Crazy Affordable In-house Movement - The Merkur Fahnzi Review

[@davidcarter2072]

The correct translations on the watch are as follows: on the dial 凡致 (meaning Fán zhì, i.e. the brand name) is written in black script in the form of a stylised logo below 12 o’clock and 中國製 (meaning Zhōngguó zhì, i.e. Made in China) is written in black script above 6 o’clock. The stainless steel case back is stamped with 中國 制造 (meaning Made in China), 全鋼 (meaning All-steel), 防震 (meaning Shockproof), 防水 (meaning Waterproof) and 機械表 (meaning Mechanical Watch), plus two stars, then 凡致牌手表 (meaning Fanzhi Watch Brand) around a stylised logo of 凡致 (meaning Fán zhì, i.e. the watch brand name).

[@davidcarter2072]

Just to add that Fanzhi is one of the various brand names of watches the company produces and it’s also what they call their version of the Tongji (统机), Chinese Standard Movement. The movement in the watch is in fact just a decorated variant of the Tongji. The actual watches are made by a company called Beijing Time Unlimited Technology Co., Ltd which was was founded in 2016. They are a Chinese factory brand which turns out a variety of watches with ideas from many designers in Shanghai and Hong Kong. Whilst maintaining their original Merkur, Fanzhi and Red Army brands, the company introduced several others in 2019 such Pierre Paulin, FOD and Seizenn. They are located in Fangshan District, Beijing.

[@davidcarter2072]

When you opened up the case back to show the movement and suggested moving the two little tabs above the balance wheel to make slight adjustments to the watch timing, I would strongly suggest that people don’t touch or move the lower tab (the beat adjustment lever). If they did happen to move that one there is a risk that they might properly mess up their watch and it would then require some serious fine tuning (plus equipment such as a watch timer to show when it is ‘in beat’) to get it back to normal. In order to slow or speed up the watch it’s ONLY the upper tab (the regulating lever) that is very gently moved, toward +ive to make it run faster or toward -ive to make it run slower.

[@gori277]

This exact one had caught my eye a while ago, glad to see it reviewed, good stuff! A shame about the crystal, I’d actually love if it was acrylic…

[@alexprendido2023]

Beautiful

[@dunderhay9169]

Great review, thanks for opening it up, the movement does look just like the photos on their site 👍. It's great to see correct length hands, and as you say that case shape and size looks very good. I might be tempted 😁

[@SoCalWatchReviews]

Another great video brother 👏

[@strannostrannovasrr]

I have a few dong feng watches. Same style. A bit old fashion. But I like it.

[@davidkettlewell829]

The top script on the watch is Chinese for Merkur...the lower script reads Made In China

[@floydmorrison2025]

What a super fun watch! That's a 'going to pick up tacos' kind of watch. So $80 will still buy you some big booty these days, huh? LOL. Love the dial and the box crystal. For that price, you can't complain about literally *anything*. Those stretchy bracelets are positively kooky. I have my late grandfather's 1971 Seiko 7005-8027 gold 37mm dress/sports watch. It's on it's original stretch/expander bracelet, and when I inherited it, I had to add in a few links (which he'd kept in the original box), and it is a BITCH. You've gotta bend tiny metal tabs with pliers and such. But it's got 1970's flavor in spades. Cool video!

[@ChillinwitWatches]

Oh those little tabs, seems almost silly that bending metal is how you size a bracelet these days, lol.

[@scbr2458]

It's not in house, they just re-named a mass produced movement. It uses a "chinese standard movement", or "Tonji".

[@Scaramouch.]

I like design, but quality don't seems very well on video, but many china brands has this style of watch now, so there's always option I guess. Pitt, how is this bracelet wears? It seems really cool.

[@ChillinwitWatches]

The quality is pretty good for $80. The bracelet is cool, I find it very comfortable and good looking!

[@tofu3802]

Very cool

[@arjandelaney]

Dude, I just came across this video randomly and subscribed. I am in love with your modded Invinta watch, and need to know more. I had a Rolex Sea Dweller as a single man which magically turned utself into an engagement ri g, and since then have never been in a position to buy another one. BUT, I think the Tudor-esque mod you did on themat Invicta is class, and I need to know more. I'm actually excited about the possibility of buying some horology tools and having a go myself, but could end up being an expensive mistake! Anyway, all help and advice would be much appreciated! Cheers, Arjan

[@ChillinwitWatches]

Awesome, glad you found the channel and appreciate the sub. If you search Invicta 8926OB, that's the base I used, it uses a seiko movement so all the bar stay of mod parts work with it. I used a dial and handset from Namoki, should be easy to find on their site. Any questions just give me a shout.

[@arjandelaney]

Hi mate, thsnks for hitting me back! so I ordered an Invicta 8926OB and have been on Namoki's website, but the snowflake hands are out of stock at the mo. Thinking of ordered a vintage Mercedes set and a patina dial red 16800 style version for now. A quick question: do all of the Namoki mods fit the Invicta sub in the same way as the Seiko watches, or do I also need to mod the mods??!! Thanks dude

[@ChillinwitWatches]

@@arjandelaney all fit the same! You can't just straight swap the dial the hands and put it back together. Or take a Dremel to the case first to get rid of the tramp stamp.

[@arjandelaney]

All fit because it's a Seiko movement i presume?? Sorry, totally new to this stuff. I might leave the Invicta engraving on the side, so people know it's not a Rolex or a Tudor. Don't want to be accused complete plagiarism!!! Although the Namiko logo gives it away nicely.

[@ChillinwitWatches]

@@arjandelaney you got it, all the mod stuff is made for Seiko movements

[@edwardspan396]

Does anyone know what the seagull parts number is for the movement? I have a problem with a new watch and need to replace the keyless works. Is the 6497 compatible?

[@davidlloydjones752]

Expander bracelets are so frickin' sexy!. - I have a few🖖🖖

[@jodysilvia2]

You review a lot of different watches, you must have so many watches piling up how are the resale values on budget watches.

[@ChillinwitWatches]

Oh I hardly keep any of the watches. Generally, the lower the price of the watch, the less you lose on flip.

[@jodysilvia2]

@@ChillinwitWatches very interesting i figured if it's not a familiar name you would take at least 50% hit.

[@marlboro9tibike]

The link is wrong. Or chinese deleted the watch from their page. Either way, im outahere.

[@ChillinwitWatches]

I linked to a page that had all the watches using this case and movement. If this particular model is not on there maybe it's temporarily sold out or something.