UPO: is this nickel 2824-2 swiss or clone?

[craptacular]

Just bought my 2nd UPO (trying a black bezel this time) sold to me as a "swiss 2824-2", and when I received it I opened the caseback to check out the movement to find this decorated nickel movement:

I sure wasn't expecting THAT. It's pretty, but it's lacking any kind of ETA stamp.
I haven't seen a decorated movement on a UPO before, so... is it swiss or a clone?

 

[Pannyforme]

well if im not mistaken,i have read past threads,this is a seagull copy of the 2824..

 

[horologie_unitas]

a goodlooking - goodworking asian with nice decoration.

no doubt - ASIAN.

 

[owdeguy]

That is definitely not an ETA. There are no stampings anywhere to be seen.

 

[craptacular]

So now comes the hard part for me. I purchased this from a private seller and paid quite a bit more than the current ETA-clone group buy price. Granted, it shipped fast, I didn't have the customs risk and it did come with both the SS bracelet as well as one of the rep rubber diver's straps I've been wanting...

I don't blame the seller at all. He purchased it from Josh as a Swiss ETA, so I don't think he was trying to pull one over on me.

So what's the right thing to do now?

 

[takashi]

Asian made

Well... I should show you the one that comes with Omega closed factory... looks very similar but with much better finished. Sadly, lost the pictures already.

 

[horologie_unitas]

So now comes the hard part for me. I purchased this from a private seller and paid quite a bit more than the current ETA-clone group buy price. Granted, it shipped fast, I didn't have the customs risk and it did come with both the SS bracelet as well as one of the rep rubber diver's straps I've been wanting...

I don't blame the seller at all. He purchased it from Josh as a Swiss ETA, so I don't think he was trying to pull one over on me.

So what's the right thing to do now?

======================================

I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT MOST - SWISS AUTOMATIC MOVEMENTS - ARE EITHER WAY OLD STOCK - OLD VERSIONS - OR HYBRID MVMNTS.

FOR THE MOST PART.......ASIAN CLONES...THAT GET BETTER AND BETTER. PROPABLY MANUFACTURED ON THE OLD CNC MACHINES THAT ETA SOLD TO ASIA.

 

[Rocketeer]

Yep, that's the ST24 from Seagull. Personally I wouldn't worry about it, it's a good movement and can give the 2824 a good run for its money, particularly if it gets a good clean and service.

 

[Importr]

Yup definately a clone. The difference might not stop there either, the case or crown of the UPO can vary also!

UPO from Precious Time with ETA movt had:
crown which sat closer to case and looked right
bracelet was finished better and end link stamps perfect
"Seamaster" case back design had shiny chequer finish

UPO "with Swiss ETA" from a dealer - which I've forgotten who....(it was one of the old cartel)...had:
crown which had a domed inner end which protruded from the case
that nickel movt - I never checked it back then as it was sourced for someone else (but I recently did a fix on it so thats how i know)
bracelet end link stamping was slanted!
case back design had matte chequer finish

There was also a very slight difference in the date font. The clone was rounder

Maybe your "UPO" has some of these characteristics - I know that if I had been the owner of the UPO which contained the clone, I wouldn't be too happy
about paying full price...