The movement of a watch plays a big role in the purchase decisions of numerous watch collectors out there. Not only are they searching for a mechanical movement, either automatic or hand-wound, but occasionally the certain type of motion within a watch is also a significant factor in purchasing a watch (we will return to this later). In some cases, the aesthetic of a watch plays a much smaller role than the mechanics inside.
In the following article, we’ll talk you through two or three famous watch motions and motion makers. As you’re likely well aware, not all watch makers develop and create their own movements. Big brands such as Breitling, TAG Heuer, and IWC rely on third-party motions, but were you aware that Patek Philippe ETA movement replica watches used Lemania movements for their chronograph watches for several decades? And up until 2000, the Rolex Daytona utilized a Zenith El Primero as foundation.
A couple of things have changed over the past two decades in that respect, as manufacturers have turned to developing their own movements again, but that’s not true for every model (the Speedmaster Professional uses the Lemania hand-wound movement and also the IWC Portugieser Chronograph uses the Valjoux 7750). Of course, many third party movements are altered and finished prior to being used. Let’s discuss a few famous watch moves; some are third-party movements, others have been manufactured in-house, and many others are joint ventures between manufacturers.
The Valjoux 7750 is one of the most famous chronograph movements on earth. Currently owned by ETA (Swatch Group), it’s thought of as the typical workhorse chronograph movement. A cam and lever system functions the chronograph function as opposed to a column-wheel. Designing, developing, and producing a chronograph movement is horribly costly, hence only brands with enough spending and manufacturing power can manage to keep it relatively cheap (Omega, by way of example). For people who can not, there’s the Valjoux 7750 movement.
It’s been in the marketplace for decades and can be used from the aforementioned IWC Portugieser Chronograph, but also in a variety of models from other brands. These motions are relatively cheap, so you’ll also locate them in watches beneath 2,000 euros. In that situation, however, there will be less attention given to the finishing and particulars of this motion, case, dial, hands, etc.. ETA also makes three-hand moves and movements with GMT functions. They supply a wide selection of watch brands together with movements, both within and outside the Swatch Group.
The most famous watch using a Lemania chronograph movement is the Omega Speedmaster Professional’Moonwatch’. It has featured a Lemania movement since the very beginning as it premiered in 1957, but distinct versions have been used through recent years. The first Lemania chronograph movement for the Speedmaster was predicated on grade 2310 (Omega grade 321), a column-wheel chronograph that will later be replaced by the 1871 (Omega caliber 861). Patek Philippe ETA saat replica watches additionally used Lemania chronograph movements for a number of their watches until a couple of short years back. One example is that their CH27-70 movement, which was based on the Lemana 2310. Naturally, it had a different level of finishing than Omega’s caliber 321.
Another famed view movement by Lemania is their 5100, a workhorse that collaborated with the Valjoux 7750 for several years. It’d nylon and plastic components to prevent wear and tear and to keep manufacturing costs low. This is an extremely sought after movement amongst chronograph enthusiasts.
Zenith El Primero movement, Image: © Bert Buijsrogge
The El Primero (“the initial”) was one of the first chronograph movements in the world that had a self-winding mechanism. It was developed by Zenith in 1969. The Zenith El Primero continues to be created now in Le Locle. Essentially, the motion is still the same as the initial El Primero chronograph movement and nearly all of the components are thought to be interchangeable. This is a very nice feature for owners of an older El Primero movement, since it could be rectified comparatively easily by Zenith. The El Primero chronograph movement wasn’t only unique because it was the very first automatic chronograph, it also ticked in a high speed (high conquer movement), i.e. 36,000 vibrations per hour.
This movement was (and still is) also found in watches from other brands. The Rolex Daytona is possibly the most famous watch among them; it utilized a tweaked version of the El Primero between 1988 and 2000. Other brands which have used the El Primero include Ebel, Movado, TAG Heuer, and more.
Jaeger-LeCoultre is a true manufacturer; they have heaps of their own calibers that are all made in house in Le Sentier, Switzerland in the Vallee du Joux. Though there is one movement they co-developed and made, yet never used themselves: the Jaeger-LeCoultre caliber 920. This movement was utilized by Patek Philippe nautilus swiss eta imitation watch in their first Nautilus 3700/1A from 1976. Nevertheless, it was also used in the first Royal Oak mention 5402ST from 1972 and a few other high-end watches.
Today, this motion is generated by a single firm: Audemars Piguet. They use it to get their Royal Oak’Extra-Thin’ and some of their more classical watches. It’s also the foundation movement for some of their exceptionally complicated watches. The particular thing about this motion is it is very flat at just 3.05 mm due to the railing system for the rotor.
