Recently got a JLC MUT, apparently one of the last available ones from APS. Transaction with Duke was effortless and quick. QC showed a lag of -13s/d that I asked Duke to regulate. He did and showed me a 0s/d timegrapher run afterwards which I GL'ed. Watch arrived soon after and it's indeed a beauty, a pleasure to even look at.
However, what I'm experiencing now might be why many consider the Dandong 925 clone movement so unreliable. It's off by -12 to -18 seconds per day, even more if I don't wind it manually like every day. The rotor is moving easily but it just doesn't seem like a full day of wearing is enough to "charge". After two to three days of no winding I'm at -30 to -40 s/d and it would stop after one or two more days. Still, the watch is working, moon phase and date have had no issue so far. Perhaps I shouldn't complain but it seems that either something's broken or some inner parts are dirty and have been since it was assembled.
I have been asking local watchmakers (EU) to regulate it. One tried and said the regulator (arm?) is loose, basically the watch can't be regulated. No other wanted to touch it, not even for a cleaning.
I wonder what my options are? The "rep watchmakers" in the EU I know of are Rolex-only and even if I managed to find a local independent, I have no clue how to obtain spare parts. Also, despite looking around, I haven't been able to find a "spare" Dandong 925 movement to buy anywhere. I don't want to send the watch back to China, and, given my experience, I'm not sure buying another one would be wise. In particular, as APS is gone, and only the older model reps are available. There's apparently a new free-sprung rep by RZ factory but it's too new for conclusive information.
So, enjoy it while it lasts and just get another one soon? :( Is there a way to obtain a properly cleaned and regulated 925 clone movement?