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Long term experiences with low cost movements (Seiko NH35, Miyota 8215, etc.)?

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ffritz

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hi guys, what's your personal experience with low cost mechanical movements from Seiko, Miyota or Orient in the long run, meaning over several decades? I still have an old Seiko 5 with a 7s26 in some drawer, it's from the 1990s and still works. Not accurately, but good enough for everyday use when time isn't really important.

I tend to think that this is rather the norm than the exception, but is that even correct? Do these NH35s, Miyota 82 series, etc., usually work for 20-30 years before they actually fail?

The reason why I'm asking are a couple of rather uncommon, but not exactly cheap watches that use these movements (SevenFriday, Gorilla, Locman, etc.). They often get criticized for using these low spec movements in relatively expensive pieces. But to me, it actually makes perfect sense. These are all watches I don't wear very much, just a couple of times every year, but if my assumption about the reliability of these movements is correct, I can just continue doing this for another 20 years, which is great. An Eta 2824 on the other hand might develop some problems with the automatic winding when the oils get older, so that would require a service or a new movement.

I'd be happy to hear about your experiences and thoughts. :)
 
#2 ·
My only relevant experience involves the Citizen 8200A in two Citizen Eagle 7 watches.

One was purchased new in the late 1990s and was probably made in 1998. I wore it every day, including running, backpacking, hiking, and skiing. After five years of that extraordinarily hard use, its power reserve had dropped to the point that it often stopped overnight and occasionally stopped even during the day if I was just sitting at a desk. Servicing didn't help, so it became a second watch. In 2019, its power reserve following a full wind was about 14 hours, but it was still quite accurate so long as it was running. In 2020, I replaced the original Citizen 8200A with a Miyota 8205.

I'm the second owner of the other Eagle 7. I'm not quite sure of its age, but I think it's at least 20 years old. It still runs with reasonable stability and accuracy, with diminished power reserve of 20-25 hours.
 
#3 ·
I have a Vostok from the 1990s that's never been serviced in the 10 years I've had it and has probably never been serviced. Works fine for me. I also have a watch with a chronometer grade ETA 2824 that I have had for 17 years and it has never been serviced. Still looks great on the time grapher.

I also until very recently had two Swatch automatics from the early 90s with non-servicable ETA 2840s. These were never great time keepers but they did run just fine. You could easily wear them for a week or two at a time without issue.

I think your experience with your Seiko 5 is the norm.
 
#4 ·
I have a number of Citizen's with Miyota movements, some almost ten years old now, and all are still going strong.

The Miyota 9040 movement in one of my Citizen Signature Grand Classics, is one of the most precise and accurate within my entire collection.

Love them or hate them, they have always been very, very, good to me(y)
 
#5 ·
Excellent long term experience with them as well. They are cheap, robust, and typically plentiful. If I have to, It takes me about an hour to switch out something like a Seiko NH movement and I’m bad at it.
 
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#6 ·
I have about five 4R36s, the elder is from 2015 (about the time the movement was introduced). So far no issues, good accuracy and reliability.

If I have to be honest the only movements I had issues with were ETA: a 2894 failed after six months (Longines fixed it for free and they also gave me a free pouch), and a 2824 that I handwound too much.
 
#7 · (Edited)
I don't think the problem people have is with the movement itself but rather a maker charging $500+ for a watch with a $30 NH35 in it.

The movements are fine and are what they are. Cheap, reliable and ubitquous, but they shouldn't be used for watches above a certain price point. If I'm going to be asked to pay more money I expect more movement.

I have a couple 7s26 that have been running since the late 90's. There's nothing wrong with longevity of inexpensive movements. Also have a 7009 from even earlier. I picked it up at flea market with a pooched hairspring, so I can't speak to the longevity though. It may have been in a drawer for 25 years
 
#8 ·
Most basic ebauchs aren't expensive at all. ETA movements aren't expensive. Even an ETA 7751 (triple date moon phase chronograph) is only a few hundred.

I don't think it is strange for a watch that costs $3000 or less to have a $100 or cheaper movement it.
 
#10 ·
I've had nothing but excellent experiences with mass produced, cheap movements. The newer ones like the Sellitas that I've had have also significantly outperformed my expectations, and they're cheap to have repaired as well.
 
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