YN55 movement - What is it? Is it any good?

Recently more and more Aliexpress watches have been featuring the YN55 movement.
Today I want to talk about what this movement is and run a few tests to see if it is actually a good movement.
If you are interested in some of my favourite watches from AliExpress I will leave links to them below. They are affiliate links which means I earn a small amount of commission from the purchase but it does not cost you any extra money.
The watch I am featuring today is the San Martin SN022-G Pilot Watch:
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SEESTERN: SE2021-OO2DOXA V2 -
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Escapement Time H0292 Type-B Fleiger
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Pagani Design PD1709 BB steel bezel homage:
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Tactical Frog H5 Captain Willard Homage -
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My favourite engineered bracelet -
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Cronos Sub Homage with the PT5000 -
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SEAGULL 1963 -
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San Martin Retro Diver Water Ghost -
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And the Best super affordable automatic watch
The BERNY -
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LACZ DENTON GMT -
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PYHLIDA GMT -
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[@franciscomoliner1296]

Hi James, the branded version of this movement, the F6922 is used in the very recognized and appreciated Orient Mako II and Kamasu dive watches. Certainly for me, that is a fairly good reason to have confidence in it. Regards

[@WATCHingJames]

A very good reason. They are wonderful watches.

[@WATCHingJames]

Hello and thanks for WATCHing James. Today I wanted to talk about the YN55 movement

[@cezzarmicu]

Just bought a san martin sn022 (white dial) and I’m really happy with the yn55a movement so far. Been using mine for 1 week now and it seems to be running +1.5/day. Hope it sticks to that :)

[@WATCHingJames]

That’s great to hear. Can’t ask for better than those numbers.

[@Rauz11]

I just buyed San Martin SN0034-Q-D. Already have Orient Mako 3. Happy to hear that i will have another Orient. Briliant watch too. ❤❤

[@WATCHingJames]

That’s great to hear

[@Rauz11]

This is what i miss in watch enthusiast comunity. Movement videos. 🎉🎉🎉

[@WATCHingJames]

Thanks for WATCHing

[@charleshermetix3886]

I remember the only Orient ive owned being accurate but just...such a noticable wobble on the rotor every time u move ur wrist. Its kind of a pain in the ass unless u force yourself to get used to it. I guess some wont mind it but wearing many watches it got really noticeable when id put on the kamasu.

[@WATCHingJames]

That is a shame.

[@archievthapa3593]

Wow - what a SINNish watch - absolute marvel !!! SAN MARTIN I shall try one of you

[@WATCHingJames]

It is a great watch. Thanks for WATCHing

[@watchsixto]

Awesome work James I've never really looked into the YN55 movement seems to be a good movement guess down the road will tell

[@WATCHingJames]

That’s true. It features in some well know orients so it should be fine.

[@WesWatchRoom]

Nice breakdown mate, I've only had one of these movements so far and its way better than the 8215 and nearly on par with the NH35 imo.

[@WATCHingJames]

It’s hard to judge with only one example but it feels good to me.

[@MrPINKFL0YD]

Thanks for the review. I've been looking at a SanMartin with this inside and wanted to know if it was as bad as the miyota.... 15. Obviously not so I'll go ahead and get it. Thanks!

[@WATCHingJames]

I’ve continued to be happy with it.

[@sinjinadams2862]

Great video, I learned a lot. I thought this movement was an unbranded NH35. I think there has been a lot of misinformation out there about this movement. Nice to know it's a reliable movement from a respectable company like Orient.

[@WATCHingJames]

Thanks sinjin. It confused me too. Thought it was a good idea to get the right info out there.

[@abehaile2659]

Thank you! Keep up the great work

[@WATCHingJames]

Thank you very much for WATCHing

[@echochambers8418]

I have this exact watch.I want to swap out the crown to get a more “Sinn”vibe.I can’t find any specs on the yn55 stem diameter.I’m just curious if anyone knows the size or what other movements I can take a crown from to replace the “onion”.

[@brianmsahin]

Excellent video James, I also thought it was a Seiko, but I suppose with Seiko owning Orient it might not be so different. It's good to have the correct info! I know my Orient Mako XL which has an older non handwinding movement is very accurate. Thanks for the run-down on it. Very informative. I think the Orient equivalent may be in the Kamasu etc. I'm still recovering this morning after celebrating Ireland beating the All Blacks last night! Quite a few beers were had in the James Joyce Irish bar in İstanbul!! Have a great Sunday.

