The article actually goes into some very interesting spot-the-difference (or not in this case) between the “ Panerai P-200” and an ETA 2824 with a Dupois Duproiz chronograph module on the top, an unbelievably popular and highly regarded combined movement which has been used countless time in the industry. In the article, which I highly suggest you read after you have read this one, Panerai’s use of ETA’s and blatantly passing them off as their own is completely torn apart. The genius ‘PAM of worms’ from the Perezcope article. The legendary 2824-2 and ETA/Valjoux 7750. Now given the price point of the watches made by Panerai, and the fact that they, in this instance, have had the audacity to go as far as to put a clear case back in the watch, has caused a bit of a kerfuffle in the watch space over the past week. What they do is use an unmodified ETA calibre, and then completely pass it off as their own.
Whilst some brands are completely transparent about their use of either a basic ETA or a modified version, some brands such as the brand we are going to talk about today, decide to use a slightly different tactic. Whilst some brands use base ETA’s in their watches, the legendary 2824-2 and the ETA/Valjoux 7750 spring to mind, others take the ETA as the base of their movement, and then modify it to improve the aesthetics, performance, or even functionality to make it fit the brands intended purpose. Funnily enough, given the reliability and build quality of ETA’s, in a lot of cases, you are getting an infinitely better heart beating away in your watch, for a significant saving against a watch with an in-house movement. These movement manufacturers have completely revolutionised the watch industry, bringing affordability and reliability to big-name brands.Ī lot of people out there are quick to judge ETA powered watches because they are not powered by an ‘in-house’ movement, so therefore must be a turd sandwich. The two heavyweights, ETA and Sellita, have been powering watches from brands such as Tudor, Omega, Hamilton and Sinn to name but a few, for decades. By 1903, OMEGA had become the largest manufacturer of finished watches in Switzerland and had taken on the role of research and development facility.Watch brands have been using movement manufacture calibres for donkey’s years now. The success of the movement was so great that the brothers changed the name of their company to OMEGA Watch Co (shortened). They knew that precise, series-produced movements were the future of watchmaking, and it didn’t take long for the public to realise this too, with the reputation of the company quickly growing around the globe. The brothers crowned their new achievement “OMEGA”, a name that classically signifies ultimate accomplishment. The combination of winding and time-setting via the stem and crown was also groundbreaking and still widely used today. It was not only extremely accurate, but every component could be replaced without modification by any watchmaker in the world.
Produced in series using revolutionary new methods, the movement set a new standard for watchmaking. Marking an enormous leap forward, the Brandt brothers released a new calibre in 1894 that was to famously become the company’s namesake – the 19-ligne calibre.