Search Results for “ETA 2893” – Page 3

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Search Results for: ETA 2893

ETA 2500 Family

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BRANDS: ETA

Production:  – 
1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s

ETA’s Cal. 2500 and Cal. 2600 hand-winding and automatic movements and 2700-series automatic movements were their primary volume product throughout the 1960s. The successor, ETA 2750 family, gave way to today’s ETA 2800 and ETA 2890 families.

Cal. 2500 and 2520 are similar in design to the predecessor Cal. 2390 and 2450, but only the clutch wheel was carried forward. The cannon pinion from Cal. 2500 was common to all successor movements in the 2750, 2800, and “Gabarit” 2850 families, though it was redesigned in today’s ETA 2824-2. Many other elements of this series are used in the replacement 2750 family, including hour and minute wheels, click and yoke spring, minute train bridge, and pallet fork.

ETA 2390/2450 FamilyETA 2500/2600 FamilyETA 2750 FamilyETA 2800 FamilyETA “Gabarit” 2850 Family
Decade1950s-1960s1960s-1970s1969-19821971-current1975-1980s
Size10.5-11.511.5-1311.511.5-1311.5
Speed18,00018,000-36,00021,600-28,80021,600-36,00021,600-28,800
Common ExamplesETA 2390
ETA 2406
ETA 2450
ETA 2454
ETA 2471		ETA 2500
ETA 2600
ETA 2620
ETA 2632
ETA 2732		ETA 2750
ETA 2760
ETA 2770
ETA 2780
ETA 2790		ETA 2801
ETA 2824
ETA 2826
ETA 2834
ETA 2836		ETA 2850
ETA 2858
ETA 2870
ETA 2872
ETA 2878

The ETA 2500 family was available in either 11.5”’ (25.60 mm) or 13”’ (29.00 mm) diameter and at a variety of speeds: 18,000 A/h (Cal. 25xx), 21,600 A/h (Cal. 26xx), 28,800 A/h (Cal. 272x), and even 36,000 A/h (Cal. 273x).

11.5”’ ETA 2622
13”’ ETA 2623
18,000 A/h21,600 A/h
Time-OnlyETA 2500ETA 2600
DateETA 2502
ETA 2503 (13”’)		ETA 2602
ETA 2603 (13”’)
Date
Quickset		ETA 2516ETA 2612
Day-DateETA 2508
ETA 2509 (13”’)		ETA 2608
ETA 2609 (13”’)
Day-Date
Quickset		ETA 2618
ETA 2500 Family Hand-Winding Movements
18,000 A/h21,600 A/h28,800 A/h36,000 A/h
Time-OnlyETA 2520
ETA 2521 (13”’)
ETA 2524
ETA 2525
ETA 2528		ETA 2620ETA 2722ETA 2732
DateETA 2522
ETA 2523 (13”’)
ETA 2526
ETA 2527
ETA 2529		ETA 2622
ETA 2623 (13”’)
Date
Quickset		ETA 2528ETA 2637ETA 2724ETA 2734
Day-Date
Quickset		ETA 2538
ETA 2539 (13”’)		ETA 2630
ETA 2632
ETA 2638
ETA 2639 (13”’)		ETA 2728ETA 2738
ETA 2500 Family Automatic Movements

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ETA 2892A2

Last Update:

Brand:ETA
Family:
Height:3.60 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's 2892A2 is a extremely popular thin automatic movement Complications:Date, Hacking Seconds, Quick Date Correction, Semi-Instantaneous Date Change
Hands: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: 1996 – 2021
1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s

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.

The original ETA 2892 measured 12.5”’ (28.0 mm) in diameter

The revised ETA 2892-2 measured 11.5”’ (25.6 mm) in diameter
Today’s ETA 2892A2 also measures 11.5”’ but features improvements to the winding system

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.

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

ETA 1080 Family

Last Update:

BRANDS: ETA

Production:  – 
1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s

ETA’s Cal. 1080 family is a group of 10.5 and 11.5 ligne movements. The family includes the common movements Cal. 1080, 1081, 1082, 1083, 1093, 1152, and 1153.

The automatic Cal. 1256 was known as “Etarotor” and was one of the first automatic movements from ETA. It set the standard dimensionally at 11.5 ligne (25.60 mm) and 5.60 mm thick.

Hand-Winding
10.5”’		Hand-Winding
11.5”’		Automatic
11.5”’
Time-OnlyETA 1080
ETA 1082
ETA 1084
ETA 1086
ETA 1088
ETA 1094
ETA 1096
ETA 1098
ETA 1140
ETA 1142
ETA 1144
ETA 1146
ETA 1148
ETA 1152
ETA 1154
ETA 1156
ETA 1174
ETA 1176
ETA 1178
ETA 1180
ETA 1182		ETA 1081
ETA 1083
ETA 1085
ETA 1087
ETA 1089
ETA 1095
ETA 1097
ETA 1099
ETA 1141
ETA 1143
ETA 1145
ETA 1147
ETA 1149
ETA 1153
ETA 1155
ETA 1157
ETA 1175
ETA 1177
ETA 1179
ETA 1181
ETA 1183		ETA 1256
ETA 1257
ETA 1285
ETA 1286
ETA 1287
DateETA 1093ETA 1258
ETA 1259

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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.

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Updates from Grail Watch Reference

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Naoya Hida & Co. is an independent watch atelier in Tokyo producing a small number of classically-inspired watches in annual batches. Each model uses a customized movement based on the ETA 7750 automatic chronograph ebauche, a surprising choice because Hida's watches are neither automatic nor chronographs!

Exploring Hahn Landeron Chronograph Movements

April 13, 2022
There is very little coverage of Landeron, the factory of Charles Hahn that produced many high-end column wheel movements before introducing the world to cam switching. For this reason, I have recently added most of the classic Landeron chronograph movements to the Grail Watch Reference database.

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 successf...

