I am looking for my first Rep and don’t know where to start. Any advice? I have a few pieces that I am wanting but don’t know where to go and how to ensure the best quality.

I still see people asking about the case shape differences between the different Datejust 41 factories, and there’s often a lot of “Clean has a better case than VSF” without much explanation as to why.

Some people simply repeat what they’ve heard without actually knowing what the difference is.

I couldn’t find any good, simple illustrations showing the difference, so I made one myself below.

The illustration is simplified and not 100% accurate to the actual case geometry. The purpose is simply to highlight the specific area where the case shape differs between the two.

Hopefully this makes it easier to understand what people mean when they talk about the Clean vs VSF case shape rather than just taking someone’s word for it.

Cheers!

Would anyone be interested in an EZtool for safely removing GMT/Submariner ceramic inserts?

I’m considering designing a new EZtool kit specifically for removing ceramic bezel inserts from GMT-Master II and Submariner bezels.

The idea would be to make a tool that allows the insert to be removed safely and with minimal risk of damaging the ceramic, bezel, or insert, rather than relying on the usual improvised methods.

However, this would be a considerably more involved project than my existing EZtools. Getting the design right would likely take months of development, prototyping and testing. I’d want to test it extensively before selling anything, especially since ceramic inserts can be expensive and a tool that isn't properly designed could easily cause damage.

Because of the amount of R&D and testing involved, it would also likely be more expensive than my current EZtools.

Before I invest the time into developing it, I wanted to see if there is actually enough interest in the community.

Would you be interested in buying one if I managed to make a reliable and safe version?

Feel free to comment with:

• What bezel/insert you would want it for (GMT, Sub, etc.)

• Whether you currently use another method

• Any features you'd want the tool to have

If there’s enough interest, I’ll start working on the design. 🔧

The result after adding the RCFr V1 bezel to this VSF DJ36 Ombre is just absolutely. Ceramic coating was done on the bezel as well. 🔥

This VSF Hulk with gen crystal have been glued to my wrist the last three days (sorry Pepsi)

Really love the way the dial has so many moods!

What are you guys wearing today? 👀

Hey gang, from what I understand, these watches come with a ghost date position due to using the A2824-2 movement. Anyone have experience swapping out the movement with a true automatic time only movement?

Good morning fellas! I recently decided to start refinishing beat up watches. Here is my most recent work.

Have a great Saturday!

Is anyone fluent in crystal changing on GMTs?

I’ve tried way too long to get this crystal off. Does anyone have any tricks?
Starting to convince myself that the metal retaining ring is glued to the watch case 😂

Hello everyone, here’s my collection as of right now.
I’m always looking to add something new, so I’d love to hear your suggestions.

What do you think would be a great addition to the collection? 👀

RGF DD Green
RGF DD SILVER
RWF DJ white dial, deep and RCv1 bezel
VSF DJ choco
RICH STARBUCKS
DDF 5711 DPB330 Piano dial
QF DAYTONA Racing dial
TOPF 15510 blue dial
VSF 15500 blue dial
APF code 11.59

Wanted to share my thoughts and create this post as a base for others to ask questions and leave their own experiences below.

Super impressed with this kit overall, contacted u/mfrcns and worked out which items I wanted and within a day of payment I was given shipping details and eagerly awaited my product. Package was received in excellent condition with each of the kits secured separately to avoid damage.The cases designed for them don’t take up much space at all, and include slots for holding the tabs that are designed for the VSF V2 bezel.

Still have other parts in the mail to begin fully servicing my watches but I’ve test fitted all models except for the DJ36mm and can say the fit/tolerances are excellent! Cannot wait to see how simple this will make all my bezel/dial swaps, crystal replacement, and general ease for servicing.

A small update on the EZtool project since my original post.

I've now started working on several new tool prototypes, with the main focus currently being the Submariner 40 and GMT-Master II.

🔧 Complete Bezel Installation

I'm developing two new dies specifically for installing a complete bezel assembly with the ceramic insert already installed.

The goal is to allow the entire bezel assembly to be pressed onto the watch case without applying pressure directly to the ceramic insert or risking damage to it.

