For those familiar with replica watches, it’s well known that both GM Factory and Noob Factory high-quality GMT-Master II Pepsi models with 904L stainless steel cases and the clone 3285 movement. One of the key reasons collectors choose these models is the high fidelity of the 3285 movement.
However, since the GMT is a solid caseback (closed case) model, it’s not convenient to open the watch just to verify the movement. So how can you tell if your watch actually contains a clone 3285 and not a lower-grade 2836 disguised as one?
Here are two simple yet effective ways to distinguish between a true 3285 clone movement and a substitute 2836 movement—no caseback removal required:
1. Check the Hand Stack (Order of the Hands)
A genuine 3285 movement replica from Noob Factory (just like the genuine Rolex) has the GMT hand stacked in the correct order. From bottom to top, the hand stack is as follows:
- Hour hand
- GMT (second time zone) hand
- Minute hand
- Second hand
On the other hand, GMT models fitted with the 2836 movement have an incorrect hand stack order, which doesn’t match that of the genuine Rolex 3285 movement.
2. Check the Date-Setting Mechanism
The 3285 movement in the Noob Factory Pepsi allows for jumping the hour hand independently to change the date—just like the genuine Rolex. That is, the hour hand completes two rotations to advance the date by one day.
In contrast, watches with the 2836 movement change the date via a direct second-position quickset feature, during which the hour hand does not move at all.
With these two techniques, you can easily verify whether your GMT-Master II is equipped with a proper clone 3285 movement or a downgraded 2836, all without removing the caseback.
This knowledge can help avoid misleading purchases and ensure you get the build quality you expect from reputable manufacturers like Noob Factory.
