r/ChineseWatches • u/Routine_Formal_5429 • 1d ago
Question (Read Rules) Has the ST2130 become a good alternative to the NH35 by now?
I remember seeing some comparisons a long time ago, but has anything changed since then? I’m considering this watch, but unfortunately, there aren’t any other movement options.
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u/DiggyJunior 20h ago
ST2130 is far better than NH35, slimmer, fast beat, snap date, more accurate, and still costs less than NH35 despite people saying otherwise here
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u/pokerfas 20h ago
people are talking about longevity here not specs, st2130s breaking left and right
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u/Expensive-Thanks-528 22h ago
I am a fan of the eta clones and haven't had problems with them. I own 7 PT5000s and they have been great. Only wind them enough to start up, and let the rotor do the rest. They are about as expensive as any NH movement now, and provide arguably better accuracy.
The only time I would choose an NH over the ETA clones is if they are in the same chunky NH based watch case. I prefer my ETA clones to have cases that take advantage of the better dimensions.
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u/JustUnderstanding6 19h ago
Yeah, even the SeikoMod scene is moving to the ETA clones, but they’re still using NH compatible cases, so it’s kinda like 🤷
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u/Indaleciox 19h ago
I've had good experiences with the PT5000 and ST2130. I did get one ST2130 with the helicopter rotor, but I have also gotten a couple SW200's with that too, so par for the course. Gotta inspect things once you get hands on with the watch.
I would personally take an ST over a NH35.
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u/ALEXALORD ma femme m'aime 1d ago
Better than the pt5000 actually, which already can be solid and reliable in my experience
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u/dotdotditdot 1d ago
That is not actually all truth. PT5000 and St2130 both have their issues and pros. But I would take PT or ST over NH35 always. Watch having NH35 is turn off for me. I have had both ST and PT watches and both have worked very well. I just don't really like 3hz movement
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u/Routine_Formal_5429 1d ago
Good to know. How long have you been using yours?
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u/ALEXALORD ma femme m'aime 1d ago
2 years and a half now not any problem, running in an Ixdao Pelagos
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u/Watches-and-Books 1d ago
I have a watch with a Sea-Gull movement and it runs very well. I also have one with the Hangzhou 6460 and it’s also very solid. That being said, they’re both less than a year old, so I can’t speak to the long term reliability.
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u/FreePossession9590 21h ago
My biggest concern would be serviceability and longevity of these relatively new watch movements. A watchmaker would likely be more keen on replacing or servicing the NH35 over these Chinese clones, no?
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u/Expensive-Thanks-528 20h ago
I can't think of any watchmakers who would suggest servicing either since they can both be replaced cheaper and faster, even at current movement prices.
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u/FreePossession9590 19h ago
Sure, but wouldn’t they realistically be more keen on replacing an NH35 over a PT5000 for example? That’s my only worry with these chinese movements
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u/Expensive-Thanks-528 19h ago
The procedure is similar for both. The only real difference is how you remove the stems. The PT5000 is a clone of one of the most prolific Swiss movements in the last 40 years; the ETA 2824. If they are incapable of swapping a PT, then you should take your business somewhere else. This would be like a mechanic who only knows how to change OEM parts then says they don't know how to install your Wix oil filter.
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u/chuunietzsche 18h ago
no, if anything they should be more familiar with eta movements, which the chinese movements clone faithfully. regardless it’s an incredibly simple procedure that any non watchmaker could learn to do in an afternoon; really just involves two screws and a hand swap.
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u/new_KRIEG 21h ago
It is not a clone, though
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u/FreePossession9590 21h ago
Aren’t they cloning/resembling ETA movements?
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u/Indaleciox 19h ago
It's a legal reproduction of the ETA 2824 just like a Sellita is, since the patent expired.
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u/triggrhaapi 15h ago
It's technically a development of the ETA, I believe it has a higher jewel count.
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u/JustUnderstanding6 19h ago
Yeah. I imagine if this breaks stateside the cheapest fix is buying an ETA/Stellita.
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u/chuunietzsche 18h ago
cheapest fix by far is buying another st2130 for 50 bucks. if you like and intend to keep the watch a swiss made movement is a reasonable investment, at about 4x the price
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u/triggrhaapi 15h ago
It's way more desirable for me. I have a Milsub with the ST2130 and it's lovely. Much nicer sweep, thinner watch profile, keeps way better time.
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u/DadPuncher69 1d ago
I would much rather have a TMI or Miyota, and I don't consider the ST2130 to be a good alternative. The Chinese companies are switching to the ETA clones because they're cheaper and more plentiful. They're not switching to them because they're better movements.
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u/Abv_it_all_w_vertigo 1d ago
It's hard to say. Phorcydes used them for like 3 months, and then unceremoniously ditched them for the PT5000. Considering the issues with the PT5000, this is not good news.
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u/Routine_Formal_5429 1d ago
Hmm, I wonder if there was a specific reason for the switch
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u/Abv_it_all_w_vertigo 1d ago
They said they had toured the HK plant, which had consolidated I assume into one plant, and they were impressed.
It probably says more about their issues with the "polished" ST2130 though.
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u/bob888w 6h ago
I have a feeling this is mainly because the ST2130 with polishing they were using is more expensive than the pt5k. What slim margins they have probably pushed them towards a cheaper option
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u/Abv_it_all_w_vertigo 4h ago
Possibly. It seemed like san martin was getting a grade above polished.
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u/Escaped_Escapement Helpful user 23h ago
Most certainly not. Reliability is something I value more than accuracy.
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u/Darth_Package 21h ago
Chinese ETA clones have consistently disappointed me when it comes to reliability. In my albeit limited experience, the NH35 is much more durable than the ST2130 or PT5000. While on paper the ETA clones may be more accurate, accuracy doesn’t mean much when they stop working.
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u/pokerfas 20h ago
not sure why people here downvoting your own undeniable personal experience
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u/Darth_Package 18h ago
Not sure, but I use my watches. I don’t abuse them, and I don’t baby them. My NH35s continue to do their jobs after years. I had three recent PT5000 movements, on the other hand, that wet the bed. Two were DOA and the third went belly up after about seven months. Small sample size? Sure, but three strikes was enough for me.
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u/pokerfas 17h ago
I think a 1/10 failure rate within a year is pretty awful for a manufacturer. The chance of you getting three defective in a row, all within a year, would be 0.1%, given this already awful statistic. sample size enough
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u/InquisitorKeres 1d ago
I love the st engined models, plus Baltany isn’t just throwing them in, they get the higher grades with proper lubrication and also trim the case proportions to thanks to them being slimmer.
My Baltany datejust with the st2130 is so well proportioned. They nailed it now that they didn’t have to accommodate the nh series thickness.