The VS Factory Rolex Submariner has always been super popular. As the factory keeps making new molds and tweaking the movements, the market has slowly split into V1, V2, V3, and V4 versions. If you don’t know the differences between these versions, this article is your must-read guide before buying a VS Factory Rolex Submariner replica watch.
Full Breakdown of VS Factory Rolex Submariner V1 / V2 / V3 / V4 Versions
Actually, VS Factory never officially named a V4 version. The V1 to V4 labels were made up by buyers and sellers based on case molds, ceramic bezel tech, movement upgrades, and small detail changes. Right now, V1 and V2 are older models that stopped production a long time ago. Most of what’s left are old stock or refurbished units, and there aren’t many around.
Quick summary:
- V1: Early basic version with 3135 movement.
- V2: Focused on upgrading the ceramic bezel feel and pearl pip, plus better pinion center structure on the hands.
- V3: Switched to the 3235 movement, new 41mm case mold to match the 2020 genuine Submariner. Became the go-to model for a while.
- V4: Small fixes over V3 — bezel markings look closer to platinum, lugs are sharper, and the clasp inner engraving is lighter instead of deep. That’s why V4 costs more than V3.
V4 is the newest and most accurate version right now. Once you understand this timeline, you won’t get tricked by sellers who throw around fake version numbers.
Side-by-Side Look at Details: What’s Different Under a Macro Lens?
For people who want top-tier accuracy, just looking with your eyes isn’t enough. They like to check the replica against a genuine watch under a macro lens.
- Case and lugs: From V2 to V3, the lugs got wider and the edges became rounder and smoother — spot on to the 2020 genuine case shape, getting rid of the stiff old look. From V3 to V4, the case curve was improved again, and the lugs were slightly narrowed, so it sits better on the wrist.
- Ceramic bezel and pearl pip: Before V3, the bezel markings looked silver-gray and kinda cheap. The V4 upgrade gives them a platinum-like finish with stronger depth. For the pearl pip, V2 and V3 versions were flat and plasticky. V4 has a slight dome and a jade-like glow, matching the genuine very closely.
- Dial text and hands: V1 and V2 had thick, uneven letters. V3 fixed the font proportions but the color was off — looked gray. V4 uses a newer printing process, so the letters are sharp and the color is right. The hand pinion is polished smooth and flat, without the small dent seen in V3. Under macro, V4’s advantage is clear.
VS Factory Submariner Weight, Thickness, and How It Feels On the Wrist
How a Replica watch feels on your wrist depends a lot on its weight and thickness.
- Weight comparison: V2 weighed about 157g, which felt light compared to the genuine. V3 and V4 came in at about 162g, just 1g less than the genuine’s 163g. But on the wrist, they feel the same — the weight balance is excellent. This improvement is even more noticeable on the two‑tone models. Early two‑tone versions were only around 150g, but V3 and V4 added weight modules, fixing the cheap‑feeling problem.
- Thickness comparison: V2 was about 12.8mm thick, which would often get stuck on shirt cuffs — annoyed a lot of users. V3 and V4 use the upgraded 3235 movement, which brought thickness down to 12.5mm. The slim movement gives a slim case, so you can wear it with shirts or hoodies without issue. Also, the clasp micro‑adjustment got smoother with each version. V1 and V2 clasps felt rough and stiff. V4 does it best — the micro‑adjust slides easily without sticking, making it easy to get the right fit.
How Does the VS Factory Submariner Movement Perform in Terms of Accuracy?
V1 and V2 both used the Dandong 3135 movement — a traditional design with a regulated balance wheel and a fast‑slow pin. V3 upgraded to the Dandong 3235 integrated movement. But the real leap came with the top‑spec V4 and its 3235 free‑spring movement. V4 uses a free‑spring balance with micro‑adjustment weights, which gives much more stable amplitude.
Compared to the older regulated movements, the V4 free‑spring movement keeps error down to about ±3 seconds per day — top‑notch level. Also, the rotor is noise‑tuned by the factory, so there’s no rattling or sharp sounds when you shake it. It’s super smooth and quiet. The V4 3235 free‑spring movement is currently the best option out there.
Is the VS Factory Green Submariner (Hulk) V4 Worth Buying?
The green color has improved a lot between versions. V2 had a bright candy green bezel — way too flashy and far from the genuine’s calm green. By V3, that big color difference was gone — the green became more muted. With V4, VS Factory tweaked the ceramic mix to a deeper matte green, which is very close to the classic deep green of the genuine 116610LV. Under natural light, it has layers of depth and doesn’t look fake or shiny. So yes, the V4 Hulk is a great choice.
How to Tell If You’re Getting the Best Version Replica watch?
You don’t need fancy tools to make sure you’re buying the top‑tier VS Factory Submariner replica watch. Just look for these key points — things you can see with your eyes and feel with your hands.
- Check the movement: A reliable seller’s QC photos should show the movement. The top version uses the Dandong 3235 free‑spring movement. It has no traditional fast‑slow pin, and you’ll see small adjustment weights on the balance wheel. That’s the biggest difference from V3 and older, which use a regulated movement.
- Look at macro detail photos of the bezel: Unlike V3 and older versions with dull silver‑gray markings, the V4 bezel markings have a platinum‑like matte finish and much stronger depth.
- Weigh it and measure thickness: V4 full steel bracelet version weighs about 162g, and case thickness is precisely 12.5mm.
- Check the factory anti‑fake marks: On the top V4 version, the clasp inner engraving has the right depth and clean fonts. Look at the 6 o’clock inner bezel — the laser‑etched crown logo should be visible under normal light without a magnifier.
Is Now a Good Time to Buy a VS Factory Black Submariner?
Yes, now is actually the best time. I know a lot of buyers hesitate, thinking maybe VS Factory 1:1 Best Edition Swiss Replica Watches will release a V5 or V6 soon. But looking at what they’ve actually done, VS Factory’s current level is about as good as it gets. There won’t be a V5 or V6 anytime soon. If they try to improve further, either the cost would double or the changes would be tiny tweaks that don’t matter much. Even if a V5 came out later, it’d probably just be small cosmetic changes — nothing huge. And honestly, VS Factory isn’t even focused on Rolex Submariners anymore. Their attention has shifted to the Rolex Daytona and GMT series.