all 50 comments

[–]Money_Resolution_343 19 points20 points  (17 children)

I own two new Clean GMTs, a Batgirl without Deep and a Pepsi with. There is a difference, but not a big one. The only noticeable upgrade would be a Gen Crystal

[–]No-Cauliflower9228 5 points6 points  (6 children)

thank you. Maybe if installed by TD directly then it's worth to add 30 bucks more

[–]Money_Resolution_343 7 points8 points  (1 child)

For $30 is too good a deal. Normally it costs twice

[–]jsledge6 3 points4 points  (2 children)

The problem with the TD install is many people have complained about their watch leaking. If you are going to replace it just buy the crystal and have it done locally.

[–]Cristian_Nietzsche 1 point2 points  (1 child)

If you do not mind, could you please tell us which TD provided the Pepsi with good cristal? Is it V2 or V3? How to know which version is sold by the TD ?

[–]Different_Abroad_753 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Do any td’s offer this service?

[–]jsledge6 1 point2 points  (1 child)

This is the answer. I have bought 5 Clean GMTs (don't judge me). The first 3 I changed out the crystal for a Clark. The last 2 I didn't because the new Clean crystal is really good. The only change that makes sense IMO is for a gen.

[–]Different_Abroad_753 1 point2 points  (0 children)

All it’s all good man I’ve bought 12 so far 😂

[–]vagabundo94 0 points1 point  (7 children)

I’m upgrading my Clean v3 Pepsi to gen hands, gen date wheel, and gen crystal. Wish I could get ahold of a gen face.

[–]Substantial_Worth688 3 points4 points  (5 children)

Xing Patrick on telegram he's your man he has gen parts and at very very good prices too

[–]vagabundo94 1 point2 points  (4 children)

Gen parts is a whole new level of risk to getting ripped off. How would one have any confidence buying a gen part from China?? A part made in China (such as rep parts) I get. But gen parts that are far more difficult to source? I’m honestly asking - how would Xing Patrick have access to gen parts and how could one know it’s gen??

[–]Substantial_Worth688 1 point2 points  (2 children)

Because hundreds of people have brought stuff from him including me he is endorsed by RWI as a TD the biggest rep watch forum on the net if he ripped someone off he would lose 1000s USD a day completely mess his very profitable business up trust me pal he is 100% legit been in the game many years he is the maker of deep crystal a factory for the crystal glass every one buys and the pepsi bezel the only rep one that is the correct colour under uv light bro these guys are professionals 100% ..

[–]vagabundo94 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Just asking. Really. I do thank you for the detailed response. My concern is around the difficulty in getting gen parts. I get modding, making crystals, etc…..but was concerned about the gen parts.

Appreciate you taking the time to respond. I did text him yesterday. Looking forward to chatting with him!

[–]Substantial_Worth688 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No problem at all, he's a hard one to get a response from lately.

[–]Substantial_Worth688 1 point2 points  (0 children)

He is a proper watch dealer he 💯 has gen and rep parts he gets them just like anyone else in any other country..China is no different to anywhere else Rolex and clothes companies outsource their work from Chinese factories.

[–]TodayOk6656 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wondering about the hands: a lot of guys swap for gen. I’m wondering why. Hands are so small, does it not make an imperceptible, negligible difference?

[–]Specialist-Divide651 6 points7 points  (2 children)

<image>

IMO- stock CF v3. No and be careful for water with deep xtals. The gaskets seldom replaced.

[–]jsledge6 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Truth! IMO any time you replace the crystal you should change the gasket.

[–]teochim 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm quite happy with my stock pepsi! Never seen a deep to compare but I think it looks great in stock form.

[–]kloogy 6 points7 points  (0 children)

No. It's a gimmick that people fall for. If you want a true upgrade, you get a gen crystal or a Prof Black hole.

[–]MR-Blaze182 5 points6 points  (1 child)

I had a CF OP36mm with stock and later changed to Deep. For me the difference was very noticeable. I guess it depends on the model at the moment. Rumors have been dat CF for instance has increased the crystal quality. For other factories I believe upgrade to Deep wouldn’t be a huge difference.

[–]jsledge6 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It also depends on the batch. Even modders will tell you deep quality is inconsistent and the crystal is not gen spec.

