Part one: Description and Initial timing tests.

TY2130, HZ6300 and ETA 2824-2

ETA 2004-1

nd Cote-de-Geneve

I was asked to do a review and comparison of two Chinese movements, the Seagull TY2130 and Hangzhou HZ6300, the two movements were provided by Carlos of the Prometheus Watch Company. These two movements would be compared against the ubiquitous Standard grade ETA 2824-2 and a Top grade ETA 2004-1I originally planned to do all my testing and tear down first then post the results, however with four movements, there was too much information for one initial post. So I am now going to do a running commentary of the test, disassembly and comparison as I finish each phase.Right now, I have four parts in this study, 1) Description & Initial Timing, 2) Tear-down and Comparison of Quality, 3) Interchangeability, and 4) Assessment.This will allow for comments to be posted after each part.Seagull TY2130Hangzhou HZ6300ETA 2824-2 (Rado)Type: Automatic mechanical lever movementSize: 25.60 mm (26.00 mm overall) x 4.60 mmFrequency: 4 Hz (28,800 bph)Analog three hand display with quick change date, three position winding/setting stem.The ETA is a Standard grade with a gold plated nickel balance and Nivarox 2 balance spring, I do not know what material the Seagull and Hangzhou are using.ETA 2004-1Type: Automatic mechanical lever movement (uni-directional winding)Size: 23.30 mm (23.90 mm overall) x 3.60 mmFrequency: 4 Hz (28,800 bph)Analog three hand display with quick change date, three position winding/setting stem.This is a Top grade ETA with a gold plated Glucydur balance and Anachron balance springThe TY2130 and the HZ6300 were taken directly from the package, wound and placed on a Mumford MicroSet Watch Timer. Then after running (movements motionless) for 24 hours, the rate (CH only) was taken again to establish the Isochronism.The initial results were as follows:Beat error: 0.3 msRate, CH (dial up): -4.8 seconds per dayRate, 9H (crown down): +0.6 s/dIsochronism: +9.6 s/dBeat error: 0.1 msRate, CH: +15.2 s/dRate, 9H: +11.7 s/dIsochronism: -3.5 s/dBeat error: 0.2 msRate, CH: +2.7 s/dRate, 9H: +2.0 s/dIsochronism: -8.2 s/dBeat error: 0.0 msRate, CH: +3.4 s/dRate, 9H: -3.4 s/dIsochronism: -7.5 s/dAll the movements showed excellent rate stability and amplitude (around 310 degrees for the 2824s and 300 degrees for the 2004) over the 24 hours they were under test.Just for comparison, the specifications from ETA for the two movements are as follows:(Standard grade)Rate: +/- 12 s/dVariation between all positions: 30 s/dIsochronism: +/- 20 s/dAmplitude: maximum 315 to 325 degrees; minimum 200 to 220 degrees(Top grade)Rate: +/- 7 s/dVariation between all positions: 30 s/dIsochronism: +/- 25 s/dAmplitude: maximum 310 degrees; minimum 190 degreesSo, we can see that the two TY2130 and HZ6300 samples, in the "as received" condition, are quite capable of meeting ETA minimum specifications, and show very good performance in the two positions tested.Note on the finish of the movements, The Rado ETA 2824-2 is plain gold plate with a very simple pattern on the rotor, the HZ6300 is plain nickel plate with absolutely no decoration. The TY2130 is finished in a manner similar to the ETA 2004-1 with a fine nickel plate and pearlage on the visible plates aon the rotor. From a strict utilitarian point of view, nickel plating is the best finish, but is slightly more expensive than gold plate due to the cost of handling the chemical waste associated with nickel plating. Also, pearlage and other decorations show up better on nickel plating.Stay tuned for part two...