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The Ultimate Guide to Swiss ETA Automatic Movements

Discover everything you need to know about Swiss ETA automatic movements and what sets them apart.

May 2025

Why ETA Movements Define Swiss Precision

ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse has shaped the global watch industry for over a century. As one of the largest manufacturers of mechanical and quartz movements, ETA is synonymous with Swiss precision and engineering excellence. ETA movements, from the robust 2824 to the compact 2671, serve as the backbone of many renowned timepieces. Whether you’re a collector, enthusiast, or simply looking to understand what powers your watch, learning about ETA movements is essential for appreciating the craftsmanship inside your timepiece.

What You'll Learn

1. What is an ETA Movement
2. A Brief History of ETA SA Manufacture
3. The Most Popular ETA Calibers: 2824, 7750, 2671 and More
4. Mechanical vs. Quartz vs. Automatic ETA Movements
5. ETA vs. Sellita vs. Miyota: Key Differences
6. Best Brands That Use ETA Movements
7. The Future of ETA After Swatch Group Supply Restriction
FAQ on Swiss ETA Watch Movements

Why ETA Movements Define Swiss Precision

ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse has shaped the global watch industry for over a century. As one of the largest manufacturers of mechanical and quartz movements, ETA is synonymous with Swiss precision and engineering excellence. ETA movements, from the robust 2824 to the compact 2671, serve as the backbone of many renowned timepieces. Whether you’re a collector, enthusiast, or simply looking to understand what powers your watch, learning about ETA movements is essential for appreciating the craftsmanship inside your timepiece.

What You'll Learn

1. What is an ETA Movement?

An ETA movement is the heart of a watch, the internal mechanism—or caliber—that drives its timekeeping.

Made by the Swiss manufacturer ETA SA, these movements can be mechanical (manual or automatic) or quartz (battery-powered). Known for their reliability, precision, and accessibility, ETA movements are used across both entry-level and luxury watch brands, serving as the benchmark for Swiss Made performance.

2. A Brief History of ETA SA Manufacture

ETA’s roots stretch back to the 18th century, with its modern form emerging in the 1930s under the name Ebauches SA. By the late 20th century, ETA had become a major subsidiary of the Swatch Group. During the quartz crisis of the 1970s, ETA played a critical role in preserving Swiss watchmaking by standardizing reliable movements and enabling mass production. Today, ETA remains a central force in the Swiss industry, continuing to innovate both mechanical and quartz technologies.

3. The Most Popular ETA Calibers: 2824, 7750, 2671 and More

ETA's reputation for producing durable, high-performance movements is built on a series of iconic calibers. These movements are used in a wide variety of timepieces—from everyday watches to luxury models:

ETA 2824-2: One of the most widely used automatic movements, praised for its robustness and ease of service. It’s used across a broad range of watches, from diving to casual models.
ETA 2892-A2: A slimmer and more refined automatic caliber often used in mid-to-high-end watches. It’s frequently found in luxury brands or those looking to add a bit of finesse to their timepieces.
ETA 7750 (Valjoux): The mechanical chronograph movement is the gold standard for timing precision. It powers professional-grade chronographs, including dive watches and sports watches.
ETA 955.112: Known for its reliability, this quartz movement is used in a variety of classic and dress watches, offering incredible accuracy and longevity with minimal maintenance.
ETA 2671: A compact automatic movement, designed for smaller cases and unisex or women’s watches. It offers a great combination of precision and size, making it perfect for modern, slim designs.

ETA 2824-2: One of the most widely used automatic movements, praised for its robustness and ease of service. It’s used across a broad range of watches, from diving to casual models.
ETA 2892-A2: A slimmer and more refined automatic caliber often used in mid-to-high-end watches. It’s frequently found in luxury brands or those looking to add a bit of finesse to their timepieces.
ETA 7750 (Valjoux): The mechanical chronograph movement is the gold standard for timing precision. It powers professional-grade chronographs, including dive watches and sports watches.
ETA 955.112: Known for its reliability, this quartz movement is used in a variety of classic and dress watches, offering incredible accuracy and longevity with minimal maintenance.
ETA 2671: A compact automatic movement, designed for smaller cases and unisex or women’s watches. It offers a great combination of precision and size, making it perfect for modern, slim designs.