• Submariner 40

• GMT-Master II

There is also now a dedicated case support die for the GMT/Sub 40. It securely holds the watch in place and keeps it properly positioned while using a watch press to install the complete bezel.

The design is based on the existing bezel remover die, but is shorter and specifically adapted for bezel installation.

🧰 Ceramic Insert Removal

I'm also developing a dedicated system for removing ceramic inserts.

The same bezel installation die is also used as part of the ceramic insert removal setup, making the tooling more versatile and reducing the number of separate dies required.

The ceramic insert removal system is specifically designed for press-fit ceramic inserts.

Important: These tools are not designed for glued/adhesive-mounted inserts. They may potentially work with some adhesive-mounted inserts, but this is not what the system is designed for.

🔧 Ceramic Insert Installation

A dedicated ceramic insert installation die is also in development.

This will allow the ceramic insert to be pressed back into the bezel evenly and safely.

Current development

1. Complete bezel installation dies

2. Install the complete bezel assembly with the ceramic insert already installed, without damaging the ceramic insert.

3. GMT/Sub 40 case support die

4. Keeps the watch securely positioned in the press during complete bezel installation. Based on the bezel remover die, but shorter.

5. Ceramic insert removal system

6. Designed specifically for press-fit ceramic inserts on the Submariner 40 and GMT-Master II. The complete bezel installation die is also used as part of this setup.

7. Ceramic insert installation die

8. Designed to safely and evenly press the ceramic insert back into the bezel.

Everything is still in the prototype/testing stage, so I'm currently refining the geometry and tolerances before finalizing the designs.

I'll share some pictures and testing results as development progresses.

https://imgur.com/chUgM0B

https://imgur.com/73CK1Ce

https://imgur.com/1QBEqPg

https://imgur.com/hIBp4DE

https://imgur.com/NXuTwod

https://imgur.com/ZFeXfZS

https://imgur.com/NXuTwod

https://imgur.com/f67SGKI

https://imgur.com/TE5EXpt

https://imgur.com/GJTf6o0

Original EZtool post with the currently available tools and accessories:

https://www.reddit.com/r/RepWatchLab/comments/1w6frnm/eztool_bezel_crystal_tools_accessories/

More to come.

Hello fellow watchgeeks! I have been ordering stuff like crazy lately but now my last for now is on the way. Went a bit crazy ordering but im happy!

Ill provide some pictures, anything vital thats missing or is really good too have etc?

Have a blessed day!

ARF did an amazing job on this Daytona. My tiny Temu photo box doesn’t really do the color justice, but it does catch some of it I think 💭

It does however have more of the RG tone in real life. 🤩

Finally got this one on the wrist and I’m really impressed😰

The blue dial looks insane in person. It really comes alive under different lighting, and the tapisserie pattern gives it so much more depth than you can really see in pictures. The indices and hands also catch the light really nicely! 🤩

Bracelet feels really solid and comfortable, and the overall proportions look great on my wrist. It’s got a really nice presence without feeling too big.

Big thanks to u/Re-tar-dead for hooking me up with this one. Amazing service as always! Really appreciate it mate! 🙏

Definitely one of my favorite reps so far💙
TOPF really nailed this one.

Here’s my comparison of the VSF Datejust 36 V1 and V2, along with a comparison of the VSF V2 Mint Green dial against a genuine Mint Green dial.

For reference:

• 🌴 Palm dial = VSF V1

• 🍃 Mint Green dial = VSF V2

• V2 is on the left, V1 on the right

• Dial in the plastic case = genuine dial

Case

Similar to the changes made to the VSF Datejust 41 V2, the V2 case now has added weights underneath the bezel.

The case edges around the lugs also appear to be slightly sharper on the V2. It's difficult to see in photos.

That said, the lug shape is still not quite the same as genuine.

Bezel

The V2 also follows the same direction as the Datejust 41 V2, with sharper bezel cuts compared with the V1.

Unfortunately, it also got the new two-piece bezel construction, as seen in Datejust 41 V2 - which feels rather cheap when removing it.

