Comparison of the genuine 3135 movement with the VS3135, Clean3135, VR3135 II and VR 3135 I

[Theonewatches 142]

Hi everyone, I'm Steve and I'm back. I have taken a lot of detailed comparisons between GEN and replica watches before, so this time I will make a comparison between the real and fake 3135 movements for everyone.

As we all know, the best replica version of the 3135 movement is the 3135 movement from the Dandong factory.

It was exclusively adopted by the VS factory at the beginning, and it is also called VS3135. Since last year, the 40 submariner series of the Clean factory also uses this Dandong 3135 movement.

So this time, we disassembled the Dandong 3135 movement from the VS factory and the Clean factory, as well as the second generation of VR3135 and the first generation of VR3135 to make a comprehensive comparison with the genuine 3135.

So let's find out what other differences there are between the replica 3135 movement and the original in its fully disassembled state.

Note: For ease of distinction, we have labelled the Dandong 3135 movement disassembled from the clean factory as C-3135 in the pictures, and we will refer to the VS3135 and C-3135 collectively as the Dandong 3135 in the review.

Mainplate of the movement

 

The overall plate structure of the Dandong 3135 is almost identical to that of the genuine product, except for the brass screw ring on the central shaft, which is a little redder in colour, but there are no other differences.

You can also see that although the VS and clean movements are the same Dandong 3135, the VS has the movement code engraved on the plate, while the Clean does not.

This is because the Dandong 3135 movement was not engraved at the factory, but was engraved at a later stage by the watch factory, which the Clean factory ignored, whereas the VS has it done, but it is yellow in colour.

The overall resemblance between the VR and the GEN is very good, but there are a few differences, The most obvious point is the lack of shock absorbers in the lower shaft jewel of the escapement wheel (marked position).

This position is linked to the bottom of the escapement wheel spindle, which has a certain impact on the shock resistance of the escapement wheel, while the VR II has an additional movement code inscription on the plate compared to the VR I.

Transmission plates

In terms of the top jewel (marked position) of the escapement wheel on the drive plate, VR also does not have a shock (below is the top of the axle where the escapement wheel is linked).

Neither the bottom nor the top of VR has a shock in this position, and Dandong has synchronized the genuine product to do this, which is commendable.

Calendar Wheel

In terms of construction, both the Dandong and VR are essentially the same as the GEN, although the Dandong has a brass calendar gasket and the VR II has a better-polished fish scale pattern than the first version.

Here we can focus on the mounting position of the calendar ring. The genuine ones are very well aligned, with the overall edge being the same distance from the edge of the bottom plywood, and the Dandong ones are also well aligned.

The VR II and VR I, on the other hand, it have shifted in position when we unscrewed the fixed pile piece.

The majority of the concerns about the calendar wheel being out of alignment are actually caused by the calendar ring not being precisely aligned during installation.

After all, this requires a high degree of accuracy in the assembly process, the replica is certainly not compared to the genuine product, so you just need to check clearly in QC, if not satisfied, you can only replace it with a new one.

Automatic rotor

The Geneva bevel on the GEN automatic rotor is very clear and delicate. Looking at it with the naked eye, the Geneva twill on the automatic rotor of the factories are also not bad,

But there are still some differences when zooming in on high-definition photos. Especially the twill in the middle part, the Gen’s authentic line level is particularly smooth.

Automatic winding mechanism

We can zoom in on the first picture to see the radiating pattern on the plate, the genuine one is a spiral pattern rotating around the central hole, the Dandong one is very good, compared to the Dangdong, VR is a bit poor.

The engraving on the plate, Dandong 3135 is also engraved by VS and clean, but the engraving of clean is better, and the difference with GEN is the smallest. The color of the first VR is too yellowish, and the font is too thick, and the second generation of VR has improved.

The automatic reversing wheel of GEN is dark red, and it adopts a spraying process, which has the effect of anti-corrosion, wear-resistant and lubricating, and the color of VR II is closer to GEN.

The inner side of Dandong is not sprayed, showing the original copper color of the gear. There are no jewels on VR's reduction wheel bearings.

Balance wheel

Gen adopts the non-calibration technology, and adjusts the error of the movement through four weights on the outer edge of the balance wheel. There is only one pile on the balance cock.

