So on December 25th I decided to do a little experiment with three watches I own, and three different versions of the famed 6497. The players were...
Genuine standard Swiss ETA 6497 purchased from OFrei.
vs.
Asian clone 6497 with swan neck regulator and the different bridges. This one was purchased from Sizzlinwatches on ebay. In my oppinion it looks like a mid to high grade movement, closer to the high grade.
vs.
Seagull ST36, which is a direct clone of the Swiss ETA 6497. This one has the same style bridges as above, but has the dagger swan neck regulator. This is definately the high grade Asian movement. the bottom plate is engine turned on the inside (jewelled) as well as on the dial side. Screws are flame blued, not painted. This one came from Time4.
Anyway, on Dec 25th I started them all up at 2:25 in the afternoon.
The Swiss had a power reserve of 48.5 hours (died at 2:55 in the afternoon)
The Asian clone had a power reserve of 48.75 hours (died at 3:10 in the afternoon)
The Seagull had a power reserve of 57.5 hours (died at 11:50 in the evening)
WOW, 57 and a half hours out of the Seagull movement. I know people have stated they are bullet proof, but that is fantastic. When they cloned that movement, they must have cloned the main spring out of a Soprod ETA movement.
Take care all.
Genuine standard Swiss ETA 6497 purchased from OFrei.
vs.
Asian clone 6497 with swan neck regulator and the different bridges. This one was purchased from Sizzlinwatches on ebay. In my oppinion it looks like a mid to high grade movement, closer to the high grade.
vs.
Seagull ST36, which is a direct clone of the Swiss ETA 6497. This one has the same style bridges as above, but has the dagger swan neck regulator. This is definately the high grade Asian movement. the bottom plate is engine turned on the inside (jewelled) as well as on the dial side. Screws are flame blued, not painted. This one came from Time4.
Anyway, on Dec 25th I started them all up at 2:25 in the afternoon.
The Swiss had a power reserve of 48.5 hours (died at 2:55 in the afternoon)
The Asian clone had a power reserve of 48.75 hours (died at 3:10 in the afternoon)
The Seagull had a power reserve of 57.5 hours (died at 11:50 in the evening)
WOW, 57 and a half hours out of the Seagull movement. I know people have stated they are bullet proof, but that is fantastic. When they cloned that movement, they must have cloned the main spring out of a Soprod ETA movement.
Take care all.
