Rolex Explorer 1 36mm black dial model 124270 by EWF factory
EWF factory produces decent watches, but only a few are considered top tier. Their Rolex Explorer 1 124270 36mm black dial is regarded as one of the top tier based on reviews in the rep community. Therefore, I will be going through their flaws and sharing my thoughts. The seller will be referenced at the end of this review.
Movement
The A3230 is the same as the VR3230 movement; the factories just rename it. This movement is a hybrid between the 3135 and 3235 authentic movements and not a true clone of the authentic 3230 movement used in the Rolex Explorer I. The movement is reliable, but the parts are harder to source. However, this movement can be easily found online at the cost of 100 USD. The power reserve of this movement is 40 hours or less, which isn’t the same as the authentic movement.
Measurement / Water proof
Authentic case diameter: 36mm || EWF case diameter: 36mm
Authentic case thickness: 11.5mm || EWF case thickness: 11.7mm
Authentic waterproof depth: 100m || EWF waterproof depth: 50m
Flaw 1
Point 1: EWF’s Rolex logo is smaller than the authentic, making the placement off.
Point 2: The “SWISS MADE” text at the bottom of the dial is similar on both watches, and my minor complaint would be that EWF’s character “I” is too thin compared to the authentic.
Point 3: EWF’s rehaut is decent, but the depth isn’t the same as the authentic, making it less prominent in comparison.
Point 4: The white color fill is too thick on EWF’s minute hand compared to the retail, and all the hands’ reflectiveness is dull too.
Flaw 2
The Rolex debossing slightly differs on both crowns in terms of sizing, and the authentic debossing looks more prominent compared to EWF.
Flaw 3
EWF’s engraving on the clasp is decent, but the Rolex logo is larger than the authentic. Furthermore, the authentic engraving is more prominent than EWF’s. The authentic font is concise and clear, while EWF’s font is faded and stretched vertically.
Flaw 4
Similar to the previous flaw, EWF’s font is faded and too thin compared to the authentic.
Flaw 5
I am totally speechless; the images here will do the talking. EWF has missing words on the rotor, and the Rolex logo looks completely off. Additionally, EWF’s “3230” doesn’t look like it’s engraved, but rather painted on the top plate. Honestly, this flaw is a major red flag to me, but luckily, it isn’t visible to the naked eye.
Conclusion
EWF’s Rolex Explorer 1 ref 124270 36mm black dial is an entry-level watch, and I wouldn’t consider it a top-tier watch based on the flaws listed above. Please note that this is my personal opinion, and it might be different for others; take this review with a pinch of salt. Although the flaws were concerning, I still love the sleek design and the black dial. As always, peace out and stay vibey.