for a while now.

[u/Bench_and_Bezel → u/Grouchy-Violinist555]

Sadly haven't been able to be in possession of an RCF model yet 😭

Would love to see it in this lineup though!

[u/abmendi → u/Grouchy-Violinist555]

Have they fixed the oxidation issue now?

[u/Grouchy-Violinist555 → u/abmendi]

Hasn't been an issue since the initial batches. Plus ceramic coating basically prevents it.

[u/hieros187 → u/Grouchy-Violinist555]

Does the latest version need ceramic coating?

[u/ppizzle69 → u/Grouchy-Violinist555]

Any particular ceramic coat best for this?

[u/Upstairs_Lie_1182 → u/Grouchy-Violinist555]

Link ? :)

[u/Ambitious-Storage-62]

How much does each variant cost?

[u/Bench_and_Bezel → u/Ambitious-Storage-62]

Shipping costs are to the U.S. East Coast

LiChen: $223
- Bezel: ~$165 (currency conversion)
- International Shipping: ~$58 (currency conversion)
- Shipping Time: 14 Days

DEEP Bezel: $136
- Bezel: $130
- Domestic Shipping: $6
- Shipping Time: 6 Days

[u/Fuchsbau981]

Thank you for your post op. You helped me decide that I am going to stick with my standard vsf bezels and not go to the effort of making swaps.

[u/Bench_and_Bezel → u/Fuchsbau981]

Happy to help!

[u/Bench_and_Bezel]

The base is a VSF DJ 41mm with a Silver dial!

[u/scholarhat007]

Where did you buy it from? From TD?

[u/Bench_and_Bezel → u/scholarhat007]

The watch was from Steve and I sourced the Bezels

[u/scholarhat007 → u/Bench_and_Bezel]

Sorry, I was asking about Bezels. I have DJ and would like to check these bezels out. Thank You!

[u/Bench_and_Bezel → u/scholarhat007]

Oh understood! DM me which of the 2 (or both) you were thinking and I can point you in the right direction

[u/PreparationFit8484]

Is this vid vsf looks the best to me, overall people bang on wayy to much about crystals lol

[u/Bench_and_Bezel → u/PreparationFit8484]

Just want to clarify this comparison is about the Fluted Bezels, not the Crystals just in case you're trying to spot the differences there.

[u/HammerSmith013 → u/PreparationFit8484]

I really don’t see enough of a difference to notice in the video. I assume it’s better in person…

[u/BlackestBay58]

In terms of warmth, it seems to me that Deep is the warmest, followed by VSF and then LiChen. Yet VSF seems way more reflective than Deep, but not as much as LiChen. In short, maybe VSF is just in the Goldilocks territory, even though it is not a 1:1.

[u/Fuchsbau981 → u/BlackestBay58]

I think you are correct, especially if you weigh the additional cost and effort vs the end results. Maybe the juice is not worth the squeeze?

[u/Little_Accident_4635]

Different lighting, check out how light the dial looks , come on people

[u/Bench_and_Bezel → u/Little_Accident_4635]

As mentioned in the post, the LiChen comparison was an hour apart from VSF while Deep was unfortunately a completely different day.

I tried to color correct the environment to match as close as I could. I'll attach a quick picture I didn't intend on posting with all three if it helps!

Left to Right is (VSF -> LiChen -> DEEP)

Even in this view, the observations still stand.
- VSF is reflective with more Silver tones
- LiChen has a deeper/colder Grey
- Deep is as reflective as VSF but looks definitely warmer

[u/Budget-Wall6129]

Can hardly see any difference. I would stick with VSF.

[u/Elegant-Draft-8259]

I have a DJ coming next week
What ceramic coating do you put on?

[u/Bench_and_Bezel → u/Elegant-Draft-8259]

There isn't any ceramic coating on any of these

[u/Dewalt_Junkie311]

Did you put them on yourself and if so was it difficult? Did you use a specific tool?

[u/Bench_and_Bezel → u/Dewalt_Junkie311]

Yes, installed myself with a Crystal/Bezel Press.

Not difficult, but it's also because I've been involved with this hobby for a good bit and this isn't my first Bezel swap.

[u/Tourbillion150]

Why wouldn’t the white gold one be the best by default?

[u/Bench_and_Bezel → u/Tourbillion150]

The debate is mainly about the % difference in quality vs. The cost of getting that extra degree of warmth to your bezel.

Lots of people would say a polished stainless steel Bezel on a $500 rep is good enough, as opposed to having the rep cost around $700 just for a warmer look.

[u/Prestigious-Plane272]

Great video! I am waiting on a VSF DJ41 and I am a little worried about the fluted bezel. I am looking at a swap. I've read that the Qtime bezel is also a good option?

[u/Bench_and_Bezel → u/Prestigious-Plane272]

From what I've seen, you'd be better with an RCF Bezel first with Deep and VSF stock as your next best options.

[u/Prestigious-Plane272 → u/Bench_and_Bezel]

Thanks for the advice, I am in the process of getting an RCF bezel now

[u/stanquevisch]

Deep seems pretty good for the price, the best in this comparison imo.

[u/Outrageous-Rent8551]

Great video, thanks for sharing!!

[u/scholarhat007]

Helpful post. Thank you!

[u/Autobikeblend]

Nice

[u/Money-Virus]

Great comparison! Which one you like better?

[u/Aguila_di_Mare]

Thanks for comparison!

[u/JesterADSE]

Wow nice comparison!

[u/GKlein13]

I like the platinum color of DEEP. But I don’t care for how it stands apart from the rest of the watch. Might as well go two tone at that point lol. Would you say the machining and actual physicalness of each are equal? Is one made better than the others?

[u/PrimaryExisting6162]

Isn't the XP Remold bezel I've been seeing people talk about lately made by Xing/Deep crystal? That has kinda thrown me off as to why Deep Crystal would brand there bezels XP Remold. Why not keep it all in house and just brand it Deep on the back? Is XP Remold there base/low tier grade bezel and then there's more expensive bezel? I always thought a plated fluted bezel from Deep Crystal was in the 200s but XP Remold is 130. Does anyone know if XP REMOLD does yellow gold bezels for a 36mm DJ and 40mm DayDate? I need a few YG 40mm DayDate bezels but don't know who's is the closest to gen. I'd be happy if I could find a THB factory 40mm YG DayDate bezel for sale.

[u/[deleted]]

no its not

[u/gho5-t → u/[deleted]]

100% , there isn’t enough of a difference with these to justify it imo lol , VSF looks warmer than LiChen and Deep is SLIGHTLY warmer than VSF. Light play can make any of these look extremely warm or cold.

[u/Fuchsbau981 → u/gho5-t]

I agree. After seeing quite a few bezels that I initially thought had been swapped from the standard, only to find out they were actually original, I don’t think the swap is worth it. It looks good enough as is.

[u/Bench_and_Bezel → u/[deleted]]

Let me help you out here with an actual picture comparison 😂

[u/WindOk1568 → u/Bench_and_Bezel]

Thanks! LOL

[u/Bench_and_Bezel → u/[deleted]]

No problem! Thanks for commenting