What Is the NH35 Movement? Why It’s Loved, Hated, and Everywhere

Why the NH35 is popular in watches

The NH35 is popular because it offers a good balance between price and performance. Watch brands can use it without spending too much money on development.

Already been mass-produced by Seiko Instruments, so the supply is stable. This makes it easy for small watch brands to build and sell automatic watches. Customers can also enjoy lower retail prices.

Another big reason is reliability.

The NH35 features running well without frequent repairs or servicing. For many companies, NH35 is a safe choice. They do not need to worry about designing their own movement, and can focus more on watch design.

The NH35 is not a high-end movement, but it is dependable. Most users find it accurate enough for daily wear. Because of this, it fits perfectly in the automatic watch market.

Why do some enthusiasts look down on the NH35

If the NH35 is so reliable and widely used, why does it receive criticism from some watch enthusiasts? Actually, the answer has more to do with perception.

Ubiquity

One common criticism is that the NH35 is EVERYWHERE. You can find it in watches from many different brands. It’s so common that some enthusiasts see it as a "cheap" movement.

To be honest, rarity often creates a sense of value. When a movement appears in countless watches, it can feel less special, even if it performs well.

Lack of prestige

The NH35 is often compared to Swiss movements, such as the ETA 2824 or Sellita SW200.

Those movements are more expensive, and they also carry more history and status among collectors. As a result, some enthusiasts view the NH35 as a lower-tier option.

“Not exciting” design

The NH35 focuses more on reliability rather than advanced engineering or decorative finishing. Most NH35 movements have a plain appearance. For that, many collectors do not find them interesting to look at through an exhibition case back.

That said, these criticisms do not necessarily mean the NH35 is a bad movement. In fact, the features that enthusiasts criticize are the reasons why the NH35 became so successful.

How accurate is the NH35 movement

Discussing the NH35 movement, one of the common questions is its accuracy.

According to Seiko Instruments, the NH35 is rated at -20 to +40 seconds per day. Let’s find out what this number actually means.

The factory rating is a broad range that covers all NH35 movements under different conditions.

In real-world use, many NH35 movement watches perform much better than the official specification. It’s common for owners to see accuracy within 5 to 15 seconds per day. Some well-regulated examples can perform even better.

Factors such as temperature, wrist movement, position during storage, and regulation can all affect performance.

This is one reason why two watches with the same NH35 movement may not keep the same time.

What are the pros and cons of the NH35 movement

Some people praise the NH35 movement as one of the best budget automatic movements. Others see it as too basic and overused.

I believe that the truth is somewhere in the middle. To understand where the NH35 stands, we can look at its strengths and weaknesses.

Technical Strengths of the NH35

The NH35 may not be the most advanced movement on the market, but it does several things very well.

NH35 key specs:

Durability

One of the NH35's biggest strengths is durability. Many owners report using NH35-powered watches for years with few issues.

Serviceability

Because the movement is so common, replacement parts are widely available. Many watchmakers are also familiar with working on it.

In some cases, replacing the entire movement can cost less than servicing. The NH35 includes features that many watch enthusiasts expect:

These features are common on modern watches, but they are not always guaranteed at this price.

NH35 Weaknesses

Some criticisms are based on real limitations. Others come from mismatched expectations.

Low beat rate perception

The NH35 runs at 21,600 beats per hour (or 3Hz). This is lower than many Swiss movements operating at 28,800 beats per hour.

As a result, the second hand appears slightly less smooth when it moves around the dial. For some fans, this makes the watch feel less refined.

Lack of decoration

Most NH35 movements take function as the priority.

Looking through a display case back, you usually see a plain movement with minimal finishing. Collectors who enjoy polished bridges, engraved rotors, or decorative details may find the NH35 uninteresting.

Accuracy expectations

Many buyers hear that the NH35 is a reliable movement and assume it will perform like a quartz watch. But it was not to deliver chronometer-level precision.

To summarize, here are the main pros and cons of the NH35:

Ok, let’s be more practical:

If you value reliability and practicality, the NH35 has a lot to offer.

If you want prestige, decoration, or top-tier accuracy, you may prefer a different movement.

What watches use the NH35 movement

The NH35 movement appears in a huge number of watches. You can find it in everything from budget dive watches to well-made microbrand models.

