Miyota caliber 821A

Miyota Caliber 821A

Miyota caliber 821A drawing

Brand Miyota (Citizen)
Caliber Number 821A
Base Caliber
Miyota 8215
Movement Type Automatic
Lignes
11.5”’
Diameter 26mm
Height 5.67mm
Jewels 21
Vibrations Per Hour
21,600 bph
Lift Angle
49 degrees
Shock System Parashock
Power Reserve
42 hours
Winding Direction
Uni-directional (counterclockwise)
Hacking? Yes and no (newer movements have hacking)
Hand-Windable?
Yes
Stem
065-212
Dial Screws
929-610
Movement Holder
500-710 (plastic), 502-008 (metal)
Hand Size
1.52mm / 1.00mm / 0.17mm
Functions Hours, minutes, central seconds, quick set date (at 3:00 or 6:00)
Country of Manufacture Japan
Known Brands
Ballast Trafalgar Arnament (add your watch in the comments below)

The Miyota caliber 821A is a self-winding automatic movement in the 82XX family. It has 21 jewels and is made in Japan.

821A-XXX Variants:

There are 3 variants of the caliber 821A from the factory. Everything is the same except for the calendar wheel. The dial on your watch may vary depending on the variation, this will be up to the watch manufacturer and the style of the watch. Please comment below to let us know what you watch model is and where the date is located on the dial.

  • 821A-43A – Date at 3:00, black text on a white background date wheel, square window shape.
  • 821A-43Z – Date at 6:00, black text on a white background date wheel, square or round window shape.
  • 821A-43K – Date at 3:00, white text on a black background date wheel, square window shape.

There is also a gilt version with the same caliber number. The gilt version has a gold tone finish.

821A VS 8215:

The 821A is based on the caliber 8215 which is very popular in the affordable automatic watches category. The main difference between the 821A and 8215 is that the 821A has a decorated finish and a cutout rotor instead of a solid half circle.

In Miyota’s own words, the 821A features:

Fine finishing with barrel bridge

When microbrands use the caliber 8215, they may use a solid caseback or customize the rotor with a sticker or other application. It’s more common to see 821A powered watches with an exhibition caseback as the 821A is considered to be more attractive thanks to the higher level of finishing.

Brands sometimes don’t even realize which version they are using and will sometimes incorrectly label an 821A as an 8215. This has caused some confusion in the community. To be sure, always look at the rotor.

8215/821A rotors/finishing compared:

Miyota 8215 Vs 821a Rotor Finishing Compared

821A VS 821D:

There is a similar cal. 821D which appears to be the not-for-wholesale or Citizen/Bulova-only version of the 821A. For example, the 821D is found in the Bulova Oceanographer 666ft diver’s watch (aka Devil Diver), but is not listed as being available in the Miyota catalog.

Some things to note: You may see the 821D referred to as a “reinforced version” of the 8215 or the 821A, but this is unsubstantiated and mostly meaningless. What does reinforced mean? It has an anti-shock cage around it? There are also reviews of the Bulova Oceanographer which state the movement is non-hacking. As with the 821A, some do and some don’t. Notice that Bulova’s own official product listing page makes no mention of hacking, so they are in the clear either way.

Other Calibers:

There is also a caliber 820A with the main difference being that the 820A has a day/date complication, whereas the 821A only has the date option. Interesting note: The 820A is the decorated version of the caliber 8205, which is the day/date version of the 8215.

Accuracy & Power Reserve:

Miyota claims the caliber 821A has an accuracy rating of -20 ~ +40 seconds per day. This is only measured within 10 to 60 minutes from a full power reserve. To achieve full power reserve, hand-wind the crown 40 times. Power reserve or fully wound running time is about 42 hours.

Hesitating Seconds:

The Miyota 821A is one of the modern automatic movements that experiences a stuttering or hesitating second hand due to the indirect-drive system for running the central seconds. Learn all about it.

Upgraded Hacking Seconds:

As of mid-2019, Miyota seems to have listened to the desires of the watch community and found a way to integrate a hacking mechanism (stop seconds device) into the 821A. This means that the seconds hand will stop when the crown is pulled out. We have reached out to Miyota and will update this listing as soon as we have a reply with more information as to when they made this change. Keep in mind that although there are 821A movements popping up on the market, the current majority of 821A powered watches will be non-hacking. If you watch doesn’t hack, it doesn’t mean it’s broken.

Replacement Prices:

Replacement prices were found online in the $40-50 range for individual movements. Despite the higher level of finishing, the price is not too far from what you can expect when buying an individual caliber 821A. Although the plastic movement holder (part 500-710) is more common in affordable watches, this is interchangeable with a metal ring (502-008).

