Comments on: Does The Movement Really Matter? – The End Of The ETA Era http://thewatchlounge.com/does-the-movement-really-matter-the-end-of-the-eta-era/ Tue, 15 May 2012 23:58:54 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Mike http://thewatchlounge.com/does-the-movement-really-matter-the-end-of-the-eta-era/comment-page-1/#comment-8664 Mike Mon, 03 Jan 2011 15:01:09 +0000 http://thewatchlounge.com/?p=1489#comment-8664 I don't think most will care if ETA is out of the picture. For myself, I want a swiss made watch and movement. I base my choice on design and secondly, the movement. If fact, I'm getting sick of seeing the bulk of mid range watches using the same ETA movements. Purging out ETA for another is a welcome move and it could be a great marketing tool for the affected watch makers. I don’t think most will care if ETA is out of the picture. For myself, I want a swiss made watch and movement. I base my choice on design and secondly, the movement. If fact, I’m getting sick of seeing the bulk of mid range watches using the same ETA movements. Purging out ETA for another is a welcome move and it could be a great marketing tool for the affected watch makers.

]]> By: Olivier Muller http://thewatchlounge.com/does-the-movement-really-matter-the-end-of-the-eta-era/comment-page-1/#comment-7173 Olivier Muller Wed, 08 Dec 2010 15:28:52 +0000 http://thewatchlounge.com/?p=1489#comment-7173 We've been contacted by MontieK Watches. They use Sea-Gulls too. Does someone ever heard about them ? We’ve been contacted by MontieK Watches. They use Sea-Gulls too. Does someone ever heard about them ?

]]> By: Col http://thewatchlounge.com/does-the-movement-really-matter-the-end-of-the-eta-era/comment-page-1/#comment-7171 Col Wed, 08 Dec 2010 15:10:59 +0000 http://thewatchlounge.com/?p=1489#comment-7171 @Speedmaster Yes, it's a 6497 clone and is utterly bullet proof, Sea-Gull make some damn fine MVTs now, including the updated version of the Venus 75. This isn't a clone, they bought the rights and the tooling back in the late 60s. This MVT, the ST-19 is the equal of any two register chronograph as far as reliability goes and is now out in automatic form as well. Sea-Gull also have a Tourbillon of their own design as well as a clone of most ETA MVTs with the exception of the 7750 (Liaoning and Shanghai Watch both make that one) and all are quite reliable pieces in the higher grades and are sold by 10s of 1000s to makers the world over. China is coming ETA and you had best watch out! PS: You paid too much for the homage. Next time try Tat at www.getat-watch.com His straps alone are worth the asking price. @Speedmaster Yes, it’s a 6497 clone and is utterly bullet proof,
Sea-Gull make some damn fine MVTs now, including the updated version of the Venus 75. This isn’t a clone, they bought the rights and the tooling back in the late 60s. This MVT, the ST-19 is the equal of any two register chronograph as far as reliability goes and is now out in automatic form as well. Sea-Gull also have a Tourbillon of their own design as well as a clone of most ETA MVTs with the exception of the 7750 (Liaoning and Shanghai Watch both make that one) and all are quite reliable pieces in the higher grades and are sold by 10s of 1000s to makers the world over. China is coming ETA and you had best watch out!

PS: You paid too much for the homage. Next time try Tat at http://www.getat-watch.com His straps alone are worth the asking price.

