Two top factories just dropped the new orange Seamaster 007 at the same time. You want the best one but fear picking the version with hidden, disappointing flaws.
Overall, I recommend the VSF version. It gets major structural details like the bracelet correct. However, ORF wins on specific points like the clasp, making it a surprisingly close competitor, especially since it's cheaper.
In November, OR Factory (the old GF) made a surprise return after a year away. They came back with this beautiful Omega Seamaster 007 in orange, reference 210.30.42.20.01.018. At almost the exact same time, VSF, the big brother of Omega reps, released their version. I got both in hand to see what the real differences are, and I found some very interesting things. After looking at every detail, I lean towards VSF, but let's dive into the evidence.
Which watch looks better on your wrist?
You're looking at pictures online, but the dial details are hard to distinguish. You're worried that a small flaw you can't see in photos will bother you forever once you own it.
VSF presents a cleaner, more accurate overall look without distortion. ORF has a sharper logo shape, but its overly curved crystal distorts the dial edges and its orange color is a bit too red.
The first thing you notice on any watch is the dial and crystal. Here, the two factories took different approaches.
Crystal, Color, and Finishing
The crystal on the OR Factory is slightly more domed at the edges. This makes the dial pop a bit more, but it also causes a slight distortion around the minute track. VSF's crystal is flatter and gives a clearer view. The orange color of the bezel is also different; ORF's is a bit more reddish, while VSF's is a more accurate orange. One small detail I noticed is on the central pinion where the hands are mounted. On the ORF, the paint doesn't fully cover the step, a minor but noticeable flaw. When it comes to the general polishing of the hour markers and any burrs on the hands, both factories are very similar.
The Omega Logo
This is a key difference. The applied OMEGA logo on the VSF is a little bit fat. The tips of the letters aren't as sharp as they should be, possibly because VSF used a thicker layer of ink for durability. The logo on the ORF, however, is shaped much better. It's slimmer and the lines are cleaner. From a pure shape perspective, I prefer the ORF logo.
| Feature | VSF Factory | OR Factory |
|---|---|---|
| Crystal | Flatter, less distortion | More domed, distorts dial edge |
| Bezel Color | Accurate orange | More reddish-orange |
| Logo Shape | A bit fat, less defined | Slim and sharp, closer to gen |
| Center Pinion | Fully painted | Incompletely painted |
How do the bracelet and case feel?
You know a great replica is more than just a dial. You are worried that a stiff or inaccurate bracelet will feel cheap and make the entire watch uncomfortable to wear.
VSF completely wins this category. It has the correct 15-column bracelet that is thinner and more flexible. ORF made a huge mistake with a 16-column design and a thicker, stiffer bracelet.
This is where I found the most interesting difference. The feel of the bracelet and the accuracy of the case are major factors in how a watch feels on the wrist.
The Bracelet Mistake
When I counted the columns of mesh links on the bracelet, I was shocked. The ORF has 16 columns. The VSF has 15 columns. And the genuine Omega? It has 15 columns. This is a major structural error by ORF. The look of the VSF mesh is also much closer to the genuine, while the ORF mesh looks a bit flat and wide. The VSF bracelet is also thinner at 2.1mm compared to ORF's 2.3mm, making it more flexible and comfortable. The side profile of the VSF bracelet links also matches the genuine watch's shape better.
Caseback Engraving
On the back of the watch, the story continues. VSF's caseback engravings are deeper, thicker, and much closer to the genuine watch's appearance. The engravings on the ORF are too thin and look less premium.
| Feature | VSF Factory | OR Factory |
|---|---|---|
| Bracelet Columns | 15 (Correct like genuine) | 16 (Incorrect) |
| Bracelet Thickness | 2.1mm (Flexible) | 2.3mm (Stiffer) |
| Caseback Engraving | Thick and deep (Correct) | Thin and shallow (Incorrect) |
Are the movement and clasp a deal-breaker?
You know the clasp and movement are where factories often cut corners. You're afraid you'll get the watch and find a massive flaw that ruins the whole experience.
Yes, the clasp on the VSF is a deal-breaker. It's a total failure. ORF's clasp is a near-perfect copy. However, VSF's movement has better finishing quality, despite ORF's upgraded ceramic bearings.
This is where the decision gets really tough. VSF wins on the big picture, but they failed completely on the clasp.
The Clasp: A Total Failure by VSF
VSF lost badly here. I suspect they just reused the clasp from the brown "No Time to Die" 007 model instead of making a new one for this watch. The shape of the top of the clasp is wrong. The internal structure is very different from the genuine. When you open the deployant, the "OMEGA" engraving is actually etched upside down! To top it off, the two release buttons on the VSF are brushed, while the genuine and the ORF have polished buttons. ORF's clasp is a new tooling and is fantastic.
The Movement: A Matter of Opinion
Both factories use a clone movement. The red text on the VSF movement is brighter and more accurate. Many people point out that ORF has more "fish-scale" polishing on the base plates. That's true. But from my personal view, the VSF movement is better. The Geneva stripes are more detailed, there are beveled edges around every jewel, and they polished the double-T shock protection. ORF skipped these fundamental finishing steps. ORF did upgrade the rotor to use ceramic ball bearings while VSF still uses steel, which is a point for ORF's durability. It's a choice: do you want more surface decoration (ORF) or better core finishing (VSF)?
Conclusion
VSF gets the big picture right with the bracelet and caseback, but its clasp is a disaster. ORF nails the details on the clasp and logo but fails on the bracelet.