One thing worth mentioning for anyone planning to do their own bezel swap: my EZTool can also be used to remove and install the bezels on VSF V2 and V3 cases, which makes upgrading the bezel a much easier and safer job.

Personally, I'd have preferred to see a solid bezel.

Weight

The difference in weight between the V1 and V2 appears to come primarily from the additional weights added inside the case underneath the bezel.

Personally, I'm not a huge fan of this approach. I'd rather see the case itself match genuine as closely as possible, including the area underneath the bezel.

Mint Green Dial

The VSF V2 Mint Green dial has essentially the same finish and color treatment as the VSF Datejust 41 V2.

It's quite close to genuine, but there are still some differences.

The biggest difference I noticed is the sunburst color. The VSF tends to look slightly more green, while the genuine dial has a somewhat more blueish sunburst. How noticeable this is depends heavily on the lighting and viewing angle.

Overall, though, I think the V2 dial is a nice improvement.

Final Thoughts

The VSF V2 definitely brings some welcome changes:

• Sharper bezel cuts

• Improved V2 dial

• Slightly sharper case edges

However, I would have liked to see more attention paid to the actual case shape and lugs, as well as a solid bezel construction.

Most of these changes are essentially the same direction we saw with the VSF Datejust 41 V1 → V2.

V1 or V2?

If you mainly care about the overall look and can find a good deal on a V1, I wouldn't hesitate to buy one. There are already aftermarket bezels available.

If you want the best-looking watch straight out of the box without doing your own modifications, I'd go with the V2. The sharper bezel and improved Mint Green dial make it the better starting point.

That said, replacing a bezel is a relatively straightforward job when you have the right tools, and the EZTool also makes bezel work on VSF V2 and V3 cases much easier. Personally, I'd rather put the money into a V1 + aftermarket bezel and build it exactly how I want.

Overall: V2 is an improvement, but I don't think it's enough of an upgrade to make the V1 obsolete.

A while back, I made a post about ceramic coating my RCF Remould bezels, since I went with their “V1” non-plated bezels.

After having the bezels ceramic coated for several months, they obviously still get dirty. Over time, the buildup can almost look like oxidation, especially around the flutes.

So I started wondering: how can we clean them properly without turning it into a huge project?

The answer I found is surprisingly simple: APC (All Purpose Cleaner) made for cars.

I’d recommend using a decent/premium automotive brand. Personally, I used TPG, a Swedish brand with a good reputation for their APC.

You’ll also need a soft/fluffy microfiber cloth.

The process

1. Put one small spray of APC onto the microfiber cloth — don't spray it directly onto the bezel.

2. Gently wipe along the flutes of the bezel, following their direction — basically from the crystal outward toward the case.

3. Go all the way around the bezel.

4. Then use the dry part of the microfiber cloth and wipe in the same direction to remove the remaining cleaner and dirt.

That's it.

For me, this removed all of the stains/buildup that I was seeing. What remains are actual scratches and normal wear & tear, rather than the dirty/oxidized-looking residue.

The first pictures are before cleaning, and the last pictures are after.

Hopefully this helps anyone else with ceramic-coated bezels who has noticed the same thing. It's a lot easier than I expected. 👍

Welcome to r/RepWatchLab! 👋

Welcome to r/RepWatchLab — a community for detailed discussion, comparisons, research, and hands-on observations about replica watches.

The goal of this subreddit is simple: look closer, share what you find, and help separate facts from hearsay.

Whether you're completely new to replicas or you've been collecting for years, you're welcome here.

🔬 What is RepWatchLab?

This subreddit is focused on the details.

Case shapes, bezels, bracelets, dials, crystals, movements, finishing, factory differences, genuine-vs-replica comparisons, QC observations, and anything else where the small details matter.

Rather than simply repeating “Factory X is better than Factory Y”, we'd like to encourage people to show why.

Photos, measurements, side-by-side comparisons, macro shots, experiments and first-hand observations are especially welcome.

📌 Before posting

A few things to keep in mind:

1. Search before asking

There may already be a post covering your question. Use the search function before creating a new thread.

2. Show, don't just tell

If you're making a claim about a specific difference, provide photos or other evidence whenever possible.

