Hello fellow cousins, I am purewatches. Today we are going to talk about a very classic style in the Rolex GMT-Master – the old all-black ring with a green needle (also known as the “black ring with green needle”, please note that it is not the later gray and black “preserved egg ring”).
Recently, many brothers are struggling in the background. How to choose between the ARF factory and C+ factory that mainly sells this product on the market? Today I deliberately got the actual products from the two brands. Let’s not look at the fake ones and go straight to the real stuff. From the packaging and appearance to the core movement, I will give you an in-depth dismantling without reservation.
Packaging and first impression: the collision of sophistication and simplicity
The first impression upon unboxing is that the difference is quite obvious. Factory C+ follows the “ceremonial” route of traditional replica watches, equipped with an exquisite exclusive watch box, and thoughtfully comes with a screwdriver for adjusting the strap, so you can play with it directly. The packaging of the ARF factory is very “pragmatic”, a simple transparent sealed bag, focusing on environmental protection and cost reduction. However, when we buy a watch, we look at the hard power. The packaging is just a bonus, and the next step is the highlight.
Appearance and case workmanship: The “flat head A” details are indistinguishable
To be honest, just looking at the appearance, the workmanship of both factories is quite solid. I took a magnifying glass and carefully compared the brushing and polishing of the case, the segmented processing of the strap, the color of the ceramic ring, and even the opening and closing feel of the buckle. The conclusion is: there is almost no gap between the two in terms of shell workmanship, and they belong to the same echelon.
I would especially like to praise the buckles of these two models. They open and close very smoothly and the internal workmanship is smooth. I personally think they even feel better than buckles from some major manufacturers on the market (such as VS). The C+ factory also made the engraving of the code (such as C6R) on the inside of the buckle quite clear and in place, with full details. The transparency and anti-vertigo effect of the mirror glass are both remarkable, and there is nothing wrong with it.
Core difference 1: details of the central axis, ARF wins the game
When the appearance is almost flat, details become the key to victory. ARF factory has made a very careful upgrade here: it adoptssolid central axisdesign. Everyone who knows the industry knows that the solid central axis not only makes the pointer run more stable, but also completely eliminates the cheap feeling of the “hollow axis” from the side, and the degree of version adjustment is extremely high. The C+ factory is relatively conventional in the processing of the bottom bracket and does not do solid processing. In this regard, ARF is indeed better.
Core Difference 2: Movement dispute (3186 vs 3285), the art of choice
This is the biggest watershed between the two watches, and it is also the core of everyone’s struggle.
- C+ factory (equipped with 3186 movement): If you are a “details control” and “version party”, C+ factory is the first choice. It is equipped with the old and authentic 3186 movement. The biggest advantage is thatThe adjustment direction is completely aligned, that is, “shuntiaoshunwen” (adjust the time clockwise, the pointer moves clockwise), and the operating logic is exactly the same as the original product. But the shortcomings are also obvious. The power reserve of the 3186 movement is only about 48 hours. If you take off the watch on the weekend, you may need to rewind it on Monday to adjust the time.
- ARF factory (equipped with 3285 movement): The ARF factory may have directly replaced this watch with the new 3285 movement due to supply chain or performance considerations. Its biggest advantage isPower reserve up to 72 hours, provides an extra day of battery life, and saves you too much worry when wearing it daily. But the price is that its adjustment direction is “counterclockwise” (turn the crown counterclockwise, and the hands will move clockwise). But fortunately, it also gives the aforementioned “solid center axis” bonus points.
Purchasing advice for purewatches
The appearance of this black-circled green needle is indeed very high. Compared with the pure black “Black Water Ghost”, the green GMT hand plays the finishing touch, making it very versatile and recognizable.
As for how to choose between the two brands, my advice is very clear:
- if you areThe ultimate version party, has an obsession with changing the time direction, and can accept a power reserve of about 48 hours, so make a decisive choice C+ factory。
- if you value moreWorry-free for daily wear (72 hours of long-lasting power reserve), like the solid texture brought by the solid central axis, and are not so sensitive to the operating logic of “go against the grain”, then ARF factory The cost performance and comprehensive experience will be more suitable for you.
There are no absolute flaws in either watch, it’s more a matter of choice based on personal usage habits. I hope that today’s in-depth comparison can help brothers who are struggling to clear up the fog and choose the “dream love watch” that suits them best. If you have any questions, please leave a message in the comment area!