Bulgari Finissimo: Record-Setting Movements

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New Movement Family: Zenith Elite

May 28, 2020
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Sellita SW300 Family

Last Update:

The Sellita SW300 family is a slim automatic movement considered to be a clone of the ETA 2890 family. The earliest mentions of the SW300 family appear in 2008, and it was in wide production by 2010. Today, Cal. SW300-1 is a fairly common alternative to ETA’s 2892A2, and Cal. SW330-1 is also regularly seen. Cal. SW360-1 remains quite rare, however.

Sellita’s SW300 movement is identical in design to ETA’s 2892 but there are some differences incorporated. The most notable is that Sellita uses four jewels to support the barrel arbor, bringing the total jewel count to 25 instead of 21. It also has differences in the intermediate wheel of the winding mechanism and, since 2013, a different pallet bridge design. The jewel difference, while perhaps not significant in terms of longevity or accuracy, makes it easy to tell whether a watchmaker is using the Sellita or ETA movement.

Unlike the diverse SW200 family, Sellita has been conservative in creating derivative movements of SW300. This reflects the popular use of this movement as a base for complications or highly decorated movements rather than as a “workhorse” for a variety of models.

Sellita SW300 Family

This promotional image was widely seen when Sellita introduced the SW300 family in 2008

The SW300 family consists of just three movement models with three simple complications: Date wheel, 24 hour hand, and small seconds. These movements are widely used, however, especially Cal. SW300-1, now that ETA has restricted sales of the similar Cal. 2892A2.

Note that Sellita SW300 movements have four more jewels than their ETA 2892-based counterparts. In 2021, Sellita began fitting all SW300 family movements with a new barrel with longer power reserve of 56 hours rather than the 42 previously specified.

CalibreETA
Equivalent		JewelsComplications
SW300
SW300-1		ETA 2892A225Date
SW330-1
SW330-2		ETA 2893-225Date and 24 Hour Hand
SW360-1ETA 2895-231Date and Small Seconds

Sellita SW300 History

Sellita had long produced movements for ETA, and re-sold assembled kits of Cal. 2892-2 and 2893-2 as late as 2008 with ETA branding. The company also specialized in custom finishing of these movements for many Swiss watchmakers. In 2008, Sellita switched to their own-brand SW300 movement family, though most of the components remained identical. The assortment was still sourced from Swatch Group’s Nivarox but the remaining components were transitioned to other suppliers.

Like the SW200 family, Cal. SW300 was updated shortly after introduction with new more durable tooth profiles as well as updated bridges for the reverser wheels. Movements with this update are denoted with the “-1” model number, and non “dash-1” movements are rarely seen. By 2013, Sellita developed a new pallet bridge for the SW300 movements, eliminating a screw and threading of a positioning hole. These components are interchangeable and do not change the movement name.

The second member of the SW300 family to date is an unusual small seconds movement. Cal. SW360-1 is a clone of ETA’s Cal. 2895-2, a rarely-seen automatic movement with date and small seconds. This is used by TAG Heuer as their Calibre 6. Although internal documents are dated 2014, the first public mentions of SW360-1 come two years later.

Sellita’s final member of the SW300 family is a clone of ETA’s GMT movement, Cal. 2893-2. This movement is mentioned in the press Cal. SW330-1 in 2015, suggesting introduction before the pre-existing SW360-1. In March 2020, Sellita updated six components of this movement to become Cal. SW330-2. In 2021, Sellita began fitting all SW300 movements with a new mainspring and barrel, boosting power reserve from 42 to 56 hours. As of 2022, these three movements are the only members of the SW300 family.

History of Ebauches SA

Ebauches SA Logos

1960 Ebauches SA advertisement

Ebauches SA adopted a shield logo by 1939, with each affiliated company placing their own logo in the shield. Grail Watch has identified 28 logos in total, 17 of which are shown on the Europa Star table below.

Most of the Ebauches SA shield logos are somewhat obvious, being the initial of the company or factory location, but others are a little more obscure. Fabriques d’Ebauches Bernoises consisted of factories in Cortébert, Soncéboz, Villeret, Court, and Porrentruy, but it takes the “AV” from “Aurore-Villeret.” Vénus SA uses a star, its historic symbol/ Valjoux SA uses the “R” in reference to the Reymond brothers who founded the company. “T” for “Tavannes” overlaps the “U” for Unitas.

Some of the rarer shield logos include the radio wave used by Oscilloquartz, which is not seen in the table below. Other later logos include EEM, ESA, INT, MPG, ST, and SWG. Ebauches SA also used a dove logo to represent the whole company.

Image: Europa Star Latin America 52, 1959

The modern ETA logo

ETA, the successor to Ebauches SA, retains their original logo, which incorporates a round representation of the company’s initials. This pre-dates Ebauches SA, being first seen in 1925. Previously, ETA used block letters, sometimes with an oval around them.

The modern ETA has not retained the various factory logos used by their predecessor companies, however. The major ebauche factories in Fontainemelon, Grenchen, Moutier, and Bettlach all use bear the ETA name. But the continued presence of the traditional shield suggests this long history.

Ebauches SA Timeline

1793

A 1952 illustration of the Fontainemelon factory
Image: l’Impartial, April 28, 1952

Isaac and David Benguerel and Julien and Francois Humbert-Droz establish Benguerel & Humbert, a watch movement manufacture in Fontainemelon. This would become Fabrique d’Horlogerie de Fontainemelon (FHF), one of the founding members of Ebauches SA.

1816

Benguerel & Humbert begins mass production of ebauches at a new factory in Fontainemelon. It would soon become the leading ebauche manufacture in Switzerland.

1825

Jacob-Robert Tissot takes over the firm of Benguerel & Humbert upon the death of his father-in-law, Julien Humbert-Droz. Now known as Robert & Cie., it would take the name of the village of Fontainemelon 50 years later and become a founding member of Ebauches SA 100 years later.

1838

Robert & Cie. purchase a water-powered factory in Corgémont to increase production, abandoning oxen power in Fontainemelon.

1845

The Sonceboz factory in 1902

The firm of Rosselet & Challandes is established in Sonceboz. It would become Fabrique d’Ebauches de Sonceboz in the 1880s and would join Hora in Cortébert and Aurore in Villeret to become Fabriques d’Ebauches Bernoises in 1927, joining Ebauches SA later that year.

