Factory Identification Guide – Replica Watch Knowledge Base

Factory Comparison Table

Factory	Status	Representative Movements	Representative Models	Price Range
ZF Factory	In Production	MIYOTA 9015 / Seagull movement	Omega Seamaster, select Cartier models	$210-480
BVF Factory	In Production	MIYOTA 9015 / custom movement	Cartier Santos, Ballon Bleu, Tank	$350-620
APS Factory (Closed)	Seized / Closed	Shanghai 4302 movement	AP 15500/15510 Royal Oak	$680-1250 (stock)
Octa Factory	In Production	Shanghai 4302 movement	AP 15500/15510 Royal Oak	$680-1250
VSF Factory	In Production	Dandong 3285 free-sprung movement	Rolex Submariner, GMT, Daytona	$550-1100

Factory Details

ZF Factory

In Production

ZF Factory represents the mid-range tier, covering brands such as Cartier and Omega. It offers good value for money, though detail finishing has a certain gap compared to top factories. ZF performs well on the Omega Seamaster series and some Cartier models, suitable for buyers with limited budgets who want basic fidelity. ZF has large output and high market presence.

Representative Movements： MIYOTA 9015 / Seagull movement

Representative Models： Omega Seamaster, select Cartier models

Price Range： $210-480

Craftsmanship Features

Overall workmanship is decent, dial printing and hand installation are basically fine, but there is a gap in detail bevelling and movement finishing compared to top factories.

Identification Points

ZF caseback engravings are shallower, movement rotor finishing is more basic, and bracelet edge treatment is less refined than top factories.

BVF Factory

In Production

BVF Factory specializes in Cartier series. It delivers fine craftsmanship on models such as the Cartier Santos, Ballon Bleu and Tank, with good movement stability, making it a representative factory in the Cartier replica segment. BVF achieves high fidelity on Cartier’s iconic elements including Roman numeral dials, blued steel hands and the cabochon crown.

Representative Movements： MIYOTA 9015 / custom movement

Representative Models： Cartier Santos, Ballon Bleu, Tank

Price Range： $350-620

Craftsmanship Features

Clear Roman numeral dial printing, accurate blued steel hands, good cabochon sapphire quality, faithful quick-release bracelet structure.

Identification Points

BVF Cartier casebacks have clear engraving, the synthetic sapphire cabochon on the crown is richly colored, and the Santos bracelet screws are neatly aligned.

APS Factory (Closed)

Seized / Closed

APS Factory was once famous for the AP 15500/15510 series, using the Shanghai 4302 movement with good finishing, and was the benchmark factory for AP Royal Oak replicas. However, the factory has now been closed and no longer produces new items. Its production line and technical team have been taken over by Octa Factory. Products currently on the market are remaining stock.

Representative Movements： Shanghai 4302 movement

Representative Models： AP 15500/15510 Royal Oak

Price Range： $680-1250 (stock)

Successor / Replacement Factory： Octa Factory

Craftsmanship Features

Once known for high fidelity to the AP Royal Oak series, with top-level index polishing and bracelet craftsmanship at the time.

Identification Points

APS products have specific engraving formats on the caseback; new market items are now produced by Octa.

Octa Factory

In Production

Octa Factory is the successor of the APS Factory, having fully taken over the original APS production line and core technical team. It continues the high-quality production of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak series (15500/15510 etc.), with excellent index polishing and bracelet brushing. Octa fills the market gap left after APS ceased production and is currently the first choice for high-end AP Royal Oak replicas.

Representative Movements： Shanghai 4302 movement

Representative Models： AP 15500/15510 Royal Oak

Price Range： $680-1250

Craftsmanship Features

Fine index polishing, natural transition between brushing and polishing on the bracelet, proper handling of the octagonal case edges, one-piece bracelet conforming to the wrist.

Identification Points

The AP logo on Octa dials has strong 3D presence, index edges are clearly bevelled, and the open caseback shows Geneva stripe finishing.

VSF Factory

In Production

VSF is one of the top factories in the replica watch industry, famous for the Rolex Submariner series. It uses the Dandong 3285 free-sprung movement with stable timekeeping, fine dial printing, ceramic bezel texture close to the genuine article, and luminescent coating with a blue-green tint. VSF has extremely high fidelity on Rolex sports models such as Submariner, GMT and Daytona, making it the first choice for Rolex replicas.

Representative Movements： Dandong 3285 free-sprung movement

Representative Models： Rolex Submariner, GMT, Daytona

Price Range： $550-1100

Craftsmanship Features

Fine dial printing, ceramic bezel close to genuine, excellent bracelet brushing, accurate luminous coating.

Identification Points

The VSF Submariner has subtle laser etching below the crown logo, bezel numerals match the genuine font, and there is a small crown laser mark on the crystal at the 6 o'clock position.