Summary of Common Replica Watch Movements
| Movement Type | Origin / Examples | Features / Characteristics | Common Applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| DG2813 & Similar | Generic Low-Cost Chinese | Low-beat (21,600 vph / 6 bps), very inexpensive to produce (~$7), generally unstable, and not designed to be serviced or repaired. | Used in most AAA and AAA+ grade replicas. |
| Miyota 8215 | Japanese Miyota (Low-Tier) | A durable workhorse movement. More stable than the DG2813 but is still a low-end, low-beat (21,600 vph) caliber. | Widely used in AAA and AAA+ grade replicas. |
| Asian ETA Clones | Chinese Clones of Swiss ETA Calibers | High-beat (28,800 vph). Reliable performance with good value. Parts are widely available, making them serviceable. Finishing is below Swiss standards. | Used by most mid-tier factories (e.g., FC, EWF). |
| Miyota 9015 | Japanese Miyota (Mid/High-Tier) | A high-beat (28,800 vph) movement. Highly reliable, consistent, and easily modifiable. A great alternative to ETA clones. | Extensively used in models like Cartier Santos and some APs. |
| Dandong "Super Clones" | Dandong Factory (China) | True 1:1 clones of Swiss calibers. Considered the highest tier in the replica world for both quality and performance. | Used in top-tier factory products (e.g., Clean, VSF, DDF). |
Technical Note on Beat Rate
- 3Hz is also referred to as 21,600 bph (beats per hour) or 6 bps (beats per second).
- 4Hz is also referred to as 28,800 bph (beats per hour) or 8 bps (beats per second).
The difference (e.g., 4Hz vs. 8bps) exists because the balance wheel advances the second hand on both its clockwise and counter-clockwise swing, resulting in two "beats" for every one full cycle (Hertz).