If you have been following VS Factory’s Datejust line, most of the noise has been around the 41mm version. The 36mm Datejust gets less attention, but it is arguably the more important size for a lot of buyers—especially anyone with a wrist between 15.5cm and 16.5cm. So what did VS actually change on the 36? Is it just a heavier case, or is there more to it?
Here is the short version: the 36mm upgrade is not a spec-sheet revolution. It is a correction of the one thing that mattered most—balance on the wrist. The movement is still the DanDong 3235, the dial has not been redesigned, and the “free-sprung” option is not what the name suggests. But the 121g weight change does make a real difference in daily wear.
The 121g upgrade: where the weight actually went
The VS Factory 36mm Datejust now comes in at around 121g, while the 41mm sits at roughly 134g. That gap is intentional. The 36 is not supposed to feel like a small brick. The problem with earlier 36mm builds was not that they were too light on paper—it was that the head felt floaty. The case did not sit down on the wrist the way a Datejust should, especially on a five-link bracelet.VS added the counterweight inside the bezel assembly rather than stuffing weight into the caseback. That is the same logic used on the 41mm V2, just scaled down for the smaller case. In hand, the effect is obvious: the head feels more planted, the caseback sits flatter against the wrist, and the watch stops feeling top-light. It is a small change on a scale, but a noticeable one on the arm.The important point is that 121g is not a “heavier is better” number. If VS had pushed the 36 close to 41mm weight, the proportions would feel wrong. The 36 is meant to be compact and comfortable. VS kept it in the right zone.
Movement: DanDong 3235 is still the headline
The 36mm Datejust uses the same DanDong 3235 one-piece movement as the 41mm. VS did not downgrade the movement just because the case is smaller. That matters. The DanDong 3235 still offers the familiar 70-hour-plus power reserve, ceramic ball-bearing rotor, and a structure that is much closer to the genuine layout than a decorated entry-level movement. Amplitude around the 200s is normal for this movement—do not judge it purely by a high-swing number.
The “free-sprung” option: pay for the look, not the performance
VS does offer a so-called “free-sprung” version, and some sellers charge around 200 RMB extra. Here is the part most listings will not tell you: it is not a true free-sprung balance with weights. The regulator is simply relocated under the balance bridge and hidden from view.From the caseback, the balance area looks cleaner and closer to the genuine free-sprung appearance. At social distance, that is fine. But the regulating structure is still there, and the running performance is not fundamentally different from the standard version.Our advice is simple. If you care about the open-caseback look and want the cleaner visual, the hidden-regulator version is understandable. If you care about servicing and long-term ownership, the standard DanDong 3235 is the smarter buy. A watchmaker who opens the back and cannot find the usual regulator may have to remove the balance bridge to adjust the rate. That adds cost and risk for a feature you will rarely see on the wrist.
Dial and case details that matter on a 36
The 36mm Datejust does not get a new dial, but the details that are easy to get wrong are handled properly. The 12 o’clock crown has the flat-bottom profile rather than a rounded, bloated shape. The dial printing uses the flat-top “A” characteristic, and the edges are crisp rather than soft. The hands use a solid center pinion, not the hollow pinion that gives cheaper builds away under light.The date window has the right font weight and stepped aperture, and the 2.5x cyclops has proper magnification and layering. The fluted bezel uses a 904 steel base with plating, which is the same approach VS moved to on the 41mm to avoid the old alloy fading issue. On a 36, these small details matter more because the dial is smaller and every element is more visible.
Who should buy the VS 36 Datejust?
The 36mm is the better choice if your wrist is roughly 15.5cm to 16.5cm. The case profile sits cleaner, the bracelet wraps better, and the corrected balance makes it a genuine all-day watch. It is not the right pick if you want wrist presence or a “big watch” look. The 41mm does that better.Before paying, check the basics: DanDong 3235 one-piece movement, flat-top “A” clasp code, and clean 6 o’clock rehaut engraving. Those three checks will keep you away from most parts-bin builds.
Bottom line:The VS Factory 36mm Datejust upgrade is not a headline-grabbing redesign. It is a sensible fix. The 121g weight brings the center of gravity back to the wrist, the DanDong 3235 remains a strong foundation, and the dial details are handled with enough care for a 36mm case. Skip the “free-sprung” upcharge unless you specifically want the caseback visual. For most buyers, the standard version is the better long-term choice.
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