Beware of the Z3 aka POS "fake eta clone" movement!

[GenTLe]

This is just a refresh for those who may have forgot about this problem...

Some of the pics have been taken one year ago from SSteel, some I've found on the web and modified later.

 

Recently I purchased a watch from a member of the cousin forum RWG.bz, knowing it had some problem and thinking that I could have fixed it, supposing it to be an Asian Eta clone.

 

Unfortunately, when I got it in my hands it turned out that it was not an Eta clone but something that looks similar but it's one of the most terrible movement I've happen to see.
The "infamous" Z2 clone-of-clone, also called "new breed high beat asian", also called PieceOfShit (POS) movement. Real code is "SB1HRZ2":

 

It was in this watch, sometimes misrepresented by the original TD: http://www.tswatchltd.com/15942-om15942-seamaster-pro-300m-black-ceramic-ss-a2836.html

Well guys, STAY AWAY from that movement. It is really as bad as it can be. The escapement works fine (it can keep good time), but the rest is a disaster, starting from the terrible finishing of it.

 

Just a quick refresh to see how you can spot it in the following pictures. Note that what I write about ETA is valid also for the real Asian ETA Clones like the Seagull ST21

 

1) the POS dial is kept in place by screws and not by hooks like in gen/asian ETA:

 

2) the click is very different and really as bad as it can be: on the POS is on the ratchet wheel, on the ETA is on crown wheel:

 

 

3) the autowind bridge is also different: on the POS all the reverse wheels are not kept in place by a lower bridge, while they are on ETA

 

 

The first 2 points are the most recognizable out of the movement.

Look carefully and you may spot some detail that will let you discover the POS signs, like in these examples:

   

 

 

Note that you can't just swap an asian ETA there because:

• hour or minute (don't remember) hand will be loose on the ETA
• date wheel is totally different and will not fit the ETA

Also note that there are NO spare parts for it (and being a POS it doesn't even deserve them...) and also simple parts like the stem are not replaceable with ETA ones.

Edited July 10, 2015 by GenTLe

[ceejay]

Thanks, useful information here

[Mike on a bike]

Very good, must pin after folks have a look.

[seafoam]

I've bought these movements knowing they were "New breed, Asian high beat" but had a terrible experience with them.  As mentioned, terrible finish, grinding rotor, very sloppy sweep etc.  I've never gone back.  This will help us to avoid any misleading advertisements so thanks for the info!

[mymanmatt]

I like the idea of screws for dial feet. But that's all

[ceejay]

I like the idea of screws for dial feet. But that's all

 

 

Indeed, it works very well.

Unfortunately we all know how the Chinese screws perform, I can just see it now...Just as they tighten up onto your lovely dial feet 'snap' off with the head!

Then your in trouble

[SSTEEL]

Terrible movement, and most issues with these relate to the stem functionality.

[chronoluvvv]

if the Chinese ever invented their Batman, you'd be their Bane

 

good going buddy

Edited July 11, 2015 by chronoluvvv

[marrickvilleboy]

Tell us how you really feel about the movement?

Haha good write up!

[sgtguk]

Good on ya mate, will keep an eye out in the future 

[GenTLe]

Thanks guys