The Rise of DD Movements
Since around 2019, the replica watch industry began seriously developing its own movements.
When it comes to so-called super clone movements, DD’s earliest modified 8900 movement and Panerai P.9000 movement were mainly developed by combining and heavily modifying existing 2824 and 7750 movement architectures.
This actually makes some sense, because the genuine Omega 8900 itself shows certain similarities to the 2824 and 2892 architecture, while the P.9000 was also independently developed with some design ideas related to the 7750.
Because of this, DD can be considered one of the industry leaders in replica watch movements field.
Later, the old SH movement factory, also known as MZ, was invited by AR Factory to develop a Rolex 3135 movement.
That movement was honestly pretty disappointing.
At the same time, VS had DD develop its own DD3135 movement, and the DD3135 completely destroyed the old SH version in comparison.
More importantly, it was one of the earliest clone movements that allowed genuine movement components to be directly swapped onto it.
For example, you could install genuine parts such as balance bridge, escape wheel, pallet fork, main plate directly onto the DD3135.
At the time, this was an almost legendary-level movement in the replica watch market.
After that, DD continued pushing forward and produced many impressive movements.
These included the DD4130, which became famous worldwide among overseas buyers.
Watch collectors were crazy about this movement.
Although, to be fair, I do not think this was entirely because DD itself was so incredible. A large part of the reason was that Rolex’s original 4130 design was simply excellent.
Then came the DD925 used in Jaeger-LeCoultre.
The early version of this movement was actually quite poor, and DD spent nearly three years gradually improving it before it became reasonably good.
The DD324 movement also took almost two years of optimization.
Later, DD developed movements including: 3235, 3285, 3230, 4131, RMUL, 4302, 4401, 8800, 69385, 330 and others.
As of now, these are basically the super clone movements that DD has developed.
Things Changed
Although DD has definitely brought many interesting movements to replica watches and to watch enthusiasts like me, I personally feel that something started to change beginning around the 4302.
Why?
I want to talk about several points.
Development of New Movements Has Slowed Down
Back when Clean was still heavily involved in Rolex, they also had plans to expand into brands such as AP and Patek Philippe.
So the DD 4302 and 4401 movements we see today were, to some extent, also influenced by Clean’s involvement and investment.
However, when it comes to Patek Philippe movements, we have not really seen much progress.
At the moment, the main fully clone movement we can see is the 330.
Other projects, such as additional 324-based modules and the previously discussed CH-520 movement, have shown almost no progress.
There has been no meaningful news for a long time.
DD Has Become Lazy With Free-Sprung Movements
Starting with the 4302, DD began playing games with fake free-sprung systems.
For its AP clone movements, DD did not use a genuine weighted free-sprung balance wheel.
Instead, they created a lotus-shaped balance wheel and then hid a regulating stud underneath the bridge to make it look as though the movement were truly free-sprung.
From a consumer’s perspective, I honestly find this pretty disgusting.
Recently, DD has continued doing the same thing with movements such as the 3235 and 4131.
These so-called free-sprung versions are basically achieved by hiding the regulating stud and changing the appearance of the regulation system.
Visually, they may look more similar to the genuine movement.
But in reality, the balance wheel still does not have proper regulating weights.
And somehow, these movements are actually more expensive.
The even more ridiculous part is that most of these movements are used inside watches with closed casebacks.
Only a small number of newer Daytona models have transparent casebacks.
And on those transparent-caseback models, the lack of proper balance weights is still visible.
If you understand movement regulation systems, you can still see the flaw in DD’s fake free-sprung design.
If you do not understand movement regulation systems, then there is no real reason for you to pay extra for this fake free-sprung version anyway.
So in my opinion, the whole thing feels somewhat pointless.
Movement Quality Has Been Downgraded
On DD’s 32-series movements, the calendar retaining system was changed from the earlier special retaining screw plate to a much simpler slotted screw plate.
Functionally, there is not a massive difference.
But visually, it is obviously rougher.
The reason is simple: it is easier to manufacture.
Some of the later gear-train bridge shock-protection components also appear to have been slightly simplified.
I genuinely do not understand what DD gains from cutting corners like this.
Then there is the DD 8800.
That movement is even more obvious.
It is basically a heavily modified 2824 hybrid.
Forget about the genuine Omega co-axial escapement technology.
Even the positions of the gear train are significantly different from the genuine movement.
Everything I have described above is based on actual observable facts.
Conclusion
DD’s so-called free-sprung movements are not all genuinely free-sprung.
When choosing a replica watch, do not blindly buy something simply because it uses a DD movement.
And do not let the words “DD movement” become the main reason you choose one replica watch over another.
Yes, DD movements can be stable.
But that does not mean only DD movements are stable.
A replica watch is not just about the movement.
The most important thing is still the overall accuracy of the watch’s appearance compared with the genuine version.
When evaluating movement accuracy, the more relevant things to look at are mainly the finishing and the regulation system.
In the future, there will probably be fewer and fewer genuinely good new replica watch releases.
I hope everyone can make more objective and more suitable choices when selecting a replica watch.