How reliable are super clone movements?

[KidTiger]

So by usable, you do not mean literally just usable.

You mean actual, repeated, maybe even professional use?

Well, in that case I wouldn't recommend a rep. Heck, not even for normal time keeping, if it has to be reliable...

If I need actual reliability, I'd always invest $500 - $1000 in a legit product.

Reps are toys. Period.

Yes, usable as in you use it to time things, not just press the buttons when you first get it and then never again because it'll most likely break down if you do, or not keep good time.

I agree 100%, reps are mockups of actual watches that we buy for our own reasons. Some because we love the watch for its history or design but can't afford that one, others because they want to make it appear to others that they are wealthy even though they are not.. But for actual timekeeping, maybe that's not the best reason to get one lol

 

[Karbon74]

an analogy. If you are dabbling in modding for your own fun, then buying cheapo tools on AliX is sort of ok.

if you are a professional watchmaker, or doing anything money related and you don't buy genuine brand tools, then I don't even want to know you exist

 

[eBoy]

Yes, usable as in you use it to time things, not just press the buttons when you first get it and then never again because it'll most likely break down if you do, or not keep good time.

I agree 100%, reps are mockups of actual watches that we buy for our own reasons. Some because we love the watch for its history or design but can't afford that one, others because they want to make it appear to others that they are wealthy even though they are not.. But for actual timekeeping, maybe that's not the best reason to get one lol

By the way, If I wanted an analog chrono that I can use professionally, I'd probably not even go with a mechanical one.

I'd choose a high-end Quartz. My personal recommendation would be a Japanese watch or movement. I own a Bulova Moonwatch (w/ Citizen movement) and this thing is absolutely amazing: First of all, for around 500 bucks, you get a mind-bending build quality that looks and feels like it's more in the 2/2.5k+ range than 400-600. Also, the movement is enormously precise and accurate, a mechanical chrono could cost several million $$$'s, it would still not match its precision.

If I had to time something and I needed reliability, this one goes on the wrist, not the Omega moonwatch that cost me 20 times more.

 

[Karbon74]

and now you just added that Bulova on my thirst list

 

[Hinclimincli]

I am fortunate to have a rep friendly watchsmith in my city, who years ago took some of my reps, out of curiosity, to try to repair them or just service. After all those years I am bringing all new reps to his workshop to show him "latest" achievements of Chinese makers and to service it. The flat price for full service is approx. USD 35,- for me - so no brainer...

There are various versions of 2824/2836 clones. Most of them are dirty and without oils. Half of them, even after servicing, can't be adjusted to keep correct time, just like cheaper Seiko watches - all over the place -10 sec to +10 sec a day and you don't know why.

About super clones... only the latest VS (DanDong) 3235 movement made my watchsmith say "wow...". I have two VS Rolex Submariner No-date 41mm, and both, after servicing (the things were both oiled OTB but a bity dirty) - keep the pace +1/-1 secs a day, like a champ!

We're probably on the edge of new series of super-super clones and that's good

This here, yes.

I tend to stay away from clones, mainly because I am not much into building frankens, although I like improving my watches in many ways. That's why I stay with 2824, 2836 and Miyotas. But, and this is a common misconception, the 2824 asian clones that come with our replicas are quite bad. And it's not just because they are made in China, but because the working conditions are probably bad, in a poor environment and QC is nonexistent.

Even Chinese watch companies have several grades, and you can actually find very good ETA clones made in China from Seagull or Peacock. This article always comes to mind in these occasions: https://watchguy.co.uk/comparison-sea-gull-st2130-eta-2824-2-peacock-sl3000/

I usually tend to swap my stock asian ETA clones with Seagull movements, which are below 100€ and the build quality is really good. Just make sure you buy from a legit business instead of some guy from AliExpress/DHGate. I usually buy from CousinsUK, but surely there are others.

 

[Hinclimincli]

figured same movement, same dail, same bracelet, its all metal/matter, physics = same item, unless some complex engineering was required, i.e hardware/software, usually things like this can be replicated but I guess I underestimated the complexity of watches.

I was assuming rolex was a "name brand" / "status" symbol with an inflated price and a similar quality product could be made for a low price.

I.e take tissot, seiko for example, great watches low price, so its not like the cost is an issue, if it really is just bad QC/quality on the end of the factories of these watches this will be my first and last rep watch I guess.

This is just amazing. Yeah, same movement, dial and bracelet, it's just metal. There is no complex engineering involved in a 35mm thing full of uncannily small pieces that move 28,000 times in a minute, staying precise for a lifetime. Nah. Why would Rolex do that, right? It's just a logo!

Lol, you are something different, my man! This just made my day, haha.

 

[DEATHX]

anyone knows all the original parts a vsf3135 can accept? thanks

 

[Rubberman]

Back to the title.. one of my first rep watch been running since early 2018 (there about), after a service. It either on my wrist or on winder so it basically running nonstop for 5yrs. Is a Noob Daytona V2 w clone 4130 movement.

 

[TheBigJS]

By the way, If I wanted an analog chrono that I can use professionally, I'd probably not even go with a mechanical one.

I'd choose a high-end Quartz. My personal recommendation would be a Japanese watch or movement. I own a Bulova Moonwatch (w/ Citizen movement) and this thing is absolutely amazing: First of all, for around 500 bucks, you get a mind-bending build quality that looks and feels like it's more in the 2/2.5k+ range than 400-600. Also, the movement is enormously precise and accurate, a mechanical chrono could cost several million $$$'s, it would still not match its precision.

If I had to time something and I needed reliability, this one goes on the wrist, not the Omega moonwatch that cost me 20 times more.

I bought my stepson a Bulova Pilot as his first half decent watch.

Nice watch, the 266mhz quartz chrono is beautiful.

Funny, the thing sat in its box for about 10 weeks before his birthday, when he opened it I was almost shocked to see it A; running and B; maybe 2 seconds off perfect time!

 

[jeffm1000]

It's threads like this that offset anything I've over paid for a Chinese clone assembled in a sweatshop by slave labor. The entertainment value here is valuable, the educational knowledge here is invaluable. My very limited noob knowledge says buy what you like, and if it's a clone, buy it with money you'd be willing to part with as if you gambled it away at a casino.

 

[TheBigJS]

My very limited noob knowledge says buy what you like, and if it's a clone, buy it with money you'd be willing to part with as if you gambled it away at a casino.

I agree with that thought, but I know two owners of +£5k gen watches, one is at over £3k on service costs and another is at five times (and well into 4 figures) back for repair.

So, I'm quids in compared to either of those, and I have prettier watches

 

[wisedennis]

https://forum.replica-watch.info/threads/list-of-popular-movements-found-in-rep-watches.10928522/

#1 and #19 maybe worth reading as it’s a quick introduction to clone movements

Was wondering, I recently read about people preferring to not order watches with rolex clone movements because if something goes wrong it's hard to fix.

I.e for a rolex submariner they prefer to order one with a 2824 instead of a 3135 movement as they can replace the 2824 with a swiss movement?

anyone have thoughts on the 4130 clone movement in a daytona? would kind of suck to buy a replica watch and have the movement fail and not being able to get it fixed/serviced for a low price

 

[wisedennis]

Back to the title.. one of my first rep watch been running since early 2018 (there about), after a service. It either on my wrist or on winder so it basically running nonstop for 5yrs. Is a Noob Daytona V2 w clone 4130 movement.

Is the clone 4130 still keeping good time?

 

[Rubberman]

Is the clone 4130 still keeping good time?

Yes, the deviation is like ~1min/month.
I noticed that the error is much lesser if I wear it often than it is on the winder, somehow.