When ordering wholesale from Miyota, the minimum unit order for the caliber 821A comes in packages of 100 with a lead time of around 2 months.

Miyota 821A Macro Gallery:

The photos are from a Detroit Watch Company “Pride of Detroit” watch.

Miyota caliber 821A

Examples of watches with the 821A:

Additional Resources:

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Yankeexpress
Yankeexpress
7 years ago

These are good low beat automatics, robust and reliable. They are in new Gavox Legacy, and many older Gigandet, older Invicta

Gerald
Gerald
6 years ago
Reply to  Yankeexpress

You seem to know movements. I bought an old Sea Dweller 40mm (date just). The previous guy opened it up and messed up the movement, with some of the components also missing. Dealer gave me a quote and I cannot afford the repair. What Miyota or ETA movement can I use as a replacement. The rest of the watch is still in fair condition and I would like to use it.

Ramsey
Ramsey
5 years ago
Reply to  Gerald

what did you end up doing with he sea-dweller? I love fixing up older models, lmk if you’d be interested in selling.

Mopar Driver
Mopar Driver
4 years ago
Reply to  Gerald

Better to wear the Rolex broken than put a Japanese movement inside. What is wrong with people!

Dr Fraser King
Dr Fraser King
3 years ago
Reply to  Mopar Driver

Maybe there’s nothing wrong with them, just lack the funds. He did say “or ETA”, which is, of course, not Japanese… and considerably cheaper to source than a replacement Rolex movement.

Minuteman
Minuteman
3 years ago
Reply to  Mopar Driver

Really?……So you are saying that a Rolex is just a fashion accessory without practical use? What is wrong with people? 🙂

Ronald Hilford
Ronald Hilford
2 years ago
Reply to  Mopar Driver

That is pure baloney!!! I am an owner of a gold Rolex which is so overpriced it is pathetic. A workhorse like the Miyota movement will be a great extremely inexpensive replacement to install if possible. One could put the old broken Rolex movement in a display case at which snobs like you could go to worship. Better yet, sell the useless Rolex cal. and pocket the difference.

johnnyjohnny
johnnyjohnny
2 years ago
Reply to  Gerald

9015 will fit…i swapped one for an 8200 series. they cost about $120 and can be found online. but you will need a good watchmaker who knows what he’s doing as he may need to make or get a slightly different watch holder, or adjust the one that’s in it. and other issues always crop up. they are all fixable with a good watchmaker who has parts.

Taylor Elkins
Taylor Elkins
7 years ago

The new MSTR nobel uses this movement

timo
timo
7 years ago

Also included in Ingersoll “Robert” IN8005.

Matt
Matt
7 years ago

I pretty sure the Fossil ME3100 uses this.

trackback
Miyota Caliber 8217 Watch Movement | CaliberCorner.com
7 years ago

[…] Miyota caliber 8217 is from the 8215/821A family but offers an additional 24 hour hand function. Miyota claims that the caliber 8217 offers […]

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A watch amateur meets the awesome Augsburg ...
6 years ago

[…] it has a longer reserve then the ETA 2624 (the respective Laco model is 3x the price give or take).Miyota Caliber 821A Watch Movement | CaliberCorner.com These movements obviously can not go through the Swiss COSC process and are measured to -20/+40 […]

YS
YS
4 years ago

You can’t go through COSC, as that will only allow Swiss made movement to go through the test and the watch will have to be swiss made.

Mazyar
Mazyar
6 years ago

Zeppelin LZ127 Graf Zeppelin

Randy Turk
Randy Turk
3 years ago
Reply to  Mazyar

My Zeppelin LZ127 hacks, it has a 821a

Kris
Kris
6 years ago

Why do these watch companies ruin watches by adding ugly plastic shields around the movements? If the case is too big for the movement it probably means something. And if the movement is too small at least make a metal spacer!

drut
drut
4 years ago
Reply to  Kris

buy a real watch not that shit from diesel or calvin klein

craig watanabe
craig watanabe
2 years ago
Reply to  Kris

I’m assuming you are referring to plastic movement spacer rings. They function as shock protection for the movement, absorbing vibrations. Think of a metal bell vs one constructed of plastic. There are thin case wall gold watches that used metal (brass)spacers in lieu of a substantially more expensive solid gold body.

Carlos Velazquez
Carlos Velazquez
6 years ago

Thank you very much for the information
Carlos 4/nov/17

Alex Mercer
Alex Mercer
6 years ago

Debert Bathyscaphe that I own (Blancpain Fifty-Fathom knockoff) has this movement. This movement is also known for its shutter/stutter second hand sweep movement.

