As I’m breaking down these new ERF free sprung balance 3235 watches, here’s my thoughts about them and their quality. 2 steps forward, 4 steps back. Still the best base to use for building a super frank datejust. All the poor quality parts are replaced by genuine Rolex parts anyways. 

Bracelet: GOOD. Same bracelet as ARF. Best in the game. 

Bezel: EXCELLENT. This is the same weighted 10g tungsten core bezel I have been using on my builds. It’s white gold plated with sharp CNC cuts. 

Movement: EXCELLENT. Free sprung balance is very nice. Blue hair spring. Movement finishing on par with DD3235. 

Crown & stem: BAD. Stem is flimsy and snapped off when removing the stem from the crown. Not recommended for use. Replace with Gen crown and stem. 

Case: GOOD. 6R serial case consistent with other factories using this series, good build base to start

Crystal: TRASH. Same Crystal ARF uses. Thin, no edge bevel, AR non existent on cyclops. Even the gasket sucks. It’s too thin. I was able to remove the bezel with my fingernail. Replace with genuine crystal & gasket

Dials: MID. Dials seem to be coming from various suppliers. I broke down two, one Wimbledon, one rhodium gray. The rhodium gray was actually stuck to the movement using sticky dot. It wasn’t even manufactured like the genuine dial

ERF breakdown. The good, bad, and ugly. Two steps forward, 4 steps backward.