←back to thread

Mechanical Watch: Exploded View

(fellerts.no)
1168 points fellerts | 2 comments | 22 Jun 25 14:56 UTC | HN request time: 0.001s | source
Show context
alexjplant ◴[22 Jun 25 18:47 UTC] No.44349304[source]▶
I was pleased to see that the author used the PT5000, one of my favorite calibers. As pointed out in the article it's a Chinese clone of the ubiquitous ETA 2824-2; this movement is used in a lot of affordable watches that are sold on AliExpress. You can get a Submariner homage with a sapphire crystal, ceramic bezel, lume, and full water resistance powered by this movement for $100 that keeps time just as well as a Swiss watch (i.e. within COSC standards). Before I sold it mine was running at +5spd... the Chinese watchmaking industry is truly something to behold.
replies(3): >>44349418 #>>44351019 #>>44351158 #
perdomon ◴[22 Jun 25 23:35 UTC] No.44351158[source]▶
Do you have any recommended resources for buying mechanical watch clones on aliexpress? Im interested in grabbing something but would love to get an idea of where to find the best value before pulling the trigger on one.
replies(4): >>44351279 #>>44352237 #>>44352302 #>>44353254 #
pea ◴[23 Jun 25 03:45 UTC] No.44352302[source]▶
For something slightly more expensive check out NTH (now defunct micro brand but easy to find on eBay) or Squale.

For vintage (ignore their new stuff), Enicar, Eterna, Roamer, Rodania, Cortebert, Wakmann, Mido, Certina, early Girard Perregaux, etc. all can be had cheap. Bunch of excellent brands wiped out in quartz crisis that can be had for next to nothing.

replies(1): >>44358551 #
1. metadat ◴[23 Jun 25 18:21 UTC] No.44358551{3}[source]▶
How serviceable are watches with defunct manufacturers? My understanding is typical mechanical watches require service to replace worn parts every 5 years or so.
replies(1): >>44367579 #
2. fellerts ◴[24 Jun 25 15:56 UTC] No.44367579[source]▶
Most services just include cleaning and relubrication. Parts don’t wear out that quickly.

Most watches from before the quartz crisis (pre ‘70s) used standard off-the-shelf Swiss movements for which spare parts are still readily available. It can get tricky with expensive or rare in-house stuff like Omega and Rolex though.