he_haupt Posted October 1, 2008 Report Share Posted October 1, 2008 hi all, i am one ot the members that reads more... and i have followed a lot of conversations about the best, ultimate etc. rep. but what is expacted as the most reliable one? thank you for your contribution? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pfran42 Posted October 1, 2008 Report Share Posted October 1, 2008 The less complicated the movement, theoretically means the more reliable the movement. Example: Movement with only hours and minutes > Movement with hours, minutes and seconds > Movement with hours, minutes and seconds, date > Movement with hours, minutes and seconds, date, day > Movement with hours, minutes and seconds, date, day, chronos See my point? Gen Swiss ETA movements are more reliable than Chinese movements. Most Swiss ETA movements (2824, 2836) with hours, minutes, seconds and date can last a very long time if properly serviced. If you are asking for specific models I would recommend (in no particular order): Rolex SeaDweller (SD), Breitling Steefish Superocean (SFSO), Omega Seamaster Professions (SMP), Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean (PO or UPO) All of these (as well as many others) should last years if properly taken care of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toadtorrent Posted October 1, 2008 Report Share Posted October 1, 2008 Most reliable doesn't necessarily mean most accurate out of the box, or most able to be accurate with heavy mods. The most reliable will likely be any rep which has a REAL Swiss ETA 2892 movement in them...followed by any with a Swiss 2836/2824 or similar. The real Swiss movements will be most reliable out of the box as they should be clean and properly oiled. Rep chrono movements in the 21j variety are less reliable, and those with the A7750 (standard layout 6-9-12) are the most reliable BUT require servicing within 9 months of purchase to CONTINUE to be reliable. Those A7750s with secs @ 3 are also reliable because the transfer gears are properly jewelled, and those with secs @6 are less reliable as the transfer gears are running metal to metal. Those Franken reps with Zenith El Primero movements will be very reliable as well...and the Seagull ST 19 (I think that's the model...can't remember for sure...aka Lemania manual wind) are considered solid as well. As you can see...reliability has everything to do with the movement...and NOT with the watch. The tricky part with the reps now is that some are sold as Swiss ETA but are shipped with copies of Swiss ETA. Only the collector Eurotimez will confirm Swiss ETA and guarantee it before shipping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
he_haupt Posted October 1, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2008 Most reliable doesn't necessarily mean most accurate out of the box, or most able to be accurate with heavy mods. The most reliable will likely be any rep which has a REAL Swiss ETA 2892 movement in them...followed by any with a Swiss 2836/2824 or similar. The real Swiss movements will be most reliable out of the box as they should be clean and properly oiled. Rep chrono movements in the 21j variety are less reliable, and those with the A7750 (standard layout 6-9-12) are the most reliable BUT require servicing within 9 months of purchase to CONTINUE to be reliable. Those A7750s with secs @ 3 are also reliable because the transfer gears are properly jewelled, and those with secs @6 are less reliable as the transfer gears are running metal to metal. Those Franken reps with Zenith El Primero movements will be very reliable as well...and the Seagull ST 19 (I think that's the model...can't remember for sure...aka Lemania manual wind) are considered solid as well. As you can see...reliability has everything to do with the movement...and NOT with the watch. The tricky part with the reps now is that some are sold as Swiss ETA but are shipped with copies of Swiss ETA. Only the collector Eurotimez will confirm Swiss ETA and guarantee it before shipping. Thank You! This is real information! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubiquitous Posted October 1, 2008 Report Share Posted October 1, 2008 Even a broken watch can be reliable... At least twice a day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antonio Posted October 1, 2008 Report Share Posted October 1, 2008 Even a broken watch can be reliable... At least twice a day. Assuming it's mechanical. Those silly electronic watches won't be right any time if broken. Or is it that they're always right...? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMK000 Posted October 1, 2008 Report Share Posted October 1, 2008 None of the reps is reliable assuming the there is no QC at all and when it breaks it takes a hell of time an effort to fix it (if you ever manage to fix it). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toadtorrent Posted October 1, 2008 Report Share Posted October 1, 2008 Thank You! This is real information! As an aside...don't be turned off by reps based on the standard non chrono 21j movement (if they are DG2813 based like the Noobmariner, Asian SFSO, etc). Even though the movement out from China may have it's issues, the fact that the movement can be replaced for $12 + shipping and labour (i.e. cheaper if you do it yourself) means you can save oodles of money NOT buying the real ETA version...even if you have to replace the movement 10 times...and boy, will you get experience and practice!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Tracy Posted October 1, 2008 Report Share Posted October 1, 2008 My most reliable replicas have been Asian, 21 Jewels.. Gave quite a few to my teen age sons years ago & they beat the hell out of them playing sports, hiking and all sorts of abuse, and yet they still run. My favorite,... a handwind asian alarm which I still wear daily for close to two years, never serviced and it still keeps excellent time and wakes me whenever I need it to... I have had more problems with Eta than Asian,... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMK000 Posted October 2, 2008 Report Share Posted October 2, 2008 My most reliable replicas have been Asian, one 21 Jewels.. I have had more problems with Eta than Asian,... I can only agree to this. Venus and asian 21j are the ones giving less problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gregers Posted October 2, 2008 Report Share Posted October 2, 2008 Same here. I've had significant problems with every single watch apart from cheapo A21js. Not having access to a friendly watchmaker, the issue of QC has become a real problem for me. A21j's are the only mechanical watches that I am happy to buy without considerable forebodings about the potentially expensive outcome. As the OP pointed out, cheap replacement movements make A21js a worry free purchase. