Why Asian Movements Are The Best

[chrislovessushi]

So I came into possession of a 1675 homage. Running great and looking sharp. One issue though, the GMT hand lume didn’t match the lume on the other hands. No problem! I’ll remove it, relume it, and the watch will be complete. So I gently remove the hands from the DG3804 and the seconds pinion snaps off. Okay. No big deal, I have a spare. Broach the broken pinion out of the hand and remove the movement. Oh goodie, all the wheels are under a single bridge. So I already know reassembly will be a pain but I gotta do what I gotta do. Swap the pinion, no problems. Begin reassembly, gently testing the train, wheels are spinning properly, start tightening screws, annnd the escape wheel flops over. Another broken pinion. Okay. I have a spare. Remove the bridge, replace the wheel, reassemble VERY slowly and gently, wheels are spinning, screws are tight, and now the center wheel is spinning freely as if the bottom pinion is either broken or out of alignment. Luckily these movements are only $30 but I’m still determined to salvage this one. Time to go back under the loupe!

[hako]

Honestly, I would not bother.
The whole movement is hardly more than a spare part for a Swiss one...
Unless, there is this damn‘ ambition

[straps68]

Your dedication is commendable. Good luck!

[thelonedoc]

The ability to just throw a failed asian movement away and slap a new one in for a fraction of a service cost and hardly more than the cost if a single part from a swiss movement is definitly a huge incentive to use these movements.

I don't think I could bring myself to use one in a build with a display caseback though...

[chrislovessushi]

Oh well, I broke yet another escape wheel pinion so this one is going into the parts bag. Guess I’ll have to shell out $30. I will say that if you can get these 3804s lubricated without breaking anything then they run great. For future reference if anyone needs spare parts for a DG3804B then I’m your guy!

[Mellons]

Better to practice on! Keep going

[Tanukjaju]

From working on and encountering the Asian 649x and 7750, the metals they use aren’t as hard/durable.

At least we know who has spare parts lol.

[Alou]

Well these movements give a new meaning to "Drag & Drop" but the sure are the best for experiments and learning.
Sometimes these prove to take a beating but to adjust them as good they need better oiling and servicing which will cost as much as 20 or 30 of these ,so buy a stock LOL!

Long time ago i had a similar problem and just bough one out of Ebay for $25 i believe in 2012.

[thelonedoc]

It will be endless, Asian movements are tricky to work on.

I am concerned about the future of my DSN rlx 618 when it fails...

Such a gorgeous movement and not cheap either, but how do I get it serviced when it fails?

[chrislovessushi]

Asian movements are good to learn on in that you can break whatever you’d like and not feel guilty. But when you go from working on Asian movements to Swiss movements suddenly everything seems so easy. This is coming from someone who snapped a date jumper spring on a cal 3135 in half so maybe take my advice with a grain of salt lol