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You are here: Home / Movements / ETA 2893-2

ETA 2893-2

Last Update: June 3, 2019

Brand:ETA
Family:
ETA Flatline 2890 Family
Height:4.10 mm
Jewels:21
Reserve:42, 50 hours
Frequency:28,800 A/h
Winding:Automatic, Bi-Directional Automatic Winding, Central Rotor Automatic Winding
Diameter:25.60 mm (11.5 ligne)
© ETA ETA 2893-2 Complications:24 Hour Hand, Date, GMT Hand, Hacking Seconds, Independently-Adjustable 24 Hour Hand, Quick Date Correction, Semi-Instantaneous Date Change
Hands:Central 24 Hour Hand, Central Hour Hand, Central Minute Hand, Central Seconds Hand, Date Window at 3:00
Distinguishing Technical Characteristics
Central-Rotor Automatic
Clockwise Balance Cock
Etachron Regulator
Balance
Balance at 12:00
Central Rotor
Production: 1992 – Current
1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s

ETA’s 2893-2 is a modular GMT movement with central seconds and date. It is derived from the similar ETA 2892-2 and is part of the third-generation ETA 2890 family. Cal. 2893-2 was used in 1995 in the Ikepod Seaslug. It appeared in 1992, alongside the similar ETA 2893-1 and ETA 2893-3. It remains in production today.

Many complain that Cal. 2893-2 is not a “true GMT” because the quick adjustment in position 2 advances the 24 hour hand rather than the 12 hour hand. Thus, the “home” or running time is displayed on the 12 hour scale while the “away” time is shown on the 24 hour scale. GMT movements in the Rolex GMT-Master II and similar models from Omega and others have an adjustable 12-hour hand, so the 24 hour hand always displays “home time.”

ETA 2893 Movements

ETA released a trio of dual time zone movements in 1992, all known as Cal. 2893. Each movement has a slightly different implementation of a 24 hour second time zone display.

DateNo Date
24 Hour DiscETA 2893-1ETA 2893-3
24 Hour HandETA 2893-2

In all three movements, the central 24 hour display is quick-set using the crown in second position and is independent of the central hour hand, which is set using the crown in third position. Adjusting the 24 hour hand or disc does not cause the movement to “hack” or stop, so the timekeeping remains accurate when traveling.

Although common today, an independent hour hand like this was somewhat unusual at the time. Indeed, the popular Rolex GMT-Master II Ref. 16710 had just gained an independently-adjustable 12-hour hand four years earlier.

This 1992 coverage in Europa Star shows all three members of the ETA 2893 “Travel Time Trio”
Image: Europa Star 193, 1992

The GMT feature and date wheel are adjusted with the crown in position 1. Turning it clockwise advances the GMT hour hand in 1 hour increments, while turning it counter-clockwise advances the date wheel.

Sellita’s Cal. SW330-1 is a clone of ETA’s 2893-2 but has 25 jewels rather than 21.

ETA 2893-2 Applications

Cal. 2893-2 is perhaps the most common of the ETA 2893 sub-family, powering many higher-end GMT watches:

  • 1995 Ikepod Seaslug
  • Breitling Windrider Antares World
  • 2000 Panerai Luminor GMT
  • 2002 Magellan 1521
  • 2002 Glycine Airman 7
  • Glycine Airman SST 06
  • 2003 Ball Engineer GMT
  • Ball Engineer Master II Aviator GMT
  • 2004 Sinn Pilot’s 856
  • Sinn U2/EZM 5
  • Sinn 6036
  • Sinn 857
  • 2005 Linde Werdelin Biformeter
  • Linde Werdelin Two Timer
  • 2006 Baume & Mercier Hampton Classic Carée XL GMT
  • 2007 Raymond Weil GMT
  • Hamilton Khaki Navy Air Race
  • 2011 David Yurman GMT Classic

The IWC 30710 is a refinished ETA 2893-2, as is TAG Heuer Calibre 7 GMT.

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.

ComplicationsFirst Generation
1975-1983
Second Generation
1983-2000
Third Generation
1996-2021
No DateETA 2890 (12.5”’)
DateETA 2892 (12.5”’)ETA 2892-2ETA 2892A2
World Time Disc, DateETA 2893-1
Adjustable 24 Hour Hand, DateETA 2893-2
World Time Disc, No DateETA 2893-3
Modular Chronograph, Small Seconds, DateETA 2894-2 (12.5”’)
ETA 2894S2 (12.5”’)
Small Seconds, DateETA 2895-1ETA 2895-2
Dual Concentric Wheel DateETA 2896
Power Reserve Indicator, DateETA 2897
Perpetual Calendar, Moon Phase, No SecondsETA 2890-9ETA 2890A9
Perpetual Calendar, Moon Phase, Central SecondsETA 2891-9ETA 2891A9

Images are taken from official publications and are used here for commentary and educational purposes. Copyright is held by the original owner as noted.

Ranfft Pink Pages
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