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jpohl402

Ceramic Divers: H-Fac vs. V6F. Comparison, Photos, Custom Build with JF Parts! PICS!!

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jpohl402

Greetings all,

I wanted a Ceramic Diver but not one factory makes the best one (in my eyes.) Overall though, H-Fac wins!!

However, I didn’t like the non-decorated movement, nor did I like the lack of bezel screw O-rings for water resistance, as I would be swimming with this watch.

Therefore, I decided to make a mash-up, with parts from all three factories (H-Fac, V6F, and JF plus some Swiss parts for good measure.)

 

 

Here is the build list:

1. V6F case and bezel (bezel brushed with diamond grit sandpaper to achieve vertical lines and match the brushing of case.)

 

2. Complete V6F movement (which has correct deco plate) and Caseback, which IS slightly thicker than H-Factory’s caseback, and therefore not Per Gen anymore (H-Fac is spot on), however the slightly thicker V6F caseback was needed to accommodate the deco plate and rotor! Therefore, in my world, a necessary evil. This does not bother me! Others would prefer a non-deco mvmt but correct thickness caseback. To each their own!

 

3. H-Fac dial, hands, inner bezel, and datewheel….. Dial, hands, inner bezel ARE CLEAR WINNERS above JF and V6F, as they are the correct matte color (dial) and correct orange color (hands + inner bezel.)

These are H-Fac’s best qualities, by far! No other maker makes the correct matte dial, and who wants a watch with incorrect glossy dial?? ;)

P.S. The H-Fac datewheel IS incorrect for AP’s Ceramic Diver series (old-style font with flat-top 4’s), however I prefer it because it has more character and looks better. Therefore, I included it in my build. That’s okay with me that it is incorrect!

 

4. JF Diver V7 Crystal.... BEST Crystal, and MOST Gen Like!! Sure, Double AR ones are nice but they are less gen-like. No thanks, Not my cup of tea. Plus, I actually like a slight bit of reflection on my crystals. Call me strange. Note: This sits 0.2mm higher than the H-Factory crystal. Oh well, doesn’t bother me. I prefer a slightly raised crystal anyway. All good!

 

5. PROF’s awesome colorless Cyclops. I like being able to see the date clearly. Other makers cyclops are not up to par. However, I WOULD have also used a JF Diver V7 cyclops (happily), but none were available to be purchased. Prof’s was more expensive than the actual watch crystal. Gotta pay to play.

 

6. JF Diver V7 Complete Bezel Screw Set, including nuts in rear. Much better quality, finish, and fitment than other makers. Enough said!

 

7. THE FUN PART: Water resistance parts!! I purchased from a well-known watch supplier:

A. Complete set of Fufori brand Swiss-spec MicroRings (actually, two sets of 60pcs are required to complete this watch, as they are a multi-size ASSORTMENT. Therefore, 120pcs. Of course not all were used.)

These are for…. Bezel screw O-rings/grommets (8 pieces, one for each bezel screw)…. Crown @3oclock O-ring/grommet…. Crown TUBE @3oclock O-ring/grommet…. Bezel crown @10oclock O-ring/grommet…. Bezel crown TUBE @10oclock O-ring/grommet

 

B. Hytrel brand Swiss-spec Crystal gasket.... I purchased two sizes, 1.75mm and 1.25mm…. 1.25mm was used here…. H-Fac and V6F crystal gaskets are not the best!! I didn’t want any leaks because again, water resistance is important to me with this watch!!

 

8. A direct quote, from a friend of mine: "Tip: You need to refinish the dial backplate in matte with a matte spray lacquer. This keeps the light from reflecting off the date wheel surround."

So, this was accomplished!

 

9. Every rubber O-ring, gasket, or grommet was Greased with high-grade watchmaker’s grease for water resistance.

 

10. Lastly, I much prefer the Roo 18mm strap for deployant, so I had one of those (from JF) modified slightly to fit the V6F end links.

 

Note: BOTH H-Factory and V6F use 2836 mvmts in these. And the “Keyless” system is a bit cheap and kinda sucks. Mine had issues during the build and was repaired by a watchsmith. This was on a brand new watch. So please be aware of this, and maybe budget for some slight repairs on either model!

 

Special thanks goes to the builder, @shaidx and the watchsmith, @strodda and special thanks for info & help, @hub6152

 

Here are Photos, enjoy gents!!

