Understanding Watch Movements: The Heart of Your Timepiece

The watch movement, often referred to as the "engine" or "heart" of a timepiece, dictates its functionality and precision. Primarily, movements fall into two categories: quartz (battery-powered) and mechanical (manual or automatic winding). While numerous manufacturers exist, some stand out for their widespread use and reliability. This article explores several prominent movement producers and their notable calibers.

Swiss Stalwarts: ETA and Sellita

• ETA:

  A historical giant, ETA's roots trace back to 1856 with Eterna. Through strategic partnerships and innovations, including pioneering automatic winding movements, ETA became a cornerstone of Swiss watchmaking. Today, as part of the Swatch Group, they continue to supply quality movements to a vast range of brands.

  • ETA 2824-2: A highly regarded automatic movement known for its reliability and affordability. It features a 40-hour power reserve and operates at 28,800 vph.
  • ETA/Valjoux 7750: A widely used automatic chronograph movement, celebrated for its robust design and functionality. It boasts a 48-hour power reserve.
• Sellita:

  Initially an assembler of ETA movements, Sellita emerged as a significant player after ETA's component supply restrictions. Their ability to produce reliable "clones" of ETA movements, like the SW200 and SW500, has made them a popular choice.

  • Sellita SW200: A reliable automatic movement, essentially a counterpart to the ETA 2824-2, offering similar performance and specifications.
  • Sellita SW500: Sellita's version of the Valjoux 7750 Chronograph movement, with an improved 56 hour power reserve.

Japanese Precision: Miyota and Seiko

• Miyota:

  A subsidiary of Citizen Watch Co., Miyota is renowned for producing affordable and reliable movements. Their calibers are widely used by microbrands and established watchmakers alike.

  • Miyota 9015: A premium automatic movement known for its slim profile and hacking function. It offers a 42-hour power reserve.
• Seiko:

  Seiko is a watch making powerhouse, that produces a wide range of movements, from very high end, to very affordable.

  • Seiko NH35: A robust and affordable automatic movement, known for its reliability and ease of service. It is very popular in microbrands and modding communities.
  • Seiko 7S26: A workhorse automatic movement, that was used in many seiko 5 models. Known for its durability, but lacking hacking and hand winding.

Other Notable Producers

• Ronda: Specializing in quartz movements, Ronda is a Swiss manufacturer known for its reliable and affordable calibers, such as the Ronda 515.
• Soprod: Producing high-quality Swiss movements, Soprod's Alternance A-10, inspired by Seiko's 4L caliber, is a notable example.
• Seagull:Seagull, a Chinese movement manufacturer, has gained recognition for producing affordable mechanical movements, including chronograph calibers. Their movements offer a cost-effective alternative to Swiss-made options.

  Seagull movements are found in many microbrands, and are know for their complex chronograph movements at affordable prices.

Conclusion

The world of watch movements is diverse, offering options for every budget and preference. From the established Swiss reliability of ETA and Sellita to the affordable precision of Miyota and Seagull, and the rugged dependability of Seiko, the movement is truly the heart of any watch. While this overview covers some of the most popular calibers, countless others contribute to the horological landscape. We encourage you to share your favorite movements and any overlooked brands in the comments below.