Clone movement questions

[MaxiMaxi]

Nickel plated Asian 2836 clone 25J automatic movement modified to Rolex Cal.3186 look

Puretime sells these in some watches for about $400. What about these movements? Are they reliable? I really love the look of these clones but everyone says the same thing about how bad they are....is this accurate or are they more or less just as good as a swiss ETA?

How good is a gen Rolex movement anyway? I have heard from people in the watch business that Rolex makes shitty movements also....so I really wonder how much better a gen Rolex really is compared to some of these clones and Swiss ETAs.....

I know many ldickheads on here will tell me to go do my own research, however, this is part of it and I appreciate all who want to help me on my journey. Thanks!

 

[DiverFan]

There is some discussion here:
https://forum.replica-watch.info/threads/how-good-is-asian-eta-2836-2-automatic-movement.100736/

If it really is just a decorated A2836 (if you want to link the watch you're looking at it can help), you can expect roughly the same quality of a regular A2836. One of the difficulties being if there are additional engravings on the movement (more than just the rotor), often times the movements are not disassembled to do that engraving and small metal pieces can get into the movement. That said servicing a 2836 or replacing is not difficult nor expensive.

Once you get into the actual clone movements is when it starts to vary a lot. I'll leave the discussion of gen rolex movement quality and longevity to those more knowledgeable than myself.

 

[Rick914]

IMO: If you are not going to see the movement decoration, get the workhorse 28xx series standard. If you want it do be really reliable, have it swapped out for a Swiss ETA version by a WS. I have seen too many "swiss" movements from Asia that are not 100% swiss. It will cost you but it can be done. As far as the Gen Rolex movements, they are awesome for in house designed micromechanics. I have seen 40 year old movements, never serviced, come in with 3-5Delta, Keep in mind Rolex testing standards are 12 delta. Yes there are better, more accurate, tighter tolerances, etc, but they will cost you more.

 

[MaxiMaxi]

There is some discussion here:
https://forum.replica-watch.info/threads/how-good-is-asian-eta-2836-2-automatic-movement.100736/

and from our friends at rwg here:
https://forum.replica-watch.info/threads/how-good-is-asian-eta-2836-2-automatic-movement.100736/

If it really is just a decorated A2836 (if you want to link the watch you're looking at it can help), you can expect roughly the same quality of a regular A2836. One of the difficulties being if there are additional engravings on the movement (more than just the rotor), often times the movements are not disassembled to do that engraving and small metal pieces can get into the movement. That said servicing a 2836 or replacing is not difficult nor expensive.

Once you get into the actual clone movements is when it starts to vary a lot. I'll leave the discussion of gen rolex movement quality and longevity to those more knowledgeable than myself.

THANKS!!!

BELOW IS THE LINK OF THE WATCH AND ITS MOVEMENT..

https://puretime03.com/gmt-master-ii-116710-ln-black-ceramic-11-noob-best-edition-a3186.html

 

[maxracingshox]

Never buy decorated to Rolex style eta movements.

 

[Raddave]

Never buy decorated to Rolex style eta movements.

hmmm id rather have a converted ETA than clone rolex (SA)

 

[MaxiMaxi]

Never buy decorated to Rolex style eta movements.

Thats ashame. Why is this? can you explain? Puretime sells alot with decorated movements, they look legit? If a quality decorated piece is created (which I would think would be easy to manufacturer) it would sell like crazy!!!!!!

 

[Moldy780]

I used to be against gen movements, but I over the past few months I've realized there's nothing like them. With clones, I'm always scared to wind, set the time, date, etc. With a gen movement, I get sheer enjoyment out of it. Everything is so smooth with them

 

[MaxiMaxi]

hmmm id rather have a converted ETA than clone rolex (SA)

What is a converted ETA? Are there modders who can literally take a swiss ETA and make it look like a Rolex movement?

 

[maxracingshox]

hmmm id rather have a converted ETA than clone rolex (SA)

Thats ashame. Why is this? can you explain? Puretime sells alot with decorated movements, they look legit? If a quality decorated piece is created (which I would think would be easy to manufacturer) it would sell like crazy!!!!!!

What advantages do "rolex-like" decorated Etas have?
None. That simple!
What disadvantage do they have?
More expensive, they are known tho be extremely dirty, color is added (I believe to the ratchet and driving wheel) to mimic the famous red Rolex reversing wheels (which likes to chip off) aaand last but not least these movements look goofy.

A SA3135 even correctly mimics the functions, runs very well once serviced and regulated (as many Chinese other movements tbh) and they are just as reliable once gen reversing wheels + driving wheel is added as Etas.

Stock Eta or true 3135 clone mvmt is the way to go imo.

 

[d4v3]

a2836 movements can be change to have an extra hand to work as a second hour hand (gtm) but in5 watches that I had experience with even service they are not very reliable it could be just me but forums are full with people compalining about this issue.
Recently i did a mod to my GTM polar explorer and i had in mind to swap the movement to a gen GTM eta, so i did the homework and read a bit more about all the options and this is what i have found thus far:

1.- there are also Gen swiss ETA 2836 modded to work as GTM function they are also not reliable
2.- there are gen ETA swiss GTM movements 2893 GTM wich has a sweep hour hand but had been reposts of problem with the hand alignment!
3.- there is always the gen GTM rolex that comes avaliable from time to time but expensive to franken and preowned polars can be less expensive than franken option

my experiece with a decorated a2836 and a non decorated a2836 for the same model of watch serviced a year ago its that non decorated seem to have less issues so far. my 2 cents