Also called 2892-A2 and 2892/A2, Cal. 2892A2 is derived from the similar ETA 2892-2. This third generation of the ETA 2890 family appeared in 1996 and remained available for sale through 2021. After this, only proprietary versions for Swatch Group companies remained available. The modification was focused on winding efficiency, with a reduced chamfer increasing the mass of the winding rotor and the switch from a stud to a jewel in the upper winding bridge for the intermediate wheel.
ETA 2892A2 History
The earliest definitive mention of Cal. 2892A2 appears in Europa Star in 1996; a 1994 Epos model is said to use “Cal. 2892-A2/9000” but this likely refers to the full calendar module used on a standard 2892-2. ETA donated a number of interesting movements to the International Museum of Horology, including a “Mecaline 2892A2, 4Hz, a product adapted specially for use in chronometers.” Later that year it appeared in a Bertolucci-brand certified chronometer at BaselWorld.
Cal. 2892A2 appears in ETA advertisements starting in 1998, noted as “a high-performance caliber intended for upmarket designs and a demanding clientele” and suggesting it had been on the market “for some years now.” At the time it was generally written as “2892-A2” but ETA has definitively referred to it as “2892A2” since the beginning.
A decade later, ETA’s 2892A2 was seen as a “tractor” to support complications and modifications. By the 2000s, many other movement makers offered an ultra-thin automatic movement that could compete with the ETA.
Cal. 2892A2 is the basis for a number of other ETA movements, including the following:
- ETA 2892A2 (1996-2021) – 3.6 mm height, quickset date
- ETA 2890A9 (1998-2005) – 5.2 mm height, perpetual calendar with moon phase
- ETA 2891A9 (1998-2005) – 5.2 mm height, perpetual calendar with moon phase and sweep seconds
- ETA 2893-1 (2002-present) – 4.1 mm height, world time disc, quickset date, and sweep seconds
- ETA 2893-2 (2002-present) – 4.1 mm height, dual time zone hand, quickset date, and sweep seconds
- ETA 2893-3 (2002-present) – 4.1 mm height, world time disc and sweep seconds
- ETA 2895-2 (1999-2021) – 4.35 mm height, quickset date and sub seconds
- ETA 2896 (2003-2021) – 4.85 mm height, quickset big date and sweep seconds
- ETA 2897 (2004-2021) – 4.85 mm height, power reserve indicator at 7:00, quickset date, and sweep seconds
ETA 2892A2 Ebauches and Clones
Cal. 2892A2 is available in Elaborate, Top, and Chronometer grade, each with better accuracy and build materials.
Cal. 2892A2 is also known as Maurice Lacroix ML-129, TAG Heuer Calibre 7, and TAG Heuer Calibre 8 RS. It is the basis for Ball RR1101, Ball RR1201, Ball RR1801, Omega 1120, Omega 2500, IWC 30110, 30120, and 37524, and TAG Heuer Calibre 11.
Since most patents used are expired, numerous clones are made of ETA’s 2892A2. These include Sea-Gull ST1812, Sellita SW300-1, and Valanvron VAL-92. The Sellita movement, distinguished by its 25 jewel count, is very popular and has replaced the ETA movement in most applications outside Swatch Group. The Soprod A-10 is a similarly-sized replacement but is unrelated in design.
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.