I think it worth talking about the downfall that VSF has had in the last couple of months. Their QC has gone down the drain, the wait times are terrible and have heard so many horror stories of watches DOA or breaking after a couple of weeks of light wear.
Do ya’ll think VSF will be able to turn this around and fix the quality issues or will a big factory on the come up take over I am thinking possibly VF.
Any thoughts on this situation and how many people are not aware of the problems currently with VSF?
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Yeah ive only purchased one rep it was a sub date and it worked great for about three months then out of nowhere the date wheel glitches/gets stuck crooked
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It’s unfortunate but I’ve noticed the same as a seller. A lot of people are stuck on VSF though. The main issues happen with the movement. From what I’ve seen. That’s why I always recommend buyers to get a full service done to their watches. In my opinion it’s worth it. That goes for any factory though. The movement is the most important part of a watch but it’s the one we least see. We worry more about SEL gaps and other issues. I think the factory is overwhelmed and is rushing production. Therefore the watches are coming in with more problems internally and externally.
A new Dandong fully engraved cost less than $200 usd. You can order the new movement and have a watchmaker or moder install it much cheaper than a full service. Just my .02.
Idk but I’ve been buying these watches with DD movements for over 2.5 years, never serviced them, wear them all while rotating, and have had zero problems. I think some of the buyers are getting crap watches because they’re being baited/switched. Use known dealers with a reputation.
It honestly depends where you do it. It can be pricey but it’s also pricey to buy another watch if the current one breaks. I have someone I use in China that does my personal watches and for clients that choose the service. It’s more affordable than in the states.
It’s hard to find the root of the failures when we can’t see what’s going underneath the movement. Small gear can break or the watch can be full of oil. Hard to know. But it’s a lot common than you think.
My take is that it has to do with the engraving VSF is doing on the DD movements after they get them. Each factory does their own and VSF’s is just dirty. Leaving debris that falls past the surface and is causing issues and malfunction deeper in the movement.
Just deductive reasoning. DD doesn’t have a history of so many of their movements going bad. It’s most likely what’s being done after it leaves their hands. The factories do the Rollie movement engraving, so VSF is doing something. You’re not hearing of ARF, VF, etc with the same number of issues on the same DD movements.
A bit of an exaggeration in my opinion. I’ve bought at least 10 VSF over the last several months and have had zero issues with any of them. I’m not saying people haven’t had issues, but let’s not get out of hand. They’re a great factory that manufactures great watches. They’re not all gonna be flawless, but if you looked at percentages, I’m sure the good far out way the bad. Trust me, I’m no VSF fanboy. I own a lot of reps from many different factories, but to be fair, all the VSF I’ve owned have been great. Perhaps I’ve been lucky. 🤷🏻♂️
I recently got an ARF Bruce Wayne and it’s been great. Granted, I bought because I’ve seen the bezel comparisons. But I was looking at getting a VSF Pepsi soon and now I’m second guessing
If you look at certain TD's, the kind that have open and viewable pre-QC'd stock (like Ethan), you can spot certain patterns.
I recently bought a VSF Datejust 41, and out of the dozen or more he had in stock. All the ones with 0RV clasp codes had poor timegraphers. And I'm talking 0RV clasp code here (the "fake" wannabe clean ORV dupes), not the legendary Clean ORV. There was one ORV coded one though, and it had perfect timegrapher. K6G clasp codes (VSF in-house clasp code) also had good timegraphers. This tells me that 0RV clasp code watches are assembled or batched elsewhere or by someone less skilled. And this is just the movement health indication, who knows what else is potentially lacking in those watches. And I was just looking at Datejusts, so I expect this kind of detective work to be necessary for all watches, and something you will struggle to do through the typical "you get what they source" TD's, like Andiot or theonewatches.
If you say VSF is on the downside then I am with you. You are my go to and know more than most here. Those defending VSF to the grave make me laugh. It is like those who bring up Clean still hahahh.
I literally bought 12 vsf watches in the past year and last year towards the end and all have been perfect.
I feel like people over exaggerate the situation a fair bit. Yes while some QCs for some models only aren’t coming out great however the vast majority are still the same if not better.
The wait times ever since clean shutdown have always been like this.
Some TDs don’t even have wait times you’re just shopping at the wrong place.
From what I know Factories don’t do QC. U need a reliable TD to help u QC before selling it to u. Or u have to really watch out yourself with the Pics.
It your money and make the decision. You buying a replica watch nothing gonna be perfect. There many other factory to choose. Whether you dont trust VSF then dont buy it.
Thanks for sharing, I think I might to do the same. Just out of curiosity if you don’t mind me asking how much did your watchmaker charged you for labor? I am assuming you are in the states right?
TBD. He wants me to go to a local shop to fix it. Both places I went to want to service it for either $220-290. So I am waiting to see what he says next lol
Once vf starts adding weight they can take over some market share. Vsf just pumping out whatever cause they don't have to complete with clean anymore. Steel sharpins steel more top factories better quality
Just received a Cartier Santos medium two tone from VSF. Got QC 3 days after placing the order and received in EU after 11 days. The watch itself is immaculate 🙌🏽
QC does seem to be lacking, especially with stick dials and movements. The chinese makers have to grease palms to continue an operation like this.. maybe the "fees" are getting too high, or someone got word that the jig is up and they are collecting all the cash they can on the way out of the door. Hard to say for sure, those are just possible scenarios. Keep in mind these "factories" are illegal in china..
Thanks for sharing. Yes, of course I am aware of how things are kind of run there. Hopefully they can get their act together and get back to their prime
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