4. Mechanical vs. Quartz vs. Automatic ETA Movements

Each type of ETA movement serves different needs—mechanical for those who appreciate the craftsmanship, quartz for practicality, and automatic for those who enjoy both heritage and convenience. ETA offers a broad range of movements across mechanical, automatic, and quartz categories:

Mechanical Movements (e.g., ETA 2801, 6497): Powered by a mainspring, mechanical movements are beloved for their craftsmanship and complexity. They require manual winding or regular wrist motion to operate and are favored by collectors for their tradition and precision.
Automatic Movements (e.g., ETA 2824-2, 2671, 7750): A subset of mechanical movements, automatic movements are powered by the natural motion of the wearer’s wrist. They combine the precision of mechanical movements with the convenience of self-winding.
Quartz Movements (e.g., ETA 955.112, F06.111): Battery-powered and highly accurate, quartz movements require minimal maintenance and offer long intervals between service. These are ideal for timepieces prioritizing slimness and precision.

For a deep dive, read our full guide: Automatic vs. Mechanical vs. Quartz Watches: What's The Difference?

Mechanical Movements (e.g., ETA 2801, 6497): Powered by a mainspring, mechanical movements are beloved for their craftsmanship and complexity. They require manual winding or regular wrist motion to operate and are favored by collectors for their tradition and precision.
Automatic Movements (e.g., ETA 2824-2, 2671, 7750): A subset of mechanical movements, automatic movements are powered by the natural motion of the wearer’s wrist. They combine the precision of mechanical movements with the convenience of self-winding.
Quartz Movements (e.g., ETA 955.112, F06.111): Battery-powered and highly accurate, quartz movements require minimal maintenance and offer long intervals between service. These are ideal for timepieces prioritizing slimness and precision.

For a deep dive, read our full guide: Automatic vs. Mechanical vs. Quartz Watches: What's The Difference?

5. ETA vs. Sellita vs. Miyota: Key Differences

While ETA is the industry standard, other movement manufacturers like Sellita and Miyota also have their place in the market. Here’s how they compare:

ETA vs. Sellita: Sellita, once an ETA subcontractor, produces movements that are nearly identical to ETA’s, particularly older calibers. While performance is comparable, collectors often regard ETA’s finishing and tighter tolerances as superior.
ETA vs. Miyota: Miyota, owned by Citizen, is known for high-volume, cost-effective movements, often used by microbrands and affordable luxury brands. While their movements are reliable, ETA’s Swiss Made certification and legacy often make it the preferred choice for premium Swiss watches.

While ETA is the industry standard, other movement manufacturers like Sellita and Miyota also have their place in the market. Here’s how they compare:

ETA vs. Sellita: Sellita, once an ETA subcontractor, produces movements that are nearly identical to ETA’s, particularly older calibers. While performance is comparable, collectors often regard ETA’s finishing and tighter tolerances as superior.
ETA vs. Miyota: Miyota, owned by Citizen, is known for high-volume, cost-effective movements, often used by microbrands and affordable luxury brands. While their movements are reliable, ETA’s Swiss Made certification and legacy often make it the preferred choice for premium Swiss watches.

6. Best Brands That Use ETA Movements

Despite changes in movement supply across the industry, ETA calibers remain the backbone of Swiss watchmaking. These trusted movements are featured in some of the world’s most popular watches—offering reliability, accuracy, and heritage. Here are five respected brands using ETA movements today:

Tissot: The Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 features the Powermatic 80 movement, based on the ETA C07.111 (itself derived from the ETA 2824-2). This movement offers an impressive 80-hour power reserve, ensuring reliability and convenience for daily wear.
Hamilton: The Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical is equipped with the ETA 2801-2, a manual-wind movement known for its durability and precision. This watch pays homage to Hamilton's military heritage with its robust design and reliable performance.
Longines: Models in the Longines Master Collection utilize the L888 caliber, an exclusive movement based on the ETA A31.L11. The L888 offers a 72-hour power reserve and operates at 25,200 vibrations per hour, balancing elegance with technical prowess.
Rado: The Rado Captain Cook Automatic houses the Rado caliber R763, a modified version of the ETA 2824-2. Enhancements include a Nivachron anti-magnetic hairspring and an extended 80-hour power reserve, combining vintage aesthetics with modern technology.
VIEREN: VIEREN's Steel Stereo Diamond watch is powered by a bespoke ETA-2671 automatic movement with 25 jewels and an impressive 44 hour power reserve, ideal for slim watch designs. This movement underscores VIEREN's commitment to blending minimalist design with Swiss precision.

