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ASE 120

Last Update: June 20, 2022

Cal. ASE 120 is a micro-rotor automatic movement with GMT produced by Schwarz Etienne. Like Cal. ASE 100, this movement features a tungsten carbide micro rotor at 3:00 and triple cocks for the wheel train between 6:00 and the balance. Despite the added adjustable central 24 hour hand, Cal. ASE 120 has less components (213 rather than 230) and jewels (34 rather than 38) than the basic movement.

The free-sprung balance is manufactured in-house by Schwarz Etienne and features four screws to adjust the inertia and rate. The modern version uses a Phillips flat spiral terminal coil hairspring manufactured by E20, though it originally used a Breguet spiral from Straumann Precision Engineering. The large barrel houses a mainspring capable of delivering 86 hours of running time.

Originally known as Cal. BSE-GMT, this movement is the same thickness (5.35 mm) as the basic Cal. ASE-120 but 0.30 mm thicker than the original Cal. BSE1325-A.

Schwarz Etienne ASE Family Overview

The ASE family is a series of micro-rotor automatic movements produced by Schwarz Etienne since 2009. The first “manufacture” movements created under Marc Barrachina and Raphaël Radicchi, the family originated with the Cal. BSE1325-A, or “base 13.25 ligne series A”. The family was renamed “ASE” for “Schwarz Etienne Series A” when other movements were added around 2013.

The movement is somewhat larger than the popular automatic movements from ETA at 13.25 ligne (30.40 mm) but is appropriately sized for modern watches. It has many advanced features, notably a tungsten micro rotor for automatic winding, 80 hour power reserve from a single large barrel, and a free-sprung variable-inertia balance. Nearly all components are manufactured in-house apart from the hairspring, which is sourced from Straumann (Breguet curve) or E20 (Phillips flat spiral). Despite the oversized mainspring and slow 21,600 A/h operation, the movement can reach COSC Chronometer accuracy.

The movement has many novel innovations that have made it an ideal choice for third-party luxury watchmakers like Ming. The wheel train is mounted low on the main plate, making room for the thick micro rotor, tall balance and escapement, and large barrel. This also leaves room for complications, and the ebauche is designed with pass-through holes for a chronograph, adjustable central 24-hour hand, big date, or other complication modules. It features small seconds at 6:00 and a standard date wheel is offered.

The original Cal. BSE1325-A measured 5.05 mm thick, but this was retired when the new Cal. ASE 100 and Cal. ASE 120 were introduced. Both of these, and the similar Cal. ASE 200, measure 5.35 mm thick. This new generation of ASE movements shares much of their design with the double-barrel MSE family.

Schwarz Etienne ASE Family

Last Update: June 20, 2022

Schwarz Etienne ASE Family Overview

The ASE family is a series of micro-rotor automatic movements produced by Schwarz Etienne since 2009. The first “manufacture” movements created under Marc Barrachina and Raphaël Radicchi, the family originated with the Cal. BSE1325-A, or “base 13.25 ligne series A”. The family was renamed “ASE” for “Schwarz Etienne Series A” when other movements were added around 2013.

The movement is somewhat larger than the popular automatic movements from ETA at 13.25 ligne (30.40 mm) but is appropriately sized for modern watches. It has many advanced features, notably a tungsten micro rotor for automatic winding, 80 hour power reserve from a single large barrel, and a free-sprung variable-inertia balance. Nearly all components are manufactured in-house apart from the hairspring, which is sourced from Straumann (Breguet curve) or E20 (Phillips flat spiral). Despite the oversized mainspring and slow 21,600 A/h operation, the movement can reach COSC Chronometer accuracy.

The movement has many novel innovations that have made it an ideal choice for third-party luxury watchmakers like Ming. The wheel train is mounted low on the main plate, making room for the thick micro rotor, tall balance and escapement, and large barrel. This also leaves room for complications, and the ebauche is designed with pass-through holes for a chronograph, adjustable central 24-hour hand, big date, or other complication modules. It features small seconds at 6:00 and a standard date wheel is offered.

The original Cal. BSE1325-A measured 5.05 mm thick, but this was retired when the new Cal. ASE 100 and Cal. ASE 120 were introduced. Both of these, and the similar Cal. ASE 200, measure 5.35 mm thick. This new generation of ASE movements shares much of their design with the double-barrel MSE family.

ASE 100

Last Update: June 19, 2022

Cal. ASE 100 is a micro-rotor automatic movement produced by Schwarz Etienne. The most distinctive features of Cal. ASE100 are the tungsten carbide micro rotor at 3:00 and triple cocks for the wheel train between 6:00 and the balance. The similar Cal. ASE 120 and Cal. ASE 200 add an adjustable 24-hour GMT hand or more decorative finishing, respectively. The MSE family of movements replaces the micro rotor with a second mainspring barrel.

