As an old watch friend who has worn no fewer than five or six versions of Rolex Datejust replicas, to be honest, I rarely get “thrilled” by a new watch. But this mint green version of the V2 Diary from VS Factory really stopped me in my tracks at the first sight at the watch exhibition – that touch of green is so special.
It’s not that kind of fluorescent green, nor is it a deep forest green, but a mint color with a gray tone, which glows with a faint silver light in the sun, and looks warm and restrained indoors. This kind of color grading skill can only be achieved so accurately by repeatedly comparing it with the original version. I bought the 41mm Oyster chain version and have been wearing it for more than a month. Today I will use the most realistic wearing experience to talk about its strengths.
Let’s talk about the material first. VS Factory insists on using 904L fine steel, which I particularly appreciate. Compared with ordinary 316L, the color of 904L is whiter and smoother, and the mirror-like feel after polishing is really close to the texture of the counter. The boundary line between brushed and polished watch cases is clean and neat, and each tooth of the triangular grooved bezel is sharp and regular. Looking at it from the side, the light and shadow flow, and the details will make you smile knowingly.
The board is the soul. The radial sun pattern “comes alive” at different angles, and the green seems to breathe. The edges of the nail scales are finely chamfered, and the luminous filling is full and even, making it clear to see the time at night. What surprises me the most is the calendar window at 3 o’clock – the edges of the window are neatly chamfered, the font is clear and centered, the “bubble mirror” has a natural magnification effect, and it also has an anti-reflective coating that emits a trace of blue light when viewed from the side. This detail is something that even many older versions cannot achieve.
In terms of movement, it uses the Dandong 3235, which is currently recognized as the “ceiling” in the replica industry. I specifically tested the power reserve. I took it off on Friday night and picked it up on Monday morning. It was still running, and the error was less than +6 seconds. You don’t have to worry about it for daily wear. Through the transparent back, you can see that the automatic rotor is polished, the plywood texture and the engraving are all trying their best to get closer to the original version. Although experienced players know that it is not the real 3235, it is visually decent enough.
The wearing feel is also worth mentioning. The Oyster-style three-row chain fits the wrist perfectly and does not have that hard “new watch-on-hand” feel. 904L steel is slightly heavier, but the right weight adds to the sense of luxury. The mint green dial is particularly refreshing, and it looks refreshing when paired with a white shirt. It doesn’t look out of place when paired with a dark suit, and it can be worn for commuting and dating.
Of course, you must also look at it rationally: it is a replica watch after all, the polishing of the movement cannot be as good as the original one, and long-term bumps on the case coating may leave marks. But if you are like me and are looking for a daily companion who can “understand the details and wear the quality” rather than a status symbol, then this V2 mint green diary is definitely the most stable and attractive choice among the current thousand-yuan replica diaries.
Now every time I raise my hand to check the time, that mint green color always makes me feel better – it’s not noisy, but it’s enough to make people remember. If you also want to have a spring and summer “clear current” on your wrist, but don’t want to spend tens of thousands more for the logo, this VS Factory V2, you will not regret it if you close your eyes.