VSF (VS Factory) is the most recommended replica factory in October 2026. The May 2026 update of the r/RepTime "Who Makes the Best" guide names VSF as the best pick in 82 rows, more than any other factory: the Submariner 126610 and the steel Daytona with the top mark NWBIG, the GMT-Master II, most Omega models and most of the Panerai list. The weak points in 2026 are long and uneven waiting times and some QC and assembly complaints.
VSF at a glance
| Status, October 2026 | Producing; waits vary by reference; a dealer reported a Dandong movement shortage in April 2026 |
| Known for | Rolex sports models, Omega, Panerai; the AP Royal Oak 15500 and 15510 |
| Main movements | VS3235 (Submariner 126610), VS3230 (Submariner 124060), DD4130 and DD4131 (Daytona), DD3285 (GMT-Master II), an 8800-type clone (Seamaster), DD4302 V2 (Royal Oak 15510) |
| Community guide, May 2026 | Named as the best pick in 82 rows; the NWBIG mark in 8 rows |
| Where to buy | VSF Factory Watches and RepTime Boutique on our Trusted Dealers list |
What VSF makes best: the May 2026 guide
| Model | Movement in the guide | VSF's place |
|---|---|---|
| Submariner 126610LN, LV | 3235 clone | First, NWBIG |
| Submariner 124060 (no date) | 3230 clone | First, NWBIG |
| Submariner 114060 and 116610 | 3130 and 3135 clones | First, NWBIG |
| Daytona 116XXX | 4130 clone | First, NWBIG |
| Daytona 126500 steel | 4131 clone | First, NWBIG |
| Explorer 40 mm 224270 | 3230 clone | First, NWBIG |
| GMT-Master II Pepsi, Batman, Bruce Wayne ("VSF v3") | 3285 or 3186 clone | First, Super Rep |
| Datejust 36 and 41 | 3235 clone | First, Super Rep |
| Omega Seamaster Diver 300M | Clone 8800 | First, Super Rep |
| Omega Planet Ocean and Aqua Terra | Clone | First, Super Rep |
| Panerai Luminor, Submersible and Radiomir (most rows) | P.900 or P.9010 clone | First |
| AP Royal Oak 15500 (standard clone version) | 4302 clone | First, Super Rep |
| AP Royal Oak 15510 (dials other than blue) | 4302 clone | "VSF for everything else", Super Rep |
VSF movements: what the names mean
- VS3235 and DD3235. Owners treat these as the same Dandong 3235 family; VS is the name used on VSF watches. VSF uses it in the Submariner 126610 and the Datejust. In 2025 a commenter wrote that the VS3235 was not easy to source.
- VS3135 and VS3230. The older 3135 clone in the 116610 Submariner and some older Yacht-Masters, and a 3230 clone in the no-date 124060.
- DD4130 and DD4131. The Daytona clones: the 4130 for the 116XXX models and the 4131 for the 126XXX models. VSF also sold cheaper Daytonas with a 4801 movement.
- DD3285. The GMT movement of the newer VSF GMT-Master II versions. An older VSF Pepsi used a VR3186.
- The 8800-type clone. VSF launched its integrated 8800-type Seamaster movement in May 2025. Owners in a service community wrote that the escapement is not a true Co-Axial, and watchmakers warned that parts are hard to get.
- DD4302 V2. VSF announced its Royal Oak 15510 with a revised Dandong 4302 in April 2026, and owners posted QC photos and early reports from July 2026.
VSF in 2025 and 2026: status and waits
- July 2025: after the Clean raid reports, a buyer read a short dealer reply as "business as usual" at VSF, with high demand.
- February 2026: an owner who bought five VSF watches after the Clean raid reported faults on two of the three recent ones: a "helicopter" rotor that grinds when wound, on an Omega, and a winding problem on a GMT-Master II.
- April 2026: a dealer told buyers that Dandong movement supply was short and that VSF and VF were affected. Other buyers in the same threads still received QC photos within days.
- May 2026: when members heard of a raid, a top commenter answered that VSF had not been raided; the raids hit APSF and VF.
- June 2026: a dealer asked buyers to preorder VSF watches and pay when QC photos are ready.
- September 2026: buyers reported a four-month wait for a Submariner "Hulk" and dealers who offered ARF in place of VSF. Another buyer was told that a Planet Ocean "might be over months".
