zOwie Omega Discussion Forum

: Is it true that almost all mid-prized
: sportwatches, which are certified as
: chronometers are based on the same ETA
: movement (for example ETA 2892-A2).

Not all, but a good number of them, yes. Companies like ETA and Lemania make very good watch movements. They have large scales of production that allow greater economies of scale of R&D, production, and quality control.

Rolex is the exception. They make hundreds of thousands of certified chronometer watch movements each year. That's more chronometers than all the other luxury watch makers combined! So Rolex has a high level of economies of scale in their in-house movement production.

: Can it be that brands like Omega
: just order the movements from ETA and just
: install the movement in clock shells?

No. Cannot speak for all brands, but Omega does FAR more than that.

Omega buys movements from ETA -- which is a different division of Omega's parent company! Much like the way car manufacturers like Jaguar and Caddilac get some parts from other divisions of their parent companies (Ford and GM).

Then, Omega makes significant modification to the base movement. Including special plating and finishing to make the movement even more durable than the already well respected ETA movement thay started with.

: Is ETA 2892-A2 movement respected among
: horology interests and is high quality?

It is considered a high quality, high reliability movement. If you want a watch with a movement of extremely high horological interest, you may want ot consider watches from MUCH more expensive brands.

: Does Rolex also use that ETA movement in their
: cheapest models, like Air King or JustDate,
: or is even the cheapest Rolex movement more
: respected and better than ETA movement?

Rolex uses pretty much their own movements. But Rolex's lowest end mechanical movements, like the Air King and the lowest end Submariner, are NOT certified chronometers and usually lack the date feature.

ONE VERY IMPORTANT FACT to understand when you buy an expensive watch like a Rolex or an Omega. The cost of the watch movement is only a VERY SMALL part of the final cost of the watch. Much like with a luxury car like Mercedes or BMW, the engine makes up only 5% of the cost of the vehicle. In many of the Rolex/Omega class watches, the movement itself only cost $50-100.

Much of what else you are paying for is the finely produced casing, a high level of attention to detail in production/design/execution, the brand's unique style & reputation, and warranty coverage.

Also, especially on gold and platinum watches, you pay a premium for the 'jewelry' aspect of the watch. That's why a watch that sells for under $2,000 in steel can sell for $20,000 in gold -- with the exact same style, features, and movement! Why? Because it is unique jewelry, which some people are willing to pay for for the exclusivity. (If you melted down that $20,000 gold watch, you'd find less than $750 worth of gold.)