1851

On January 16, 1851, the municipal assembly of Grenchen (Granges) voted to introduce watchmaking to the village. Thanks to this effort, Grenchen remains the most important location for ebauche production and the home of the modern-day ETA.

1856

The Schild Frères Eterna/ETA complex in the 20th century

Physician Dr. Josef Girard and school teacher Urs Schild found the raw movement manufacturer Dr. Girard and Schild Ebauches in Grenchen. The company’s movement operations would become part of Ebauches SA as ETA in 1932 and this factory remains in operation today at Schild-Rust Strasse 17 as ETA’s Werk 01.

1858

Watchmaker F. Wuilleumier begins operation in Renan. He would specialize in pedometers, early automatic watches, and measurement devices. The company would be renamed Pedos SA in 1929, moved to La Chaux-de-Fonds and became Derby SA in 1939, and would be the foundation for Ebauche Electroniques SA of Marin (EEM), Ebauches SA’s electric, electronic, and quartz watch specialist in the 1970s.

Watchmaking in Fleurier is established. The Fleurier Watch Co. would be created in 1915 and its Fabrique d’Ébauches de Fleurier would become part of Ebauches SA in 1932.

1862

The Robert & Cie. factories in Corgémont and Fontainemelon begin to experiment with steam power. The factories dominated ebauche production in Switzerland through the 19th century.

1865

Jacob-Robert Tissot dies, leaving control of Robert & Cie. and the Fontainemelon and Corgémont factories to his two nephews.

1866

Dr. Girard retires, selling his share of the Grenchen watch factory to Urs Schild. Some claim that the Eterna brand debuts around this time.

1873

The factory in Le Landeron remained mostly unchanged for a century

Charles Alfred and Aimé Auguste Hahn establish a watch factory in Le Landeron. It would merge with Fabrique d’Horlogerie de Fontainemelon (FHF) in 1925 and thus become a founding member of Ebauches SA in 1926.

1876

Robert & Cie.’s Fontainemelon and Corgémont company is formally incorporated as Fabrique d’Horlogerie de Fontainemelon SA (FHF), the leading ebauche manufacturer and foundation for Ebauches SA.

The Schild Frères factory in Grenchen remains home of ETA to this day

Urs Schild builds a modern factory in Grenchen to produce ebauches in competition with FHF.

1882

21 year old Jules Jéquier and mechanic David-Louis Petitpierre establish an ebauche factory in Fleurier to supply the markets in China and England. It would evolved into Fabrique d’Ebauches de Fleurier and would join Ebauches SA in 1932. Petitpierre would leave the business a few years later.

The huge Obrecht & Cie. factory in Grenchen would be taken over by Felsa in 1923 and would become part of Ebauches SA in 1927

Eduard Kummer joins Obrecht & Cie. in Grenchen and attempts to take over the company. Failing, he returns home to Bettlach to found his own company. Felsa would take over the massive Obrecht factory in 1923, bringing it into Ebauches SA in 1927. Kummer’s Bettlach factory would join as well a few years later.

1888

Ed. Kummer’s Bettlach factory would join Ebauches SA in 1932. The Kummer factory does not resemble this huge building.

Eduard Kummer opens a new ebauche factory in Bettlach near Soleure specializing in inexpensive pin lever and Roskopf movements. It would be absorbed into Ebauches SA as Fabrique d’Ebauches de Bettlach in 1932 and 1940.

Urs Schild-Rust dies on April 25, with his brother Adolph Schild taking over the Grenchen watch movement factory along with his widow and sons. It is now known as Gebr. Schild & Co.

The Kurth Frères factory in Grenchen remains part of ETA today

Adolphe Kurth establishes his watchmaking operation in Grenchen. He is later joined by his brothers, Alfred and Emile, in Kurth Frères, one of the largest producers of watches for women. Kurth would become a partner of Ebauches SA in 1928 and would join General Watch Co. and ASUAG in 1971. The Grana/Kurth factory in Grenchen is ETA’s W06 factory today.

1892

Jules Jéquier’s sons, Jules and Charles, join the Fleurier firm, which is now called Jéquier Frères & Cie.

Auguste Sandoz convinces the citizens of Chézard to put up the money to construct a large ebauche factory there. Sandoz & Cie. will produce his design, which was shrouded in lawsuits by Japy Frères.

1896

Workers at the A. Schild factory in Grenchen

Adolph Schild forms his own movement manufacture in Grenchen, A. Schild SA (ASSA). It would be a founding member of Ebauches SA in 1926.

1897

Jules Jéquier retires from the Fleurier factory, leaving it to his sons as Jéquier Frères. But they soon go split as well, with each running his own factory in Fleurier.

1898

Adolphe Michel SA (AMSA) is founded in Grenchen by Adolphe Michel and Jean Schwarzentrub. It would become a founding member of Ebauches SA in 1926.

The Adolphe Michel factory in Grenchen, 1924

Auguste Reymond establishes his namesake watch company in Tramelan. He would begin production of his own ebauches around 1906 and would purchase the Unitas Watch Company in 1926, adopting that name. After staunchly resisting consolidation, Reymond would sell Unitas to Ebauches SA in 1932.

1899

Baumgartner Frères is founded in Grenchen. The factory would join Ebauches SA in 1926.

Theodor Schild takes over his family’s movement manufacture in Grenchen, now officially called Schild Fréres but commonly known as Eterna. The company’s movement operations would become part of Ebauches SA as ETA in 1932.

The Schild Frères Eterna/ETA factory in Grenchen, circa 1923

1900

Paul Robert introduces American-style mass production techniques and machinery at one workshop of Fabrique d’Horlogerie de Fontainemelon (FHF).

The third Jéquier brother, Paul, forms his own ebauches factory in Fleurier along with his brother-in-law William Borle.

1901

John and Charles Reymond establish a workshop in the Vallée de Joux to produce chronograph movements. The company, then known as J. & C. Reymond Frères, would become famous under the name of Valjoux, which would merge with Ebauches SA in 1944.

