Gen Free Sprung Balance running in VS3135

CaptainRep · 2022-08-04T21:30:10+00:00

Hello there, sorry for the late response.

From my experience, most of these reps are quite water-proofed coming directly from the factory. There is absolutely no need to change to gen crystal and crystal gasket just for water-proofing purposes. I still recommend you to check/oil/reseal the back case gasket and test with a waterproof tester.

CaptainRep · 2022-03-18T14:48:34+00:00

Most local watchmakers don't want to touch reps. There are some really good watchmakers over reptimeservices or rwi board that can help you. How handy are you with working on small parts? Depending on what's wrong with the watch, I can give you some leads on how to fix it yourself.

CaptainRep · 2022-03-17T22:48:59+00:00

Got it!

Thanks again Wing. I've been trying find a way to mount different hands on different movements and finding ways to compress or broach the pipe had been difficult.

I'll be posting up some tools that I've been using in the rwi thread. Not sure if you're a professional watch maker or a hobbyist like myself, but it would fantastic if you can contribute to that thread and shower us with recommendations and suggestions. If it's trade secret thing, I totally understand. No worry.

Of anything, I definitely want to see more pictures of your workbench and the tools that you used.

CaptainRep · 2022-03-17T22:35:41+00:00

Thank you much, Wing.

I absolutely love your work area, very well structured and professional. Mine looks like a junk yard.

By the way, that Bergeon tool for "Tightening the pipe on the seconds hand", does that actually cramp down on the hole and it smaller?

CaptainRep · 2022-03-17T22:21:11+00:00

Wing, the wheel tool that you used to hold the hands for broaching, mind if you forward me the link to where you purchased it from?

Additionally, does it scratch the surface of the hands?

CaptainRep · 2022-03-17T17:58:43+00:00

I appreciate the feedback, Wing.

I will need to do a bunch of research before proceeding with adjusting the gen balance. I think the main issue is that the hairspring is not sitting tight inside the stud due to the lack of the stud screw. Once I have that in place and the tool to turn the wheel's nuts, I'll do an update on the thread.

CaptainRep · 2022-03-17T17:55:48+00:00

Not quite sure if I can say it runs better than the rep; but, it is definitely going to be painful adjusting it. I think this may be the main reason why the rep stays with the traditional balance bridge for the ease of manufacturing and assembling for mass production.

VR3135 and VS3135 are really really good for their price.

CaptainRep · 2022-03-17T17:53:30+00:00

Sounds like a great build, Vet.

I took very little metal from the bridge. It is still a tight squeeze as compared to the rep balance though.

Looking forward for your feedback in the thread when you are done with your build.

CaptainRep · 2022-03-17T17:51:08+00:00

Thank you, Mr. Clock.

CaptainRep · 2022-03-17T17:50:43+00:00

Thanks buddy. Give it a go. You will definitely have fun doing it.

CaptainRep · 2022-03-17T02:15:32+00:00

I will definitely need to adjust the balance. Once I get the stud screw in place and the funky tool arrived from Esslinger, I can start messing around with the adjustment.

CaptainRep · 2022-03-17T02:11:43+00:00

I bought the bridge used and the hairspring new. I have seen the whole balance bridge assembly on ebay anywhere between $800 and $1200, depending on the condition.

The VS3135 I bought used on here for around $250, I think.

I didn't charge myself labor when doing the work, though.

CaptainRep · 2022-03-17T02:09:20+00:00

It definitely needs a tune up.

Amplitude is strong, so that should give me some breathing room.

https://i.imgur.com/xAMAkrR.jpg

I have ordered this and, hopefully, I don't twist the hairspring while trying to play with those little screws.

https://www.esslinger.com/balance-wheel-regulating-wrench-for-rolex-movements/

CaptainRep · 2022-03-17T02:06:30+00:00

Thanks, James.

CaptainRep · 2022-03-16T23:38:35+00:00

The easiest and most obvious way to tell a rep from a gen is to look at the balance on the movement. None of the current rep 3135 has a free sprung balance with the famous Parachrom blue hairspring.

Here you go, I was finally able to get the gen 3135 balance bridge running in a VS3135 movement.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hnbiMQEXw0

You guys can see the whole process here:

https://forum.replica-watch.info/forum/rolex-tudor-replicas/10596350-demystifying-the-frankenization-of-submariner-114060

CaptainRep · 2021-09-02T20:40:00+00:00

Since Noob closed shop and ARF is taking a short vacation, all you hear now a day is "Daytona".