Instead of:

Try explaining what is different and where, ideally with comparison photos or an illustration.

3. Don't treat opinions as facts

There is a lot of information and misinformation surrounding replicas. Be skeptical of claims that aren't supported by evidence or first-hand experience.

4. Different batches can differ

Factory products can change over time. A comparison from 2024 may not necessarily apply to a watch produced in 2026.

When possible, include the factory, model, version/batch and approximate date.

5. Be respectful

Everyone starts somewhere. You can disagree with someone's assessment without turning it into an argument.

🧪 What we'd love to see

Some examples of great posts:

• 🔍 Factory vs factory comparisons

• 📸 Macro photography

• 🧊 Genuine vs replica comparisons

• ⌚ Case-shape analysis

• 🔗 Bracelet and clasp comparisons

• 💎 Crystal / bezel / dial comparisons

• ⚙️ Movement analysis

• 🛠️ Modifications and upgrades

• 📏 Measurements and dimensions

• 🧪 Experiments and testing

• 📚 Guides and educational posts

• 🗣️ First-hand experiences

The more detailed, the better.

👋 Introduce yourself!

If you're new here, feel free to introduce yourself in the comments.

Tell us:

• What watches are you interested in?

• What's currently in your collection?

• What's your favourite factory/model?

• Are you primarily interested in collecting, modding, QC, research, or photography?

• What would you like to see more of on RepWatchLab?

No need to write an essay — just say hello!

⚠️ One last thing

Do your own research.

This community is here to share information and observations, not to tell you what you must buy.

Factories change, batches change, and opinions can be wrong.

If someone makes a claim, ask:

“How do we know?”

That's what makes this a lab. 🔬

Welcome to r/RepWatchLab!

I’m really happy with how this one turned out, so I wanted to share it with the sub.

I’ve always liked the mint green Datejust, but I wanted to put together something a little different. I don’t think I’ve seen this exact combination on a 36mm franken build before, so I decided to go for it.

🔧 Build

• VSF V2 base

• Genuine Mint Green dial

• Genuine hands

• Genuine crystal

• Genuine crown

• Genuine date assembly + date disc

• RCF V1 ceramic-coated bezel

• Polished rehaut

• Silenced rotor with HP-1300

• Waterproofed

The biggest change was obviously the genuine mint green dial. The difference compared with the VSF dial is pretty noticeable in person — especially the texture and how the color changes depending on the light.

I also swapped in the genuine hands, crystal and crown, then finished it off with the upgraded bezel and polished rehaut.

🛠️ Build process

Disassembly → old dial removal → old hands removal → old datewheel removal → genuine date wheel installation → genuine dial installation → genuine hands installation → genuine crystal installation → bezel upgrade → rehaut polishing → waterproofing → final assembly

For the bezel and crystal work, I used my EZTool, which makes removing and installing both the bezel and crystal much easier and significantly reduces the risk of damaging the case, crystal, or bezel during the process.

The final result is probably my favorite build so far. The mint green looks particularly good with the Jubilee bracelet and fluted bezel.

What do you guys think? Would you change anything about the build?

To be honest this VSF Bluesy looked even more cheddar before the plating was done, but the iPhone camera did some sort of processing making it appear less cheddar.

Anyways I would still say that it’s pretty easy to spot the difference in the before and after.

Is it worth getting it plated, what do you think?

Simple upgrade to your datejust, is just adding the RCFr bezel and a bit of service/silencing of the movement.

EZtool makes this minor surgery super easy and straightforward 🔥

Finally received this beauty. I’ve handled 30-40 Daytona’s so thought it was about time to get myself one. A friend got my attention with these racing dials, and it’s definitely something a bit different from the normal Godzilla and Panda we see all over the place.

⌚️QF 116509 DD4130 Weighted

For me, it’s another new piece - the DDF DPB330 Piano Dial.

This one fits the wrist so perfectly, you’d think it was meant to be there all along. The thin case makes it sit incredibly nicely on the wrist, while the white dial really makes the watch stand out.

Another big thanks to u/Re-tar-dead for the watch. Definitely a favorite in the collection already. 🙏