Tissot: The Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 features the Powermatic 80 movement, based on the ETA C07.111 (itself derived from the ETA 2824-2). This movement offers an impressive 80-hour power reserve, ensuring reliability and convenience for daily wear.
Hamilton: The Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical is equipped with the ETA 2801-2, a manual-wind movement known for its durability and precision. This watch pays homage to Hamilton's military heritage with its robust design and reliable performance.
Longines: Models in the Longines Master Collection utilize the L888 caliber, an exclusive movement based on the ETA A31.L11. The L888 offers a 72-hour power reserve and operates at 25,200 vibrations per hour, balancing elegance with technical prowess.
Rado: The Rado Captain Cook Automatic houses the Rado caliber R763, a modified version of the ETA 2824-2. Enhancements include a Nivachron anti-magnetic hairspring and an extended 80-hour power reserve, combining vintage aesthetics with modern technology.
VIEREN: VIEREN's Steel Stereo Diamond watch is powered by a bespoke ETA-2671 automatic movement with 25 jewels and an impressive 44 hour power reserve, ideal for slim watch designs. This movement underscores VIEREN's commitment to blending minimalist design with Swiss precision.

7. The Future of ETA After Swatch Group Supply Restriction

In 2020, the Swiss Competition Commission (COMCO) ruled that ETA was no longer obligated to supply movements to third-party brands, effectively ending the widespread availability of its movements. This change has led to a rise in the use of movements from other manufacturers like Sellita and Soprod. However, ETA’s relationship with the Swatch Group and select partners ensures that it will continue to produce high-quality movements for its in-house brands. For independent brands, access to ETA movements remains a critical means of combining innovative design with reliable Swiss engineering.

FAQ on Swiss ETA Watch Movements

Are ETA movements still made?
Yes. ETA continues to manufacture movements, primarily for Swatch Group brands and select partners.

Are ETA movements accurate?
ETA’s mechanical movements typically achieve ±10 seconds/day, while its COSC-certified versions offer -4/+6 seconds/day. ETA’s quartz movements are exceptionally precise, with most variations staying within ±10 seconds/month.

What is the best ETA movement?
The ETA 2892-A2 is highly regarded for its versatility, slim profile, and precision. The ETA 2671 is praised for powering compact, elegant designs without compromising on automatic functionality.

Which brands commonly use ETA movements?
ETA movements are widely used by numerous Swiss watch brands, including Omega, Longines, Oris, and independent brands like VIEREN, which incorporate these reliable, high-quality automatic calibers into their luxury timepieces.

Is Sellita as good as ETA?
Sellita produces movements that are very similar to ETA's but may lack the same level of finishing. Many watch collectors continue to regard ETA as the superior option in terms of precision and long-term durability.

FAQ on Swiss ETA Watch Movements

SUMMARY

ETA movements are a cornerstone of Swiss watchmaking, known for their precision, reliability, and serviceability. From the versatile 2824 to the compact 2671, ETA continues to shape the future of horology. The bespoke ETA-2671 used in VIEREN’s luxury automatic timepieces features additional jewels and an extended 44-hour power reserve — a testament to ETA’s enduring legacy of blending traditional craftsmanship with modern innovation at the heart of Swiss Made excellence.

SUMMARY

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jess Chow, Founder and CEO VIEREN

As Canada’s first female founder of a luxury watch brand, Jess is passionate about horology and dedicated to crafting Swiss Made automatic timepieces that merge modern artistry and precision to inspire a new generation of collectors with confidence and style.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR