The Pick
Start with the V7F build running a Miyota 9015. It gets the three details buyers notice first: a 40 mm case, a 20 mm lug width, and a date aperture at 3 o'clock that lines up with the printed numerals. The brushing on the lugs runs one direction, the bezel sits at the correct height above the crystal, and the dial has a matte finish instead of the glossy sheen found on cheaper copies. If a seller cannot confirm the factory name and the movement model in writing, walk away.
Before You Compare
- A budget of $280 to $420 for a mid-tier build, more if you plan to swap parts.
- A seller who sends QC photos of the actual unit before shipping.
- A spring bar tool, a 10x loupe, and a caseback opener.
- Your wrist measurement in millimeters, so case-size talk stays honest.
How to Evaluate One
- Ask for the factory name and the movement model in writing before payment.
- Request dial photos under direct light and under shade, then compare the print weight against a reference image.
- Measure the case across the bezel, not across the crown guards.
- Check the date window for correct position and for a clean cut edge.
- Look at the crystal edge for a blue or purple tint, which means an AR coating was applied.
- Wind the crown and listen for grit or a dry scrape.
- Test the lume with a phone flashlight for 30 seconds, then check it in a dark room.
- Confirm the lug width with calipers. A 19 mm gap on a 20 mm spec is a common cheat.
- Set the watch down for 24 hours and note the timekeeping drift.
Option 1: V7F with Miyota 9015
This is the version to buy if you want one watch and no project. The Miyota 9015 beats at 28,800 vph, hacks, hand-winds, and holds within about ten seconds a day after a short break-in. Case finishing matches the original profile, and the strap holes are cut at the right spacing. Expect $350 to $420. The tradeoff is the rotor noise, which is louder than a Swiss clone.
Option 2: MKS with an A2892 Clone
The MKS version costs less and offers a smoother sweep than the Miyota. Dial printing is close, but the date font runs slightly wide. Buy this one if you plan to open the case and regulate it yourself. Expect $300 to $360. Ask the seller to confirm the movement is the A2892 and not a decorated 21-jewel substitute.
Option 3: Budget Tier
Below $200 you get a mineral crystal, a stamped clasp, and a dial that shifts color under indoor light. It reads fine from two feet away. It fails the loupe test. Treat it as a beater and nothing more.
Final Call
Buy the V7F first. Add the MKS only if you want a second unit for parts or for a regulation project. Skip the budget tier unless the price is low enough that you would not care about losing it.