st36 vs ETA 6497

[Terrinecold]

Hello,

I have started learning to work on watches a week ago on an ST36.  I have the technical datasheet for the ETA 6497 and I read everywhere that one is a clone of the other.

That surprises me a bit because the bridge structure is clearly completely different (one barrel bridge which does not cover the central wheel, one gear train bridge for the center, second and third wheel, one cock for the escapement.

So what makes it a clone?  Is it the arrangement of the main plate and things like the keyless works?

[JohnR725]

Clone doesn't always exactly mean the exact copy. I have a couple links below which talk about the movement notice that also has a variety of number variations but basically they're all the same watch even if they look different. Then minor little technical difference they're not actually a clone of a 6497 because that runs in 18,000 beats per hour it's a clone of a 6497–2 Which runs at 21,600.

https://calibercorner.com/seagull-caliber-st3600k/

 

https://seagull1963.com/st36/discovering-the-seagull-st36-movement/

https://calibercorner.com/eta-unitas-caliber-6497-1-vs-6497-2/

 

[Terrinecold]

Well I actually looked more into it and I think the answer is the following:

ST36/3600 is not a clone of ETA6497 it is a clone of OP XI which is a derivation of the ETA.

And when you look at both they are actually complete clones (the beat, the bridge shapes even the decoration).

 

[JohnR725]

One of the usual problems with clones are they may visually look right but in the case of the Chinese there will be variations. Like for instance this comes up quite a bit the Incabloc they skip a manufacturing step or two which is why the spring falls out versus the original where it typically does not come out conveniently.

The other amusing problem with Chinese watches are trying to actually identify who made the watch and exactly what it really is or is not because typically they do not put markings on them like the Swiss do.