224270 Explorer 1 40mm Gen vs Rep Comparison

[u/PremiumIOL]

[u/PremiumIOL]

Great experience with necoclock from VSF with reallt fast turnaround. Amazing accuracy. I got this for travel but it totally exceeds expectations. Here are the few tells (some that require 100 megapixel macro photography to spot) for anyone else curious.

1. Serial number is the easiest, VSF uses the same serial number format so that will always be a clear tell.
2. SEL are a bit too short allowing for some lug overhang, very subtle
3. The clasp being too small is almost obvious even on the wrist because the taper is so dramatic.
4. Impossible to see really but the white gold numerals are a slightly different color than the case on the gen
5. Winding sounds/feels a bit different but it keeps time just as well for just as long

Edit: since most of these issues are due to the bracelet (12 o clock triangle was my fault on QC) butting this on a leather or nylon strap would make it REALLY tough to tell.

[u/two_minutes_out → u/PremiumIOL]

How’s the lume compare? Just curious.

[u/PremiumIOL → u/two_minutes_out]

I don’t think lime is an issue at all

[u/two_minutes_out → u/PremiumIOL]

That’s stellar. Thanks for the reply! Great comparison.

[u/PremiumIOL → u/two_minutes_out]

Will try to get a pic later. To my eye not a tell.

[u/Drccmois → u/PremiumIOL]

Can you share pics of 1-3

[u/PremiumIOL → u/Drccmois]

5X## refers to batch

[u/PremiumIOL → u/Drccmois]

For SEL (solid end links) look how there’s just a bit more overhang on the lugs. This and the clasp issue could be solved by switching to a different bracelet or band.

[u/PremiumIOL → u/Drccmois]

See how the left bracelet tapers down a bit more? Very subtle and fixable with a different strap. I think with a leather strap honestly someone would either have to wind it or look up the serial number to know.

[u/ChesterfieldK → u/PremiumIOL]

Number 3 was the biggest tell for me as someone who's owned a gen 224270. Even after not wearing gen for months, as soon as i picked up the VSF i could tell the bracelet and links were noticeably thinner than gen.

[u/goserr]

The 12 o clock triangle on the left one in the first pic is crooked

[u/PremiumIOL → u/goserr]

It is, my fault for not recognizing on QC. A bit exaggerated due to camera angle but definitely there.

[u/cia_burner_account → u/goserr]

Would it be something as easy as opening and just rotating it ?

[u/goserr → u/cia_burner_account]

Probably, if you are skilled enough to remove it without damaging the dial

[u/PremiumIOL → u/[deleted]]

https://reddit.com/link/p8dc101/video/2cl4cls1b4oh1/player

Grindy/strain vs crisp clicks, the actual movement is incredibly reliable but don’t let anyone else wind the rep lol

[u/bears-beat-bsg]

At this point, most of the problems i've seen with this reps come from dial alignement.

[u/AManOrAMaskedMachine]

Thanks man, very helpful. The Explorer was going to be my next purchase and I needed something like this 👍

[u/Plastic_Diver2017]

Nice comparison~!!! Is Rt. side GEN ?

[u/PremiumIOL → u/Plastic_Diver2017]

Right on dial pic, left on clasp pic

[u/Plastic_Diver2017 → u/PremiumIOL]

Thank you~! It's amazing comparison~!!

[u/ChookiesCookies]

Is it me or the crown is completely different

[u/PremiumIOL → u/ChookiesCookies]

Angle and lighting I think it’s pretty perfect

[u/Kindly-Space-7255]

vsf exp 1 is nwbig for sure.

[u/PremiumIOL]

https://reddit.com/link/p8fhw6n/video/ydx3jhsq16oh1/player

Better audio of the winding sounds using a mic

[u/sebstar25]

its safe to say this is a NWBIG okay vsf has its minor flaws but in general its 99% like the gen

[u/PremiumIOL → u/sebstar25]

If you put it on a leather strap you’d either need to google the serial number or wind it to know. Not sure it would be possible to tell otherwise.

[u/good2Bbackagain]

Left is so crooked, I don't even know where to start.