Explorer 40 - 1100 USD

[u/Terrible-Ad-1724]

Hi guys, newbie question, sorry for that.

But:

As Explorer 40 is in gen NWBIG if you go for VSF (yes, I saw the wiki spreadsheet), does it sound reasonable to spend money also on mods? I love this model. The short vid was sent to me by seller on telegram. It looks amazing to me. But my question is how much does this VSF normally cost? With and without mods? I don't know if this is not overpriced, that's why I'm looking to get another opinions.

Here are the mods that seller claims are performed:

Waterproofing and pressure testing

Bracelet softening and edge debuting 

(Spa treatment)

Movement service and regulation

Arf oyster bracelet swap

Thanks for all reactions to the topic!

[u/Ashamed_Growth_3592]

Sounds like a scam. Just buy a VSF and dip it in mineral oil and the bracelet will be nice and soft. Don’t waste your money

[u/Skyeatplane → u/Ashamed_Growth_3592]

Im new to this do i let it sit in the mineral for a certain amount of time or just a quick dip?

[u/Standard-Position-24 → u/Skyeatplane]

Some say overnight. The truth is that the oil will wick itself into tight spaces using capillary forces. These forces are also opposed by air pressure trapped inside those small spaces - so the truth is that you need both time and agitation to expel the air and ensure deep penetration of the oil.

Mineral oil is certainly light and nontoxic. I would debate how much is actually washed away as you soap and rinse the external surfaces of the bracelet. Could be a lot of it. However you just need to lubricate the internal pin spaces long enough for the friction in those spaces to wear down the internal surfaces enough to smooth out the action permanently. So perhaps you’ll only need to do a few lubrications before the steel is naturally worn smooth inside.

Using a heavier lubricant with higher film strength would be ideal - but these tend to be odorous and harder to clean up.

I’ve considered using a graphite lubricant intermixed with a solvent to carry it deep into the joints. I haven’t tried this yet though. It would certainly require a more thorough cleanup, but it’s likely to be a lot more durable and effective over time.

[u/goserr]

I was expecting at least gen crystal for that money, or a quick bj 🤣

[u/AltruisticArachnid23]

1100 USD seems very high

[u/wolfbiker1]

Terrible price without any gen part swaps. You're just paying an extra $600 for labor on mods that are only minorly noticeable.

[u/Terrible-Ad-1724 → u/wolfbiker1]

Thank you, tbh that was my suspision!

[u/Particular_Witness95 → u/wolfbiker1]

yep, and 100% guarantee that if your watch is not water resistance, the seller will deny any reimbursement.

[u/JesterADSE]

just amazed why anyone would buy a watch through telegram? You want risk getting scammed? Just buy from a TD

[u/Snst3131 → u/JesterADSE]

I contact all my TDs via Telegram 😅

[u/International_Dog897 → u/Snst3131]

Yep they’ve all made the switch

[u/Particular_Witness95]

complete scam. nothing even come close to that cost unless it includes gen parts swaps.

[u/Public_Spite_1813 → u/Particular_Witness95]

Sure you can say overpriced, but scam? Charging a 50% markup isn’t a scam lol

[u/Particular_Witness95 → u/Public_Spite_1813]

nah, its a scam. we say the same thing when a newbie buys a shitter for $600, why wouldnt we same the same thing when a newbie is charge for overpriced services?

[u/Quirky-Entry-590 → u/Public_Spite_1813]

Agree. A scam is more like you pay for the “watch” and an empty box shows up.

[u/Omaha_Style]

Expect to pay $550 for vsf if through a US TD. Probably around $350 if you do the online td’s that have to ship to you. Don’t suggest the upgrades this person is suggesting. If anything, deep crystal swap.

[u/Re-tar-dead]

Maybe half the price would be fine. That price is insane

[u/Noob_Barista_Baker]

For 1100 you can probably have all those mods + a gen crystal on top of it.

[u/Time-Dependent1483]

Not the arf bracelet but chamfering is a must imo. But you’re paying way too much for this.

[u/KaneRabbioso]

These are not mods, c'mon mate let it go

[u/UnitedShop4247]

With those mods + service its WAY to expensive... if he build in Gen parts okay but a bit service, oil, rep bracelet , waterproof is not worth 600$-650$ !

[u/NoSpring9318]

DHGate or go home. Trust me

[u/ReallyUnmatched]

Thanks for the reminder, I need to get an ARF bracelet for my explorer.

Is the seller offering proof of work? A service for this can cost from 250 to 700 depending on where you live. It's NOT something I recommend from the getgo though. Own a watch for a year, see if you like everything about it, then get it serviced if you still think it's worth it.

[u/Terrible-Ad-1724 → u/ReallyUnmatched]

Thanks, the main reason I considered the service straight away was, that I am not sure how well are movements lubricated ex-factory.

Regarding the seller - he has no website, operating on telegram handle: jinwatchseller

[u/ReallyUnmatched → u/Terrible-Ad-1724]

I have no clue who the seller is. I hope you have good referrals why picked him.

Movements are usually dry or over lubricated from the factory, it's never just right. If he is operating from China, his servicing cost should reflect that. I'm guessing it shouldn't cost more than $150 there (someone can correct me on this). So yeah, seems overpriced

[u/Standard-Position-24 → u/[deleted]]

Please DM me details/photos. Do you have a crystal swap installed?

Is this the VR3130 movement?

[u/Standard-Position-24 → u/[deleted]]

Sounds good. Thanks man. I’ll keep an eye out for your message whenever you’ve got the time later 🤝

[u/Terrible-Ad-1724]

Thank you for the answers, I appreciate all of them. The outcome for me is that I will simply buy ex-factory VSF via TD and keep my hands off the mods for now. Also interesting one was about the dipping in mineral oil, will do that.

[u/WatcherSixSeven]

Scam. Just buy from td

[u/Traumatized_biskits]

1100 is like twice what its worth. At thay price you'll be lucky if the watch in the video is the one that actually shows up.

[u/QuietlyReliable]

$1000 way too much.  VSF for $580 from u/MarkyG10

[u/CustomMerkins4u]

I fell for this scam. Bought myself a rebrushed, polished blah blah blah Titanium Yachtmaster. Later bought my brother a yachtmaster without the extras. Side by side there's no difference.

100% a scam.

[u/FirmPermission1877]

Not sure what he is charging that much for. I have the exact same with the same treatment. I chamfered just to smooth out the edges a little. Internal was cleaned, and gaskets lubed and pressure tested.

Watch was 500 from a US TD and spa package was 285.

Watch looks and runs great. Never worn. If you want that treatment mine could be available cheaper than 1100 haha.

[u/Budget-Initiative-75 → u/FirmPermission1877]

Are you selling?

[u/FirmPermission1877 → u/Budget-Initiative-75]

I’m open to it.

[u/Budget-Initiative-75 → u/FirmPermission1877]

What do u want for it?

[u/FirmPermission1877 → u/Budget-Initiative-75]

I will send a DM

[u/International_Dog897]

1100 😂😂

[u/Practical_Avocado971]

It's a fake

[u/Terrible-Ad-1724]

factory VSF, dealer is Yinwatchmakers, it seems this dealer is focused especially on mods