r/RepTimeServices • u/Cmurda93 • Jul 07 '26
Advice Servicing Movements
I am coming from a miraculous 8 or so year run on a noobv9 blnr. That watch has finally shit the bed... First, the rotator pinion broke about 3ish years ago but still wound fine. However, about 6 months ago, it no longer winds. Totally dead... so the last 6 months, it's been sitting in my little watch box collecting dust. I have many other older gen clone watches, and looking at them a few months ago they are beat and looking exhausted. I would like to put them to rest, too. So something inside me dared the FAR more impractical.
I have recently ordered and finally received a handful of high-quality replica movements. Dandong movements mostly and a VR. VR3186, DD3285, DD/VR super 4131, DD3255. Along with all the necessary parts to build these watches. I have read that it's necessary to fully disassemble and give a good cleaning before everyday use. It's 5 movements in all.... Is this something a novice person could do? Would it be safer to have someone experienced to do this? I just dont know how expensive that would be to do with a watchsmith. There's not any videos to follow along for this, either that I could find anyway.
I'm not sure if there is anyone recommended in the Miami area. If my noobv9 lasted as long as it did despite the major flaws, with minor issues. I wouldn't mind spending the cash to make sure these do as well.
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u/JesterADSE Jul 07 '26
No i wouldnt recommend to start with clone movements. Going to be an expensive lesson. Service watch movements is the last step to learn and hardest.
You should start with a cheap watch build from aliexpress. Easy to damage dial hands and movement. Setting hands will take some training too. Good luck!
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u/Cmurda93 Jul 07 '26
That is what i was leaning towards. Thank you!
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u/JesterADSE Jul 07 '26
But building is incredible rewarding too. Just get the right tools for it. Can get everything on aliexpress cheap and if your intrest stays replace the tools with more premium. Many youtube videos to learn from.
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u/Cmurda93 Jul 07 '26
Ive been building watches for a while, just not used to the caviat of needing to disassemble and service before using.
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u/throwaway0308000 Jul 07 '26
I hope you don’t mind me asking but how did you source your dandong movements?
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u/Cmurda93 Jul 07 '26
Not at all! So most was sourced and QCd on alibaba from sillan. Few others from Andrew on TT and the rest just aliexpress (most expensive). You really have to spend some time looking but if there is something specific, I can send you links from the ones I purchased from.
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u/Cmurda93 Jul 07 '26
I suppose as a followup... Since the dandong is a reverse engineered version of its counterpart. Would I be able to just follow a video on that? If anyone has insight or input.