]]> By: Silvia Gertsenchtein http://thewatchlounge.com/does-the-movement-really-matter-the-end-of-the-eta-era/comment-page-1/#comment-5993 Silvia Gertsenchtein Mon, 08 Nov 2010 17:01:41 +0000 http://thewatchlounge.com/?p=1489#comment-5993 Hi: Dear friends: I've worked in sales of watches for 15 years in Brasil. In my opinion, and i'm completely openned to be correct, it's a good thing what happens to ETA in certain aspects. Tom asked if eveybody cares about movements.. My customers and I care.. All of them asked me if the movemnt is "in house" when they buy a watch. Since CARTIER, BVLGARI and another jewelery when I had the opotunity to work with 18 brands of watches.. When I went to MONTBLANC, they still have bought LA VILERRET.. And I had dificulties to sell the MONTBLANC watches, I've heard that the great companies are investing in formation of mechanisms designers.. And CARTIER still have one:a woman.. So for me it's very good if the brands could sign their own moviments really. Even if at the beggining it's a litle forced. The collection C.P.C.P. from CARTIER still have their movients or calibers. And till BVLGARI bought DANIEL ROTH and GERAL GENTA, do do their mechanisms.. I hope the designers brands will reach the customers questions.. cause we, or I teached them to desire it. about the chineses moviments, i'm worried.. Coul be prejudice.. I know people that are negociating with them. but for me loose the SWISS MADE.. many centuries conserving presicion, perfection and tradition... Why loose now?? And thanks Tom, for the article. I see I should be more informed about moviments more than I thought. and all of you.. That had so much knowledge. But the tradition was criated, and we ask a value for it.. The haute horlogerie market has it. How to destroy it now?? Silvia Gertsenchtein São Paulo Brasil Hi:
Dear friends:
I’ve worked in sales of watches for 15 years in Brasil.
In my opinion, and i’m completely openned to be correct, it’s a good thing what happens to ETA in certain aspects.
Tom asked if eveybody cares about movements..
My customers and I care..
All of them asked me if the movemnt is “in house” when they buy a watch.
Since CARTIER, BVLGARI and another jewelery when I had the opotunity to work with 18 brands of watches..
When I went to MONTBLANC, they still have bought LA VILERRET..
And I had dificulties to sell the MONTBLANC watches,
I’ve heard that the great companies are investing in formation of mechanisms designers..
And CARTIER still have one:a woman..
So for me it’s very good if the brands could sign their own moviments really.
Even if at the beggining it’s a litle forced.
The collection C.P.C.P. from CARTIER still have their movients or calibers.
And till BVLGARI bought DANIEL ROTH and GERAL GENTA, do do their mechanisms..
I hope the designers brands will reach the customers questions..
cause we, or I teached them to desire it.
about the chineses moviments, i’m worried..
Coul be prejudice..
I know people that are negociating with them.
but for me loose the SWISS MADE..
many centuries conserving presicion, perfection and tradition…
Why loose now??
And thanks Tom, for the article.
I see I should be more informed about moviments more than I thought. and all of you..
That had so much knowledge.
But the tradition was criated, and we ask a value for it..
The haute horlogerie market has it.
How to destroy it now??
Silvia Gertsenchtein
São Paulo
Brasil

]]> By: Carlos Ignacio Perez http://thewatchlounge.com/does-the-movement-really-matter-the-end-of-the-eta-era/comment-page-1/#comment-4025 Carlos Ignacio Perez Thu, 05 Aug 2010 18:16:57 +0000 http://thewatchlounge.com/?p=1489#comment-4025 Dear friends, Even though I am a very ignorant person regarding watch knowledge, I notice no comments in regards to precision, which to me is of the highest importance. I consider the main function in a watch is to keep time with precision. I have had different moderately priced watches, the first one an Omega Constellation around 55 years ago. At some time my favorite was an Eternamatic Kontiki, which I wore day and night several decades in field and water (sailing), with very good results. In the last 30+ years I have been wearing a Seiko Sports 100, which, regarding precision, definitely by far beats all other watches I have owned or known. Variation is under one second a month. I also bought a year ago a Seiko Kinetic Titanium 100m, which is all right, but less precise. Which other watches (naturally including quartz movements) are considered to be equally or more precise? Thank you in advance for your comments. Dear friends,

Even though I am a very ignorant person regarding watch knowledge, I notice no comments in regards to precision, which to me is of the highest importance. I consider the main function in a watch is to keep time with precision. I have had different moderately priced watches, the first one an Omega Constellation around 55 years ago. At some time my favorite was an Eternamatic Kontiki, which I wore day and night several decades in field and water (sailing), with very good results. In the last 30+ years I have been wearing a Seiko Sports 100, which, regarding precision, definitely by far beats all other watches I have owned or known. Variation is under one second a month. I also bought a year ago a Seiko Kinetic Titanium 100m, which is all right, but less precise. Which other watches (naturally including quartz movements) are considered to be equally or more precise?

