Clean Factory vs ZF compares two factories that rarely made the same watch. Clean built Rolex sports models until r/RepTime members reported a raid in July 2025; the community guide removed it in February 2026. ZF is producing in 2026 and is the first choice in 49 rows of the May 2026 guide, led by the Royal Oak 15500, most Tudor Black Bay models and IWC. In June 2025 both names appeared in the same report: a top commenter wrote that "a wholesaler for ZF and Clean got raided", not the factories.
Clean Factory vs ZF: the table
| Clean Factory | ZF Factory | |
|---|---|---|
| Status, October 2026 | Reported raided in July 2025; removed from the guide in February 2026 | Producing; a June 2025 raid hit a wholesaler, not the factory, according to a top commenter |
| Main lane | Rolex sports models, until 2025 | AP Royal Oak, Tudor, IWC, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Patek on Miyota bases |
| In the May 2026 guide | "Clean*" in one row, the Air-King 126900 | First choice in 49 rows |
| Movements | VR3235, SH3235 and Dandong movements | 4302 clone (free-sprung in the 15500), 3120 clone, Miyota 9015, A23J, VR3186 |
Where they overlap: Rolex
| Rolex model | ZF in the May 2026 guide | Clean in 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Sky-Dweller | First (custom movement), Super Rep | Not listed |
| Sky-Dweller, gold weighted (tungsten) | First as "ZF v2 Tungsten", Super Rep | Not listed |
| Datejust 41, cheaper version | First, with a 2824 or 2836 Asian movement | Not listed |
| Submariner 116610 | Third, after VSF | Not listed |
For the Datejust 41 with a 3235 clone, the guide ranks VSF first, then VF.
What owners say about each
- Clean, until 2025: owners praised the case shape, the bezels and the dials, and in 2023 the rehaut engraving; the crystal was its weak point.
- ZF, 2026: a January 2026 reviewer wrote that before VSF arrived, ZF "had unbeatable material, metal finishing" on the Royal Oak 15500. In May 2026 the guide maintainer wrote that the free-sprung ZF is "currently the best for the 15500".
Sources
All dates are the posting dates of the threads.
- Who Makes the Best guide, spreadsheet updated May 29, 2026, the February 20, 2026 update post and the May 30, 2026 update post (r/RepTime)
- ZF got investigated, June 13, 2025 and ZF factory was raided? June 13, 2025 (r/RepTime)
- Clean Factory got raided, July 14, 2025 (r/RepTime)
- Comparison: genuine vs Clean 126610LN, February 11, 2023 and Is the 126610LN still NWBIG for VSF? March 13, 2025 (r/RepTime)
- Daytona 126500 comparison: Clean vs VSF vs UFO, October 22, 2025 and AP 15500 comparison: ZF vs VSF, January 15, 2026 (r/RepWatchForum)
- Clean Datejust DD3235, April 16, 2025 and Second QC: Sub 126610LV Starbucks Clean SH3235, April 17, 2026 (r/RepTime, r/RepTimeQC)
- 126610LN: VSF vs Clean with a deep crystal, January 7, 2025 (r/RepTime)
Next steps
Gold, platinum and custom versions
Guide
Gold Rolex replica: plated, wrapped, weighted or solid 18k gold
Gold plating in microns, tungsten-weighted builds and solid 18k parts, with weights and reported prices.
Guide
Custom replica watches: gold, diamonds, weight and genuine parts
What you can change, diamonds or moissanite, the order steps and the prices owners report.