AR Factory vs Noob Factory is no longer a live choice in 2026. The original Noob closed after the 2021 raids, and the May 2026 r/RepTime "Who Makes the Best" guide lists it as "Noob (Closed)". ARF is still in the guide: it is first, with the top mark NWBIG, for the five-digit Submariner 16610 with a 3135 clone. For the 40 mm Submariner 116610, the guide ranks VSF first.
AR Factory vs Noob Factory: the table
| AR Factory (ARF) | Noob Factory | |
|---|---|---|
| Status, October 2026 | Warehouse raid reported in June 2026; watches still shipped, some under the name ONE | Closed since the 2021 raids |
| 40 mm Submariner in the May 2026 guide | First for the 16610 (3135 clone, NWBIG) | "Noob (Closed)"; not listed for the Submariner |
| Other guide places | First for the GMT-Master II 116710LN and the Explorer II 226570 | "Noob v2" second for the Sky-Dweller |
| What it was known for | Rolex sports models, plating praised by owners | The Submariner before 2021, and in 2021 the only Daytona with all sub-dials working (4130 clone) |
What happened to each factory
Noob. In August 2021 a member wrote that dealers saw almost no chance of a Noob return. Before that, Noob led the Submariner until VSF released its 116610 with the VS3135, according to a member. Since late 2024 some sellers use the names "Noob V2" and "FNF" (Fake Noob Factory), and a dealer account announced that Noob had "officially returned"; members said the name had changed hands and that anyone could claim it.
ARF. In June 2026 members reported a raid. A top poster wrote that only a single ARF warehouse was raided, and a buyer still received an ARF Daytona QC on June 15. In August 2026 members wrote that ARF had been renamed ONE, and one buyer waited 18 days for a GMT-Master II QC.
Which 40 mm Submariner to buy in 2026
The guide splits the 40 mm Submariners by generation:
| Reference | Movement in the guide | First choice |
|---|---|---|
| 16610LN and LV (five-digit) | 3135 clone | ARF (NWBIG) |
| 116610LN and LV | 3135 clone | VSF (NWBIG) |
| 114060 (no date) | 3130 clone | VSF (NWBIG) |
Owners name the stock ARF crystal as its weak point; a deep crystal costs extra and can magnify single digits too much.
Sources
All dates are the posting dates of the threads.
- Who Makes the Best guide, spreadsheet updated May 29, 2026 (r/RepTime)
- Factories closed, August 1, 2021 and Update on Noob situation: they most likely not coming back but the 4130 is here to stay, August 18, 2021 (r/RepTime)
- Noob Factory is Back! New DayDate is coming! December 3, 2024 (dealer post) and Is Noob factory back? December 3, 2024 (r/RepTime)
- Noob V2 / FNF Sky-Dweller review, November 12, 2024 (r/RepTime)
- ARF is doing it right, March 29, 2026 (r/RepTime)
- ARF shut down? June 11, 2026, ARF raided, June 15, 2026, ARF gone? August 18, 2026 and ARF GMT has not received QC in 18 days, August 29, 2026 (r/RepTime)
Next steps
Gold, platinum and custom versions
Guide
Gold Rolex replica: plated, wrapped, weighted or solid 18k gold
Gold plating in microns, tungsten-weighted builds and solid 18k parts, with weights and reported prices.
Guide
Custom replica watches: gold, diamonds, weight and genuine parts
What you can change, diamonds or moissanite, the order steps and the prices owners report.