Interesting article on the STP 11-1 vs the ETA 2824

[Baco Noir]

www.noduswatches.com/blog/stp-1-11-vs-eta-2824

Kind of interesting to see the difference in decoration between these. The STP 1-11 is actually a nice looking movement that would look nice through a sapphire caseback. The extra jewel and higher end mainspring are nice upgrades too. Now, if those microbrands would just start upping their QC on these, they could really take off. Seems like an opportunity for a 3rd party company to do the QC for a group of microbrands.

[CHIP]

Interesting article.

It's no secret that I'm not a fan of ETA clones as every one I've ever had experienced a problem, and, like pointed out in this article, most were from smaller brands that perhaps just don't have the man power to QC everything while maintaining a price point.

I would however trust a Breitling or IWC with the Selita 2824 clone, because I trust they extensively QC everything.

With that said, I am puzzled that Seiko can make a reliable movement and sell you a 100 dollars watch that runs forever, while some of those giants cant be bothered with it, and keep on using Selita, Soprod, etc.

At what point do you call those companies watch designers instead of watch makers? Isn't the movement the heart of a watch? And yet, they aren't making that. They simply design and build what gets wrapped around the movement.
It's a bit like paying 500 dollars for an entry level Android phone worth 50, because it's wrapped in a 450 dollars handmade Vaja case made from exotic leather.

The question he's asking is very valid: what are we paying for?

Would you buy a Ferrari for 250k if it had a Chevy 350 in it? Doubt many people would.

It's why I'm now almost 100 percent in house (except for the Aerospace) and I'd like to keep it that way going forward.

IMHO no watch over 1k should have a Selita or Soprod etc movement.

Rant over, and since I typed this on my phone I'm sure autocorrect made a gaffe or two.

[carl]

Enjoyed reading the article very much. From the standpoint of aesthetics, it is really of little interest to me. One of the things I look for most recently in watches, is the absence of a sapphire caseback, and much prefer a plain one.

I have to admit that, even though my Oris Divers 65 has been fixed extensively, admittedly problems which were not all movement issues, the Sellita movement still scares me. Until now, I really had heard little about the STP. And I have to admit that I still find the mechanics of watches baffling, although my knowledge has increased considerably over the years spent on the forums.

The only non in house movement I have any real confidence in, is the ETA 2824 in my Tudor, and from what I have read, seems like most owners are very satisfied.

Now, I have to confess: regarding my comment about sapphire exhibition casebacks, I was doing some research on the AP Royal Oak a few evenings ago. Reading about their movements, the details of the rotor and photos of the movement through the case back, really was an eye opener for me, especially "Oscillating weight can be custom decorated upon customer's request". The 39mm Extra Thin yellow gold "The Hour Glass" LE of 50 is one of the most stunning watches I have ever seen. Having a sapphire case back in this case would definitely be an exception.
www.audemarspiguet.com/en/watch-collection/royal-oak/15205BA.OO.1240BA.01/

If I had the bucks, I would have no hesitation in spending the 60 or 70 grand it would take to get this piece.

[priamo]

This 60 year old has the first automatic from PUW, the caliber 570, 25 jewels. PUW also made a 17 jewel 570. It's -8 spd. Turning the crown to start it up you hear satisfying clicks. Then when you shake it the rotor treats you to a smooth whir. Not a clunker.