What owners report about VSF
Strengths. Owners praise the VSF crystal and the VS3235 on the Submariner, and the guide maintainer kept VSF first for the Submariner in May 2026 because of its better crystal. In May 2026 several owners wrote that their recent VSF watches had no problems.
Complaints. Owners reported crooked markers, bezels or date wheels on some batches in 2025 and 2026, and markers that fell off a new Seamaster 300 in September 2026. Some owners of the cheaper 4801 Daytona reported rotor noise.
"Free-sprung" claims. In September 2026 members warned that some VSF and Dandong movements advertised as free-sprung have a hidden regulator. In October 2026 an owner compared the VSF and VF titanium Yacht-Masters and described the VSF movement as a regular Dandong 3235.
Where VSF falls short
- Waiting times that run from days to months, by reference and dealer.
- QC variation: check the markers, the bezel and the date in the QC photos.
- The Seamaster 8800-type clone is not a true Co-Axial, and parts are hard to get.
- No documented Speedmaster Professional: the guide lists no VSF Speedmaster, and the 2026 Speedmaster threads name other factories.
How to buy a VSF watch
- Ask for the movement by name, for example a VS3235 for a Submariner or a DD4131 for a Daytona 126500, and not a 4801.
- Ask for the expected QC date before you pay.
- In the QC photos, check the marker alignment, the bezel insert and the date window.
On our Trusted Dealers list, VSF Factory Watches sells VSF Rolex models only, with QC photos before payment, and RepTime Boutique lists VSF watches in its wider catalogue.
For direct comparisons, read Clean Factory vs VSF, the best Daytona factory and VSF vs ORF on the Seamaster 300M.
Sources
All dates are the posting dates of the threads.
- Who Makes the Best guide, spreadsheet updated May 29, 2026 and the May 30, 2026 update post (r/RepTime)
- Is the 126610LN still NWBIG for VSF? March 13, 2025 and 126500: Clean or VSF, May 5, 2025 (r/RepTime)
- VSF new Omega 8800 super clone movement, May 23, 2025 (r/RepTime)
- VSF Yacht-Master 116655 VS3135 QC, June 20, 2025 (r/RepTimeQC), Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in: new VSF GMT V3 DD3285, June 28, 2025 and New 116610LV Hulk? July 10, 2025 (r/RepTime)
- VSF updates after the Clean raid, July 15, 2025 (r/RepTime)
- VSF quality slipping under demand? November 18, 2025 and VSF QC, December 22, 2025 (r/RepTime)
- VSF experience post Clean shut down, February 11, 2026 and Difference between VF and VSF, February 8, 2026 (r/RepTime)
- Update from Andiot regarding VSF and DD movements, April 2, 2026 and Shortage from the DD factory, April 27, 2026 (r/RepTime)
- VSF new release 2026: AP 15510, April 18, 2026 (r/RepTime) and VSF 15510 DD4302 V2 QC, July 5, 2026 (r/RepTimeQC)
- VSF Factory (raid rumor), May 21, 2026 and I've been hearing people say VSF quality has dropped, May 29, 2026 (r/RepTime)
- New VSF ordering policy from Andiot, June 16, 2026 (r/RepTime) and ARF 4801 Panda vs VSF 4131 Panda, June 17, 2026 (r/RepCulture_Timepieces)
- With VSF wait times being CRAZY, school me on RCF, September 2, 2026, Anything going on with VSF? September 5, 2026, What is up with VSF lately? September 5, 2026, Is the new VSF free-sprung only on the Datejust? September 7, 2026 and VSF releases and wait time, September 10, 2026 (r/RepTime)
- Has anyone done a teardown of the VSF 8800 clone yet? October 23, 2025 (r/RepTimeServices)
- VS8800: how long does it last? September 2026 (r/RepTime)
- What are the issues with the VSF Pepsi? February 8, 2025 (r/RepTime)
- Comparing the VSF and VF titanium Yacht-Master 226627, October 13, 2026 (r/RepTime)
- ERF Speedy: not as bad as they say, September 25, 2026 (r/RepTime)
Related pages
- Rolex buyer's guide
- Omega buyer's guide
- Clean Factory profile
- Replica watch movements explained
- Trusted Dealers list
Related factories
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.