The free-sprung balance is manufactured in-house by Schwarz Etienne and features four screws to adjust the inertia and rate. The modern version uses a Phillips flat spiral terminal coil hairspring manufactured by E20, though it originally used a Breguet spiral from Straumann Precision Engineering. The large barrel houses a mainspring capable of delivering 86 hours of running time.

Originally known as Cal. BSE1325-A, Cal. ASE100 is used by many companies outside Schwarz Etienne, often with modifications, complication modules, or skeletonization. Many of these are manufactured and finished by Schwarz Etienne on behalf of these clients.

Schwarz Etienne ASE Family Overview

The ASE family is a series of micro-rotor automatic movements produced by Schwarz Etienne since 2009. The first “manufacture” movements created under Marc Barrachina and Raphaël Radicchi, the family originated with the Cal. BSE1325-A, or “base 13.25 ligne series A”. The family was renamed “ASE” for “Schwarz Etienne Series A” when other movements were added around 2013.

The movement is somewhat larger than the popular automatic movements from ETA at 13.25 ligne (30.40 mm) but is appropriately sized for modern watches. It has many advanced features, notably a tungsten micro rotor for automatic winding, 80 hour power reserve from a single large barrel, and a free-sprung variable-inertia balance. Nearly all components are manufactured in-house apart from the hairspring, which is sourced from Straumann (Breguet curve) or E20 (Phillips flat spiral). Despite the oversized mainspring and slow 21,600 A/h operation, the movement can reach COSC Chronometer accuracy.

The movement has many novel innovations that have made it an ideal choice for third-party luxury watchmakers like Ming. The wheel train is mounted low on the main plate, making room for the thick micro rotor, tall balance and escapement, and large barrel. This also leaves room for complications, and the ebauche is designed with pass-through holes for a chronograph, adjustable central 24-hour hand, big date, or other complication modules. It features small seconds at 6:00 and a standard date wheel is offered.

The original Cal. BSE1325-A measured 5.05 mm thick, but this was retired when the new Cal. ASE 100 and Cal. ASE 120 were introduced. Both of these, and the similar Cal. ASE 200, measure 5.35 mm thick. This new generation of ASE movements shares much of their design with the double-barrel MSE family.

Seiko 6L75

Last Update: February 18, 2020

Cal. 6L75 is a thin automatic watch movement from Seiko, the latest in the Seiko 4L/6L family. Introduced in 2019, it measures just 3.69 mm thick and is designed to compete head-to-head with the Swiss ETA 2892A2.

Cal. 6L75 is used in the Credor GCCD watch lines:

  • 2019-present Credor Signo GCCD998
  • 2019-present Credor Signo GCCD997
  • 2019-present Credor Signo GCCD995
  • 2020 Credor Linealx GCCD993 (LE of 60)
  • 2020 Credor Linealx GCCD991
  • 2020 Credor Linealx GCCD989
  • 2020 Credor Signo GCCD987 (LE of 45)
  • 2020 Credor Signo GCCD985 (LE of 45)

Seiko 8R48

Last Update: February 18, 2020

Cal. 8R48 is an automatic column wheel chronograph movement from Seiko produced since 2014. It is part of the 8R family of movements used in brands such as Presage and Brightz. It is very similar to the rare Cal. 8R49.

  • 2018 Seiko Presage Prestige SARK011
  • 2018-present Seiko Presage Prestige SARK013
  • 2015-2016 Seiko Brightz Mechanical Chronograph SDGZ009
  • 2015-2016 Seiko Brightz Mechanical Chronograph SDGZ011
  • 2015-2016 Seiko Brightz Mechanical Chronograph SDGZ012
  • 2014-2015 Seiko Brightz Mechanical Chronograph SDGZ013 (LE of 500)
  • 2015 Seiko Brightz Mechanical Chronograph SDGZ015 (LE of 500)
  • 2015-2016 Seiko Brightz Mechanical Chronograph SDGZ017
  • 2015-2016 Seiko Brightz Mechanical Chronograph SDGZ019
  • 2015-2016 Seiko Brightz Mechanical Chronograph SDGZ021 (LE of 500)
  • 2016 Seiko Presage 60th Anniversary Enamel Automatic Chronograph SRQ019 (LE of 1000)
  • 2016 Seiko Presage 60th Anniversary Lacquer Automatic Chronograph SRQ021 (LE of 1000)
  • 2017-2019 Seiko Presage Prestige Enamel Automatic Chronograph SRQ023J1
  • 2017 Seiko Presage Prestige Automatic Chronograph SRQ025J1
  • 2020 Seiko Automatic Chronograph 50th Anniversary LE SRQ029
  • 2020 Seiko Chronograph 55th Anniversary LE SRQ031