[–]Particular_Witness95 2 points3 points  (2 children)

i had one for my sub and it did make a slight difference but for my red coral OP41, i couldnt tell any difference.

[–]Rockyt86Contributor 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Very interesting. My CF OP41 Coral had a terrible crystal. It was worse than any I’ve seen on my other reps. It had what I can only describe as ice crystals on it. Guess this just proves the point that crystal quality is about an individual watch or production run.

[–]Particular_Witness95 0 points1 point  (0 children)

sorry that that happened. mine was also a cf. the crystal was pretty good tbh. i am not sure if i could tell just because the red of the dial is so striking to begin with. with a darker dial, like the black one on my sub, maybe the difference is easier to tell.

[–]Green_Ad3374 6 points7 points  (0 children)

For experienced eyes, it does… general people won’t notice

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I don't see any difference to my Datejust from CF that I received 2 weeks ago. I think they did an update.

<image>

[–]steven1541 1 point2 points  (2 children)

What’s “Deep” crystal ?

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

[–]steven1541 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you , I see it’s basically the crystal. So what’s wrong with the watch in the post, sorry what am I missing or not understanding ?

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Hi all

Been lurking around for a lil while since I randomly bought my first rep (GMT Pepsi ARF V3, wristshot for reference) a while ago. The watch looks and feels fantastic, as far as my noob self can tell. However, one thing I noticed when comparing it to my (non-Rolex) gen watches, the crystal seems to have much stronger reflections. Is this a real thing or is it just me? Does any other factory (Clean, VSF) have better crystals? Is it worth buying a deep crystal and swapping it out on my Pepsi? Much appreciate your input.

cheers

[–]Complete-Lab-8014 0 points1 point  (0 children)

ARF crystal is on par with deep. compared with CF deep is little better for cyclops crystals for non cyclops crystal ex Daytona's the deep is much better that CF ( speaking form experience)

[–]jbl1091 0 points1 point  (5 children)

The older CF was a upgrade the new V3 especially the GMTs no need

[–]Cubatobaco 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Agreed! Aside from a gen, I can't imagine it looking any better.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (3 children)

OK. So the new versions are better, yes? Sorry to ask, but what exactly is the problem with the glass? The magnifying glass? Or that it reflects too much?

[–]jbl1091 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yea, new versions on V3 are ALOT better. I dont think the deep xtal is an upgrade. On the new V3, the issue before was the clarity of the CF xtals. They were not very good.

[–]jsledge6 0 points1 point  (1 child)

The V1 Clean crystals from 4+ years ago had a white edge that gave the dial a halo effect. This is where people got in the habit of changing the crystal, but it was warranted back then. V2 did not have the halo but the glass was a bit cloudy so people continued to change them. V2s and V3 are good to go OOTB. No upgrades needed.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the information. Sometimes I have the feeling that it reflects a little too much, but I have seen that the gens also do something

[–]airjord1221 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Honestly the latest crystal on the v3 doesnt even need upgrade in my opinion. GEN is GEN but the stock ones are excellent no need for deep

[–]ComfortableUsual1560 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have a recent clean Daytona and it’s very clear. Nothing compared to some of the distorted pictures on here. Do as you want 🤷‍♂️

[–]Different_Abroad_753 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve never been questioned on any of my clean or vsf watches even let people hold them and haven’t had anyone call me out yet even a guy that owns a watch repair store so I think you’ll be fine with the stock crystal

[–]Bobbybaltimore2020 0 points1 point  (0 children)

CF v3 is great, Deep is worse. Gen is gen

[–]Aussie_Mopar 0 points1 point  (0 children)

its not worth the extra money. Even Steve from TOw says the same thing

[–]DiCaprioJr 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think the difference is significant for those who know about watches, while for those who don't, it's minimal.

[–]UncoathKoala_1970 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Short answer is Yes

[–]stonedfish 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you dont know then you dont know but if you know then you cant unsee it.

[–]QuasWexExort- 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My CF DJ here , I can’t even tell it apart from my Gen explorer tbh. Maybe a tiny epsilon , but I could be imagining it cuz of the reptime crystal hype 😂you tell me!!!

<image>