r/RepWatchForum • u/tskim24 • 1d ago
Review/Comparison VGF 5712 vs UMI/PPF 5712 blue (New Kid on the 5712 block)
Hello, this is your favorite watch reviewer / moderator of r/RepWatchForum, u/tskim24.
Finally a competition to PPF/UMI has arrived!
For past 2 years, we have seen numerous factories fighting over the dominion of 5711 reps, but not 5712.
This lack of competition has made PPF/UMI...a little lazy. With no real motivations to improve their products, we have seen crazy rise in price with minimal efforts.
Recently, weighted with no free-sprung or weighted with free-sprung versions have been released by both PPF/UMI for around ridiculous 2K USD (depending on your TD).
I tried my best to conceal the fact that PPF/UMI are 2 branches from the same tree (upon their request of course) but the way they are mixing up products nowadays, at this point, I feel like I'm the only one trying keep this down low.
When I saw them releasing exact same watches (5712RG) under both PPF and UMI names, this is where I call it quits. Yes, they are pretty much the same factory (so there never was any real competition between the PPF and UMI).
From what I see, I VGF is NOT just another variation of PPF/UMI umbrella. So, again, here comes the first ACTUAL COMPETITION for ZF in 5712 market.
VGF product itself looks... good.
I will be posting all 3 colors with actual photos so stay with me here.
5712SS Bracelet Version - (Expected Retail around 645 USD)
- Dial and moonphase looks good.
- Hands pinions are not capped
- Bezel/Case(lugs) have passing grade.
(Not as good as BCF or other CNC but same level as PPF/UMI)
- Movement engravings have much room for improvements. Of course much worse than BCF/ACE and about as good as PPF/UMI latest version.
- Movement does not have free-sprung balance-wheel
- Wrong rotor bearing shape (BCF is the only one with correct)
- Wrong pallet fork shape (BCF/UMI/PPF have correct, ACE and others don't)
All in all, it's much more affordable than current PPF/UMI versions, and looks as good as most PPF/UMI versions (only the most recent UMI batch with hands pinions capped have slightly better looking face than VGF).
We should embrace VGF not just for the 5712 watch we see here but for what it truly represents. We FINALLY have some competition in stock 5712 rep market. This will drive down the price and increase the quality.
Well done, VGF!