Seiko 8R Family

CalibreProductionHeightJewelsComponentsModelsNotes
8R28A2008-current7.2 mm34292SRQ
SAEK
SAGK
SDGZ
8R39A
NE88A
2011-current7.6 mm34306SRQ
SAEK
Thicker, for dive watches
8R48A
8R49A
2014-current7.5 mm34311SRQ/SARK
SDGZ
Japan-only
NE86A2014-current7.63 mmOEM2-subdial

Norqain NN20/1

Last Update: February 12, 2020

Cal. NN20/1 is an automatic movement with date produced for Norqain by Kenissi. It is similar to the Tudor Cal. MT5402 but lacks the anti-magnetic silicon hairspring and features a different rotor and finishing.

There has been some controversy regarding the exact specifications of the two Norqain “in-house” movements, but these have been reduced with the release in July 2020 of the Freedom line which uses them. Cal. NN20/1 is smaller and based on the newer Cal. MT5402, while Cal. NN20/2 is much larger and based on the different Cal. MT5652. The difference in size is clearly visible when comparing the movements cased in the 39 mm Norqain Freedom watches.

There has been some controversy regarding the exact specifications of the two Norqain “in-house” movements, but these have been reduced with the release in July 2020 of the Freedom line which uses them. Cal. NN20/1 is smaller and based on the newer Cal. MT5402, while Cal. NN20/2 is much larger and based on the different Cal. MT5652. The difference in size is clearly visible when comparing the movements cased in the 39 mm and 40 mm Norqain Freedom watches.

Cal. NN20/1 in the 39 mm Freedom 60 39
Cal. NN20/2 in the 40 mm Freedom 60 GMT

Norqain has been open about the fact that their “in-house” NN20 movements are produced by Kenissi, and issued a press release affirming this partnership. Many have criticized the company for calling the movements “in-house” since they are clearly produced by a third party and based on their design.

Note: Contrary to the official data sheet shown below, Cal. NN20/1 has 27 jewels.

Tudor MT54 Family Overview

Tudor’s MT54 family appeared in 2018 with the introduction of Tudor’s compact Cal. MT5402. Measuring just 26 mm in diameter (11 ligne), which movement was used in the smaller Black Bay Fifty-Eight 39 mm watch models. Once production was underway at the new joint venture manufacture in Le Locle, Kinessi, specialized versions were created for Chanel and Norqain, Cal. 12.1 and NN20/1, respectively.

Chanel 12.1
Tudor MT5402
Norqain NN20/1

All three movements share the same architecture but differ dramatically in execution. The most obvious difference is the use of brand-specific winding rotors, with Chanel’s offset circle motif particularly striking. The Chanel Cal. 12.1 is also available with a date complication (and an extra jewel) though the name remains the same. Chanel’s movement also appears to be a bit reduced in diameter compared to the Tudor movement, though not by more than a few tenths of a millimeter.

Norqain NN20/2

Last Update: February 12, 2020

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}  } 

Cal. NN20/2 is an automatic GMT movement with date produced for Norqain by Kenissi. It is similar to the Tudor Cal. MT5652 but lacks the anti-magnetic silicon hairspring and features a different rotor and finishing.

There has been some controversy regarding the exact specifications of the two Norqain “in-house” movements, but these have been reduced with the release in July 2020 of the Freedom line which uses them. Cal. NN20/1 is smaller and based on the newer Cal. MT5402, while Cal. NN20/2 is much larger and based on the different Cal. MT5652. The difference in size is clearly visible when comparing the movements cased in the 39 mm and 40 mm Norqain Freedom watches.

Cal. NN20/1 in the 39 mm Freedom 60 39
Cal. NN20/2 in the 40 mm Freedom 60 GMT

Norqain has been open about the fact that their “in-house” NN20 movements are produced by Kenissi, and issued a press release affirming this partnership. Many have criticized the company for calling the movements “in-house” since they are clearly produced by a third party and based on their design.

Seiko 9S5x Family

Last Update: February 2, 2020

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}  } 

Seiko introduced the flagship 9S family of movements in 1998 for their growing Grand Seiko line. Similar movements under the 8L name were later used in the Brightz, Credor, Galante, and Prospex lines. It was a modern 28,800 A/h movement with Seiko’s signature Magic Lever bi-directional winding system.

See also the Seiko 9S8x family of hi-beat movements.

