In-Depth – The History of the ETA Unitas 6497 and 6498, the Ubiquitous and Robust Hand-Wound Calibre

How do a pair of manually wound, time-only, pocket watch-sized, potentially outdated movements introduced in the 1950s earn a place in our series on significant calibres, alongside the well-known El Primero and Valjoux 7750 chronograph calibre and the omnipresent automatic ETA 2824 and 2892? Several factors contribute to their importance. Despite seeming unusual today, the […]

2 months ago

Industry News – Swatch Group Reports Sales Down 14.3% for the First Half of 2024

At CHF 3,445 million, the sales of the Swatch Group, the Swiss powerhouse owner of Omega, Longines or Tissot, are down 14.3% at constant exchange rates and 10.7% at constant rates. The declining sales strongly impact the operating profit at CHF 204 million against CHF 686 million for the previous year. Swatch Group advises that […]

4 months ago

In-Depth – The History of the ETA 2892, The Enduring Elite Movement from ETA

Introduced in the 1970s during the rise of quartz movements, which were poised to dominate the industry, threatening to eclipse and eradicate mechanical mechanisms almost entirely, the ETA 2892 has become one of the most renowned and widely used self-winding calibres produced by the Swatch Group’s giant movement maker. Like the ETA 2824, the 2892 […]

4 months ago

In-Depth – The History of the ETA 2824, the Workhorse Calibre that Shaped the Industry

The ETA 2824 movement was a groundbreaking invention that left a lasting impact on the watchmaking industry. Introduced in the 1970s, the ETA 2824 quickly set the standard with its efficient mass production and reliable performance. It retained its popularity for over fifty years until the circumstances and demand for innovation led to the creation […]

5 months ago

A Technical Perspective – All About Omega’s Laboratoire de Précision, a new Chronometer Certification to compete with COSC, Open to all Brands

Omega is one of the largest luxury watchmakers on the market, carrying multiple emblematic models (Seamaster and Speedmaster, to name a few). However, one vital element of the brand’s success lies in its almost unique take on precision. Omega has long been a pioneer in this field, often ranking first in chronometry contests and introducing […]

6 months ago

Industry News – Swatch Group Half-Year Report 2023 Shows Sales Up By 18%

Swiss watch giant Swatch Group, the umbrella above brands such as Omega, Breguet, Tissot, Longines and many more, has just released its 2023 half-year sales report, for the period January 1st – June 30th. At CHF 4,019 million, net sales are up 18.0% compared to the previous year at constant exchange rates, or 11.3% at […]