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowprofile Posted December 27, 2008 Report Share Posted December 27, 2008 As an aside...don't be turned off by reps based on the standard non chrono 21j movement (if they are DG2813 based like the Noobmariner, Asian SFSO, etc). Even though the movement out from China may have it's issues, the fact that the movement can be replaced for $12 + shipping and labour (i.e. cheaper if you do it yourself) means you can save oodles of money NOT buying the real ETA version...even if you have to replace the movement 10 times...and boy, will you get experience and practice!! Where can i get the 12 dollar asian movement in case my asian breaks? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg_r Posted December 27, 2008 Report Share Posted December 27, 2008 Everybody appears to be forgetting the Unitas 6497 movement (whether Swiss or Asian) as used in Panerai and some others. Those things are damn near bomb-proof. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seadweller4000 Posted December 27, 2008 Report Share Posted December 27, 2008 Everybody appears to be forgetting the Unitas 6497 movement (whether Swiss or Asian) as used in Panerai and some others. Those things are damn near bomb-proof. Except the fact that they sometimes have a spring-issue which makes them run way too fast. It can be solved by knocking them gently on a table after they run out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff g Posted December 27, 2008 Report Share Posted December 27, 2008 'Swiss' or asian eta, MOST reliable movement, is one serviced by reputable watchsmith. The watches I care about most all go to The Zigmeister. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fakemaster Posted December 28, 2008 Report Share Posted December 28, 2008 MOST reliable movement, is one serviced by reputable watchsmith +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corgi Posted December 28, 2008 Report Share Posted December 28, 2008 Let me just say that just because a movement is "swiss eta" doesn't necessarily mean it is more reliable than its generic Asian counterpart. In the replica world there is no QC to speak of, and thus it is impossible to gauge which rep is the most accurate. Johnny can have a Big Bang run for ten years without fault while Billy's same BB might die in less than ten days. You have to just rub a magic lamp and hope for the best with these guys. Now, in terms of gens, then we can start a heated debate! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oirish Posted March 6, 2009 Report Share Posted March 6, 2009 Where can i get the 12 dollar asian movement in case my asian breaks? Thanks Everybody seems to have forgotten about this question. Any ideas as I would be interested to know too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toadtorrent Posted March 6, 2009 Report Share Posted March 6, 2009 Everybody seems to have forgotten about this question. Any ideas as I would be interested to know too? Depends on where you are. I buy mine from H.W. Perrin in Toronto...or Somal Canada has them in Ontario as well...for that price in CDN dollars!!! I don't know if they do mail order to the US. From Ofrei, I think they cost $25 USD (don't know if that includes shipping). You can get the DG2813 from any of the supply houses...the DG4813 are harder to find...but available as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oirish Posted March 6, 2009 Report Share Posted March 6, 2009 Thanks Toad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxman Posted March 7, 2009 Report Share Posted March 7, 2009 This is just wonderful. My first rep was a quartz. I dont mind quartz watches because there inexpensive and very reliable. I know there is no sweeping hand but it realy does not bother me. Some people will say that quartz watches have no soul, Whatever. I wanted to see what all the excitment was about so I poped for a Pam196 with the 7750.($280) Im thinking I got the hang of this now. Just to let you know I did a TON of research on movements. I foud very little infomation on the Asian 21j. The pam that I liked with this movement was $110. If I would have read this thread a month ago I would have purchased the 21j instead, oh well. I know when buying a rep any rep there is a level of risk, no matter the movement anything con happen. That being said it is unlikley to have a quarts delivered DOA or to have any other problems. The first time I mentioned a Quartz I was almost ran out of town There this hostility if you will, about quartz movement, or lack of movement. Its just disapointing to see that the 21j is more reliable for the most part then the much more expensive 7750. I read where The Zigmeister had said that the 7750 can be very reliable and last for many years if properly seviced.That stuck in my mind. I also remember Fakemaster and Toad making reference to the 21j being bullit proof, not a direct quote. There is a article in the March issue of Mens Health. Ted Pommer a watch repair specialist at atIlana fine jewelry in New York City says "Ignore the manufacturer's recommendation to clean and adjust a watch every 2 to 3 years. Dont fix it if it's not broken". Pommer says. " I've worked on watches that are 80 years old and have never been serviced. They run fine; there timing is just a bit off" . I have a 40 year old Omega thats nots not been serviced in over 20 years, still keeps good time. This was not by design but neglect. Im a car guy. I have always belived in preventative maintance, why wait for something to go wrong? The good news is that I love my new Panerai 196 daylight. It's keepig almost perfect time and everything works as advertised. Im not looking foward to spending the extra money for servicing. The price one pays. I could just go out and buy a gen and do away with a lot of these issues. But what fun would that be? I think thats why I like this rep hobby so much. Its not completly safe. No guarantees. I guess thats why Im so attracted to this?? Do I dare say it? Obsession. I guess it's like Gumps box of chocolate.You just dont know until you take a bite. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pollux1 Posted March 7, 2009 Report Share Posted March 7, 2009 Cousins UK have a range of Chinese movements for sale, the popular DG2813 is Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baglc1 Posted March 8, 2009 Report Share Posted March 8, 2009 My most reliable replicas have been Asian, 21 Jewels.. Gave quite a few to my teen age sons years ago & they beat the hell out of them playing sports, hiking and all sorts of abuse, and yet they still run. My favorite,... a handwind asian alarm which I still wear daily for close to two years, never serviced and it still keeps excellent time and wakes me whenever I need it to... I have had more problems with Eta than Asian,... What make is the handwind asian alarm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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