Fliegher

Follow on to my Jan 22 post on Yuki 3135 and manufacturing or modifying to cal.3185: I have been doing some research and what is probably the largest challenge with manufacturing an all-Chinese 3185 or 3186 movement is the hour jumping module. I have not had one on my bench but from what I can see from pictures this module is about the size of a regular movement wheel, a bit thick, but is actually sandwich assembly of ruby/sapphire plates with springs and 12 precision detents (12 hour jumps) inside which are only functional when the hour quickset is being used. The top of the Chinese watch industry could probably pull this off but it is likely an order of magnitude or two of precision required to manufacture this one modular assembly. It seems to me that everything else is just watch making. Many good and I suspect most cheap Chinese watch factories are already running robotic CNC milling and assembly of their movements but I don't know if they are precise enough to make this part. It comes down to engineering capability of the factory making these parts. I recall that even Rolex changed the cal.3135 and renamed that modified calibre to 3136 to correct some minor alignment issues with the hour jumping quickset mechanism, so it was a challenge even for Rolex who should have access to amongst the best and most expensive large scale manufacturing line in the world and all of the money in the watch world to get the design correct. I suppose that the movement could be copied without jumping as is done with the non-CHS DG3804 and HZ6460(gmt mod Asian 2836-2), though it seems that the unreliable so called SA3136 movements have managed this. The problem is the human eye is very good at seeing non-aligned scale markings, this is what makes a vernier scale work on precision tools like older micrometer calipers, so most of us want a watch that all of the hands line up perfectly every time the minute hand hits the hour. Corrections welcome, especially with pics!

It looks like the 3135 clone has been around since perhaps 2012 or earlier, is there a way to communicate a desire for further development towards a 3185 or 3186 nearly 1:1 clone except the balance wheel. I can accept the regulation bar vs free spring and weights as I wouldn't expect the manufacturer to both affordably and reliably regulate to COSC with weights despite free spring being superior and more authentic, if they did a bad job regulation would be both expensive and difficult. The Yuki/SH 3135 to 3185 w/gen parts is already the replica builders grail, but either a retro parts kit or preferably a clean serviced 3185/3186 build at a similar price as the Yukis would make it available to all. I want to assume that RO and SH factories know that there is demand for GMT movement watches similar to the competitively priced 3135 equipped watches they are already selling, and that the SA movement watch builds are all kinds of trouble compared to similar priced SH movement builds. So if they can build a parts swappable 3135 clone why not clone the additional parts to build a 3185? The 3135 and 3185 were introduced in 1988 and patented before introduction, the design patents are now long expired so it could be safely manufactured and sold worldwide as a legal generic part were it not engraved with trademarked names and symbols in the same way many ETA designs are. If not is it possible near term to get a clone GMT movement then is is possible to find or request some or most of the generic parts or offer a kit to convert a Yuki 3135 to 3185? I feel like there is a market and easy money for a number of people to gain by making a functional and accurate 0.95:1 GMT clone movement and watches based on that available.

occb2, thanks for your answers. 1- Is it known if the SA3186 can have a normal(is it a 2836 mod?) balance [censored] assembly installed or if the fake bridge/free sprung cosmetic mod ruins that possibility, I can't see a way to regulate the fake free sprung movement by available pictures. As right now the noob w/SA3186 is the most affordable good-looking watch factory-build CHS & good lume available by my research, but I want a watch able to be regulated to several seconds a day. 2- Is there a FAQ or good thread on operating and comparing the CHS SA3136 and other CHS movements and generations to keep them running, avoiding breaking/jamming, and reducing stress on the unavailable replacement stem and gear train? 3- From what I can find my ideal solution for A GMT Master II functional everyday wear replica w/CHS would be a Yuki/SH3135 mod or factory build with 3185 gen or copy parts including jumping 12hr hand linked to date, cleaned up and installed in a good replica water resistant case with bright, long-lasting, matching lume. But I do not see this available from any TDs at this point, it seems that JF and RO are the only places building SH3135 watches but JF GMTs are A2836 with GMT mod(hz6040). The problem with #3 is I am not interested in hunting down and buying $600 or more in genuine Rolex parts and servicing to first get reliable function as a 3135 and then adding gen 3185 GMT function parts, and I am probably beyond my DIY watch hacking days(shaky hands), so even if good SH/Yuki jumping hand GMT clone parts become available in kit form I might wait as I have seen mention, perhaps on RWG, that a CHS 3185/6 GMT is forthcoming from the SH supplier. That said it seems that even the base model Sh3135 is rarely in stock at Yuki and even they say that $300 movement requires servicing immediately on delivery. I actually just want the reliable and accurate function of the GMT Master II w/CHS and jumping hour and would be perfectly happy with a sterile watch and movement. Even if I had the available $$$ and bought a genuine GMT Master II I would consider sending it out to Blackout Concepts to de-brand/sterilize and install a second genuine or replica dial(their watch mod simulator is fun). The above is all my own research, correct me if I am wrong or working from out of date information.