Swiss vs Asian, new opinion

[By-Tor]

True By-Tor, but I don't judge the quality of a movement by the +/- alone. That really a pretty easy adjustment to remedy. I look at the feel when winding or adjusting, amount of play, as well as how the date changes. Of course, durability is the biggest factor, and I haven't had a problem with either.

I'm not a big accuracy freak, either. +/- 50 secs is ok for me. I swap watches on a daily basis anyway.

Huge differences in accuracy probably just indicates the total lack of QC on these watches. Worst ETA I've had has been +/- 15. On the other hand... all 7750's I've owned have been super accurate. Even the infamous old 7750.

 

[Klink]

Pugwash is asset to forum! Rumor has it that he has actually done more than wind a watch... and has gotten tools with which to

do nice of stuffs.. the following is an example of what a dedicated and good dude can post:

How to swap a movement. If at any point there's a step that scares you, don't consider doing it yourself. I'll not explain the details as they vary from watch to watch and if you don't know how to do any particular step, then, again, don't consider doing it yourself.

1. Remove the caseback
   Remove the stem from the movement
   Remove the crown from the stem
   Remove the retaining clips
   Remove the rotor
   Remove the movement from the case to movement holder
   Remove hands
   Remove dial
   Remove datewheel
   Junk old movement
   Install new movement into movement holder
   Replace datewheel with original datewheel
   Install dial
   Install hands
   Install movement in case without stem
   Clip stem to length
   Install original crown
   Install stem
   Install movement clips
   Install original rotor
   Grease everything with waterproofing grease
   Install the caseback

If you're ok with every step, then go for it. If not, it's a cheap job at a tame watchmakers.

Life is Good!

Klink

 

[seanf]

Pugwash is asset to forum! Rumor has it that he has actually done more than wind a watch... and has gotten tools with which to

do nice of stuffs..
Klink

Hey, man! I can wind my watches (with a little help from my wife, but still...)! And I even ordered a brand spankin' set of new watchy type tools. Not my fault the damn things blew up as soon as I took them out of the case.

 

[Klink]

sorry to hear that.. but what did u expect?

after all, you are not pugwash...

:shock:

(just had to point that out...)

 

[andreww]

Pugwash is asset to forum! Rumor has it that he has actually done more than wind a watch... and has gotten tools with which to

do nice of stuffs.. the following is an example of what a dedicated and good dude can post:

Life is Good!

Klink

Big asset in my opinion. I saw his first tutorial, and the combination of watch repair and good photography suit each other perfectly. Keep it coming Pug!

 

[seanf]

Ah, but what about his ability to crack wise and make oh-so-witty comments with just a hint of sardonic irony?

 

[Klink]

heck, u shood no better james..

that aint worth sheeite!

:roll: :shock:

 

[Sylar]

I've heard that one of the reasons the Asian movements die faster and harder is not so much because of the individual pieces in the movement as it is shoddy quality control when they're put together (dirt, no grease, lack of screws, etc.). Have you guys found this to be the case?

I really have had no probs with any Asian movements. I am sure the bad rap comes from the more complicated 7750, and all the other asian movements suffer because of it.

I agree with you Andreww. I have owned some Asian movements for over a year and ive no problems with them either. The 7750 however has had to get replaced once in my Timewalker. One thing I wished the fixed on some of the Asian movements is what I call the rattlesnake effect. Shake the watch and it will entertain a baby for hours.

 

[seanf]

Klink, are you insulting my ability to crack wise and make oh-so-witty comments with just a hint of sardonic irony? Cuz them's fightin' words, buddy.

 

[andreww]

I agree with you Andreww. I have owned some Asian movements for over a year and ive no problems with them either. The 7750 however has had to get replaced once in my Timewalker. One thing I wished the fixed on some of the Asian movements is what I call the rattlesnake effect. Shake the watch and it will entertain a baby for hours.

Man, before I got serious about reps, I bought some pieces off the street. I wouldn't be surprised if the movements in those chinese beauties couldn't be had for under $2.00. But guess what, 4 or 5 years later they are still ticking away.

 

[seanf]

I agree with you Andreww. I have owned some Asian movements for over a year and ive no problems with them either. The 7750 however has had to get replaced once in my Timewalker. One thing I wished the fixed on some of the Asian movements is what I call the rattlesnake effect. Shake the watch and it will entertain a baby for hours.

Man, before I got serious about reps, I bought some pieces off the street. I wouldn't be surprised if the movements in those chinese beauties couldn't be had for under $2.00. But guess what, 4 or 5 years later they are still ticking away.

You know, I picked up some el cheapo quartz reps in NYC for my wife about ten years ago, and those things are still as reliable as any watch I own. I know it's sacrilige to say it around here, but those quartz movements really do hold up for the long haul. I'm not advocating dropping a quartz into a Rolex or PAM or anything, but for the money, there really are some nice quartz movement reps out there. Hell, you look at watchsilix, and most of his quartz stuff is between $40 to $60.

 

[erdoc]

6497's also???

I know it's been done on the forum before with threads comparing the ETA 6497 to the Asian and I think most folks feel like the Asian to be of equal or close to equal quality. Do any of you watch maker wannabes know if the Asian 6497's come well oiled from the rep factory or should they all have a full service to assure longevity?

 

[andreww]

You know, I picked up some el cheapo quartz reps in NYC for my wife about ten years ago, and those things are still as reliable as any watch I own. I know it's sacrilige to say it around here, but those quartz movements really do hold up for the long haul. I'm not advocating dropping a quartz into a Rolex or PAM or anything, but for the money, there really are some nice quartz movement reps out there. Hell, you look at watchsilix, and most of his quartz stuff is between $40 to $60.

Check out the Breitling Colt Chrono (Trusty). Nice rep, low price, and the gen is actually quartz!

 

[By-Tor]

You know, I picked up some el cheapo quartz reps in NYC for my wife about ten years ago, and those things are still as reliable as any watch I own. I know it's sacrilige to say it around here, but those quartz movements really do hold up for the long haul. I'm not advocating dropping a quartz into a Rolex or PAM or anything, but for the money, there really are some nice quartz movement reps out there. Hell, you look at watchsilix, and most of his quartz stuff is between $40 to $60.

Check out the Breitling Colt Chrono (Trusty). Nice rep, low price, and the gen is actually quartz!

I wouldn't mind seeing an entry to the Breitling Guide about this (wink wink). Maybe you should completely take it over... afterall you're the Breitling man here.

 

[piratedzeus]

I had the Asian PO in my hands for some days... sweep great... good to set time etc... like ~10sec/day wrong..
The well known 21j in Nymphomariner came broken... but Reg made it right.
The asian movement in my SMP is scary. It stutters quite bad... on the right side of the dial more than on the left... and if had the watch too hard (like hand clapping with it on)... the second hand stops for 1-2 secs... then moves on... works great because this watch is like +20sec/day... and sometimes I think that it is +- 0sec /day.. because it stopped often enough that day 8)
Also the crown came of the stem some days ago....Which is great! By this I learned how to remove the stem from the movement... and even remove the whole movenment with dial from the case! Lesson 2 for me... First part was removing the caseback after I put some water in the watch... for learning purposes of course ^^...

The only thing i don't like about the typical asian movement is the regulating part. On etas (and eta copys) you can use a screw which is like sec/turn. In an asian movement the is this lever...I touched it once... +30... touched it another time ... -20sec... WTF? And NO I am not Hulk.

 

[drhydro]

Ah, but what about his ability to crack wise and make oh-so-witty comments with just a hint of sardonic irony?

I wouldna worry too much aboot that... the crackin' wise and oh-so-witty comments should soon disappear, the result of a steady diet of haggis in his new digs..... :shock: :twisted:

 

[Klink]

unfortunate but haggis need to be imported to Phuket...

the acid content of all comestibles is being monitored.. and the asian approach to massage as love

is overated.. the love and the massage are ok, it is the overrated that is underrated...



Life is Good!

K

(i have followed ttk's advice from ttk from 2002, and located to Thailand..) the family is shocked, for we were just in Big Sur..

I am not sure if they will follow, at least the wifey is considering.. planning is everything!)

 

[caravaggio]

I have always been of the opinion that one should always go with an ETA movement over an asian movement. My reasoning behind this opinion was that the ETA was a well known commodity, and could thus be serviced or repaired by just about anyone, ensuring a lifetime of happy timekeeping. Recently however, I picked up a couple of Trusty's Ultimate Planet Ocean Lites. These sell for more than $100 cheaper than their swiss counterparts, and beyond the movement, are exactly the same. So, seeing as I am really impressed with these, I start thinking about what I'm going to do to keep them running for the long term. Turns out the movement is a DG2813 22j, and luckily enough I can buy them locally for a whopping $13.95 Canadian. So, rather than shell out $240 for the eta version, plus $100 for service every five years or so, I spent $128 plus $13.95 whenever it dies. As the movement is 28k and runs very nicely, I can see really now reason for spending the extra coin in this case. I only wish that more of the high end reps were offered in this fashion. I know there is a SuperOcean Lite, but unlike the swiss version, it has mineral glass and no AR.

Andrew , PM sent with a question....

Thanks

 

[MK08]

I have went the asian route on all my reps. Just had my asian 6497 die on me so know I'm gonna give the swiss movement a chance but sometimes I think when it comes to reps it's all a big crapshoot.

 

[caravaggio]

I have always been of the opinion that one should always go with an ETA movement over an asian movement. My reasoning behind this opinion was that the ETA was a well known commodity, and could thus be serviced or repaired by just about anyone, ensuring a lifetime of happy timekeeping. Recently however, I picked up a couple of Trusty's Ultimate Planet Ocean Lites. These sell for more than $100 cheaper than their swiss counterparts, and beyond the movement, are exactly the same. So, seeing as I am really impressed with these, I start thinking about what I'm going to do to keep them running for the long term. Turns out the movement is a DG2813 22j, and luckily enough I can buy them locally for a whopping $13.95 Canadian. So, rather than shell out $240 for the eta version, plus $100 for service every five years or so, I spent $128 plus $13.95 whenever it dies. As the movement is 28k and runs very nicely, I can see really now reason for spending the extra coin in this case. I only wish that more of the high end reps were offered in this fashion. I know there is a SuperOcean Lite, but unlike the swiss version, it has mineral glass and no AR.

I HAVE SOME NEWS!

From Andrew's advice/suggestion, I did just that: i bought a DG2813 movement last Friday from a company in Canada and I received it Today!!! WOW....

Must have been an overnight Fed Ex and it was only $10 shipping!!!
It came well wrapped and it's a thing of beauty: brand new movement aqnd it also came with hands!!!!!!!

One thing I noticed: the movement i received is silver colored, not brass colored like the one in my Asian PO.

See photos:

Here is aside by side of the two movements: the top is my Ultimate and the bottom is the new one I bought.

A nice feeling to know that I have a replacement movement for when my Asian Ultimate does die...

Cheap cheap: $13........ :shock: