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Because I’m a Nerd - A Brief Comparison Of Mainsprings

hanski

Renowned Member
25/4/18
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501
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I found myself recently cleaning and re-oiling a brand new A7750. In the process I pulled out the mainspring to find something I would use all of my literary prowess to call weak and sprung (or at least part way there).
Oft hearing how far replicas have come or the strength of timekeeping of a clone movement I thought it’d be worthwhile comparing two new mainsprings, one a genuine Swiss ETA and the other from an Asian clone.
What does this show? Well, to me it shows how Chinese factories might be copying the aesthetics of Swiss watch works, they’re still a long way from copying the material quality.
Why does this matter or why should anyone care? Good question. Again, from my perspective it comes down to value for the money spent and personally caring about craftsmanship. But more technically, the Asian clones are supplying a weaker mainspring that will ultimately fail quicker or provide less reliable timekeeping.
Just some nerdy food for thought.

(Swiss ETA on the right)
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