The Nouvelle Fabrique de Tavannes in 1908

The citizens of Tavannes build the Nouvelle Fabrique de Tavannes and lease it to Salomon Hirsch of La Chaux-de-Fonds. It produces watches for Achille Hirsch before coming under control of Ebauches SA in 1932.

1902

The Hahn & Cie. factory in Le Landeron is expanded as electric power replaces steam.

1910

The municipality of Les Bioux builds a new factory for the Reymond brothers’ firm, which was reorganized as Reymond Frères SA and employed 30 people. It would become known as Valjoux.

1915

This fanciful image shows an exaggerated Fleurier factory, circa 1920

The three Fleurier factories founded by the Jéquier family merge to become the Fleurier Watch Co.

1918

On July 1, 1918, a watch factory is founded between Saint-Imier and Villeret called Guerrin, Bourquin & Cie. It produced watches under the Aurore brand, and the Aurore-Villeret ebauche factory would join Ebauches SA in 1927 as part of Fabriques d’Ebauches Bernoises SA.

Felsa is formed in Longeau (Lengnau) near Bienne. It would take over the Obrecht factory in Grenchen and join Ebauches SA in 1927.

1919

This 1925 photo shows the new Hora factory in Cortébert

Hora SA is established in Cortébert on September 28.

1920

The Fleurier Watch Co. takes over the Jeannin-Rosselet factory in Buttes and separates the watchmaking from the ebauche business. The Fabrique d’Ebauches de Fleurier would join Ebauches SA in 1932.

1923

The Swiss Chamber of Watchmaking takes up the idea of a consolidated holding company for ebauche manufacturers but the idea is defeated on the objection of one of the main producers.

The watch movement operations of Schild Fréres are re-branded using the ETA name, with Eterna being used only for finished watches. ETA would become part of Ebauches SA in 1932.

This 1924 advertising image shows the Peseux factory

Fabrique d’ebauches de Peseux SA is registered in Peseux by Charles Berner on September 24, 1923. It is noted in his obituary that the factory already existed prior to this date, but the young Berner, who recently arrived from Val-de-Travers, established it as a new company at this time. Charles Berner-Sandoz would sign a cooperation agreement with Ebauches SA by 1928 and his company would become part of the group in 1932. He would manage the firm until his health declined in 1949 and his death in 1951.

Obrecht & Cie. of Grenchen is liquidated in February. On May 6, 1923, Felsa SA moves from Longeau to Grenchen, taking over the former factory.

1924

Fabrique d’ébauches Vénus SA is founded in Moutier-Grandval by Paul Berret, his brother Jean-Baptiste, and Otto Schmitz. The company would join Ebauches SA just four years later.

1925

Charles Hahn & Cie. in Le Landeron is merged into Fabrique d’Horlogerie de Fontainemelon (FHF), becoming Fabrique d’Horlogerie de Fontainemelon, Succursale du Landeron.

Charles Reymond retires from Reymond Frères SA, leaving the company to John Reymond and his sons.

1926

Ebauches SA was announced in the December 29, 1926 edition of La Fédération Horlogère

The 28-member Society of Ebauche Manufacturers unanimously votes to study the financial viability of an ebauche holding company, instructing the Swiss Trust Company to audit the finances of prospective members.

June 25, 1926: The ebauche holding company concept is brought to a conference in Neuchâtel, with the companies agreeing in principle.

December 27, 1926: Ebauches SA is founded in Neuchâtel by A. Schild SA (ASSA) of Grenchen, Adolphe Michel SA (AMSA) of Grenchen, and Fabrique d’Horlogerie de Fontainemelon (FHF), which together accounted for 75% of the production of the Society of Ebauche Manufacturers.

La Fédération Horlogère, January 8, 1927

The initial investment is 12 million Swiss francs, and the company is supported by the Banque Cantonale Neuchâteloise, the Banque Cantonale Bernoise, the Banque Populaire Suisse, and the Société de Banque Suisse. Léopold Dubois of the Banquet Suisse is Chairman, Hermann Obrecht is first vice-president, Paul Robert (FHF) is second vice-president. The board consists of César Schild, Adolphe Schild (ASSA), Gottleib Vogt-Schild, Maurice Robert, Emile Hindenlang, Hermann Stadlin, Ernest Scherz, and Gottfried Scharpf. Sidney de Coulon was elected outside secretary.

1927

Fabrique d’Horlogerie de Fontainemelon, Succursale du Landeron (formerly Charles Hahn & Cie. or simply Le Landeron) is listed as a member of Ebauches SA under FHF by September, though the company was acquired by FHF a year before the founding of Ebauches and thus was already part of the group.

Fabriques d’Ebauches Bernoises SA (formerly Hora SA) of Cortébert is expanded on June 7, adding subsidiaries Fabrique d’Horlogerie de Sonceboz of Sonceboz/Sombeval and Aurore SA (formerly Guerrin-Bourquin & Cie.) of Villeret. Bernoises joins Ebauches SA by September and the companies formally re-incorporated in November. Branches in Porrentruy and Court were also part of Bernoises.

Felsa SA of Grenchen joins late in 1927. Berger & Co. of Oberdorf joins as a branch of Felsa soon after.

1928

65% of all watch movements made in Switzerland are produced by Ebauches SA by the end of 1928.

Vénus SA of Moutier joins by March, 1928.

E. Champion of Bienne (failed March 21, 1927), Exit SA of Lengnau (failed in 1926), Welta SA of Bienne (failed February 18, 1927), Suza SA of Cortébert/Corgémont, Russbach-Hänni of Court, and Usine Triumph SA of Grenchen are dissolved and purchased by November

Bovet Frères & Co. SA of Fleurier and Optima SA of Grenchen remained in operation but ceased producing ebauches and turned their tooling over to Ebauches SA

According to the annual report, Benoit et Nicolet of Pieterlen, Urania Watch Co. (formerly Urania, Fortuna, La Social, Delta, Goschler & Co.) of Bienne and La Heutte, Astor SA of Lengnau, and Fabrique d’Horlogerie SA of Delémont ceased operation, with the machines and tooling acquired by Ebauches SA, in 1928.

