The news that Clean Factory stopped production hit the replica watch community pretty hard. Last year you could still easily buy a Submariner, Datejust, or Daytona from them. Now on the second-hand market, prices have gone up 30-50%. Even worse, people who bought Clean Factory watches before are having trouble finding spare parts. Right now the biggest question everyone is asking: after Clean Factory shut down, can VS Factory fully replace them and become the new main player for Rolex replica watches?
Clean Factory Background
Clean Factory shutting down was actually something people saw coming. They started out making bezels for other factories, only later started producing whole watches. Their ceramic bezels were really good, no doubt about it. Especially the “duck poop green” on the Hulk Submariner – almost no other factory has been able to match that color and texture.
But the problem was, Clean Factory was never strong with movements. Of course they knew this too, so around April or May 2024, they upgraded all their watches with the 3235 movement. They switched to the new “Super 3235” movement from Shanghai Jinghe Factory. With this upgrade, Clean Factory’s power reserve got better – around 70 hours, same level as VS Factory’s Dandong movement.
That said, when it comes to long-term durability, the Shanghai Jinghe movement still isn’t as stable as the Dandong movement. From my actual testing and return rate data, Clean Factory’s 3235 movement was a bit less reliable than VS Factory’s. But their ceramic bezel was still the best on the market.
What is a one-piece movement in replica watches?
Let me explain the movement situation. After Clean Factory closed, a lot of people see VS Factory as the top choice. The main reason is their Dandong 3235 one-piece movement. For those who don’t know, a one-piece movement means they built it from scratch following the original design – the balance wheel, escapement, mainspring barrel, gear layout – if you open it up, it looks exactly like the genuine movement. A “decorated plate” movement is different: they take a basic movement and add a decorative plate on top to make it look like the original. But over time, the rotor gets noisy, winding efficiency drops, and if you’re unlucky, the date wheel gets stuck.
Must-read for those buying a Rolex Submariner: Clean Factory and VS Factory real comparison
To be honest, Clean Factory’s bezel teeth radian, platinum plating, dial color accuracy – especially the ceramic bezel on the Hulk Submariner – no other factory has been able to copy it. Clean Factory used low-temperature enamel filling for the bezel markers, which is durable and doesn’t fade. The way it reflects light – VS Factory is still half a step behind.
VS Factory, on the other hand, has improved their case finishing and dial details over the years. They also use 904L steel. The lug chamfering and clasp mechanism are solid, not loose like small factories. VS Factory’s sapphire crystal has two more layers of coating than Clean Factory, so in low light the dial actually looks clearer. For the ceramic bezel, VS Factory uses PVD platinum coating – under UV light it has a slight fluorescence, and it won’t fade even after a year or two. But for the bezel teeth reflection and the sharpness of the date font edges, Clean Factory was still better.
Where to get a Clean Factory replica watch repaired?
People ask if VF Factory can repair Clean Factory watches. The answer is: they can handle some exterior parts, but not the movement. VF Factory took over Clean Factory’s exterior technology – they’re good at ceramic bezels, dials, case polishing. But for movements, they don’t have the parts. They can only recommend swapping to a Dandong 3235 one-piece movement or another alternative. And VF Factory only works with dealers, not individual customers. If you want a repair, you have to go through a trusted dealer that works with VF Factory. The process is slow and annoying.
VS Factory Dandong 3235 one-piece movement Advantages
VS Factory is confident about their movement mainly because of these three things:
True structure: The Dandong 3235 isn’t just a decorated plate – it’s built from scratch following the genuine Cal.3235. The balance wheel, escapement, mainspring barrel, gear positions – open it up and it matches the real thing.
Stable timekeeping: Set the lift angle to 52°, the amplitude stays between 270-310, daily error within ±5 seconds.
Low return rate: About 5% return rate in a year. Most of those are from assembly lubrication issues or physical drops.
Final conclusion: Not a replacement, but an overall evolution
The era of Clean Factory has come to an end, but its glory is worth remembering. For veteran players, choosing VS Factory is not simply filling a gap, but a comprehensive evolution in the Rolex 1:1 Best Edition Swiss Replica Watches industry – more authentic movements, better materials, more refined craftsmanship, and more reliable after-sales service.