what movement to replace cheap chinese one

[what2]

I bought a cartel vintage sea dweller, aged pretty much everything and just as I was putting it back to together - tink - the stem snapped inside the movement. So I have half a stem inside the movement and half on the crown. I figure that for what it might cost me to get the stem replaced I can more than likely just buy a new movement - probably better.

What would you suggest as an inexpensive drop in fit?

[Ephry73]

Was it an a21j? Or the 2836 clone? I have both

[krpster]

A lot of times a 21j can be replaced with a 2836. You will need new hands though.

[what2]

it was the a21j, I'm to not have to change the hands so I was hoping for a drop in replacement

[JoeyB]

DG2813, new, clean and with a guarantee. http://www.ofrei.com/page1119.html

[Ronin]

You can always go with the movement that the DG2813 (A21J) is copied from-- the reliable Japanese Miyota (Citizen) 8215. Hands should be a direct swap.

[Jkay]

Just remember that the Chinese improved the 8215 when they copied it. The genuine Japanese article does not hack.

[Ronin]

Just remember that the Chinese improved the 8215 when they copied it. The genuine Japanese article does not hack.

Not sure adding a hack feature makes the movement any better. My Seiko's and early Rolex's do not hack.... Deep down, I have a feeling the Miyota is a more consistent, higher quality controlled item. I have an 8215 in a Rep Sub from 1995. Never serviced, ran about +8, and still runs if I give it a nudge. YMMV.

[Jkay]

Oh I agree with you that the Miyota is a better movement .. I'm just telling the OP, so he is not surprised/shocked when he can no longer hack his watch.