How Reliable are the ZF Portugese Movements?

[johnchpark]

I'm really keen on getting a ZF IWC Portugese (either the 3716 chrono or the 358304).
However, I've read so much about how A7750 and their mods are time bombs.

Are there any reviews on the A69355 or the A82200 movements used in the latest versions?
Are they still as unreliable as the origina A7750 that used to be used?

I don't plan on using the chronograph function daily; maybe just once in awhile.
But I also don't want a watch where I have to constantly be worried about the movement.

Thanks!

 

[johnchpark]

Did a little more digging and it seems like both movements are pretty sh*t.
The A82200 seems to be some kind of cheap NH or ST variant, and seems to have common seconds hand issue.
The A69355 looks like crap from TD images. Non-functional gems and parts superglued on, and not even centered correctly. The fake rotor screws off centered horrendously. Fake painted-on jewels.
Sigh. It's a pity since I think the watch and dial designs are so nicely done by ZF

 

[aguida]

I bougth the Portugieser Annual Cal IW503502 SS/LE Wht/R ZF A52850 from Steve (TheOneWatch) some time ago and have had zero issues. AT that time I reaserched a little which one was the most truthful replica and there were really no alternatives to ZF. Not sure now. Considering the complications of this watch I must say that the ZF works pretty well. Keeps the time well, all date and days change close to midnight.

But most of all it is an excellent replica very very close to the original with very good decorations on the rotor side of it. Very difficult for untrained eyes to distinguish from the original. In short a watch that makes me happy every time I wear it. Which should be the point. There is a reason why it cost 400USD and not 30.000 like the original

If you want something negative to say that would be only that the automatic rototr mechanism is a little lazy. So if you wear it a whole day it will loose about 30% of the charge and the rest you will have to rewind it manually (and yes the indication of charge is just an indication. Not accurate in terms of days as the movement can hold about 3-4 days not 7 like the original).

Hope this helps. I am happy with mine.

 

[stuxnet]

The A69355 looks like crap from TD images. Non-functional gems and parts superglued on, and not even centered correctly. The fake rotor screws off centered horrendously. Fake painted-on jewels.
Sigh. It's a pity since I think the watch and dial designs are so nicely done by ZF

You might want to consider the 3714 from ZF (originally released in 2016). Same A7750 movement as the 3716 but without deco plate and with closed case back (movement is not visible and the lack of deco plates is always better imho). Only a few minor changes of the dial between 3714 and the newer 3716. Both movements have been redesigned by ZF makers with pretty much the same modifications as gen for the seconds at 6. To my knowledge those "time bomb" movements are no longer produced and were solt before 2016. Of course those are modified A7750, most of them are quite reliable, but you might come across a bad, faulty one, just like any other clone movements from China.