Bern
Bern
6 years ago

I have a Junkers watch with this movement, and it is 2-3 minutes off every day.

Luciano E.
Luciano E.
6 years ago

The Ingersoll Scovill I05004 – and the other colour variations of this model – use this movement. I have it and it is very precise!

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Miyota Caliber 82S7 Watch Movement | CaliberCorner.com
6 years ago

[…] Miyota caliber 82S7 is from the 8215/821A family but offers a skeletonized dial design. There is also a gilt version […]

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6 years ago

[…] Miyota caliber 82S5 is from the 8215/821A family but offers a skeletonized dial design. There is also a gilt version […]

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GallioTempo Trident - Preview - Tick Talk
6 years ago

[…] the GallioTempo Trident is a Citizen Miyota 821A (a variant of the 8215 range) a work horse of a movement that has seen great popularity in the […]

Wolfgang
Wolfgang
5 years ago

For the author: The shock protection of this Miyota 821A movement is known as “Parashock”.

Regards,

Wolfgang.

Wolfgang
Wolfgang
5 years ago
Reply to  calibercorner

Great, thanks.

Bernhard
Bernhard
5 years ago

The new Junkers J1 Sonderedition 2018 uses this caliber

Chad
Chad
5 years ago

The new Laco Augsburg and Aachen use this caliber as well

Mathew
Mathew
5 years ago

Have this movement in a rip curl Detroit been going strong for almost 5 years now never been opened

Anthony
Anthony
5 years ago

Rocking this movement in a Jack Mason. I’ve had no problems with it and it has stayed accurate for two years without adjustment.

trackback
Miyota Caliber 82S0 Watch Movement | CaliberCorner.com
5 years ago

[…] Miyota caliber 82S0 is from the 8215/821A family but offers a skeletonized dial design. There is also a gilt (gold tone) version […]

J.Lynn
J.Lynn
5 years ago

MVMT just announced this movement in a new automatic series of their fashion watches

Fre
Fre
3 years ago
Reply to  J.Lynn

Yes. The series is called Arc Automatic. They market them as trendy millennial watches but with the right strap they actually are good dress watches.

Pat mat
Pat mat
5 years ago

Hey. I bought Zeppelin Lz 127 with this movement. I got it 3 days ago and First day it added 16 minutes and second day 15 minutes. Is it something temporary or will I have to send it back? And on top of that, it changes date in noon? How can I adjust date so it turns in midnight? I didn’t expect this with this brands. Some advices guys?

Guido Robeyns
Guido Robeyns
3 years ago
Reply to  Pat mat

Do you expect your mechanical watch to automatically sense night and day?
Just turn it 12 hours forward, problem solved.
The accuracy problem is something else.
2 possibilities:
a)send it back if it is still under warranty.
B)get it regulated by a watchmaker.

roger
roger
5 years ago

i have a new parnis “patek 03” with a myota 21 jewel automatic movement with date and hacking. can anyone tell me what model or movement reference this is.

Wolfgang
Wolfgang
5 years ago

After 8+ months of daily use I observe my particular example of the 821A as averaging +5 seconds a day. I like these lower beat Miyota movements as they make the watch quite maintenance free and highly reliable compared to a high beat movement; however, they each have their place. Hacking could be helpful – from the geekish and mechanical perspective within – although not likely as I need not match such precise timeframes within mere seconds; thus I run it numerous seconds fast so the minute always changes when the seconds hits 12. The performance far exceeds the stated… Read more »

Scott
Scott
4 years ago
Reply to  Wolfgang

I just ordered a watch with the 821a. Could you please tell me if it is also hand winding?

Wolfgang
Wolfgang
4 years ago
Reply to  Scott

Indeed, it is handwinding.

Scott
Scott
4 years ago
Reply to  Wolfgang

Thank you for the info. S A M

Ed
Ed
5 years ago

This is also in the Baltic HMS 001

Louis
Louis
5 years ago

The Lip Nautic-Ski has this movement. Pretty steady +24/day. Winds well, no fuss and no frills.

Couvrot
Couvrot
4 years ago
Reply to  Louis

Just received mine today. Beautiful.

trackback
Miyota Stuttering Seconds Hand Explained Watch Movement | CaliberCorner.com
5 years ago

[…] Miyota caliber 821A […]

JeanL
JeanL
4 years ago

I have one in a Jack Mason F103, my day to day watch (currently)

J.H. Olguin
J.H. Olguin
4 years ago

I´ve just bought an Invicta Pro Diver 42mm model 30098 and it sports the 821A-43A. This pro diver is a relatively new model. One thing that surprised me about the movement is that it has Hacking. I don’t remember but I read somewhere that Miyota started shipping 821A movements with this new feature.

