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Post by Rusty on Nov 22, 2007 12:45:44 GMT -5
After many fits and starts, I just ran across a deal on a branded watch with a Swiss ETA automatic movement so I bit. I have many watches with both Swiss quartz and automatic movements but this is my first ETA. It made me wonder what with the happenings and the shrinking availability of the Swatch/ETA/Valjoux movements, whether collectors are looking to add to their collections now before prices really spike.
Honestly, to say I own a watch with an ETA automatic seems a bit like bragging but I had to have at least one.
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Post by gradyphilpott on Nov 22, 2007 13:45:58 GMT -5
I've just had better luck in the long run with Japanese quartz movements.
I have two Swiss quartz watches, both Wengers, that met an untimely demise for reasons I cannot fathom.
I have a Hamilton Khaki that should be coming in soon that is a Swiss quartz and I am hoping that it functions well for a good long time.
Ultimately, though, the Japanese seem to make good stuff. Someone else might squeeze a little more of this or that out of their products, but at what price?
I'm not bad mouthing the Swiss or anyone else, but this has been my experience.
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Post by foghorn on Nov 22, 2007 14:01:34 GMT -5
Honestly, to say I own a watch with an ETA automatic seems a bit like bragging but I had to have at least one. No brag,just fact.
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Post by Shepherd Seph on Nov 22, 2007 14:59:40 GMT -5
I chose Chinese automatic (at least for the entry level divers), since they often have more complication, higher "heart" rate than Japanese automatics, and are very competitively priced vs. Japanese or Swiss movements. Honestly, for the entry level Invicta Pro Divers, I don't see that having a Miyota movement offers any additional prestige over a movement from China. I say use the best movement at the best price, which seems like Chinese to me.
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timebender
disciple
Bending a few in time.
Posts: 200
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Post by timebender on Nov 22, 2007 15:20:42 GMT -5
Almost all mine are in fact Japanese quartz. However, I did check I prefer Swiss quartz. Why Swiss? I just like the thought of an all Swiss watch. But again, in fact that is not what I have practiced. I did just order a diver this week that I payed about $20 extra for the model with the Swiss movement over basically the same watch with the Japanese movement.
I love mechanical watches including the autos for what they are. I enjoy the craftsmanship and workmanship of these watches. However, I hate having to keep up with winding them or having to keep them in a watch box. I enjoy the great time keeping and accuracy of a quartz watch plus, no winding boxes or having to remember to keep the rotation going in order to keep them wound. So, in the end, mine are quartz.
Speaking of the watch that is on the way, it will be here Monday. Picked it up from Triton (one of our sponsors) and I will try to post pictures and info on the watch and the "Triton" experience then. If not Monday, Tuesday for sure!
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Post by boscoe on Nov 23, 2007 0:20:38 GMT -5
The vast bulk of my collection is Swiss Made watches driven by ETA movements, even if they are "modified" by the watch company. ETA is the industry standard, but Japanese automatic movements are very good (some are exceptional) and Russian movements are fun and funky - and stolen from the Swiss! I avoid Chinese movements. And, lastly, I prefer Japanese quartz to Swiss.
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Post by richardmt01 on Nov 23, 2007 7:40:17 GMT -5
If I had to pick one it would be the Japanese automatics. They are affordable and so far I have had excellent luck with them. I do like Swiss autos, but I gotta wonder about the price...are they really that much better than Japanese?
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Post by foghorn on Nov 23, 2007 8:05:31 GMT -5
I do like Swiss autos, but I gotta wonder about the price...are they really that much better than Japanese? IMHO they are that much better. I have both ETA and Miyota examples and the difference , to me, is evident in the feel of the winding,date and time setting, rotor action and most importantly accuracy.
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Post by amwilliams9 on Nov 23, 2007 9:24:48 GMT -5
I do like Swiss autos, but I gotta wonder about the price...are they really that much better than Japanese? IMHO they are that much better. I have both ETA and Miyota examples and the difference , to me, is evident in the feel of the winding,date and time setting, rotor action and most importantly accuracy. I gotta agree I own ETA 2824-2' Miyota' and SW200's. By far the ETA's and SW200's as far as quality and accuracy. Nutin' wrong with Miyota great movement but just not in the same league as it's Swiss counterparts
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Post by numark on Nov 23, 2007 10:33:06 GMT -5
Most of my automatics are Miyota movements and I have 1 one with the SW200. All seem to work fine. However I also agree that the swiss movement winds smoother and feels more refined. No ETA's for me yet.
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Post by boscoe on Nov 23, 2007 10:40:37 GMT -5
I'll join the Miyota Squeezing tag team. Wonderful and stone ax reliable, but crude and (relatively) inaccurate compared to an ETA automatic. The new automatic in the Seiko Alpinist and 6R15 Diver is also superior to Miyota's offerings. And the automatic movements in the Seiko and Orient top of the line models (pushing 3-4K) rival anything the Swiss produce.
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Post by Agent Orange on Nov 23, 2007 11:27:34 GMT -5
I'm a little bit torn here on what to pick. I have four time pieces with Miyota automatik movements (Invicta and Fossil) two Swiss quartz (Ronda and Eta G10) a Russian-made automatic and my Zodiac, which to the best of my knowledge is powered by a Claro-Semag automatic movement. If I compare my Miyotas and Claro, the Claro has a much smoother, refined movement. But I don't think it keeps time any better - or has any longer power reserve - than my Miyotas. With that said I guess I'll pick Swiss automatic.
Just my 2 cents.
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Post by casyjones3 on Nov 23, 2007 12:32:55 GMT -5
Out of my 13 watches 10 are Swiss Automatics.They consist of 2 SW200,1 V7751,3 V7750,2 modified V7750[calibre 60,16-Tags] 1 ETA and 1 modified ETA -V[Sapphire Ghost] Now for my Quartz 2 are Swiss {Omega Constellatio,Reserve Speedway]Finally the Invicta Minute Repeater which is a Japanese Movement.So with all of these my preference would be Automatic ETA-Valjoux
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Post by Rusty on Nov 23, 2007 15:18:36 GMT -5
That is quite a collection, casey.
I wonder. with the increased demand for automatics because of the Swatch Group decision, whether Miyota will be cranking 'em out faster and might affect quality? Any opinions?
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Post by AutoMovement on Nov 23, 2007 15:35:24 GMT -5
The Swiss automatic movement wins hands downs for me. Love the Miyota automatic, but the lack of hacking the second hand gets on my nerves.
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