ProductionApplicationWindingJewelsNotes
8L212003-2007Brightz SAGLAutomatic24Similar to 9S51
8L342000Railway pocket watchManual20Small seconds
8L352000-presentBrightz SAGQ
Prospex SBDX
Prospex SLA
Automatic26Date, similar to 9S55
8L362011-presentCredor GCBZ
Galante SBLM
Automatic27GMT, similar to 9S56
8L382010-2015Galante SBLLAutomatic26Open Heart
8L75-2005Credor GCBRAutomatic26Date, similar to 9S55
9S511998-2009GS SBGRAutomatic24No date
9S542001-2010GS SBGWManual20No date
9S551998-2010GS SBGRAutomatic26Date
9S562002-2010GS SBGMAutomatic27GMT, no date

Seiko 9S8x Hi-Beat Family

Last Update: February 1, 2020

The Grand Seiko 9S85 and 9S86 family are modern automatic “hi-beat” movements. The family was developed in the 2000s as a return to the Hi-Beat tradition of Grand Seiko models like the famous 45GS, 61GS, and 19GS of the 1960s. The movement design is also used by Credor and Prospex, under the 8L name.

The first modern Hi-Beat movement from Seiko was the limited-production “Super Hi-Beat” Cal. 8L88. Introduced at Baselworld in 2006, this movement ran at 12 Hz (43,200 A/h) and was used in the Credor GBBX998.

© 2015 Seiko

Cal. 9S85 was introduced in 2009 as the first modern Hi-Beat movement for Grand Seiko and was joined in 2014 by Cal. 9S86, which adds an independently-adjustable 24 hour GMT hand. They operate at the traditional Hi-Beat rate of 10 Hz (36,000 A/h).

The 9S movements are finished to the standard of the modern Grand Seiko 9S family and feature many technological advancements. They were the first movements to use MEMS technology for ultra-fine finishing of the escape wheel and pallet fork, and they use proprietary Spron alloys for the hairspring (Spron 610) and mainspring (Spron 530).

In 2019, Seiko introduced a lower-finished version of Cal. 9S85 for the Prospex SLA025 Hi-Beat dive watch. This Cal. 8L55 is otherwise similar. Grand Seiko also introduced a V.F.A. version of Cal. 9S85 tuned to deliver -1/+3 seconds accuracy.

A new generation, the Grand Seiko 9SA family, appeared in 2020. These new “80 hours” movements are hi-beat automatics with a longer power reserve, free-sprung balance, and double-impulse escapement.

CalibreProductionSpeedJewelsFunctionsModels
Cal. 8L552015-present36,00037DateProspex SLA/SBEX
Cal. 8L882008-200943,20041Power reserveCredor GBBX998
Cal. 9S852009-present36,00037DateGrand Seiko SBGH
Cal. 9S862014-present36,00037Date, GMTGrand Seiko SBGJ

Seiko 9S6x Family

Last Update: February 1, 2020

Seiko 9S6x Family Overview

9S is the family of high-end mechanical watch movements used in the Grand Seiko and Credor watch lines. The current “3 days” 9S6x family debuted in 2006 with Cal. 9S67, and has replaced the Seiko 9S5x series over the following decade. The movement boasts 72 hours of power reserve thanks to a stronger Spron 510 or 610 mainspring and escape wheel and pallet form finished with MEMS technology.

Seiko boasts that these movements can deliver -3/+5 seconds per day accuracy in controlled static tests. On the wrist, the company claims -1/+10 second accuracy per day, and Seiko adjusts them in 6 positions. Adjustment is performed using a screw with index moving a mobile regulator for the flat hairspring.

The 9S family movements are constructed by hand at Seiko’s Shizukuishi Watch Studio in Morioka, Iwate Prefecture, Japan.

All watches in the 9S6x series feature hand winding, hacking seconds, and operation at 28,800 A/h. Most feature automatic winding with a central rotor mounted on five ball bearings. These use a conventional reverser wheel rather than the Seiko Magic Lever system found on the previous Cal. 9S5x series.

Seiko 9S6x Family

ProductionModelsWindingJewelsDateNotes
Cal. 9S612015-presentSBGRAutomatic33No
Cal. 9S632019-presentSBGKManual33NoPower reserve at 3:00
Small seconds at 9:00
Cal. 9S642011-presentSBGWManual24No
Cal. 9S652010-presentSBGRAutomatic35Yes
Cal. 9S662010-presentSBGMAutomatic35YesCentral GMT hand
Cal. 9S672006-2010SBGLAutomatic41YesPower reserve at 3:00
Cal. 9S682017-presentSBGRAutomatic35YesLarger size

See Also: Seiko 9S6x Family

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