 

 

Cases and movements: V6F on LEFT.

 

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Dials: H-Fac on LEFT. V6F is clearly more shiny! Also, notice new-style DW on V6F mvmt.

 

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Transplant of the H-Fac DW onto V6F mvmt!

 

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Profs Cyclops vs. H-Fac!

 

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Stock Date Window surround. Clearly shiny!

 

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Spray painting the dial back plate and DW Surround.

 

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Back plate all Dried!

 

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Cyclops installed on H-Fac dial.

 

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Cases.... Note: There are notches (for mvmt holder tabs) on different places on the different factories' cases. Therefore, you can NOT put a V6F mvmt into an H-Fac case, which was my initial plan. It will not work!!

 

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Bezel sanding. H-Fac and V6F were both sanded. In the end, V6F looked a little better, and matched the grain of case, so we went with that one. Note: although the V6F Ceramic Diver (V2 version, which mine was) DOES come with a brushed bezel from factory, this was brushed EVEN MORE....

The brushing really matches the case now! It looks uniform and wonderful!!

 

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jpohl402

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Crystal Gaskets from Hytrel (Swiss-spec)

 

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Fufori Micro-rings. Replaced all rep rings. On RIGHT in photo. V6F rings on left. Fufori is clearly fatter than V6F. Lastly, H-Factory had NO rings at all !! Not good for water resistance!

 

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Putting it all together!

 

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Now, a Decorated Movement with the Best H-Fac parts in the front of the watch !!! :)

 

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FINALLY, PHOTOS IN SUNLIGHT:

 

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jpohl402

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Stewart

What an amazing build! The best ceramic diver I have seen. Thanks for the info and enjoy that stunning watch. Hit us up with a wrist shot when you can.

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nunu78

looks awesome, enjoy it mate

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Member X

Awesome build :thumbsup:

 

 

Can't have been cheap! but I think the results are great :)

 

 

I agree re: the date wheel font - the flat-top 4 version is much more characterful, the other one looks cheap!

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jpohl402

Thanks a bunch, gentlemen!!!

Will post a wrist shop when I have the strap again (traveling.)

Cheers

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WatchaholicMallorca

True labor of love that one mate, nice work

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BenjaminB

stunning - I really miss mine - excellent work

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jpohl402
True labor of love that one mate, nice work
stunning - I really miss mine - excellent work

 

Thanks guys!! ;)

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jonathanw

Wow! incredible detail and a work of love definitely!

How did you manage to get parts from three factories? did you have to buy all three reps to source the parts for your build?

 

you said at the beginining of your writeup:

 

".

Here is the build list:

1. V6F case and bezel

2. Complete V6F movement (which has correct deco plate) and Caseback, which IS slightly thicker than H-Factory’s caseback, and therefore not Per Gen anymore (H-Fac is spot on), however the slightly thicker V6F caseback was needed to accommodate the deco plate and rotor!..."

 

 

then you said:

"Cases.... Note: There are notches (for mvmt holder tabs) on different places on the different factories' cases. Therefore, you can NOT put a V6F mvmt into an H-Fac case, which was my initial plan. It will not work!!"

 

 

So in the end I make you did use the V6F case (instead of your original plan to use HFac Case and bezel), V6F movement and caseback and only used the HFac Dial, hands, inner bezel?

 

thank you for the excellent writeup mate!

Edited by jonathanw

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jpohl402
Wow! incredible detail and a work of love definitely!

How did you manage to get parts from three factories? did you have to buy all three reps to source the parts for your build?

 

 

So in the end I make you did use the V6F case (instead of your original plan to use HFac Case and bezel), V6F movement and caseback and only used the HFac Dial, hands, inner bezel?

 

thank you for the excellent writeup mate!

 

 

Bought all the watches. In fact, bought one of them two times also!

 

 

You're exactly right, that is correct!!

You're welcome mate!!

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mrmench

Great thread , thank you!!!!

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jpohl402

ADDING: NEW STUFF!!!

1. Prof Double AR 2.0mm (thinner) Diver crystal, in addition to his wonderful cyclops which was already in there!!

2. Relume with C1+C3 of Dial and Hands! Now it lasts thru the night, like it should!!

3. Bezel brushing by The Legendary jonnyboy!

 

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Edited by jpohl402

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jpohl402

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