Thank you in advance for your comments.

]]> By: time2tic http://thewatchlounge.com/does-the-movement-really-matter-the-end-of-the-eta-era/comment-page-1/#comment-2838 time2tic Fri, 28 May 2010 13:05:52 +0000 http://thewatchlounge.com/?p=1489#comment-2838 Hi,I am new to this place. watch enthuiast based in he Middle East for now. one question for the GM of sellita: where do you get your hairsprings? (IMHO this is the key to the swatch strategy, and probably could be next for restricting the availability of the hairspring to non swatch brands). Hi,I am new to this place. watch enthuiast based in he Middle East for now.

one question for the GM of sellita:
where do you get your hairsprings?
(IMHO this is the key to the swatch strategy, and probably could be next for restricting the availability of the hairspring to non swatch brands).

]]> By: Dave Wilson http://thewatchlounge.com/does-the-movement-really-matter-the-end-of-the-eta-era/comment-page-1/#comment-1963 Dave Wilson Fri, 26 Mar 2010 20:46:43 +0000 http://thewatchlounge.com/?p=1489#comment-1963 I'm in total agreement - the avg consumer isn't a watch geek and doesn't care what's under the hood (let alone know the specifics whether mvmt is ETA, Sellita, etc.) As for impact of ETA's move @ y/e, I'm sure there will be some short-term impact of sorts but all indications are it will be manageable. In summary, Sellita (and others incl far-east firms) are there in waiting. Not lost in ETA's move is that it should foster some much needed creativity from the industry which in my humble opinion hasn't been a priority in recent years. I personally wouldn't under estimate the far-east firms. I've got no doubt that they'll significantly increase their mkt share over the next 5-10 yrs. We'll just have to see how this plays out with established Swiss firms such as Sellita. Expect the Swiss to make every attempt to protect their already impacted mkt share with cont'd strict "Swiss Made" enforcement. I’m in total agreement – the avg consumer isn’t a watch geek and doesn’t care what’s under the hood (let alone know the specifics whether mvmt is ETA, Sellita, etc.) As for impact of ETA’s move @ y/e, I’m sure there will be some short-term impact of sorts but all indications are it will be manageable. In summary, Sellita (and others incl far-east firms) are there in waiting. Not lost in ETA’s move is that it should foster some much needed creativity from the industry which in my humble opinion hasn’t been a priority in recent years. I personally wouldn’t under estimate the far-east firms. I’ve got no doubt that they’ll significantly increase their mkt share over the next 5-10 yrs. We’ll just have to see how this plays out with established Swiss firms such as Sellita. Expect the Swiss to make every attempt to protect their already impacted mkt share with cont’d strict “Swiss Made” enforcement.

