Are there any practical ways to tell a good movement from a poor one without taking the watch apart? I will be visiting the "rep markets" of Shanghi soon. I don't think they will take a watch apart but I may be wrong on that. Any help would be appreciated.
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Signs of a good movement
- Thread starter OrientVisiter
- Start date
One sign of a good movement is if you do not have to strain or rock back and forth!
I really have to apologize for this one, but I just could not resist it.
I really have to apologize for this one, but I just could not resist it.
- 15/4/07
- 14,908
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brtelec said:One sign of a good movement is if you do not have to strain or rock back and forth!
I really have to apologize for this one, but I just could not resist it.
Oh B, you are a funny man!
OV You can bring 4 simple tools with you. 2 of them are part of your head.
1. Your ears. Familiarize yourself with the beat of a 21.6 and a 28.8. Panerai hand would reps will beat 17.6-21.6 slowly.
2. Your eyes. Clear case backs will allow for easy sight of a 21J or ETA copy.
3. Screw Ball. Ebay, Otto Frei and Caskerco sells them, Narrika (dealer here) gives them away free with the purchase of a watch.
4. 5 or 10x pocket loupe or magnifying lens of some sort.
I don't know if they would be comfortable having you open the case back but it shows you know your stuff and they may not lie about what is in it.
Consider that all reps have Asian movements in them. There are no true ETA movements anymore. Expect the worst and hope I am wrong.
Plan for the worst, hope for the best?R2D4 said:Pugs that is my way of saying, who knows now a days. I mean, expect an Asian and hope for a genuine ETA. I personally wouldn't be chasing the ETA bandwagon. Does that sound better?
IMO the only sure way of getting a gen ETA is to buy the movement seperately from Ofrei or Cousins UK, otherwise it's basically just a lottery from a rep dealer with what you'll recieve, I don't think they know for sure half the time... :|
Hold the watch and check out the face first. Is it to your liking? Is the print clear and gen looking? Check out the case. Does it look to be stainless steal (edit: steel)? Does it look like brass (have a rusty or golden tint)? Is it too shiny and light weight?
Look at the crystal sideways. Does it seem blurry like maybe some condensation has gotten under the crystal?
Now to the movement. Always, always, always assume Asian movement. Pull out the crown. Turn the crown. Spin the hands around for a couple of days. Does the date change at twelve? Do the hands fill bumpy like maybe a gear is broken? Do the hands catch? Does the crown go back into the case without too much struggle?
This advice may not help you tell a Swiss from a Chinese movement but it can aid you in getting a nice, good-looking and working watch.
Look at the crystal sideways. Does it seem blurry like maybe some condensation has gotten under the crystal?
Now to the movement. Always, always, always assume Asian movement. Pull out the crown. Turn the crown. Spin the hands around for a couple of days. Does the date change at twelve? Do the hands fill bumpy like maybe a gear is broken? Do the hands catch? Does the crown go back into the case without too much struggle?
This advice may not help you tell a Swiss from a Chinese movement but it can aid you in getting a nice, good-looking and working watch.
Couldn't agree more with doctorron. For chronograph movement, you may wish to check whether it resets to zero also.
As a noob just want to say how good the information is here and a BIG THANKS to all the support from the long teeth on this forum. It dfinetly makes it asite you want to be associated with and can't wait until my knowledge base is large enough to be able to pass on useful information.
LOL..... :mrgreen:
brtelec said:One sign of a good movement is if you do not have to strain or rock back and forth!
I really have to apologize for this one, but I just could not resist it.