ETA’s 2892-2 was an ultra-thin automatic watch movement and part of the second generation of the ETA 2890 family. It was introduced in 1983 as an update to the outgoing ETA 2892, and remained in production until 2000. The current ETA 2892A2 is the successor movement.
The short-lived Eterna 1504 and ETA 2892 used a large winding mass to power the strong mainspring needed to operate at 28,800 A/h. But when the diameter of the plate was reduced from 12.5”’ to 11.5”’ (25.6 mm) for this ETA 2892-2, issues arose. The winding mass, combined with inefficiencies in the automatic winding works, caused the ETA 2892-2 and related second-generation movements to disappoint users by not being fully wound throughout the day. This was remedied in the successor ETA 2892A2.
The ETA 2892-2 features a date complication like the predecessor ETA 2892. Since it was easy to omit this display, and the advanced date works did not affect the 3.6 mm height of the movement, no successor to the non-date ETA 2890 was created.
ETA Cal. 2892-2 Ebauches and Variants
movement was used as the basis for a number of modular variants:
- ETA 2890-9 (1990-2000): Perpetual calendar with moon phase
- ETA 2891-9 (1990-2000): Perpetual calendar with moon phase and central seconds
- ETA 2894-2 (1996-present): Chronograph with date and small seconds
- ETA 2894S2: Skeletonized chronograph with small seconds
- ETA 2895-1 (1997-2000): Sate and small seconds
Many manufacturers customized the ETA 2892-2 ebauche. Notable variants on this movement include the IWC 3575, 35780, 35782, 35790, and 37521. Clones of this movement include the Sellita SW300.
ETA 2890 Family Overview
The ETA 2890 family is a series of slim and robust automatic watch movements produced by ETA. They are generally regarded as superior to the similar ETA 2800 family. Cal. 2890 and its successors is based on the Eterna 1466U, with ball bearings on the rotor and a smaller balance wheel in the modern style. Launched in 1975, the family remains one of the leading watch movements to this day.
The most well-known movement in this series today is Cal. 2892A2, a highly evolved automatic movement with central seconds and a date wheel. Because of its slim dimensions, Cal. 2892A2 is often paired with modules to add world time, power reserve indicator, chronograph, and other complications.
Distinguishing features of the ETA 2890 family include a smaller balance wheel than historic movements, including the ETA 2824 family, and a large rotor hub located with seven visible bearings. The balance is located at 12:00 when viewed from the back with the crown at 9:00, and is located by a clockwise cock with an eccentric screw for regulation.
Most members of the modern 2890 family are available in there finish levels:
- Elaboré – with nickel balance
- Top – with Glucydur balance
- Chronomètre – with Glucydur balance and official chronometer certification
ETA also sells these movements with gold plating, various finishes, and custom rotors.
ETA 2890 Family
Most current ETA 2890 family movements have been updated since the 1990s with improved winding efficiency and an extra jewel in the upper winding bridge. As of 2021, ETA is no longer supplying these movements outside the Swatch Group, with most buyers switching to the clone SW300 family from Sellita. Specifically, Cal. SW300-1 replaces ETA’s 2892A2, Cal. SW330-1 replaces ETA’s GMT 2893-1, and Cal. SW360-1 replaces ETA’s small seconds 2895-2.
| Complications | First Generation 1975-1983 | Second Generation 1983-2000 | Third Generation 1996-2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| No Date | ETA 2890 (12.5”’) | ||
| Date | ETA 2892 (12.5”’) | ETA 2892-2 | ETA 2892A2 |
| World Time Disc, Date | ETA 2893-1 | ||
| Adjustable 24 Hour Hand, Date | ETA 2893-2 | ||
| World Time Disc, No Date | ETA 2893-3 | ||
| Modular Chronograph, Small Seconds, Date | ETA 2894-2 (12.5”’) ETA 2894S2 (12.5”’) | ||
| Small Seconds, Date | ETA 2895-1 | ETA 2895-2 | |
| Dual Concentric Wheel Date | ETA 2896 | ||
| Power Reserve Indicator, Date | ETA 2897 | ||
| Perpetual Calendar, Moon Phase, No Seconds | ETA 2890-9 | ETA 2890A9 | |
| Perpetual Calendar, Moon Phase, Central Seconds | ETA 2891-9 | ETA 2891A9 |