The Kurth Frères factory operated independently of Ebauches SA for decades but eventually became part of ETA

Buser Frères & Co. of Niederdorf, Eterna (Schild Frères & Co.) of Grenchen, Fabrique d’Ébauches de Fleurier of Fleurier, Kurth Frères of Grenchen, Manzoni Fils & Co. of Arogno, A. Reymond SA (Unitas) of Tramelan, Fabrique d’Ebauches de Peseux SA, and Charles Berner-Sandoz of Peseux (Fabrique d’Ebauches de Peseux SA) sign a partnership agreement with Ebauches SA by November. All of these would later be absorbed into Ebauches SA or ASUAG.

This graphic, circa 1930, shows Ebauches SA’s main factories: Venus in Moutier, A. Schild, Felsa, and A. Michel in Grenchen, Berger in Oberdorf, Sonceboz, Landeron, FHF, Aurore in Villeret, and Cortébert

1929

Postala/Chatelain (formerly Jacot et Monnier and Gagnebin et Nicolet, Niga or Luc-Albert Chatelain) of Tramelan-Dessous join

Reymond Frères SA in Les Bioux is renamed Valjoux SA. It would join Ebauches SA in 1944.

1931

Ebauches SA is a founding partner of ASUAG.

Ebauches SA is one of a trio of industry alliances attempting to restrict production and sale of watch components, especially exports. The company receives 13.5 million francs from the Swiss Confederation to purchase the eight so-called “dissident” ebauche manufacturers, most of which are acquired or forced out of business in the next few years. Just two firms, Rossé & Affolter of Court and Meyer et Fils of Pieterlen, refuse to sell.

1932

This 1928 advertisement shows the Unitas factory in Tramelan

Unitas (formerly A. Reymond SA) of Tramelan is another large dissident factory but is purchased by December after reorganization February 5, 1932.

Schild Frères of Grenchen, the largest of the dissident firms, is purchased and split up. The Eterna watch operation becomes part of ASUAG while the movement arm, now called ETA SA, is added to Ebauches SA on March 21, 1932. Schild had previously signed a “friendship contract” which obligated them to abide by Ebauches SA’s terms.

Compact and shaped movement specialist Wasa SA of Pieterlen (Perles) is purchased on May 4, 1932. The small company would evade export controls even as part of Ebauches SA and would face bankruptcy just two years later.

This 1924 photo shows the Kummer factory in Bettlach

After an embezzlement scandal the previous year lead to the sale of watch assembly operations to ASUAG, the anchor and cylinder movement manufacturing operation of Fabrique d’Ebauches de Bettlach (formerly Ed. Kummer) was taken over by Ebauches SA after reorganization September 23, 1932. This was the second-largest dissident factory. Kummer’s Roskopf movement factory remained independent for 8 more years.

Another dissident, Fabrique d’Ebauches de Fleurier (FEF) is purchased by December and is initially focused on supplying the still-independent Fleurier Watch Co.

Fabrique d’Ebauches Réunies d’Arogno joins by December.

Charles Berner-Sandoz’ Fabrique d’Ebauches de Peseux, which was previously a partner, joins Ebauches SA by December.

Pedos SA of Renan opens an office in La Chaux-de-Fonds. It would be renamed Derby SA in 1939 and would join Ebauches SA in the 1940s.

1933

l’Impartial, August 19, 1976

Sydney de Coulon becomes managing director of Ebauches SA, a position he would hold until 1964. He was previously secretary of the organization and outside board member of most of the constituent companies, as well as managing director of ASUAG from 1931 to 1933.

1934

Wasa SA of Pieterlen is fined for trying to evade Fidhor export controls even though it is owned by Ebauches SA. The company would be liquidated the following year.

1936

The industrial counters operation of the Ebauches Bernoises group at Sonceboz is purchased by Fritz-Edouard Pfister.

The Chézard factory was one of the last “dissident” ebauche manufacturers to be purchased

Ebauches SA buys all outstanding shares of Fabrique d’Ebauches de Chézard SA on December 31, 1936. This was one of the few remaining large-scale independent ebauche manufacturers.

1940

Ebauches SA was originally focused only on Swiss lever (anchor) movements, leaving the Roskopf Association to control pin lever exports. This changed in 1940 as Ebauches SA moved into Roskopf movement production as well.

Ebauches SA takes over the Roskopf movement factory of Ed. Kummer in Bettlach. The anchor and cylinder movement factory had been part of the group since 1932.

Ebauches SA takes over the Roskopf movement factory formerly operated by A. Schild SA.

1941

Derby SA closes its Renan factory and, facing financial pressure, allows Ebauches SA to take part ownership of its operations in La Chaux-de-Fonds.

The Nouvelle Fabrique de Tavannes in 1949

Nouvelle Fabrique SA of Tavannes comes under control of Ebauches SA

1944

Valjoux SA of Les Bioux comes under control of Ebauches SA after John Reymond retired and left the company to his two sons. This is one of the first complicated movement specialists to be purchased by the holding company.

1947

The Ebauches SA Derby shield is visible in this 1955 photo

The reorganized Derby SA, now fully owned by Ebauches SA, opens its new factory at Rue du Crêt 5-7 in La Chaux-de-Fonds. It was the only ebauche factory in the watchmaking city, despite watchmakers there consuming over half the output of the holding company at that time.

Unitas of Tramelan introduces the hand-winding Cal. 6497 and Cal. 6498 watch movements. They are revised around 1967 and remain in production today by ETA.

1955

Fabrique d’Horlogerie de Fontainemelon (FHF) introduces the low-cost “standard grade” movement, with the Standard Cal. 608 becoming the leading watch movement in the world, with over 40 million produced.

1961

The FHF factory in Le Landeron introduces Cal. 4750, the first Swiss electric watch movement. Millions of examples would be produced and used by dozens of Swiss watch brands in the 1960s.

1962

The Nouvelle Fabrique de Tavannes is closed. The old factory would be purchased by the Canton in 1968, shortly after Ebauches SA acquires part of the Tavannes Watch Co. factory across torn, and would become a workshop for psychiatric patients.

