The perennial debate over which factory produces the best replica of the Submariner, whether it be the black 116610LN or the green 116610LV, has been a source of controversy among enthusiasts. Approximately five years ago, when Noob was still a prominent player in the market, it was the unanimous choice for crafting the finest replica Submariners. With Noob out of the picture for years now, the question remains: which factory currently reigns supreme in the Submariner replica realm?
Enter Clean and VS, two renowned factories that have assumed the mantle of producing the 40mm Submariner 116610LN and 116610LV replicas. Their reputation for quality is nearly indistinguishable, leading to spirited debates among watch enthusiasts striving to declare a winner. To shed light on this ongoing discussion, I obtained watches from both Clean and VS, capturing an array of detailed images for careful comparison.
The showcased pictures were taken under identical lighting conditions. The left watch, featuring a sticker with the letters “3135” and “CLEAN,” is crafted by Clean, while the right one is the handiwork of VS.
Examining the initial six images, the craftsmanship of both timepieces is undeniably captivating. Constructed from solid 904L stainless steel, both replicas boast identical case diameters and thicknesses. The case finishing is impeccable, rendering it challenging to discern any differences when held. The case shapes also exhibit no noticeable distinctions. However, a peculiar observation emerges – the watch from the VS factory appears slightly larger. This anomaly becomes clearer upon closer scrutiny of the number “20” on the bezel. The bezel tooth on the right watch protrudes, creating the illusion of a larger bezel that covers more space on the case. Despite this, the overall case shape remains consistent between the two, highlighting the meticulous craftsmanship from both Clean and VS. In conclusion, while differences exist, both factories have excelled in creating stunning replicas, offering enthusiasts a tough choice between two remarkable timepieces.
