HaydenM Posted August 1, 2014 Report Share Posted August 1, 2014 Hi all, I read around the forum that there was a problem with some watches from the Z-factory having inferior movements not as advertised so thought after I got the caseback off and the camera out I would check in with the people here far more knowledgable than me as to whether or not this is a "real" ETA clone. Thank you all in advance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpz5142 Posted August 1, 2014 Report Share Posted August 1, 2014 It's an eta clone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HaydenM Posted August 1, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 1, 2014 It's an eta clone Thank you very much Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alligoat Posted August 3, 2014 Report Share Posted August 3, 2014 Looks like a pretty nice clone to me. I like those hold down tabs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HaydenM Posted August 3, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2014 So far it's worked pretty well, kept amazing time for the first couple of days, then for some reason overnight it either gained or lost five minutes (can't quite remember which) for a while, thankfully it's settled down again and is keeping pretty good time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HaydenM Posted August 4, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 4, 2014 and as if to spite me this movement has stalled twice today, stopping altogether and needing either a sudden jolt or for me to take the back off and get the movement moving again to start. :/ not as good as previously thought perhaps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpz5142 Posted August 4, 2014 Report Share Posted August 4, 2014 Well like you said, the z factory movements have been having a bad rep lately. Several guys have posted their horror stories about movements stopping breaking in their z factory reps. The general consensus is that rep factories get the movements that are quality rejects or just not up to the higher standards in order to be sold to the name brand watch companies. It would appear that even amung rep factories there is a pecking order and as z factory is the newest that they are getting the left overs the other rep factories don't want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bc1221 Posted August 5, 2014 Report Share Posted August 5, 2014 Clone movements seem to be a bit stiffer at the stem from my exp. it's a bit tougher to hand wind than eta. Not sure why you're is stopping. May be worth getting looked at or replacing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HaydenM Posted August 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 5, 2014 Being in Australia I don't think from my readings there has been anybody nearby who would service a rep watch (I'm very happy to be proven wrong on this statement). What would the cost for a better quality replacement be? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSTEEL Posted August 5, 2014 Report Share Posted August 5, 2014 If this is the BB Tudor rep, I have had a few in for repair due to the movements stopping, and they all turned out to be the seconds hand touching the underside of the crystal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HaydenM Posted August 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 5, 2014 If this is the BB Tudor rep, I have had a few in for repair due to the movements stopping, and they all turned out to be the seconds hand touching the underside of the crystal. It is the Tudor BB rep, was it an easy fix? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mymanmatt Posted August 6, 2014 Report Share Posted August 6, 2014 I wasn't going to say anything, but I have 2 in the cabinet I replaced with good quality clones. Those movements seem to be trash. Both of these failed in the first 2 days. I keep them for parts in case I get one that actually is repairable Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HaydenM Posted August 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2014 I wasn't going to say anything, but I have 2 in the cabinet I replaced with good quality clones. Those movements seem to be trash. Both of these failed in the first 2 days. I keep them for parts in case I get one that actually is repairable Any idea of a good place to source a better quality clone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSTEEL Posted August 6, 2014 Report Share Posted August 6, 2014 It is the Tudor BB rep, was it an easy fix? Sometimes its just a matter of seating the seconds hand onto its pinion more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HaydenM Posted August 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2014 I think I will need to get some tools, or perhaps get it serviced as it is getting more and more troublesome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bc1221 Posted August 8, 2014 Report Share Posted August 8, 2014 (edited) Replace it with a new clone. It'll be cheaper than servicing that one IMO. You can buy clones off ebay for under $100. Service would run you anywhere from $100-$300 depending on the watchesmith and what parts need to be replaced. The plus side of this is, it will get replaced with eta parts and the movement will prob run better than it' ever did. Downside is it could get pricy. There's also the option of swapping with a gen eta. If you have the tools, do a swap yourself. Save some money. I don't know how to service a movement but if any of my clones ever died, I'd prob just do a swap. Gen eta, I would get serviced. Edited August 8, 2014 by Bc1221 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HaydenM Posted August 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 9, 2014 I think I should be able to change the movement myself but I just need to get a better set of screwdrivers as the current set I have won't unscrew the screws attaching the movement to the case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GenTLe Posted August 9, 2014 Report Share Posted August 9, 2014 I think I should be able to change the movement myself but I just need to get a better set of screwdrivers as the current set I have won't unscrew the screws attaching the movement to the case. Just in case, give a look here: http://shop.homage-watches-guide.com/ It's the inner shop of the other RWG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HaydenM Posted August 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 9, 2014 (edited) Just in case, give a look here: http://shop.homage-watches-guide.com/ It's the inner shop of the other RWG is that just a clone of http://watchbitz.com.au/shop/ ? Edited August 9, 2014 by HaydenM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbane883 Posted August 9, 2014 Report Share Posted August 9, 2014 You could always get a TC 2824. But I suspect that the hands could be rubbing. Check that first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GenTLe Posted August 9, 2014 Report Share Posted August 9, 2014 is that just a clone of http://watchbitz.com.au/shop/ ? I don't know... Maybe they are both run from the same person. Who is Trailboss, moderator at RWG.bz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mitchbaria Posted August 9, 2014 Report Share Posted August 9, 2014 Be careful when uncasing it as there is a certain way to hold it and never touch the face of the dial....you'll be fine "This Hobby is Crack!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HaydenM Posted August 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2014 What're the prices like on these clone movements and where can I get my hands on one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jkay Posted August 10, 2014 Report Share Posted August 10, 2014 Sorry I've come late to this party but when you have a movement in your replica watch which is a clone of ETA, and it has the decorative swirls (Pearlage) then it's always made by Sea-Gull, the famous Chinese movement company. That's their trademark decoration for their clone ETA pieces. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HaydenM Posted August 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2014 Okay, so what is the best value for money clone 2824 out there? (Sorry for all of my newbie questions, I've done some reading but it's quite difficult to find the prices of these movements) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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