Do the dealers sell bare movements?

[whitestripes]

Hey guys,

So I'm looking into buying the IWC 3717 as my first rep after I sold all my old reps for a gen about a year ago. I am planning to get it double AR'd and switch to ETA day/date wheels. I am planning to make this a keeper, long term.

As I will have around $400 in this rep, what recourse do I have if the movement breaks down? A servicing/repair from watch shops is often in the hundreds of dollars, or the price of a new rep (without the upgrades, of course). Since the upgrades are only cosmetic, I was hoping to just be able to switch out the movements. Many dealers will do this for you if it dies shortly after you receive it, but what happens 2 years down the road when it breaks? Swap for ETA 7750 (at a price of $4-500?) Then the hands won't fit because it'll have the new 28,800 high beat.

Wouldn't it be prudent to buy an extra A7750 or two to just swap it in when the time comes? I know the DG2813 movements (ETA copy, of course) can be bought for about $25. A chronograph is more expensive. Would any dealers do this? Is this a good line of reasoning? I don't want a "disposable" rep, though they are reps... At these prices, they should not be novelties, but have easily-available replaceable parts.

[Ztech]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think you can buy movements from the dealers. Just ask and I'm sure they'll sell you some. I mean they sell other parts so I'm sure they'll sell you the movement. Good luck.

[Sir-Lancelot]

There is someone selling them on the bay. smap_fan I think.

[Ztech]

You could always try Orfei no?

[scoobs1971]

I think most dealers can source you a spare movement. However, when you have your original movement serviced (by The Zigmeister for instance) your watch is going to be a keeper for years. So probably no need to buy a spare movement (A7750 approx USD 125,-).