Comparing Seiko NH34, NH35, NH36, NH38, and NH39 Movements
Seiko’s NH series of automatic movements are highly regarded for their reliability, affordability, and ease of use in both branded and microbrand watches. Among the most popular are the NH34, NH35, NH36, NH38, and NH39. While they share some core features, each movement has unique characteristics that make it suitable for different watch styles. In this article, we’ll compare these movements to help you understand their differences and applications.
1. Overview of Seiko NH Movements
All five movements belong to the same NH family and share the following fundamental specifications:
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Automatic and Hand-Winding: All movements support both automatic winding via a rotor and manual winding via the crown.
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Hacking Seconds: The second hand stops when setting the time, allowing for precise synchronization.
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Power Reserve: Approximately 41 hours.
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Frequency: 21,600 beats per hour (BPH) or 3Hz.
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Durability: Built on the reliable 7S26 architecture, known for robustness and low maintenance.
2. Individual Movement Comparisons
NH34 (Seiko GMT Movement)
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Key Feature: GMT function (extra 24-hour hand for dual time zone tracking).
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Jewels: 24.
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Complications: Date, GMT hand.
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Best for: Travelers, GMT watches.
The NH34 is one of the most recent additions to the NH lineup, adding a GMT complication while retaining the reliability of the NH35. It allows tracking of a second time zone via an independently adjustable 24-hour hand, making it ideal for travel watches.
Tandorio professional GMT with seiko NH34 Movement--.>
NH35 (Standard Date Movement)
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Key Feature: Date function without a day display.
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Jewels: 24.
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Complications: Date window.
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Best for: Entry-level automatic watches.
The NH35 is one of the most commonly used automatic movements in the industry due to its affordability and reliability. It provides a simple date complication without additional features, making it a versatile option for everyday watches.
Check all seiko Nh35 watches-->
NH36 (Day-Date Movement)
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Key Feature: Day and date function.
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Jewels: 24.
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Complications: Day and date display.
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Best for: Practical watches with enhanced calendar functionality.
The NH36 is essentially the NH35 with an added day complication, making it perfect for watches that require both day and date tracking. It is frequently found in tool watches and divers.
Typical Seiko NH36 Monster watch-->
NH38 (No Date, Open Heart Compatible)
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Key Feature: No date, open-heart dial compatibility.
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Jewels: 24.
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Complications: None (clean dial design).
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Best for: Skeleton watches or minimalistic timepieces.
Unlike the NH35 and NH36, the NH38 removes the date complication, allowing for a cleaner, more symmetrical dial design. This makes it popular in watches featuring open-heart displays, where the escapement mechanism is visible through the dial.
Typical Seiko NH38 Watch-->
NH39 (No Date, Central Seconds Hand)
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Key Feature: No date, optimized for full-dial symmetry.
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Jewels: 24.
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Complications: None.
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Best for: Dress watches or watches with no-date symmetry.
The NH39 is very similar to the NH38 but lacks the open-heart cutout compatibility, making it ideal for watch designs that prioritize a balanced, no-date aesthetic.
Typical Seiko NH39 Watch-->
3. Comparison Table
| Movement | Jewels | Complications | Dimensions (Diameter x Height) | Weight | Accuracy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NH34 | 24 | Date, GMT hand | 29.36mm x 5.32mm | ~50g | -20 to +40 sec/day |
| NH35 | 24 | Date | 27.40mm x 5.32mm | ~50g | -20 to +40 sec/day |
| NH36 | 24 | Day, Date | 27.40mm x 5.32mm | ~50g | -20 to +40 sec/day |
| NH38 | 24 | None (open-heart compatible) | 27.40mm x 5.32mm | ~50g | -20 to +40 sec/day |
| NH39 | 24 | None | 27.40mm x 5.32mm | ~50g | -20 to +40 sec/day |
4. Conclusion: Which NH Movement Should You Choose?
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For GMT and travel watches: Choose NH34.
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For a simple and reliable automatic watch with a date function: Choose NH35.
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For a day-date watch: NH36 is the best option.
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For an open-heart or minimalistic design: NH38 is the preferred choice.
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For a no-date, symmetrical look without open-heart compatibility: NH39 is ideal.
Each of these Seiko NH movements serves a unique purpose, and selecting the right one depends on your specific watch design and functional needs. Regardless of your choice, Seiko’s NH series continues to be a benchmark for quality and affordability in the automatic movement world.