Dandong and VR both have the cardinality technology, the balance wheel cleat has an additional stake to adjust the movement error, VR II directly reversed the cardinality and then made an external stake to imitate the genuine product.

In addition, for GEN, you can see that the junction between the outer edge of the balance wheel and the connection axis is over rounded (marked position), which belongs to the high-grade balance wheel.

Danton is very close to GEN. The first generation of VR is a right angles, and the second generation of VR has a roundness, but not enough.

As there is currently no way to mass produce non-calibration movement for batches in the replica market which makes the position of the balance mechanism the one area where the replica Rolex movement differs markedly from the gen one in appearance.

Escapement wheel, escapement fork and escapement fork plate

The teeth edge of the GEN escapement wheel is slightly bulge, which was too conspicuous in the VR I version and has been improved in the VR II.

Drive wheels (2, 3, 4 wheels)

The GEN's four wheel has a three-stage axle, while the Dandong is the same as the GEN's, with the VR having only two stages.

By zooming in on the picture, it can be found that the surface of all GEN transmission wheels has polished texture.

Dandong only made with four wheel, and the remaining two transmission wheels have no polished texture, while VR three transmission wheels have no polished texture.

However, the grinding treatment of the tip of all transmission wheels，Dandong and VR is still very good.

Crown Shank Shaft

The VS has the same shank as the GEN, the Clean and VR have the same mid-loop leakage, unlike the GEN.

Vertical and clutch wheels

The function of the clutch wheel is to be responsible for over-clutching when winding the clockwork and pivoting the needle.

Both the teeth and the occlusal surfaces of GEN’s vertical wheel and clutch wheel are polished very finely and smoothly, which makes it easy to wind up and adjust the time.

There will be less wear and tear over time. Therefore, the slogan of Rolex once and for all is really not groundless, after all, these small accessories are also handled well enough.In comparison, this part of Dandong is slightly better.

Well, I won't comment too much on the comparison of other parts, friends can browse the picture below to compare and observe for yourselves.

Upper Chain Drive

Clockwork Wheel

Clockwork Box

Clockwork Sandwich

Large Steel Wheels

Manual calendar overwheel and paddle wheel

Potential energy spring

Dialing the Knight Potential Rod

Calendar Jog Wheel

date wheel cover

Centre Wheel

Centre wheel splint

Minute Hand Wheel

Paddle Wheel

Centre Date Wheel

Hour Hand Wheel

Cross-wheel

Cross-wheel Splint

Stop second spring plate

Pull File

Clutch Lever

Pressure Plate Rod Spring Device

Needle Wheel Presses

Screws

The above is a comparison of all the parts, thank you for looking. Steve only knows a little about movements, so please correct any mistakes in this article and feel free to share them in the comments section.

There is no perfect replica, only your favorite replica.


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Edited March 15, 2023 by Theonewatches

[GenTLe 1,503]

Oh, I love this.

Steve ( @Theonewatches )a question if possible: I've got in the past clones like the VR version 1 and something REALLY annoying is that the 2 brass parts on which the balance bridge is mounted are press-fit in the main plate. Hence regulate the height of that bridge to give the right play to the balance shaft is super hard because you work with cents of millimiters and you must use pressure to lower them (and raising them is another whole mess)...

I mean these things:

Do you know if the Dandong ones (C-3135) has them gen-like, so with real thread so that you can rotate them in order to lift or lower the balance bridge? You know, I've a clean factory one here that sometimes stops because there's a bit too much play for the balance shaft and, in certain position, the pallet fork passes BELOW the impact jewel on the balance shaft, locking its move as soon as the balance swings back and hits the external side of the pallet fork...

Something like this:

Thanks in advance and WONDERFUL post!

[996 19]

...I have recently acquired a VSF 41mms Sub with the 3235 movement; are you planning to review this?

[WatchGeek5711 172]

as owner of many VSF reps & Clean alike, i found this post to be very interesting.

I always felt like VSF is the overall best OOTB from the Looks of the watch, i never bothered checking the movement in detail so this was newland to me.

Pretty cool stuff thanks for the post mate!