1965

The ebauches factory of Durowe SA of Pforzheim, Germany is purchased by a consortium including Ebauches SA. It had been owned by the US Time Corporation (Timex), which retained the finished watch operation known as Durowe, Lacher, and Co. SA (LACO). The firm was an electric watch pioneer, introducing the Laco Electric in 1961.

1966

On March 18, Ebauches SA acquires the large factory formerly owned by the Tavannes Watch Co. The firm still owned the “Nouvelle Fabrique” on the hill but it was closed in 1962. They soon disposed of this small factory, switching all operations to a new facility, now called Ebauches Tavannes SA.

Vénus of Moutier is merged into Valjoux of Les Bioux. Manufacture of the former Vénus movements is halted, with only the cam-operated Vénus Cal. 210 remaining in production as the Valjoux Cal. 7730.

1968

The Aurore-Villeret factory is merged into A. Schild SA. It would be closed a decade later.

FHF builds a new modern factory in Corgémont.

1970

On January 1, Derby SA of La Chaux-de-Fonds and Montilier and the Fabrique d’Ebauches and Centre d’Outillage et Plastique of Landeron are merged to become Ebauches Electroniques SA, with a new factory in Marin planned to centralize production of electric, electronic, and quartz movements.

1971

The Ebauches Electroniques SA factory in Marin opens in August. Initially known as “the Derby factory”, the EEM brand would overtake Derby’s in the 1970s and the company’s other factories in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Montilier, and Landeron would be closed.

ETA introduces the Cal. 2800 family, the latest evolution of their automatic movement design. Cal. 2824 would become the highest-volume automatic watch movement produced in Switzerland and the descendants of this series remain in production today.

1973

The revolutionary Valjoux Cal. 7750 automatic chronograph movement is introduced to watch manufacturers. It would enter production in 1974, and millions of examples would be produced in just a few years.

1975

Unitas of Tramelan and Reconvilier is merged into A. Schild SA and the Aurore-Villeret factory is closed.

ETA introduces the “Flatline” 2890 movement family. The Sterna-based movement would become ETA’s primary higher-end watch movement and remains in production today.

1978

Ebauches Tavannes SA is moved into Fabriques d’Ebauches Réunies (FER) alongside Valjoux, Fleurier, Peseux, and Unitas.

A. Schild SA (ASSA) is merged with ETA, reuniting the Schild family movement operations in Grenchen for the first time since 1896.

1979

Ebauches SA merges many factories at its general meeting on April 6, 1979. The Peseux factory becomes a subsidiary of FHF with a new focus on complete watches, electronics, and chemical processes. The Fleurier factory and Valjoux SA are also merged with FHF, with the Valjoux name officially dissolved on June 29.

Fabrique d’Horlogerie de Fontainemelon (FHF) introduces the “mini quartz”, the most compact quartz movement in the world.

1980

ETA re-established operations in Moutier in the former Pierce factory and another unrelated factory located nearby

Ebauches SA acquires for former Pierce Watch Co. factory in Moutier. Vénus is soon relocated to the more-modern Pierce factory, now reduced to just 50 employees focused on precision machining and component manufacturing.

1982

Most movement makers are merged, with ETA, FHF, and EEM remaining. General management of these companies is focused in Grenchen, marketing is in Marin, and production is concentrated in Grenchen, Fontainemelon, Sion, Les Bioux, and Marin.

The former Derby SA factory in La Chaux-de-Fonds, now part of EEM, is closed, with workers transferred to Marin or laid off. This is the last ebauche factory in that watchmaking city.

Ebauches Electroniques SA of Marin (EEM) was Ebauches SA’s most advanced factory in the 1970s

Eterna is purchased by SMH to bring ETA under control of the emerging company, with the watch operation spun off to Porsche Design.

On November 10, Ernst Thomke is appointed to be the manager of Ebauches SA amid an overall restructuring of ASUAG.

ETA introduces the updated Cal. 2824-2, the third refinement of the Cal. 2800 family design, introduced in 1971. These movements remain the highest-volume automatic watch movements produced in Switzerland in modern times.

1983

Ebauches SA announces the closure of the Fleurier factory on January 17. It had remained in operation since 1882. Attempts to strike a deal to sell the factory to another watchmaker were rebuffed by the company.

The Vénus operation in Moutier is closed in March. This was the former Pierce Watch Co. factory; the original Vénus factory was closed a few years earlier. ETA would re-start operations there a decade later, and currently operates two factories in the town.

The Le Landeron factory in 1983 when it was closed

It is abruptly announced that the former Hahn & Cie. factory in Le Landeron, now part of EEM, will be closed, with the workers transferred to Fontaines and Marin.

1985

Ebauches SA is dissolved into SMH, officially becoming ETA SA Fabrique d’Ebauches.

1991

ETA supplier FFB in Bonnétage France is acquired by ETA.

1992

ETA re-starts operations in Motier, where the Vénus factory was located. But ETA’s operation is located at the former Pierce factory rather than the original Vénus building. ETA would soon acquire a second factory nearby, and both remain in operation today.

ETA acquires the Parrenin factory in Villiers-le-Lac France, which becomes part of FFB.

1995

The south wing of the Fontainemelon factory is destroyed in a fire. It is re-built two years later.

2003

ETA abandons the name Fabrique d’Ebauches, adopting Fabrique Horlogère Suisse.

Ebauches SA Company Lists

Starting in 1927, Ebauches SA advertised their constituent companies annually in Indicateur Davoine and La Fédération Horlogère. I have collected these below since they provide a timeline of the growth of Ebauches SA in the pre-war years.

