Preface: The two-tone Submariner retains the diving functionality and sporty look of the classic Submariner, elevated by luxurious 18K gold. It will definitely appeal to those who love premium styling. However, as most people know, the gold on replica watches is mostly electroplated. With long-term wear, electroplated gold oxidizes when exposed to air and fades over time. Poor electroplating finishes can tarnish within just a few months, ruining its appeal when worn out. Today we introduce the top versions available on the market. They boast exceptional craftsmanship and long-lasting gold colouring, and two models feature 18K gold capping.

Let’s start with the veteran N Factory:
It features 18K gold capping and is powered by a 2836 movement. The case workmanship matches the latest N Factory Submariner models, familiar to anyone who has owned an N Factory Submariner. N Factory consistently delivers quality above the market average; even their entry pieces remain reliable.

In my opinion, the diving bezel markings on N Factory two-tone Submariner sit slightly shallow, and the visual effect of the gold powder is not entirely perfect. Still, buyers who favour established manufacturers often pick N Factory as their first choice. We have received no reports of fading on its gold-capped sections after sales, making it a reliably built watch.

Now let’s look at AR Factory, whose popularity has surged recently:

Manufacturer description: The Submariner collection boasts the classic Oyster case and bracelet. This two-tone Submariner runs on a 2824 movement, fitted with a 40mm 904L Oystersteel case and highly recognisable styling. Sporty yet suitable for formal occasions.
904L Oystersteel Case: 40mm × 13mm dimensions, matching the genuine watch exactly. Every finished case set undergoes meticulous finishing and strict quality inspection by AR watchmakers to ensure precise proportions, with brushing and polishing comparable to genuine craftsmanship. The original bracelet fits the AR case perfectly.
904L Oystersteel Bracelet: Three-link Oyster bracelet with full brushed finishing. The 904L steel delivers outstanding texture on par with the original. It is highly durable and easy to refinish; it retains its beauty even under extreme conditions.
Movement: Powered by an ultra-stable, quiet Seagull 2824 movement with reliability comparable to genuine Rolex movements. Every movement undergoes over 72 hours of testing before shipment.
Crystal: Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal identical to the genuine version. The Cyclops lens magnifies the calendar at 2.5x magnification and features a high-transmission blue coating, matching the original exactly.
Bezel: Unidirectional rotating 60-minute graduated bezel with scratch-resistant Cerachrom ceramic insert. Platinum-coated numerals and markings match the original in colour and depth.

My thoughts: We have shipped out several sample pieces. Mass production quality is truly excellent, arguably slightly better than N Factory. Especially on the ceramic diving bezel with gold powder markings; the depth is well controlled and the colour is extremely close to the original.
Unfortunately, this AR Factory model has no gold-capping option, only electroplated gold. It is hard to predict how long this electroplated finish will last.
If you want a replica watch for casual wear and only need it to stay nice for half a year, this is an excellent pick. If you plan to wear it for more than one or two years, think carefully, as electroplated gold rarely retains its colour for 2 years.

The Newcomer VR Factory:

Manufacturer’s description: VR.Factory invested heavily to develop the Emperor Edition with 18K gold capping for the Rolex Submariner two-tone collection. It is the only manufacturer that uses a gold-platinum composite material for the two-tone sections, matching the genuine watch material. It faithfully replicates the original Rolesor craftsmanship and hardness, delivering the same corrosion resistance and scratch resistance as the genuine piece. Combined with VR Factory’s exclusive bezel replication technology, it perfectly restores the bezel colour and marker coating. This top-tier replica has arrived on the market.

Our thoughts: VR Factory’s craftsmanship sits between N Factory and AR Factory. Its selling point also lies in the markings on the ceramic bezel. From my observation, its gold capping layer is slightly thicker than N Factory’s. A thicker gold capping translates to longer-lasting gold finish and higher production costs.
When buying a two-tone Submariner, long-lasting gold is undoubtedly the top priority. Therefore, I personally recommend the VR two-tone Submariner. VR also offers a full yellow gold version for buyers interested in solid gold style watches.