Christian
Christian
4 years ago
Reply to  J.H. Olguin

What is the 43A on the end of your movement number?

Hans Ludwig Obermann
Hans Ludwig Obermann
4 years ago

Trage eine ELYSEE Automatik Bronze Taucheruhr seit 07. Januar 2020 mit Miyota 821A (ohne Hacking) war noch nicht auf der Zeitwaage. Derzeit macht der Gang einen sehr guten Eindruck.

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Hoffman DIVER 40 Review - The Truth About WatchesThe Truth About Watches
4 years ago

[…] an off-the-shelf Miyota movement. In the Hoffman’s case (so to speak) it’s the $40 821 A, separated from lesser versions by dint of its striped finishes and a smiley-face rotor […]

Ed Breaux
Ed Breaux
3 years ago

I bought a new Invicta Pro Diver 42mm with date-just band which has a Miyota 821 in it.

Ted black
Ted black
3 years ago

I can’t believe it’s taken myota this long to do a hacking version of the 8xxx series,they’ve sat back & watched seiko run into the distance with their Nh35/36 series with eyes & ears closed resting on their laurels.How many micro brands would have gone for a hacking 8 series if miyota were on the ball & priced it competitively.I only hope it’s a boat that hasn’t sailed to far into the horizon for them.

Ken V.
Ken V.
3 years ago

Here is case back image of my Xeric Evergraph, with the 821a movement. Wish the case back had full exhibition glass, but can see the essentials. The front of watch also has some cutaway to view movement. Great accuracy and decent reserve. Winds very smooth too. Love the watch too.

Screenshot_20200424-132343.png
William
William
3 years ago

-20 to +40 per day is NOT something to write home about is it? I wonder how these movements get regulated before shipment to vendors?

Minuteman
Minuteman
3 years ago

The Sternglass Topograph uses this movement

Glenn
Glenn
3 years ago
Reply to  Minuteman

It looks like nearly all of the Sternglas autos have it.

followed-our-path
followed-our-path
3 years ago

Also in the AVI-8 Centenary Flyboy 1980’s Edition

John
John
3 years ago

Great info on this movement, clear and without banter… Thx

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[…] you can get for $400, but there’s a small caveat – the movement. This watch houses a Miyota 821A (Laco 21) with hacking seconds. This is the latest offering of this movement, and comes reasonably […]

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[…] Seagull ST1901 de cuerda manual, y el HMS 001, un reloj tres agujas con el calibre automático Miyota 821A. Ambos modelos siguen en la colección de la […]

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[…] You have the option of an exhibition case-back too, but I didn’t think the decoration on the Miyota 821A was really worth exhibiting, for another […]

Thanh Nguyen
Thanh Nguyen
3 years ago

I have been using MVMT ARC automatic. It was used 821a Miyota movement. It look nice and keep accurately time. I love it.

Jim
Jim
3 years ago

Every watch has a sellable price and for an entry level movement the 821A works well. I have regulated one to +2spd in a daily wear work watch. The watch gets banged around a lot with the movement staying in time.

trackback
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3 years ago

[…] think the choice of movement might stir up some debate, as the Tiefsee uses a Miyota 821A. A lot of watch enthusiasts associate the 821A with being a less accurate, non-hacking version of […]

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3 years ago

[…] watch uses a Miyota 821A movement. For $325 (closer to $275 if you spend 2 minutes on Google), this isn’t surprising […]

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[…] Inneren schlägt das Automatik-Kaliber Miyota 821A (Citizen). Mehr zum Werk hier. Preislich liegt die automatische Primus bei 299 Euro – also nur 70 Euro über der […]

Rob
Rob
3 years ago

Mam ten mechanizm w Irin Anne flight cockpit i ten model ma mechanizm stop sekundy. Dokładność chodu to 5 sekund na dobę.

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3 years ago

[…] the downside, it’s powered by a Miyota Caliber 821D (reinforced version of the 821A), a reliable enough engine that delivers a less-than-stellar -20 /+40 seconds accuracy per day. The […]

Botond
Botond
3 years ago

I bought the 821A movement in a Courgeut Railmaster, it is hacking, but what is astonishing that it is extremely accurate, I adjusted the time when the clocks went back in October and it hasn’t lost a second since then in three and a half months. Have other owners have similar experiences or this is an exception?

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