RXPete wrote:
So how do we know if an ETA watch is a "real" non-generic ETA watch?
Also, why is it such a big deal that the Swatch group is stoping supplies of ebauches if anyone can make them?
Those are connected questions.......
Many watch companies can't produce their own - it's an expensive undertaking which is why they buy from ETA (or another movement supplier). The next step for many is to modify those movements, which is what Breitling did for years, and that's what Swatch had issues with - they are happy to supply to the small guys who can't produce their own movements, but they don't want to give people (like Breitling) a head start on improving movements that will compete with Swatch Group pieces.
In terms of whether ETA produced the ebauche or Breitling produced the ebauche parts to ETA designs - who cares as long as they are produced to tolerances that allow for COSC? Breitling could have bought Sellita movements which are largely ETA clones but generally seen as lower quality (slightly), but they decided not too. They have used Sellita main plates, but that's it.
Yeah.. I read an article once that quoted Nicolas Hayek saying he was upset that watch companies bought and modified Swatch movements and mislead people, by not giving Swatch any credit, into thinking it was that brand's own movement.
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