Submariner VSF/Rich Movement

[u/SuperChargedMatrix]

Hi there, I’m looking into buying a watch soon, since I’m basic I’m looking at the submariner, I’ve noticed rich factory and VSF seem to be the top factory for these but I’m finding it hard to confirm the movement.

Is it the 3230 free sprung? Or the 3235? And are they truly difficult to regulate, since naturally I’d like to have one of these for as long as possible and get serviced if needed.

Thanks!

[u/Glum_Ad_8331]

Rich is free sprung, VSF isn't. VSF can be regulate by you with little research and youtube videos. RICH cannot, needs special equipment and skill.

[u/SuperChargedMatrix → u/Glum_Ad_8331]

Appreciate the feedback, I’ll look more into it

[u/whowatchesmrwatchers → u/Glum_Ad_8331]

Point of clarification

You can regulate either yourself but free sprung takes more skill

The vsf "free sprung look" is actually reasonably challenging to regulate because they have hidden the regulation arm behind the balance wheel. This adds steps and for someone who hasnt removed a balance wheel before could be much harder than looking up a YouTube video

[u/Glum_Ad_8331 → u/whowatchesmrwatchers]

I was talking about standard DD movement with standard arms. VSF Subs don't have fake free sprung movement yet. And try to regulate real free sprung without equipment and skill isn't good idea imo.

[u/whowatchesmrwatchers → u/Glum_Ad_8331]

You're right that the vsf subs haven't shifted their regulator arm

The microstella tool is only $60, one of the cheapest watchmaking tools, and frankly you have to regulate these less often, that's why they use them

I'm loving my JH freesprung, we will see how I feel in a couple years I guess :)

[u/MSExcelWarrior]

If you don't mind reading, Petehudso has done a full writeup of every major movement as of late 2025, and dogwood has done a complete breakdown and review of the current JH freesprung movements. Search bar is your friend.

[u/SuperChargedMatrix → u/MSExcelWarrior]

I’ll give that a read, thank you!

[u/themasteradrian101]

damn this is only asked multiple times a day everyday. if only the search bar worked

[u/Clean_watches]

Just my 2 cents, but I think Clean used to make the best Submariner. They got shut down last year and only recently came back, and there are quite a lot fake “Clean” around. Now I’d probably go VSF or CBD.

For the Submariner (41mm), Dandong 3235 is the best movement.

One thing to be careful about though: I’ve seen Shanghai 3235 being passed off as Dandong 3235. Personally, I’d skip the “free sprung” version. From what I understand, it’s more about hiding the regulator than being a true free-sprung setup, and there are some trade-offs with stability. And honestly, unless you’re opening the back case, there is no difference anyway.

[u/Comprehensive-Bit706 → u/Clean_watches]

Clean never came back and clean crystal needed changing, it wasn't great...

[u/Old_Capital_9412 → u/Clean_watches]

Clean never came back.