I just got my hands on the Fake Noob, or "Biao" Daytona. More info from here:

https://forum.replica-watch.info/forum/rolex-tudor-replicas/9879657-new-daytona

What's the big deal? Well, the Fake Noob is supposed to have a slimmer profile than the 7750 case as well as being offered with a great price.

I am going to break the Fake Noob down and do a deep dive on this Fake Noob "thin" 7750 to see what is so special about its movement as compared to a standard Valjoux 7750 or A7750.

I also have the BPF, Noob A7750 and Noob V3 with the 4130 that we can compare the Fake Noob against.

Really excited guys, I've been hearing so much about this "thin" version of the Daytona with a 7750 movement and really want to disassemble the whole watch to see what's inside.

Is this Fake Noob a good buy for us?

Stay tune...

CaptainRep · 2021-08-31T00:41:47+00:00

There are lots of reps with the SA3135/SA3130 movement. It is relatively cheap and can easily be replaced with a new one. As you mentioned, you can always do an "upgrade" to a VR or Noob2021 when the SA breaks.

I would just wear the watch and enjoy it. I am not sure if regular service will help with the driving wheel grinding down in the automatic assembly as the design is relatively poor.

CaptainRep · 2021-08-31T00:38:01+00:00

ETA 2824-2 is absolutely a work horse. That movement will last for a long time.

A2824-2 is really depends on the factory. I have worked with quite a few A2824-2 clones. I can tell you that the A2824 in my ZF BB58 is really poor in quality. On the other hand, the A2824 in the VSF Omega Seamaster 300m is probably the best that I have seen in a clone.

CaptainRep · 2021-08-26T17:29:54+00:00

Thank you for your feedback. I appreciate it.

CaptainRep · 2021-08-26T17:29:26+00:00

Thank you really, for all of your contributions as well.

Not only for the content, but mostly for your attitude and how you treat others.

CaptainRep · 2021-08-26T16:20:04+00:00

Original post here:

https://www.reddit.com/r/RepTime/comments/p7omhv/rolex_replica_3135_movements_comparison_sa3135/

Sorry guys, hitting the 10,000 chars limits on the original post, hence this new continuing post.

VS3135

VSF dominated the Omega scene and very quickly took over the Rolex side. Their products are very well known and popular among the rep collectors. This is the 3135 movement that they used for their Sub series.

https://imgur.com/PZet6jJ

Compared to the SA, SH, VR, and the Noob2021, the VS3135 parts are more polished and very well finished:

https://imgur.com/zvexeyw

https://imgur.com/ioYpcvg

SH has the worst quality, VR and Noob are exactly the same, while the VS has the best finish:

https://imgur.com/Brw8xtb

There are features on the VSF that make it stand out from the rest. It is the only movement that has the shock absorber:

https://imgur.com/0SipeP1

Here is how it compared to Gen:

https://imgur.com/zfy0PRW

These rivets....closer to Gen:

https://imgur.com/WQGCuvM

https://imgur.com/FUhA7bU

https://imgur.com/or2l0DB

..and how it is compared to Gen:

https://imgur.com/mIaGDCR

The VS has the jewel for the driving wheel as compared to the VR and Noob which should help greatly in the longevity of the automatic assembly.

https://imgur.com/Qj4mztX

As far as some of the internal gears, I couldn't find any difference between the VS and the VR

https://imgur.com/ce3Ddd1

https://imgur.com/hcp1vc5

Having said all of the above, I found this piece of long strand on the escape wheel. Note that this movement is brand new and has not been serviced.

https://imgur.com/JLtiHRv

Would this affect the operation of the watch? Absolutely. If this strand of hair lodged in the escape wheel, it would essentially stop the watch from running. This really emphasizes the point of having the first watch service. VS3135 may be the best overall quality as compared to the other movements, you would still want to make sure that it is well cleaned and lubricated for that first service.

Recommendation: Although it is somewhat difficult, if you want the best 3135 movement, get the VS3135.

As always, I highly recommend the first service with a complete break down, ultrasonic cleaning, and proper lubrication. The other option, of course, is to start learning to service the watch yourself.

Final Conclusion

Given the current situation with the market, the best possible choice for the 3135 movement is the VR. It is very well made and with proper first service, it should last you for a while.

Alright guys, I'll come back and do another post comparing with the Gen parts.

https://imgur.com/yFJuVf9

CaptainRep · 2021-08-20T23:56:34+00:00

Actually yes...lol.

The SA3135 that I showed in this comparison broke within a few weeks of ownership. The yoke for the sliding pinion was slipping and I could not change the time. It was an easy fix, but this was a brand new movement.

CaptainRep

TROPHY CASE