Grail Watch Reference

A Reference Library for Watches from Grail Watch

  • Movement Database
  • Grail Watch Blog
  • The Watch Files Podcast
  • Reference Documents
    • 1979 Citizen Movement Table
    • Seiko Blue Book Automatic Movement Chronology
    • Seiko Laurel Brochure
    • Seiko List of Basic and Derivative Calibres
  • About Grail Watch
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Welcome to Grail Watch Reference!

Welcome to the reference site for Grail Watch! This is a reference site only. Please visit the Grail Watch blog for regular posts. You can also find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

See All Movements in the Database

How to Use Grail Watch Reference

Our watch movement database is currently online. Click “Movement Database” in the menu and use the filters to select a watch movement. You may then click on any detail to see all other movements that share that characteristic.

Here are some useful queries to get you started:

  • All movements in our database
  • Column wheel chronograph movements
  • Movements with a power reserve indicator
  • Movements from ETA, Rolex, or Seiko

About Grail Watch Reference

This site is a database of reference information. We are initially focusing on watch movements, and are building a fully cross-referenced database of mechanical watch movements. In the future we may also include other things, including perhaps watch models and companies.

We are trying to be authoritative and correct, and are relying on manufacturer information as our primary source. Most information comes from manufacturer web sites, documentation, and publications. We are also using independent research and information from third parties where manufacturer information is unavailable.

All illustrations are official manufacturer photos and are used for commentary according to the press license of each company. We are attempting to include a link back to the official manufacturer web page where possible. We are also linking to Watch Wiki, Watchbase, and other sites where appropriate.


Updates from Grail Watch Reference

A Survey of the Kenissi Movements for Tudor, Chanel, Breitling, and Norqain

November 16, 2020

After a number of recent wins at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, including two last year and another this year, I felt it was time to get a better understanding of the movements produced by Kenissi for Tudor, Chanel, Breitling, and Norqain. Kenissi, a joint venture between Tudor (Rolex), Chanel, and Breitling, is becoming one of the most successful upscale movement makers, and their products are top notch.


Bulgari Finissimo: Record-Setting Movements

September 18, 2020

Inspired by the new Bulgari Octo Finissimo Tourbillon Chronograph Skeleton Automatic, I spent some time investigating the company’s family of “Finissimo” movements. Over the last six years, the ultra-thin Finissimo movements have taken record after record, from the exotic (tourbillon, repetition) to the commonplace (automatic). And they incorporate some serious engineering and clever thinking. Read on to learn all about the Bulgari Finissimo movements, from 2014 to 2020.


New Movement Family: Zenith Elite

May 28, 2020

This weekend I added a Zenith’s Elite family of movements to the site. These are an important series of modern automatic movements yet are not well-understood or documented. Introduced in 1994, the Elite series gave Zenith a compact movement that was robust, reliable, and could support complications across a wide range of watches. The series was almost retired in 2015 but has been given a new lease on life and is today one of two main movement lines from Zenith, along with the famous El Primero chronograph.


Travel Time Trio: ETA’s Calibre 2893

May 12, 2020

When ETA names a movement, they usually use the last digit or two to signify added functions, then a numeral after a dash to indicate an update. Cal. 2892-2 was an update to Cal. 2892, and that movement added a date complication to Cal. 2890. But this isn’t how it works for ETA’s “Travel Time Trio”, Cal. 2893-1, 2893-2, and 2893-3. These were introduced together in 1992 and represent variations on one complication rather than updates.


Confirming the ETA 2892 Timeline

"New Automatic Extra-Flat Calibre by ETA SA", Europa Star 97, 1976

May 8, 2020

One of my goals with Grail Watch Reference is to use primary sources to develop the best information possible. Although many aspects of horology are widely reported as truth, we can not completely rely on these stories: There’s just too much folklore out there! To illustrate, I will walk through my process of verifying the timeline of one of today’s top movements, ETA’s 2892A2.


Recent Posts

  • A Survey of the Kenissi Movements for Tudor, Chanel, Breitling, and Norqain
  • Bulgari Finissimo: Record-Setting Movements
  • New Movement Family: Zenith Elite
  • Travel Time Trio: ETA’s Calibre 2893
  • Confirming the ETA 2892 Timeline

Links

  • Grail Watch
  • Watch Wiki
  • WatchBase

Popular Movements

  • Seiko 6R35
  • Seiko 6L35
  • SW330-1
  • Seiko 4R38
  • ETA 2893-2
  • ETA 2892A2
  • ETA 2892-2
  • Seiko 4R36
  • ETA 2895-2
  • STP3-13

Popular Families

  • Sellita SW500 Family
  • ETA 2800 Family
  • Seiko 8R Family
  • Seiko 4S Family