La Fédération Horlogère, 1927

La Fédération Horlogère, 1927

Indicateur Davoine, 1928

La Fédération Horlogère, 1928

La Fédération Horlogère, 1928

La Fédération Horlogère, 1928

La Fédération Horlogère, 1929

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Davoine_1930_1050-Ebauches-SA.jpg
Indicateur Davoine, 1930

La Fédération Horlogère, 1930

Indicateur Davoine, 1931

La Fédération Horlogère, 1931

La Fédération Horlogère, 1932

Indicateur Davoine, 1933

La Fédération Horlogère, 1935

La Fédération Horlogère, 1936

La Fédération Horlogère, 1937

La Fédération Horlogère, 1938

La Fédération Horlogère, 1939

La Fédération Horlogère, 1940

La Fédération Horlogère, 1941

La Fédération Horlogère, 1942

La Fédération Horlogère, 1943

La Fédération Horlogère, 1944

Europa Star Latin America, 52, 1959

ETA Valgranges Family

Last Update:

BRANDS: ETA, Valgranges

Production: 2004 – 2021
1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s

ETA’s Valgranges family was a series of watch movements based on the ETA 7750. Although all have automatic winding like the 7750, only a few Valgranges movements are chronographs. The main plate was quite similar to the original 7750 though much larger at 16.5 ligne (37.22 mm) rather than 13.25 ligne (30.00 mm), and the winding, barrel, wheel train, and escapement were identical. Valgranges movements were designed for larger modern watches, with many specified just for OEM customers inside the Swatch Group. After the line was phased out in 2021, these OEM versions continued in production.

ETA Valgranges History

ETA Valgranges Announcement, 2005

Then-new ETA president Thomas Meier announced the Valgranges family at BaselWorld in 2004. The name was derived from Valjoux, the historic movement maker behind Cal. 7750, and Granges, the site of production. Meier expected the Valgranges range to become a new “standard reference, like Valjoux, on which it is based, because this movement has a soul.” The 16.5 ligne (37.22 mm) movement was used in larger watches, with Victorinox Swiss Army being one of the first customers. The line was later adopted by Maurice Lacroix, MeisterSinger, Longines (using OEM names), Certina, Concord, and others.

Cal. A07.111 was the first shown, with the power reserve Cal. A07.161 and chronograph Cal. A07.211 following in early 2005. The final official family member was introduced later that year: Cal. A07.171 added a 24 hour function useful for dual timezone watches. All shared the same width and thickness, making it easy for watchmakers to add complications in the same line.

The Valgranges movements were used by quite a few companies both inside the Swatch Group and out, but they did not displace ETA’s more-popular narrow-diameter movements. Instead, given the constant threat of ETA restricting sales of movements, most switched to the Sellita versions of the primary ETA families: Sellita SW200 (ETA 2800), Sellita SW300 (ETA 2890), and Sellita SW500 (ETA 7750). Although other makers used the 7750 wheel train in non-chronograph movements (notably Habring2 and Naoya Hida), the Valgranges concept failed to catch on.

When ETA ceased offering mechanical movements outside Swatch Group in 2021, the Valgranges line were officially phased out. Proprietary movements for Swatch Group customers continued, but the Valgranges brand and website were withdrawn.

Image: Europa Star 280, 2006

ETA Valgranges Movements

Officially, only the four original A07 movements were marketed under the Valgranges name. But five additional references were produced for internal Swatch Group customers like Longines, who used all but one of the Valgranges A07 offerings. Additionally, the Longines and Omega column wheel chronograph calibre was also called a Valgranges movement, even though it did not use the over-sized 16.5 ligne ebauche. Beyond these, ETA’s A05, A20, and A31 movement families were often referred to as Valgranges, even though the latter two did not use the 7750 design.

Valgranges A07 Oversize Movements

MovementAKAComplications
A07.L01L699
A07.111L691Date
A07.L11L697Retrograde Day/Date/24H,
Power Reserve
A07.L21L698Retrograde Day/Date/24H/Seconds
A07.L31L707Retrograde Day/Date/24H/Seconds,
Moon Phase
A07.161L693Date, Power Reserve
A07.171L704.2
L704.3		Date, 24 Hour Hand, Time Zone
A07.211Date, Chronograph
A07.231L696
L705		Date, Chronograph

Although the entire range of 16.5 ligne A07 movements is based on the ETA 7750, only one is a chronograph. The rest leverage the proven wheel train and winding system in a wider movement than the compact ETA 2800 Family.

The Valgranges line was launched at BaselWorld in April 2004 with Cal. A07.111. Three additional models were added in 2005, and a number of special versions were added later for Longines: L699, with no date, L697 and L698, with retrograde and second timezone functions, and the modified L696 and L705 chronographs. But the line never expanded as anticipated and slowly lost favor. The entire Valgranges range was phased out by ETA after 2021, leaving only OEM versions in production.

Valgranges A08 Column Wheel Chronograph Movements

ETA also produced a line of column wheel chronograph movements based on the ETA 7750 Family. Although not listed on the Valgranges website, these movements were produced at the same time and were often referred to using this brand. These were given the prefix A08 and were used by Longines and Omega but were not officially offered to other watchmakers. The initial movement was Cal. A08.L11, a monopusher column wheel version chronograph with day and date. This was the basis for Longines’ Calibres L788, L788.2, L788.2 ND, and L789.

ETA A05 Chronograph Movements

The ETA A05 movements were closely related to the ETA 7750 Family and Valgranges line and were used by Tissot and Mido. The most common is Cal. A05.H21, which is an OEM version of the classic ETA Cal. 7750. Cal. A05.H31 is an OEM version of the ETA Cal. 7753, while Cal. A05.H31 ND is a no-date variant. All are 30 mm in diameter, like the base movement.

ETA A20 Automatic Movements

Cal. A20 is based on the ETA 2600 Family, a narrow-diameter automatic movement measuring 19.40 mm across. Cal. A20.L11 was used by Longines as Calibres L592.4 and L592.5.

ETA A31 Automatic Movements

The third category of offerings was the A31 line of compact automatic movements. These were based on the ETA “Flatline” 2890 Family, and specifically the Cal. 2892A2, rather than using the 7750 design. Most A31 movements leverage ETA’s proprietary Silicon hairspring technology, with some operating at the unusual beat rate of 25,200 A/h rather than 28,800 A/h. These also were not offered outside the Swatch group.

