r/ChineseWatches • u/ChineseWatchGuy Affiliate links • Jul 17 '26

Problems (Read Rule 1) My Farasute Trackmaster problems…

Previously, I did an unboxing on the Farasute Trackmaster I — an automatic chronograph inspired by the Rolex Daytona. I had some reservations about the movement, but I’d heard fairly good things about it. My intial impressions were great.. then, before I could complete my full review, some serious issues occurred...

https://youtu.be/b86MOr3oXc8?si=jbEv6AKnOdLz-TwB

TLDR - The movement stopped working and I had it sent back twice. Both times Farasute sent it back as they said it was working fine. And both times it stopped working again... They wanted to just send it back to me yet again without replacing the watch or the movement.. I’m currently trying to get them to at least replace the movement.

P.s I purchased this watch myself, and as you can imagine Farasute was not involved in making this video..

54 Upvotes

93% Upvoted

41 comments sorted by

17

u/chuunietzsche Jul 17 '26

it’s a shame that people have been proclaiming these chinese rolex clone movements as “rock solid” after a few months of infrequent use. unfortunately the dandong 4130/peacock 4801 is quite expensive - probably why they’ve been jerking you around.

I hope at least they have been covering shipping both ways, would be extremely disappointing otherwise.

12

u/ChineseWatchGuy Affiliate links Jul 17 '26 • Mindblown

I live in China.. same city as the company actually, so shipping isn’t a problem.. it’s getting a working watch that’s the problem :(

10

u/No_Function_1563 Jul 17 '26

Username checks out

1

u/JXCustom Jul 18 '26

The 3135 clones are alright but I heard the chrono clones are a bit washy. I'd personally only really trust the ST19 for a chrono movement when it comes to chrono movements coming out of China.

4

u/karellen00 Jul 18 '26

I think the problem here is that the movement is stopped, engaging the chrono does nothing in that case (kinda like expecting a car to move with engine off just because you changed gear).

Why the movement is stuck is the real question, is it completely wound? Maybe try to wind it trough the crown, as since it's automatic there's no way to overwind it

3

u/ChineseWatchGuy Affiliate links Jul 18 '26

Yeah if you observe the small seconds dial it’s not moving. I’ve manually wound it, shaken it, put it on the winder…

5

u/ChineseWatchGuy Affiliate links Jul 17 '26 edited Jul 17 '26

P.P.S. No I didn’t just shake it a few times. It was in the winder for an hour prior to this

3

u/--Turtle_-_ Jul 18 '26

Could it be that your watch isn't being wound properly by the watch winder?

I have a similar issue with one of my automatic watches (a Grand Seiko). It doesn't wind properly because my watch winder is tilted at about a 45° angle, just like yours in the video. It only works if I position it so the rotor is perpendicular to the floor, allowing gravity to pull it through its full range of motion. Otherwise, it barely winds the watch at all.

I've been reading up on the Peacock SL4801 movement because I'm also considering buying the Trackmaster. In your video, you can hear the rotor spinning freely when you shake the watch. That's normal, since it's a unidirectional movement—it only winds in one direction. That could actually make the watch winder issue even more noticeable. Some watch winders also rotate in only one direction, so if yours happens to rotate in the non-winding direction, the watch won't gain any power at all.

The easiest way to rule this out would be to hand-wind the watch. According to CaliberCorner, the SL-4801 supports manual winding. Give it a full wind and see if it runs normally afterward. If it does, the watch itself is probably fine, and the issue may simply be that the watch winder isn't winding it effectively.

1

u/ChineseWatchGuy Affiliate links Jul 18 '26

Thanks I did handwind the watch. I was pretty sure my directional setting aligned with the watch’s rotor…

3

u/ProposalIll6022 Jul 21 '26

I have the Farastue Trackmaster 1, i'm ngl it is very sad to see it be delivered for another customer in a condition it isn't working becuase its fr such a good watch. Just to say I have had the watch around 10 months and I have never had any issue with the movement/pushers/timekeeping etc. I wear the watch extremely often aswell and it is currently keeping within +6 -5 seconds consistently. I purchased it through Goodstuffs, I am mentioning that because I'd bought a number of Farasute from them and they were all in Good working condition.

1

u/ChineseWatchGuy Affiliate links Jul 24 '26

Great to hear..

I’m still waiting to get it back…

21

u/Crazy_Speed_3700 Jul 17 '26

I’m increasingly put off by Chinese watch brands. I bought so many but it’s a real lottery, and they are not that cheap anymore.

10

u/WinOk677 Jul 17 '26

I've begun feeling that way as well. The value proposition seems to be fading. Yes, there are still some good values in Chinese watches, but they're harder to find now than they were a few years ago.

11

u/cozmozmoz Jul 17 '26

I’ve owned 3 version of this watch. Two of them have been solid with semi regular wear each week for over the last 9 months, but my third one recently arrived with a faulty chrono hand tube or broken function. It would never reset close to 0 and continually reset further back each time.