[@WATCHingJames]

Thanks Brian. It was a big celebration here too when we recently beat them.

[@RogerSartet007]

4:27 "Very similar to an NH35 movement".....which leaves me with one question (I'm actually looking/drooling at the San Martin website at this very moment): Does it have a (ghost) date complication, meaning when pulling out the crown: does it require two clicks (the first one being the date setting)? Thank you for your video and thank you in advance for your answer. Best regards from Belgique

[@WATCHingJames]

Yes it does. Which is unfortunate for no date watches. Thanks for WATCHing

[@justcuz9181]

well done james

[@WATCHingJames]

Thank you

[@jodybruce5097]

great video! thank you

[@WATCHingJames]

Thanks for WATCHing Jody

[@maxmixer]

Epson YN55/A by Epson is better than NH35, very easy to get to +/-2 seconds with a high beat per day ;)

[@WATCHingJames]

I’ve been very happy with them.

[@osiris5315]

Love the bracelet, where did you get it? :)

[@WATCHingJames]

It can standard with the watch. It is a San Martin from AliExpress.

[@user-xu3nw6mt4u]

Thanks

[@WATCHingJames]

👍

[@Ajisaurus]

YN55 vs Miyota 82S0? Which one is better?

[@WATCHingJames]

I’m not sure if one is specifically better than the other. Both are solid movements.

[@Ajisaurus]

@@WATCHingJames Nice! Thank you for replying. Which one is older? I'm actually considering between San Martin flieger type A/B vs Laco augsburg 39mm :) the price difference is quite big, and yes Laco has a prominent heritage, but heritage comes with a price right? plus the augsburg's movement is miyota anyway :))

[@AnhLe-di7si]

Hi, thanks for your video! Is there a ghost date position on this watch?

[@WATCHingJames]

Hello. Yes it has a date function. Which means on a no date watch it has a ghost position. Thanks for WATCHing

[@karlgustav5490]

you say, made in japan, but the NH35 we can buy on aliexpress are not japan/malaisia made. they are built in china under license ( it's a confirmed fact, for those who doubt ;) ). I guess they are as good as japan made nh35 and i use them to build my watches, , but they are not from japan. i wonder if it's the same for this orient movement. I suppose they can be china made, like the seiko .if you have any infos..

[@WATCHingJames]

That is really good to know. Thank you. If they are licences then I’m sure they would be ok.

[@karlgustav5490]

@@WATCHingJames by far i noticed zero problems on them. i have 5 ou 6 chinese watches with nh 35 Made in China, + the movements i buy for my own watches i build, they work exactly like my three seiko prospex.

[@user-os5xf6vo6g]

Does the YN55 have a ghost date function?

[@WATCHingJames]

It has a date function. If the watch does not have a date feature and it uses this movement then it will present as a ghost date.

[@billwayne3924]

Only giving 1 year warranty on this movement vs 3 years on NH35 movement… What does that tell you…

[@WATCHingJames]

That is interesting and very good to know

[@user-zq8rl8hi6m]

Спасибо

[@WATCHingJames]

Thanks for WATCHing

[@1988banker]

So it's made by Seiko Epson.

[@WATCHingJames]

The S. Epson caliber YN55A is essentially an unbranded version of the Orient caliber F6722.

[@1988banker]

@@WATCHingJames I've never had the movement personally. I knew it was basically Orient's version of an NH35. I was just surprised that it was made by Seiko Epson.

[@politicman1]

The obvious difference between the YN55 and NH35 is that it's that the YN55 is a 22 jewel movement, and the NH35 is a 24 jewel movement, therefore in my humble opinion, the NH35 is a better movement, because it has more jewels, period.

[@WATCHingJames]

Thanks for WATCHing

[@joeycan6801]

More jewel’s does not equate to a better movement by far, it’s an unbranded Orient in house movement.

[@politicman1]

@@joeycan6801 Well more jewels means less friction on moving parts, therefore in my opinion, it's a better movement.

[@wintermute8315]

What a reductive, inaccurate way of looking at it.

[@politicman1]

@@wintermute8315 What a reductive, inaccurate way of looking at it. Yes, your way is!