Forest Gump Watch Movements Box Of Chocolates

“Forrest Gump” Movements

Forest Gump Watch Movements Box Of Chocolates

What is a “Forrest Gump” Watch Movement?

What Caliber Corner has coined a “Forrest Gump” movement or “Forest Gump” caliber is when a watch brand uses a blanket caliber number such as GL 224 (Glycine) or T600 (Tudor), but they use more than one movement as the base caliber without any indication of which one you will get when you buy the watch.

“My momma always said, life was like a box of chocolates… you never know what you’re gonna get.” -Forrest Gump

For example: You see that the watch has a “GL 224” but it ends up being powered by either an ETA 2824-2 or Sellita SW200-1 (or other movements) at random… you never know what you’re gonna get, like a box of chocolates.

Lack of Transparency/Misleading?

When watch companies do this, collectors don’t actually know what movement is going to be inside their watch until the purchased watch arrives and they see it through the exhibition caseback or open it up.

This is not right for many reason, but most obvious is that some watch buyers prefer one movement over another. Also, some watch collectors who already have an ETA may be looking for a piece with a Sellita, but the Forrest Gump Movement doesn’t let them do that.

Do you think this lack of transparency by watch brands is acceptable or is it misleading?

Simple Solution:

Brands should not try to hide the fact that they have supply issues or change a movement in the middle of a model production run. Instead of using a “Forrest Gump” caliber number, they should simply modify their caliber number to indicate the difference in movement.

Why don’t they do this?

It’s not always that the brands are intentionally trying to scam consumers out of one movement or another, it’s most likely because they don’t want to take the time to (or think they shouldn’t have to) explain to customers that they are switching their movement supplier. It’s also because it creates confusion with the descriptions on their website and marketing material. This also causes potential issues with their retailers who don’t know enough about watch movements to be able to explain the difference to customers.

Do you know of any brands using “Forrest Gump” watch movements? Add their calibers in the comments below…

Note: A “Forrest Gump” movement is not affiliated or endorsed by anything to do with the actual Forrest Gump movie or brand. The use of the term “Forrest Gump” is in jest and parody to describe a random situation similar to the quote in the film about life being like a box of chocolates. If this post makes you want to watch Forrest Gump the movie, you can watch it here.

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Richard Edlin
Richard Edlin
2 years ago

I ordered a Pagani Design PD1665 because it had a NH35 movement when it arrived it was a YN56 movement from Epson

William Shatner
William Shatner
1 year ago
Reply to  Richard Edlin

That’s why one could say without hesitation, that öne’s been had” by this Seiko Epson watches conglomerate.

J.B.
J.B.
1 year ago
Reply to  Richard Edlin

I just bought a Pagani Design BB58 homage, and it shows an NH35A through the display case back. Is the YN55 an inferior movement when compared to an NH35A? Or is the main issue about the principle of getting the same movement that is advertised in the description, and not a completely different movement. Most all of my automatics contain a NH35A, but I have a PT5000 and some Sea-Gull clone movement in another two watches.

Garry Perkins
Garry Perkins
8 months ago
Reply to  J.B.

So, many believe that the YN55 is a superior movement because all of them are made in Japan, whereas the NH35A is mostly made in China and Malaysia. It certainly costs more than the NH35, at least in China. It is believed to be more reliable and study, but they are effectively of equal quality. I feel like the NH35 has a smoother wind, but that is debatable. I have watches from Orient and Seiko with those movements that are over ten years old and running well, without service. I can say that the YN55 in my Orient has survived… Read more »

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Davosa Caliber DAV 3021 Watch Movement | Caliber Corner
1 year ago

[…] another brand which did not make such a decision. Therefore, it’s what Caliber Corner calls a Forest Gump Movement. In other words, you never know what you’re going to get – until you open it and find […]

G. Brett
G. Brett
4 months ago

Found your site on Instagram. Love it! Keep doing what you’re doing!

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