Microbrands

Many smaller watch companies do not have the resources to develop their own movements. Instead, they focus on creating unique designs, materials, and features.

The NH35 gives them a proven movement they can trust. This allows them to spend more of their budget on other parts of the watch.

As a result, brands such as Spinnaker, Zelos, and many others have used the NH35 in various models.

Entry-level dive watches

Dive watches need reliable movements. The NH35 fits the requirements very well. Its reputation makes it a natural choice for watches designed for everyday wear as well as outdoor activities.

Many affordable dive watches in the $100 to $500 range use the NH35 (includes watches from both established and newer brands).

For buyers looking for the first automatic dive watch, the NH35 is often one of the most common movements they will encounter.

The watch modding community

Watch modders also prefer the NH35 movements.

Because the NH35 is widely available, there is a large market for compatible components. Enthusiasts can easily build their own watches or upgrade existing ones.

Some people even buy a standalone NH35 movement and build an entire watch around it.

What’s the difference between NH35 and other movements

Shopping for a watch, you will often see the NH35 compared with other movements. Here is how it stacks up against some of the most common alternatives.

NH35 vs Miyota 8215

(Source: miyotamovement.com/product/8215/)

The Miyota 8215 is probably the NH35's biggest competitor. It is made by Miyota, a company owned by Citizen.

Both movements are affordable, reliable, and widely used. At first glance, they look very similar, but there are some important differences.

(*Miyota upgraded the 8215 to include hacking seconds in 2019. Some newer versions may differ.)

Both movements have proven themselves over many years of use.

The biggest advantage of the NH35 is its hacking seconds feature: When you pull the crown out, the second hand stops. This makes it easier to set the time precisely.

The Miyota 8215 can sometimes show a second-hand "stutter" during operation. Because of this, many enthusiasts prefer the NH35.

NH35 vs NH36

The NH36 is almost identical to the NH35. In fact, the two share most of the same specifications.

The main difference is the calendar function:

If your watch only shows the date, it probably uses an NH35. If it shows both the day and date, it likely uses an NH36.

NH35 vs ETA 2824

Many watch enthusiasts compare the NH35 to the Swiss ETA 2824. While this comparison is common, it’s actually not fair.

The two movements are for different markets and budgets. The ETA 2824 is generally considered a higher-grade movement. It offers tighter accuracy standards and a higher beat rate.

However, it usually costs much more. This is why I believe the comparison misses the point.

(ETA restricted its supply to outside brands years ago. Today's custom builders use the Sellita SW200-1 or the Chinese PT5000 clone.)

NH35 vs quartz watches

This is another comparison that often causes confusion.

Many people buy their first automatic watch and expect it to be as accurate as a quartz watch. In reality, that is not how mechanical movements work.

People choose mechanical watches because they appreciate the engineering, craftsmanship, and tradition behind them.

If your top priority is perfect accuracy, quartz is better.

If you enjoy mechanical watches, the NH35 remains one of the strongest options.

Is there any difference between NH35 and NH35A

If you have researched this movement online, you have probably seen both "NH35" and "NH35A" used.

In everyday use, the NH35 and NH35A are considered the same. They share the same specifications, features, and functions.

Both offer:

So why do some people add the "A" at the end? The "A" is generally used to identify a specific production version of the movement.

Over the years, Seiko Instruments has made small manufacturing updates and revisions. Some technical documents and watch brands refer to the movement as the NH35A.

But for a user, these changes do not affect how the movement works. When buying a watch, you do not need to worry about choosing between an NH35 and an NH35A.

In most cases, brands, retailers, and watch enthusiasts use the two names interchangeably. For practical purposes, if a watch is advertised with an NH35 or NH35A movement, you can expect the same experience.

Conclusion: Is the NH35 Movement Worth It

The NH35 movement sits in a very interesting place in the watch world. It is not a luxury movement, and it was never designed to be one.

On the positive side, it is durable, widely available, and easy to service. It also includes useful features like hacking, hand winding, and a date function.

For many people, this is more than enough for daily wear.

At the same time, the NH35 is not perfect. It has a lower beat rate compared to some Swiss movements. And its accuracy, while acceptable, does not match quartz watches.

If someone expects a high-end luxury experience, the NH35 will feel basic. But if someone wants a dependable mechanical movement at a reasonable price, it performs very well.

This is the key point about the NH35.