]]> By: Todd Caldwell http://thewatchlounge.com/does-the-movement-really-matter-the-end-of-the-eta-era/comment-page-1/#comment-1547 Todd Caldwell Tue, 16 Feb 2010 10:24:50 +0000 http://thewatchlounge.com/?p=1489#comment-1547 I dont think people know whats in the watch, outside of the enthusiasts. Nor do they care. I emailed ETA a few months ago, and i had a reply saying , " not to worry, we will continue to supply complete movements" So i cant see the impact on the small brands, as they already use complete movements, and while it will hurt the bottom line of larger ones, they will just pass on the extra cost to the consumer, as they always do. Some will make inhouse movements, some will jump ship to other companies, but i see this whole panic similar to New Year 2000. To The Rake, i think you might find, that Omega's co-axial is in the terms of being inhouse, is a little bit of a stretch. I have not looked it up to right here about it, but i was told that ETA might sell them in the future, after Omega has used it exclusively , for what ever time period recoups their expenses etc. Omega invested in it, but Omega's movements are ETA's, and this is based on the 2892. If i am wrong, i standby to be corrected by the way. A company as large as the Swatch group, would most likely do it this way, for Taxation reasons. I dont think people know whats in the watch, outside of the enthusiasts.
Nor do they care.
I emailed ETA a few months ago, and i had a reply saying , ” not to worry, we will continue to supply complete movements”
So i cant see the impact on the small brands, as they already use complete movements, and while it will hurt the bottom line of larger ones, they will just pass on the extra cost to the consumer, as they always do.
Some will make inhouse movements, some will jump ship to other companies, but i see this whole panic similar to New Year 2000.
To The Rake, i think you might find, that Omega’s co-axial is in the terms of being inhouse, is a little bit of a stretch. I have not looked it up to right here about it, but i was told that ETA might sell them in the future, after Omega has used it exclusively , for what ever time period recoups their expenses etc.
Omega invested in it, but Omega’s movements are ETA’s, and this is based on the 2892.
If i am wrong, i standby to be corrected by the way.
A company as large as the Swatch group, would most likely do it this way, for Taxation reasons.

]]> By: Swiss Movement Powerhouse ETA Says “No More” | Marvin : Backstage http://thewatchlounge.com/does-the-movement-really-matter-the-end-of-the-eta-era/comment-page-1/#comment-1501 Swiss Movement Powerhouse ETA Says “No More” | Marvin : Backstage Thu, 11 Feb 2010 21:49:41 +0000 http://thewatchlounge.com/?p=1489#comment-1501 [...] Tom Mulraney penned a really good article about this lately. In it he asks “do consumers really care?”  Reading some of the [...] [...] Tom Mulraney penned a really good article about this lately. In it he asks “do consumers really care?”  Reading some of the [...]

]]> By: ETA Withdrawal: The Fake Revolution ? | The Watch Lounge – the Online Watch Lover's Magazine http://thewatchlounge.com/does-the-movement-really-matter-the-end-of-the-eta-era/comment-page-1/#comment-1485 ETA Withdrawal: The Fake Revolution ? | The Watch Lounge – the Online Watch Lover's Magazine Wed, 10 Feb 2010 11:43:15 +0000 http://thewatchlounge.com/?p=1489#comment-1485 [...] ETA movement in a Swatch Group owned Certina What about the end consumer ? As we mentionned here, the type of movement used to power a watch, especially from the high end range is critical, but we [...] [...] ETA movement in a Swatch Group owned Certina What about the end consumer ? As we mentionned here, the type of movement used to power a watch, especially from the high end range is critical, but we [...]

]]> By: Tom Mulraney http://thewatchlounge.com/does-the-movement-really-matter-the-end-of-the-eta-era/comment-page-1/#comment-1484 Tom Mulraney Wed, 10 Feb 2010 07:37:58 +0000 http://thewatchlounge.com/?p=1489#comment-1484 Thanks for the great discussion guys, keep it coming! Frank makes some very good points and certainly speaks from a very knowledgable background (for those that don't know, he is the head of Montres Charmex SA and CX Swiss Military.) We also wrote an article about what "Swiss Made" actually means not so long ago (you can check it out here: http://thewatchlounge.com/what-does-swiss-made-actually-mean/) and I think its great to see that there is active fight to change the legislation and further strengthen and protect the legitmacy of this title. Thanks for the great discussion guys, keep it coming!

Frank makes some very good points and certainly speaks from a very knowledgable background (for those that don’t know, he is the head of Montres Charmex SA and CX Swiss Military.)

We also wrote an article about what “Swiss Made” actually means not so long ago (you can check it out here: http://thewatchlounge.com/what-does-swiss-made-actually-mean/) and I think its great to see that there is active fight to change the legislation and further strengthen and protect the legitmacy of this title.

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