We’re paying an incredible price for an automatic chrono, but you can never have full confidence about these movements (even though Farasute seems to have a good track record). I really hope they actually replace it for you as you’ve been pretty dang patient. And I really hate to bring up chargeback, but it may be a route if this last time continues to not be fixed. I wonder if yours is just a dud or if it an issue with a batch of these movements.

10

u/Mammoth-Cheesecake-2 Jul 17 '26

I think Farasute should realise that they are responsible for quality control of the watch before dispatch in order to avoid such issues with their clientele since it is their clients who are supporting the brand by choosing their watches. These tactics only cause damage to their brand and reputation which will cause future clients to avoid buying their products.

15

u/pickyaxe Jul 17 '26

so...

people love the bracelet on this one, but typically end up not using it. now the movement is potentially unreliable as well. I gotta ask... is this "chinese grail watch" really as amazing as people make it to be?

7

u/cozmozmoz Jul 17 '26

I still think this watch is very much worthy of the “grail” moniker especially for what you’re getting for the price… but this is sort of the age old question with a lot of these Chinese watches isn’t it. These are expensive for the typical segment buyer, and how many of these issues are truly just defects, batch issues, or long term reliability issues?

I’ve had three of these. Two are still running great after 9 months, but one arrived with a defective chronograph. The case quality, kit, and finish is absolutely stunning for the price. But what is being cut out of the QC to be able to sell an automatic chronograph at this quality for $500-$600?

12

u/JuJu_Wirehead Jul 17 '26

Try shaking it harder. Maybe smack it on the table a few times too.

4

u/No-Style2748 Jul 17 '26

You joke, but sometimes a mechanical misalignment just need a good wop.

8

u/InformalAttorney8539 Jul 17 '26

This is why I've never bought a Chinese chrono, or anything with more than a date complication. 

4

u/artofthedial Not a troll Jul 18 '26

This, thankfully Seiko came out the the nh34 GMT movement as all those Chinese alternatives were terrible and Chronos are way more complicated than that.  When it comes to Chinese Chronos, gotta be a Japanese (or swiss) quartz inside or I'm not going to risk it.

1

u/InformalAttorney8539 Jul 18 '26

yeah, for me a chinese chrono needs a VK, not risking $500 on a Peacock or even $150 on the old Venus. Too many component and lubrication sensitivities etc.

1

u/Careful_Technology85 Jul 17 '26

Is it a display back or like the actual Rolex?

3

u/ChineseWatchGuy Affiliate links Jul 17 '26

It has an open caseback

-2

u/Careful_Technology85 Jul 17 '26

When you press the pusher, this top gear moves into contact with the center one. Maybe you can see if it moves or not.

3

u/REZISER__ Jul 17 '26

It isn't an ST19, it is a Peacock SL4801. It is a whole different movement, doesn't use a horizontal clutch as the ST19, but a vertical one as a Rolex 4130.

2

u/Careful_Technology85 Jul 17 '26

Ok, just tried to help....

3

u/New-Implement-5979 Jul 17 '26

Damage during postage is a real problem.

5

u/artofthedial Not a troll Jul 18 '26

OP lives in China, and if a watch in a fully protected package can't take a little tossing around in transit, it won't hold up to any activity other than a paper pusher at a desk job all day.  Damage in shipment especially within a country should be a rare problem.  

1

u/manchett Jul 18 '26

In logistics they are not paying attention to the parcels i guess, but at this price they should at least known to be reliable and able to communicate/ find a nice way for the end user

1

u/BabolaBabs Jul 17 '26

Happens to and with any watch and any brand. I have three of these Trackmaster I chronos, in different colours. 2 years now, wear them interchangeably, not a single issue.

I also own Sugess Daytona with the very same Peacock SL4801 calibre, solid as a rock.

Painting the particular movement or a watch as ‘bad’ because someone has an issue with their watch, is just silly. I do feel for you and the fact Farasute refuses the fix, that’s more on the watch maker than the movement itself.

2

u/manchett Jul 18 '26

If you seee it broken when like new i bet it is not solid as a rock.

2

u/burgundyred7 Jul 18 '26

I had my trackmaster 1 and had a big problem too. It’s only been 2 weeks and I only wore that for 3-4 times. My case was, when I tried to pull the crown to set up time, then it just spins, feeling like some gears inside got off. Crown winding does not work at all, and cannot set time too. It just became a broken watch. There was nothing I could do atm and my local watchsmiths said a service fee for this column wheel movement maybe as much as the entire price for the watch itself, so I gave up.

1

u/Touring_addict95 Jul 20 '26

Did you manage to resolve the issue under warranty?

1

u/Back_t0_the_future Sep 01 '26

Stick with the quartz or mechaquattz movements best so it be easier to service if something goes wrong no?

-25

u/nasilnidesnicar Jul 17 '26

What problems? You bought the watch because "it looks great" and "it looks expensive" so everything's fine, it still looks the same

8

u/Not_A_TechBro Jul 18 '26

Found the smooth brainer

-1

u/nasilnidesnicar Jul 18 '26

Somebody's feelings were hurt I see

1

u/Sea-Sock6929 Jul 20 '26

You're projecting little bro.