ETA 810 Family

Last Update:

BRANDS: ETA

Production:  – 
1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s
10.5”’11.25”’11.5”’12”’12.5”’13.5”’
Subdial SecondsETA 810
ETA 811
ETA 812
ETA 813
ETA 814
ETA 815
ETA 818
ETA 822
ETA 823
ETA 897
ETA 899		ETA 864
ETA 990
ETA 992
ETA 993		ETA 820
ETA 821		ETA 995ETA 997ETA 960
ETA 964
Sweep SecondsETA 816
ETA 819		ETA 863
ETA 991		ETA 1023ETA 996ETA 998ETA 961
No items found
Unknown

ETA 2671

Last Update:

ETA Cal. 2671 is a compact automatic movement with date primarily used in ladies watches. It is closely related to Cal. 2678.

Cal. 2671 is part of ETA’s regular “Mecaline” line. It was introduced in 1971 and is still produced as of 2019.

ETA 2671 Applications

Cal. 2671 is commonly found in ladies watches. It is also popular as a base movement in complicated or unusual watches, given the extremely compact size.

One notable use of Cal. 2671 was Glycine’s 2002 Airman 7. This massive 53 mm watch features an ETA 2893-2 GMT movement as well as two ETA 2671 movements, all sharing the same face. Alexander Shorokhoff similarly places a pair of Cal. 2671 movements in his Los Craneos as did BRM in the MTD. The 2007 Elini Square World partnered a 2671 with four quartz movements. The Alain Silberstein Karavan Moon pairs a Cal. 2671 with a Cal. 2678 in the same watch.

Oris uses Cal. 2671 as a base for their Cal. 581, used in the Artelier Complication and other watches since 1991. Oris also replaces parts from Cal. 2688 with components from Cal. 2671 to create a day-date movement for their Miles Rectangular Day-Date.

Longines uses Cal. 2671 as their Cal. L561.

ETA produced a variety of movements in the 2600 family since the 1970s. This includes both automatic and hand-winding variants, 7.75 and 8.75 ligne sizes, and 21,600 A/h and 28,800 A/h versions. In the table below, 8.75 ligne movements are denoted with an asterisk and currently-produced movements in bold.

CalibreManual
21,600 A/h		Manual
28,800 A/h		Automatic
21,600 A/h		Automatic
28,800 A/h
Base2640266026502670
Date2641
2691*		266126512671
2681*
Day/Date264826682658
2688*		2678
Date
Moon Phase		2675
2685*

SW300-1

Last Update:

Brand:Sellita
Family:
Height:3.60 mm
Jewels:25
Reserve:42, 56 hours
Frequency:28,800 A/h
Winding:Automatic, Bi-Directional Automatic Winding, Central Rotor Automatic Winding
Diameter:25.60 mm (11.5 ligne)
© Sellita Cal. SW300 is a clone of the thin ETA 2892A2 Complications:Date, Hacking Seconds, Quick Date Correction
Hands:Central Hour Hand, Central Minute Hand, Central Seconds Hand, Date Window at 3:00
Distinguishing Technical Characteristics
Central-Rotor Automatic
Clockwise Balance Cock
Screw Regulator
Balance
Balance at 12:00
Central Rotor
Production: 2008 – Current
1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s

Sellita Calibre SW300-1 is a thin automatic movement designed to be an alternative to the ETA 2892A2. It supports bi-directional winding. Cal. SW300-1 is a slightly-improved version of Cal. SW300 with an updated gear teeth profile. Cal. SW300 was first seen in 2008 and Cal. SW300-1 remains the most common member of the Sellita SW300 family.

Sellita SW300 History

Sellita had long produced movements for ETA, and re-sold assembled kits of Cal. 2892-2 and 2893-2 as late as 2008 with ETA branding. The company also specialized in custom finishing of these movements for many Swiss watchmakers. In 2008, Sellita switched to their own-brand SW300 movement family, though most of the components remained identical. The assortment was still sourced from Swatch Group’s Nivarox but the remaining components were transitioned to other suppliers.

Cal. SW300 is a clone of the thin ETA 2892A2
ETA’s 2892A2 is a extremely popular thin automatic movement

Like the SW200 family, Cal. SW300 was updated shortly after introduction with new more durable tooth profiles as well as updated bridges for the reverser wheels. Movements with this update are denoted with the “-1” model number, and non “dash-1” movements are rarely seen. By 2013, Sellita developed a new pallet bridge for the SW300 movements, eliminating a screw and threading of a positioning hole. In 2021, a new barrel and mainspring increased power reserve from 42 to 56 hours. These components are interchangeable and do not change the movement name.

Sellita SW300-1 Applications

TAG Heuer Calibre 7

Cal. SW300-1 is used by many manufacturers. In some cases it is referred to as “ETA 2892” even though it does not contain ETA components. It is used with only cosmetic differences as the following:

  • Bell & Ross BR-CAL.302 and BR-CAL.318
  • Frederique Constant FC-306
  • Hublot HUB1100 and HUB1110
  • IWC 35110 and 35111
  • Montblanc MB 24.09
  • Ralph Lauren RL300-1
  • TAG Heuer Calibre 7

Cal. SW300-1 is also used with a module for many movements:

  • Hublot HUB1112
  • IWC 35710, 35720, 35750, and 35800
  • JeanRichard JR66
  • Montblanc MB 29.15, MB 29.16, MB 29.19, and MB 29.25
  • TAG Heuer Cal. 11 (modern), 12 (modern), and 18

Sellita SW300 Family

This promotional image was widely seen when Sellita introduced the SW300 family in 2008

The SW300 family consists of just three movement models with three simple complications: Date wheel, 24 hour hand, and small seconds. These movements are widely used, however, especially Cal. SW300-1, now that ETA has restricted sales of the similar Cal. 2892A2.

Note that Sellita SW300 movements have four more jewels than their ETA 2892-based counterparts. In 2021, Sellita began fitting all SW300 family movements with a new barrel with longer power reserve of 56 hours rather than the 42 previously specified.

CalibreETA
Equivalent		JewelsComplications
SW300
SW300-1		ETA 2892A225Date
SW330-1
SW330-2		ETA 2893-225Date and 24 Hour Hand
SW360-1ETA 2895-231Date and Small Seconds
Images are taken from official publications and are used here for commentary and educational purposes. Copyright is held by the original owner as noted.