Rolex movements
Submariner 41mm, Datejust 41mm & 36mm, Oyster Perpetual, Explorer I 40mm & 36mm
Best movements currently: 1. VS3235 (VS3230 is the no date version), 2. VR3235 (VR3230 no date version) and SH3235 v2, 3. 2824 (sold by GMF and BPF), the A2824 is a reliable movement and can be more easily repaired and replaced (optionally with a Swiss 2824: SW200) by a watchmaker.
VS3235/VS3230 (VS3230 is the no date version):
VR3235/VR3230 (VR3230 is the no date version) "v1":
VR3235 "v2" (also called the SH3235): Note: looks similar to VS3235, however with the SH3235 the hairspring coils counter clockwise, the stud is placed differently compared with the VS3235. This version comes with an increase in reserve: from 40 to 70 hours, as it is claimed by the manufacturer of the movement.
Daytona
Best movements currently: DD4130, DD4131, SH4131
DD4130:
DD4131:
SH4130:
SH4131 "v1":
SH4131 "v2":
GMT Master II, Explorer II
Best GMT movement currently: DD3285
DD3285:
VR3186: Reliable movement, note however that the old version of the VR3186 has regulating pins and stud facing outwards instead of inwards.
VR3285/SH3285:
VR3285/SH3285 "v2":
Submariner 40mm
- Will be added soon
2824/2836 movements
2824 (or A2824) movements, are clones of the ETA 2824. These movements tend to be reliable and cheap to repair or replace. Factories that produce reps with these movements include: ZF and XF with their Tudor models for example, GMF and BPF with many different Rolex models.
Best 2824 movements currently: the Swiss made Stellita SW200-1 (Note: the ETA2824 is not sold to third parties anymore. Stock that is still sold is either years old or used). The PT5000 and Seagull ST2130 are also good clones of the ETA2824.
2836 movements are similar to the 2824, however the 2836 holds a day-date calendar complication, even though most 2836 watches make no use of the day complication. The 2836 is used as the cases are made to both fit 2813 movements and 2836 movements which share the same dimensions. The 2836 movements also has a different stem height compared to the 2824 (a direct swap is not possible). A direct swap with 2836 clones is possible: Stellita SW220-1, Seagull ST2100 and Hangzhou 6311 & 6460(GMT). Note: you may need to transfer over the old date wheel to the new movement to make the dates align perfectly with the date window on the dial.
2824/2836:
2813 & Miyota 8215 movements
The best movements in this category: 1. Miyota 8215 (8315 is the newer version, but both are good movements), 2. DG2813 (produced by Dixmont), 3. A2813 which is of lower quality than the DG2813 and can be found for very cheap.
The 3 above mentioned movements are interchangeable with each other. A popular modification with the lower end reps is swapping the A2813 or DG2813 with a Miyota 8215.
Swapping the 2813 for a Miyota 8215: it's a direct swap but use the stem that comes with the Miyota, hence you will have to remove the crown from the old stem. The crown will come off with a bit of heat as it is secured with loctite. You will also have to cut the stem to make it fit precisely (more on this and other tips below at the SeikoMods section). As a last step you will want to add loctite to the stem again to secure the crown.
To remove the stem on both the 2813 and 8215 movements you have to be in the winding position. Then press the dot next to the stem. To reinsert, gently push the stem while slightly rotating so the square part of the stem seats the clutch and the other parts.
Miyota 8215:
DG2813: The DG2813 is produced by Dixmont. There are quite some movements produced by other factories sold under the same name. You can recognize a DG2813 with the following stamp under the balance wheel. To make sure you buy a genuine DG2813 you can ask a watchmaker to source it for you or buy from a reputable seller.
A2813: a 15 euro/dollar movement. What can I say.
Seiko movements
NH35 (Date), NH36 (Day-Date), NH38 (No date and an "open heart"), NH05 (found in some RM reps and ladies reps) movements are low beat (21600BPH) but reliable and long lasting movements.
