TC 2824 vs ETA 2824-2
The companies made this movement will announce its proper designation in a few months so let's just call this "TC 2824" for now.
Not long after I picked up this hobby, I realized I had to find an alternative. I've looked into the possibility of Japanese movements. Didn't go that route because Seiko/Miyota movements are damn hard to micro adjust to all 5 or 6 positions. I'm not saying the Japanese movements are inferior or of less quality built. I'm just saying they are less refined.
I had to turn to "Clones", whether a Swiss clone or a Chinese clone as long as they do the job, I'll take 'em. Sellita didn't want my business because my order quantity was too small for them.
The Chinese would take my business but all three major Chinese movement makers frown upon my quality requirements. I asked nothing more than a "standard grade" of ETA 2824-2. That is an average rate of (within) +/-12 seconds/day, with a maximum deviation of 30 seconds. Plus I want #4 Canon Pinion.
I had no luck with the Chinese. They either wouldn't guarantee quality or they just won't make an ETA 2824-2 clone in #4 canon pinion. The standard #2 canon pinion is what they would supply.
Why #4 canon pinion is so important to me? Because it eliminates the factor other reps looks FAKE and UGLY!
FAIL:
TC 2824 #4 CANON PINION GEN FEATURE:
This comes to fruition after a very long 11 months of wait. TC 2824 with #4 Canon Pinion:
Gen ETA 2824-2 with #4 Canon Pinion:
Let's see how well "TC 2824" movement performs. Thanks to Xperia78 for videos and commentaries.
Some significant features of TC 2824 I want to highlight:
Smooth line - that means very high quality hairspring and balance wheel.
deviation is minimal, less than 5 seconds.
steady performance in all 5 or 6 positions.
These features that TC 2824 displays prove it a high quality movement. It easily out performs some lower grade ETA blank movements.
Now you've seen how well TC 2824 performs, I want to take you into a more in depth view of the movement. Before we do, I want to refer a great article on WUS. It's an 9 pages long discussion and tear down of ETA 2824-2 and the Chinese clones:
http://forums.watchuseek.com/f72/how-do-seagull-hangzhou-compare-eta-depth-look-216945.html
I want to review TC 2824-2 in the same depth so let's tear down a TC 2824 and make a comparison with an ETA 2824-2.
First thing that is visually different, the shock resistant system - This is Etachoc or so called Novodiac shock system from ETA.
This is TCBLOC.
It actually has a term: "the simple cushion" according to the maker. It is a clone of Etachoc/Novodiac shock system with a simpler design. It offers the same performance, but the cost of making it is significantly lower than its ETA counterparts. The simple cushion is cheap and readily available. It is seen on almost all ETA clones.
TCBLOC is also very easy to replace with a "Incabloc" shock absorb if you know how to do it.
Let's put TC 2824 to a real life drop test.
You should prevent your watch from dropping no matter what. When a mechanical movement encountered too much shock it will break just like everything else. I did the real life test for you so you need not. Neither the company behind TC 2824 or I will provide free service if the movement malfunctions due to drop.
TC 2824 consists of 26 jewels while ETA 2824-2 is made of 25 jewels. The Chinese Seagull ST2130 has 28 jewels. The Hangzhou 6300 has 25 Jewels. The Swiss Sellita SW200 also has 26 jewels.
The barrel bridge side by side. This is where TC 2824 has one extra jewel to ETA 2824-2.
Sellita SW200 Barrel Bridge:
http://zairyoya.kuron.jp/tokeibuhin/sellita_sw_200_105_barrel_bridge.
Now, I'm not saying the company behind TC 2824 supplies Sellita blanks for SW200. I am not saying anything at all.
These are Nivarox balance spring and Glucydur balance wheel. You haven't hear me say how I like TC 2824 yet. I don't like it, I LOVE IT! See how it is chamfered where the bridge is closest to the balance wheel? (Left) It reduces the chance balance wheel touches the bridge when the whole movement is in shock. You don't see that in a standard ETA 2824-2. The company behind TC 2824 has put a lot of thoughts in micro adjusting the design of this movement. I'll say it again, I LOVE TC 2824.
This is TC 2824 performance spec sheet vs ETA 2824-2 Standard grade:
With all the findings, I categorize TC 2824 a "super clone" and the "answer" for independent watchmakers.
Thanks for reading.
TC