Do you care about the movement?

297 Views 7 Replies 8 Participants Last post by Reflex, 3 d ago

GoodWatch

Discussion Starter · 8 d ago (Edited)

Do you care what makes your watch tick? In other words, do you find it important what the make of the movement is? Or that a brand has its own manufacture? (e.g. Rolex). I have found the following movement manufacturers (some of them also produce complete watches (e.g. Seiko) but I’m sure there must be more:

ETA
Miyota
Ronda
Seagull
Seiko
Sellita
Soprod
STP

More and more watch manufacturers have started to develop (or have a third party develop for them them) their own movements in house. Partly because it’s a badge of honour and partly to become more independent but these are my assumptions.

I used to find the ‘in house’ movement important and now more or less expect the higher end brands to come up with their own developed movement. That is mainly because paying in excess of EUR 6,000 for a watch, only to find out the maker used a modified ETA, is a bit of a let-down to me. (Even if I'm not in the marked for watches like these).

Now I mostly look for value for money. Most Chinese made watches come with either Seiko or Miyota movements, the higher priced ones have started to come with Sellita movements. Dependable and reliable workhorses and you know that their accuracy is nowhere near that of even the most inexpensive quartz movement.

So: do you care what movement drives your watch and why?

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FBPB

· #2 · 8 d ago

Yes and no. If it's an inexpensive watch, I would not expect one of the higher-end ETA or Selitta movements.

At the same time, I agree with you about the 6'000 € watch with an ETA movement (Panerai / Franck Muller / IWC being examples... Up to €25'000 for a watch with a generic ETA movement).

I have a watch with a Seagull copy of a ETA 6497 movement. It's beat sounds like a tin can compared to even a Vostok. It is also pants at keeping time, so I do not hold much store in it's workmanship and components.

To be honest, in-house movements, while a cool idea, are not always a good idea. I can get my Selitta or ETA fitted watches serviced just about anywhere in the world, for about 150€ (at the high end), my Omega would cost me 700€ for a factory service, or about 350€ at an independent (Omega parts are expensive). Also, my Vostoks I would have to order the parts from Russia (or find a donor watch). Not exactly easy in today's world. But try finding parts for an Oris in-house movement on the other side of the world. Heaven forbid a company see parts as an important revenue stream and charge through the arse for them...

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Mrs Wiggles

· #3 · 8 d ago

GoodWatch said:
Do you care what makes your watch tick? In other words, do you find it important what the make of the movement is? Or that a brand has its own manufacture? (e.g. Rolex). I have found the following movement manufacturers (some of them also produce complete watches (e.g. Seiko) but I’m sure there must be more:

ETA
Miyota
Ronda
Seagull
Seiko
Sellita
Soprod
STP

More and more watch manufacturers have started to develop (or have a third party develop for them them) their own movements in house. Partly because it’s a badge of honour and partly to become more independent but these are my assumptions.

I used to find the ‘in house’ movement important and now more or less expect the higher end brands to come up with their own developed movement. That is mainly because paying in excess of EUR 6,000 for a watch, only to find out the maker used a modified ETA, is a bit of a let-down to me. (Even if I'm not in the marked for watches like these).

Now I mostly look for value for money. Most Chinese made watches come with either Seiko or Miyota movements, the higher priced ones have started to come with Sellita movements. Dependable and reliable workhorses and you know that their accuracy is now where near that of even the most inexpensive quartz movement.

So: do you care what movement drives your watch and why?

As long as the movement is reflected in the price

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AtomicTom

· #4 · 7 d ago

I'd half to say half and half or yes and no too I think Frans. 😊 But I am much
more on the value for the money side of things for sure.

In reality the
movements I have had experience with are basically from inexpensive Seiko,
Citizen, and Ronda for the most part. Along with a Claro Semag, and also ETA
2824. Honestly I like knowing that at least I have experienced movements
from a few brands. So that way when I have I can compare or have fun with
comparing the movements, as well as accuracy and everything in a similar
way as Mrs. Wiggles enjoys.

But it's not a huge deal to me what is inside
of a watch as far as if it's supposed to be an elite or high end movement.

I just like knowing what is inside, and as I said. And the movements I have
been able to experience are on the low end, so it's just a knowing thing, but
not necessarily caring so much thing. (I don't know what I just said there) 😄
In any case, it doesn't really matter to me, but I do like just being aware of
what is under the hood. And I hope maybe some day to try a higher end
movement out or two just to see the difference, or differences. However,
it's not something I need, or have to do.

Oh and a lot of the vintage watches I have I don't even know what is on
the inside a lot of the time. 😊Because often times I was just interested
in the neat designs of the watches and they were very affordable. 😊
Holy cow, what an incredibly cool topic Frans, thanks a ton !!!

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Wrascal

· #5 · 7 d ago

Since installing a bidet I no longer concern myself with movements.

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greatpotfarm

· #6 · 7 d ago

Yes, I do care what is inside, but I'm not terribly picky. I'm partial to mechanical movements, but the overall esthetics of a watch is more important to me.

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HobHoner

· #7 · 6 d ago

GoodWatch said:
Do you care what makes your watch tick? In other words, do you find it important what the make of the movement is? Or that a brand has its own manufacture? (e.g. Rolex). I have found the following movement manufacturers (some of them also produce complete watches (e.g. Seiko) but I’m sure there must be more:

ETA
Miyota
Ronda
Seagull
Seiko
Sellita
Soprod
STP

More and more watch manufacturers have started to develop (or have a third party develop for them them) their own movements in house. Partly because it’s a badge of honour and partly to become more independent but these are my assumptions.

I used to find the ‘in house’ movement important and now more or less expect the higher end brands to come up with their own developed movement. That is mainly because paying in excess of EUR 6,000 for a watch, only to find out the maker used a modified ETA, is a bit of a let-down to me. (Even if I'm not in the marked for watches like these).

Now I mostly look for value for money. Most Chinese made watches come with either Seiko or Miyota movements, the higher priced ones have started to come with Sellita movements. Dependable and reliable workhorses and you know that their accuracy is now where near that of even the most inexpensive quartz movement.

So: do you care what movement drives your watch and why?

I would use the movement as leverage in my decision when comparing watches in the 2k and over price range. That is why I chose my JLC over the same-priced IWC with the same features because the JLC had its own movement while the IWC used an ETA. The ETA is a tried and tested movement but it is common and the JLC had a movement that was unique to the watch and it was advertised to be tested over the specs of a cosc certificate, why it is in the master 100 hundred hours line of watches

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Reflex

· #8 · 3 d ago

Yes, absolutely. Despite the cosmetic appearance of a watch, the movement is the heart (and soul) of the watch imo

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