the price seems to low to have a swiss movment

 

My eye is drawn to the one on top, it says they are based on Swiss movement design so clearly not Swiss movements but can't argue with the price if they keep decent time and can last

 

Handwind model is a clone of the Unitas 6497. I just got a Unitas 6498 powered watch and it’s so fun. If you don’t have a watch with one of these movements in your collection, that’s reason enough alone. For a watch like this, I’d get the hand winder. Nothing exciting about a 2824 clone that’s uglier than a regular 2824, which isn’t a very pretty movement to begin with.

 

Handwind model is a clone of the Unitas 6497. I just got a Unitas 6498 powered watch and it’s so fun. If you don’t have a watch with one of these movements in your collection, that’s reason enough alone. For a watch like this, I’d get the hand winder. Nothing exciting about a 2824 clone that’s uglier than a regular 2824, which isn’t a very pretty movement to begin with.

Spot on.

 

the price seems to low to have a swiss movment

My eye is drawn to the one on top, it says they are based on Swiss movement design so clearly not Swiss movements but can't argue with the price if they keep decent time and can last

that one with reserve indicator is interesting, because i am not sure if it's some clone of an existing automatic architecture or if it is actually produced for Zanuti.

i like both of them, they are large and thick watches. i ordered one of each but will only keep one. can't decide really because i like the appearance of a manual movement through the back, but the hand wind model has a dial that looks more upscale than the automatic model.

i could live with either one but wanted to have them in-hand to compare and see how well they keep time next to each other.
this company claims compliance with ISO 3159. although nothing to have a party over, still something to check out and they also offer a 3 yr warranty.

i've seen more expensive models around the internet made by ebayers but comparatively speaking here i'd rather go with Zanuti as they are standing behind their watches as well as Swiss companies do with warranty.

 

This or That without a poll? Have fun tallying votes.
Handwind Unitas knock-off would be my choice.

 

was looking for the vote option when composing but not sure which icon it is ... composed the thread on a mobile phone browser.

 

only nit-pick i had when looking at Zanuti's offerings is they do not have a Flieger hand-wind with small seconds at 6. if they make one, it might have sold out.

here's a model made by an ebayer, had my eye on it for some time. the seller says he uses sea-gull manufacture movements, AAA grade:

Pardon Our Interruption...

i will post pics of the Zanuti watches when they arrive for everyone's entertainment

 

I've never heard of that brand. Those prices and specs are nice.

I came into this to say the 6497 clone. However, I think I prefer the dial and layout of 2824 cone. The layout is more symmetrical. And it has a sunburst pattern with applied markers. Furthermore, the 6497 clone isn't any thinner according to the their specs.

 

i think the automatic model can also be hand wound ... ?

i have an NH35 and i prefer hand winding it since i can verify how many crown turns i put in. i can kind of estimate how much power reserve i put into it that way.

and i have a preference towards hacking seconds over non-hacking. between my NH35 and 7S36 watches, its easier to set an accurate time with the NH35. sometimes the 7S36 is powered up to the point where i cannot back hack.

i guess best to have the watches on hand to decide what i like more.

is winding a mechanical that much more 'fun' than hand winding an automatic ?

 

i think the automatic model can also be hand wound ... ?

i have an NH35 and i prefer hand winding it since i can verify how many crown turns i put in. i can kind of estimate how much power reserve i put into it that way.

and i have a preference towards hacking seconds over non-hacking. between my NH35 and 7S36 watches, its easier to set an accurate time with the NH35. sometimes the 7S36 is powered up to the point where i cannot back hack.

i guess best to have the watches on hand to decide what i like more.

is winding a mechanical that much more 'fun' than hand winding an automatic ?

handwinding an NH35 is pretty sweet because it feels smooth. But you don’t need to do it, ever. It gets perfectly wound just by wearing it. You can wind it if you want just for fun though. I won’t stop you lol.

handwinding a Unitas movement is just awesome. It clicks super loud and feels like a totally different experience. And with the gear train somewhat exposed you can watch it wind up. It’s a way different tactile experience.

Hand winding a 2824 clone totally sucks and some people assert (with justification) that it’s bad for the movement. Might be better with a big flieger style crown; but 2824 movements and their clones are not built to be hand wound and it’s kind of a pain. They feel gritty and difficult. They wind themselves perfectly. I NEVER handiwnd my 2824 and 2824 clone movements because it’s not fun and might be bad for them. They run just fine if I put them on and set the time, or keep them on a winder.

if you enjoy handwinding then you 100% want the Unitas clone. No contest in any way shape or form.

 

The Black dial Fliegers 46.

I don't think the movement matters much if the watch is based on other brands designs.

 

6497 is always the right answer for a flieger.

 

the original, or the most desired type of movement for Fliegers ?

in terms of everyday durability ... both movements able to handle the same kind of vibration without much drama ? not to the vibration level of a jack hammer operator or fighter pilot ... just normal daily wear.

 

how easy would it be to find a compatible exhibition case back for the watch that has a solid back ? the one is the automatic small seconds @ 6 ...

was wondering if there is some standard sizing for case backs

 

Gonna have to check these out more with a little deeper dive! Thx for sharing

 

i will post my pics and findings when i have them in hand

not sure if i will be disappointed or impressed, since the brand does not have any footprint in the watch world when searching it. maybe they are on-par with San Martins. San martin has a Flieger with the ST3621, wonder if that particular model has a sea-gull or a sea-gull clone ?

there is also a watchmaker i know in my area, i can always pay a visit and ask them to check out the watches and tell me what they think. they are nice folks and would service most from Seiko all the way to IWC.

 

on the model with small seconds @ 6 and power reserve @ 12, i tried researching what kind of movement would be used ... zanuti's website lacks some details on this and just says it's some combination of 2824 and 7750

the closest movement i found that has this dial arrangement is the TY2542/ST2542. the watch is also pretty thick (16mm), possibly to make room for the movement, glass, case back.
caliber corner specs on it:

https://calibercorner.com/seagull-caliber-ty2542/

 

some update today ...
i received one of them - the manual winder. its obivously made in china, no markings on case back, lume is very weak and strap is nothing to write home about. have not taken it out of wrapping because i probably won't keep it so it's better to return new/unused.

some hands on photos for you all, also with a shot of a 39mm side by side to get an idea of how gigantic this watch is.

opinions/thoughts welcome ...

i think i'll just go with a Laco automatic for a few hundred more that should check off all my boxes aside from being a bit more expensive.

 

Here is the other model. Can't make out the movements origin, but these watches are likely coming from some sub-par factory in China and probably unknown origin clone movements.

Since I took this dive, i wanted to warn folks that this company is not legitimate. They corresponded back regarding returns and are telling me i must cover shipping back to china for these in order to get a refund. i responded to that, and noted that disputes have been opened with my purchase method. bad mistake i made, but hopefully this thread serves as an example for others searching for info online who cannot find anything.

At the end of the day, I will buy a Flieger from a brand that can be trusted and no-hassle, no-BS for returns in case of issues. I was not expecting high grade stuff for the price point, but was at least expecting better customer service than this and all of what is shown on their web site the claims of what their watches are - basically is a song and dance around things they are not able to fully trace back to their products.

at least the front crystals look decent ... but i am not able to verify they are sapphire as is stated on the site. i google searched some and came across a photo of someone selling a Zanuti similar to this and noticed the condition of their crystal at the peak of the dome (in the center) - was scratched, so I am doubting this is sapphire.

In the order emails, they drop in this 'offer' to have 10 year replacements for some charge, not sure how much but I didn't even bother to take a look something like that clearly stinks of cheap gimickery.