Miyota Caliber 2035

Miyota caliber 2035 is a quartz movement with 0 jewels. This 3-hander caliber is a true no-date (no phantom date crown position).

The 2035 was introduced in 1981 and celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2021. That is quite remarkable, for a quartz movement to still be in the manufacturer’s current catalog after four decades.

“The de facto standard in the industry, the Caliber 2035 debuted in 1981, the year after the Miyota brand was launched. With a total of five movements developed based on Caliber 2035 in that same year, including a calendar movement and a two-hand movement, the history of Caliber 2035 began.” –The Birth of Caliber 2035

The 2035 is a record breaking watch movement. In March of 1999, the caliber 2035 was featured in the Guinness Book of World Records for manufacturing 1,769,593,600 units of the 2000 series calibers worldwide since September 1981 when it debuted.

As of this post, Miyota says they have produced more than 5 billion caliber 2035 movements (source), with at least one movement made every second. The movements are still made in Japan at the Saku Factory, which Miyota touts as one of the world’s largest watch movement factories (and just one out of the company’s 17 factories).

One thing to consider is that with a long-standing and mass-produced, ultra affordable quartz movement such as the 2035, it’s easy to assume that there are changes made throughout the years – perhaps with component manufacturing partners, materials, and text. It’s also safe to assume that in the decades since this calibre was introduced, the machinery has been updated, which could cause slight changes in the fine details of the finished product.

Example 1:

The 2035 example pictured at the top of this page was ordered from Amazon in a pack of two watch movements for $8.99 USD. This is after a discussion started in the forum here (and in the comments below) about whether or not newer 2035 movements have metal or plastic gears.

The title of the listing was: “2Pcs 2035 Quartz Watch Movement Battery Included for Japan Miyota 2035 Replacement Repair”. Images on the listing showed a movement with “UNADJUSTED” text. The movements received do not have the unadjusted text engraving, but they do have metal gears.

Movement Text: Miyota / Japan / CWMJ (the initials for Citizen Watch Manufacturing Co., Ltd.) / No Jewels

Compared to Miyota’s current stock image (as of 8/24):

The Amazon movements, like many of the modern 2035 examples out in the wild, are not signed with “2035”. This makes sense since the 2000 series movements use many of the same parts. By not signing the caliber number on the main cover, they can save time and expense, while using the same cover across the entire line of movements.

The only numbers found on these movements is located at the bottom of the plastic battery tray. As you can see in the image below, it is signed with “280-39“.

Some sellers were found listing the 2035 as a “Miyota 280-39” movement, or claiming that the 2035 replaces the “280-39” movement. However, as it turns out, 280-39 refers to a Citizen battery part number – not a movement!

The battery on the Amazon movement is the correct size SR626SW cell, made by Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. in Japan.

A new stem was also included.

Below is the circuit board:

Here is what the movement looks like with the battery clamp/cover, circuit board, and gear train removed:

Signs of oil:

Dial washer:

Example 2:

Below is another example with text matching Miyota’s stock images. Submitted by @kinetic_john of a 2035 movement found in his Storm Nuclear Lazer watch here.

Notice that the text on the movement is different than the example above.

Movement Text: Unadjusted / Miyota Co. / Japan / No Jewels

Why do watch enthusiasts love the 2035?

There are a lot of reasons why the 2035 is a respected quartz movement, starting with it’s low price, high availability – and dependability considering the previous two factors.

Other reasons include the fact that it has metal parts – specifically, metal gear train and covers (although that has been up for debate):

Look at that brushed finish. Who says cheap quartz movements aren’t finished 😛

Below is the metal cannon pinion with driving wheel (part 028-610):

Even though the coil is way too close to the battery release arm, the coil is covered in a solid glue-like coating to help prevent any damage to the coil if the tool slips. This is just one extra step that other manufacturers don’t bother with, and another reason to appreciate the 2035.

Accuracy Rating:

Miyota claims the average accuracy of the cal. 2035 movement to be +/-20 seconds/month in normal operating conditions.

Battery Life/Runtime:

The 2035 has a battery life of 3 years.

This movement also has a hacking function which can serve as a power saving feature. Pulling out the crown/stem to time setting position can reduce the power being used if you’re not going to wear the watch for a while. Be careful storing your watch with the stem pulled out, you don’t want to catch the stem/crown on something or bend it.

Crown/Stem Removal:

Miyota calibers such as the 2035 do not have an arrow to indicate the location of the release button for stem removal. Also, there are several peg-like shapes sticking out of the movement that appear to be buttons, but they are actually there to hold parts of the movement in place.

Instead, you will be looking for a small indentation, which you will press down with your tweezers to allow for the stem to be released.

Follow the video below:

Replacement Prices:

At the time of this post, prices for the caliber 2035 quartz movement were found online around $5.95.

You can order replacement movements here (your purchase supports this site).

Replacement/Repair:

Although the 2035 is a metal movement, it is typically considered to be a replaceable movement in the watch community. This is mostly because the cost of the movement is low enough replace with a new one. However, before going that route, it’s always worth it to check the coil conductivity and potentially replace it rather than the entire movement. This would also save time and hassle since you wouldn’t need to remove the hands and install them on the new movement. Coils can usually be found individually or in packs of 10.

The Miyota 2XXX series coil part number is 246-144.

Even if you do buy a new movement, it might be worth it to use the coil from the new movement first before swapping the movements completely (just be careful not to damage the new coil).

2035 Assembly/Disassembly Video:

Fake 2035 Movements?

It appears that there are indeed fake 2035 movements on the market. The made in China versions may work just as well as a genuine 2035, but for about $10 more, you can find a real one. Prices for the “replacement” movements were found for as low as $1.61 USD. Amazon even sells 2 for $7.99.

Similar Calibers:

Previously, there was also a caliber 2035 with a “Super” designation. The Super 2035 was listed at having a higher accuracy (+/-15 seconds/month) and longer battery life (4 years). It also featured a gold tone finish and a coil cover.

The caliber 2036 is almost identical to the 2035 with the major difference being that the 2036 is a high hand version. High hand movements allow more clearance between the movement and the hands, giving more options for the dial design.

Other similar movements include:

• 2035G – Gold plated
• 2025 – No central seconds hand
• 2034 – Disc seconds hand

Interesting note: The official instruction manual for the cal. 2035 is shared with the calibres 203A, 2033, 2036. and 2039.

Additional Resources:

• Official 2035 instruction manual (pdf)
• Official 2035 tech drawings (pdf)
• Official 2035 parts list (pdf)