"Swiss" ETA / Asian Superclones / Asian Clones - What's the best choice?

[rhp1462]

Spammer. **** u.

 

[sonofalmighty]

Where can I buy the new asian 21j that Trusty Time is selling? The high beat 28800 ones? I want to do a drop-in to a roles sub so I just want the movement cuz I know the hands will fit and the movement feet are the same so no prob

 

[digital]

Thank you to all who took the time to write this piece. It is very information and of great help to newbies like myself.

 

[BoydCrowder]

Many thanks for the informative posts in this thread.
I was into reps many years ago and always got new stock ETA 2824 when I asked for a Swiss movement. I only have one of those old reps left in my collection, but it still runs great after 10 years.

I recently bought my first new rep in a long time and asked for a Swiss movement. It has what appears to be a recobbled Swiss 2836 that is running ok at about +6 sec day, I guess time will tell how good a job the Chinese guy did with reassembling this movement.

 

[psychom3]

Great info. At this point I actually prefer the clones to "Swiss". Over the last 2 years I have had more issues with the "Swiss" versions than the clones. Now I just buy the clone and save money unless it is something only offered as "Swiss".

 

[morlaco]

Very Good thread Ale7575!!!

Enviado desde mi Nexus 4 usando Tapatalk 2

 

[Hoonz]

Great thread! So after all these years there's still no definitive answer? I guess getting a clone is still the advices after all these years.

 

[cybee]

Great thread! So after all these years there's still no definitive answer?

Yes. Here it is.

For Swiss ETA movements:
As a dealer, I have no idea where the watch makers get the ETA movements. They still can get them without problems. So dealers are still listing the watches with ETA movements for sale.
But please pay attention about the different grades of ETA movements:
1. New ETA Movement
2. Old/reclaimed ETA movement
3. maybe other worse ones.....

If the question is "are clone movements as good sa the swiss?", the answer is no.
If the question is "is it worth spending the extra money on the swiss movement option offered by the dealer?" the answer is: it's up to you.

Personally I opt to buy clone movements then swap them with a new Eta movement when the time comes. Funny thing in eight years I've only had one movement die, 2813 or clone.
I think it's silly to pay a rep dealer the premium price for an "Eta" especially considering the 3 options mentioned above by a dealer. I replaced one clone movement with an Eta 2824 on my SD when it died and found the keyless to be much smoother. IMO we have all the information we need on these movements...But one thing I will never do is buy Asian cheese, always insist on genuine Swiss cheese.

 

[Hoonz]

Personally I opt to buy clone movements then swap them with a new Eta movement when the time comes. Funny thing in eight years I've only had one movement die, 2813 or clone.
I think it's silly to pay a rep dealer the premium price for an "Eta" especially considering the 3 options mentioned above by a dealer. I replaced one clone movement with an Eta 2824 on my SD when it died and found the keyless to be much smoother. IMO we have all the information we need on these movements...But one thing I will never do is buy Asian cheese, always insist on genuine Swiss cheese.

Good point, Thanks!

 

[GenTLe]

The extra jewel gives it a little better power reserve than the ETA, but ETA still has the name cachet which is more valuable to our Chinese friends. I will never say never, but i can't see why cloning the Sellita would be a good business decision.

In the moment we all know that it's impossible to get proper gen ETA in the reps, and therefore we stop asking for them, the logic step from dealers' side is to say "ok, now we have Sellita" and get loads of money for them. That's the reason they may clone the Sellita (or sell Eta clones with Sellita marks on them).

 

[GenTLe]

Reading my previous post I feel I need to clarify. Actually it's a question of value for money.

6497 --> The Asians are pretty good. Not as good as the Swiss, but good enough not to go thought the hassle of finding a Swiss movement and having it installed. This of course except for the low beats used by the H-Factory a little while ago (not sure they're still using them) which were complete crap.

7750 --> Swiss is best, but Asian also is a valid option. It can be improved with a service, and considering the cost of a swiss movement, even compared to a serviced asian, it's still a good deal.

28XX --> Go for Swiss, if the dealer can confirm you'll get brand new Swiss in the watch you're after. If not, go for Asian.

And now to answer your question, I always ordered Swiss (28XX). It's just less trouble.

Wiz, that was 2012.
What do you think about the current situation? Is anything changed? Thanks

 

[Breitluc]

Thanks for the info

 

[mitchbaria]

Great post

 

[Cleanboy]

So A3135 better or A2824, A2836 better ? Smooth and long lasting ? Can someone advise me ?

 

[SUMIKITO]

The best of the lot, that is, if you can get a genuine Swiss made one, are the 2824-2, 2834-2, 2836-2, the low beat 2846-2 [17 or 21j] and the Valjoux 7750 Swiss. Followed very closely by the [Asian clones] A2824's, 36's etc. ............ however, a lot of very good 21j 2813's are considered workhorses. I would stay away from the latest and the greatest new stuff made UNTIL they have been proven by the test of time !! Budget allowing, get the best movement you can initially afford !! Have fun !!

 

[Cleanboy]

The best of the lot, that is, if you can get a genuine Swiss made one, are the 2824-2, 2834-2, 2836-2, the low beat 2846-2 [17 or 21j] and the Valjoux 7750 Swiss. Followed very closely by the [Asian clones] A2824's, 36's etc. ............ however, a lot of very good 21j 2813's are considered workhorses. I would stay away from the latest and the greatest new stuff made UNTIL they have been proven by the test of time !! Budget allowing, get the best movement you can initially afford !! Have fun !!

hi bro , how about A2824 ? Is the movement smooth as A3135 ? Long lasting ? Has anyone still wearing the A2824 for 3years ?

 

[egroegart]

the asian movements are just as good as the swiss movement in our reps. they function exactly the same and are just as reliable. If you do a little reading you will see that watches advertised as swiss are mostly refurbished, not oiled or greased properly. and dirty. or they are a mish mash of asian and swiss parts. I've had a couple and will never spend the extra 100 to 150 bucks again for a so called swiss in a rep. The asian 2824 or 2836 are proven reliable movements and beat at the same rate as a gen watch movement.

 

[SUMIKITO]

A brand new Asian A2824/36 will go to about 7-10 years before the first service. Have had them for a great number of years now and are really good movements for the money !! As a matter of fact, TC, the maker of the best Sub rep out there, has his reputation on an Asian 2824-2 . And it's a sell out !!

 

[bc1221]

TC2824s are made in the states

 

[SUMIKITO]

TC 2824-2 movements are made in Asia. TC assembles the complete watches in the States. Ask him..........he will tell you so.