Hey watch lovers! Today, I’m excited to share my thoughts on the upgraded C Factory Rolex Yacht-Master M126622-0001 with a gray dial. C Factory has always been a favorite among the replica watch community due to their meticulous attention to detail and highly accurate reproductions. This time around, they’ve taken the game up a notch with an upgrade that focuses on improving the movement to bring it even closer to the original.

Let’s dive in and see how this new version of the Gray Yacht-Master holds up.

First things first, let’s talk about the most significant change—the movement upgrade. Back in May, C Factory upgraded all of their models featuring the 3235 and 3230 movements, and this was a game changer. The biggest news here is that they’ve finally managed to get the power reserve up to 70 hours, exactly like the original. This addresses one of the biggest shortcomings of the previous versions, where the power reserve just didn’t stack up. Now, you can leave the watch off your wrist over the weekend and pick it back up on Monday without having to reset it—pretty convenient, right?

The movement upgrade isn’t just about power reserve either; it also makes the watch more stable and reliable. The addition of the latest Shanghai 3235 movement means that this piece can now boast both performance and accuracy, something we all want in our favorite timepieces. The new movement also includes changes to the shock absorber and balance wheel that make a big difference in the watch’s overall resilience and timekeeping performance.

Moving on to the aesthetic details, C Factory spared no effort in getting every part of the watch to look as close to the original as possible. The crystal is made of sapphire, providing excellent scratch resistance, while its slight dome and AR coating make for a crystal-clear display. There’s a 2.5x magnification cyclops at 3 o’clock that’s well-executed, giving you an easy-to-read date with no distortion.

The dial features the beautiful gray sunburst finish that the original Gray Yacht-Master is known for, and C Factory nailed the subtle gradient that shifts with different lighting. The blue accents, including the second hand and text, are rich and vibrant—just like the real deal. When it comes to the luminous markers, the lume is generously and evenly applied, providing great visibility in low-light conditions. These markers aren’t just functional but elevate the elegance of the watch overall.

The bezel on this upgraded version is another feature that stands out. It has a bi-directional rotation, and it’s made of platinum with a mix of polished and sandblasted surfaces that create an attractive and luxurious sheen—it’s almost indistinguishable from the genuine piece. The engraved numerals have a depth to them, which catches the light beautifully, just like the original.

The case and bracelet are made from 904L stainless steel, which is the same grade used by Rolex themselves. The finishing on the case is spectacular, with alternating polished and brushed surfaces that look and feel just right. The crown features the Rolex logo deeply etched, adding another layer of authenticity. The bracelet, provided by AR Factory, deserves a mention of its own—it’s incredibly comfortable, with solid end links that fit the case perfectly. It features polished center links framed by brushed outer links, and all of these transitions are smooth, with no sharp edges.

The folding clasp on this piece feels secure and well-made, opening and closing smoothly without any of the stiffness you might experience with lower-quality replicas. The clasp is engraved with the code “E4F” and includes all the fine details, down to the tiny dots on the olive insignia, making it very difficult to tell apart from the original.

When it comes to weight and dimensions, this watch weighs in at 144 grams and has a case diameter of 39.8mm with a thickness of 11.4mm—all true to the original specs, providing a really comfortable wear. The size and proportions are spot-on, giving you that solid, luxurious feel that you’d expect from a genuine Yacht-Master.

One of the highlights of this version is the solid case back, which features a brushed finish and is built to be tightly sealed to maintain the watch’s water resistance. The 3235 movement inside is easily distinguishable if you open the case back. One neat trick to identify the newest movement is to check the position of the regulating system—the latest version has a distinct placement that aligns perfectly with the genuine model. It’s small details like this that showcase the dedication C Factory has towards getting things right.

Final Thoughts: The C Factory Rolex Gray Yacht-Master M126622-0001 has undergone an impressive evolution, especially with the movement upgrade. The new 3235 movement provides longer power reserve, improved precision, and stability, while the rest of the watch—from its dial to its bracelet—remains a faithful representation of the genuine model. The materials, craftsmanship, and performance have come together to create a replica that’s certainly worthy of attention.

If you’re a fan of the Yacht-Master but aren’t keen on dropping the big bucks for a genuine one, this is definitely an option worth considering. Just remember to always buy from trusted sources to ensure you’re getting the genuine Clean Factory version—there are too many fakes of fakes out there! Thanks for reading, and happy watch collecting!