Grading Explained

2A (AA) 

Extremely cheap materials, folded steel link bracelets and very poor automatic, but often an unknown battery powered movement. save yourself the hassle and get a cheap Casio instead. Typical holiday standard watch.

 

3A (AAA)

​

Minimum grade available within the community, these are not the top grade. They are built as imitations from an aesthetics perspective. These do have their flaws, and many unknown factories produce them. There are many factories that produce these. Avoid Chrono ones as they are a clear give away and defeat the whole objective. 3A’s may have the correct case size, correct bracelet and clasp, but there will still be major noticeable differences when compared to the Gen. Such as the dial printing may not be as sharp, or correct colour, the crystal may not be sapphire and the clasp markings will probably be quite poor. These typically use low beat automatic movements such as the Mingzhu, and chronographs are typically lower quality Quartz, and while some fully functional, They do not always feel or look the part. Recommended if you are restricted to a budget

​

AAA+ (3A+)

 

These are the a step up from the minimum grade, typically you'll find them with the same movement as in the 3A, but these will have better detailing and use sapphire crystal, and typically be made from 316L Stainless Steel, giving them a more authentic feel to them

​

Clone (CG)

 

These are the game changes, you can pick up an entry level super clone up for around 180 and will rise up to the 300 mark. These will have improved bracelets, bezel and dial, with 2.5x date magnification and authentic feel to them. A Clone Rollie Sub for example will have the correct 2.5x magnification every time, the lume will also be a lot brighter than its 3A+ counterpart. It is well worth saving up and buying a clone, especially if you are after a Rollie or OM or Breit. Movements usually consist decorated cloned eta movement, including the Japanese Miyota, 2836 for 3 hand time pieces or and 7750 for the chrono.

 

SCG (Super Clone)

 

These are super close to the gen. A few offerings so good, that the gen is not worth paying the extra for. And this is 100% true. Some jewellers have real troubling telling the 1:1 clones apart from the Gen, especially when some of the internals are made from gen parts. SCG will set you back from 350 all the way up to 1000+ depending on the model and if it is gold, tourbillon etc. Movements consist of high beat ETA Clone movements such as the 2824 or 3135 and fully engraved clone movements that replicate the in house movements made by the best luxury brands in the business.