Worst Kind Of Movements To Obtain

[dbals]

So while talking to a watchmaker recently, he mentioned when buying a used/old watches that its OK to buy Swiss, German and Japan movement watches.  But stay away from Chinese and Russian movements because Chinese movements typically are not good quality and Russian movement are very difficult to get parts for- at least in the US.

 

Curious on any input on certain brands to buy or stay away from for this new watch tinkerer while searching garage sales/flea markets and or ebay.

 

Thank you for your time,

Dan

[WillFly]

It's a variable world. Russian watches are quite plentiful on eBay, for example, so even if you can't get a specific part from a supplier, you might be able to pick up a s/h movement. And there are probably Frankenwatch makers in Bulgaria and Roumania who can supply parts.

 

By contrast, it's not always easy to get Swiss parts. I've been told - and I don't know whether it's true or not - that some firms like Rolex refuse to sell their branded parts to other companies in order to get watches sent to them for servicing. But who knows...

 

As you're in the US, getting parts for old American watches like Waltham, Hamilton and Elgin is straightforward when compared with here in the UK. The suppliers exist, but they won't always supply to the UK - Otto Frei is a case in point. And it's nigh on impossible to get parts for US/Swiss imports like Gruen and Wittnauer over here.

 

Chinese movements I know very little about - but they've made 'em in millions!

Edited April 25, 2014 by WillFly