The caliber is the soul of the watch. Over the years, some movements have become real legends. Among these, used by many watchmakers, there is the famous and beloved ETA 2824-2 caliber.
In the 80s, ETA, born in 1932 as an internal subdivision for the production of mechanical movements of the watch house Eterna, was absorved by today’s Swatch Group.
In 1971, ETA 2824 was launched on the market. As its evolution, in 2013, the Powermaric 80, still little appreciated today, was born.
These two calibers have basically three differences:
POWER RESERVE
ETA 2824-2 has a power reserve of 38 hours, which makes it a good compromise for a super proven entry level caliber.
As for the ETA C07.111, the power reserve is more than doubled, resulting in 80 hours. The increased power reserve makes the Powermatic 80 cutting-edge and in line step with the modern demands of new watches.
ALTERNATIONS/HOUR
The Powermatic 80 to guarantee a doubled power reserve, compared to the 2824-2, must reduce the hourly alternations that become 21,600, compared to the 28,800 of its predecessor.
Being thinner, the winding spring, located inside the barrel of the Powermatic 80, is longer but less elastic. The longer length helps to increase the power reserve. Less elasticity leads to a decrease in alternations/hour, as the winding spring develops less force.
The lowering of the hourly alternations decreases their accuracy. A balance that beats 8 times a second has a higher adjustment power than a balance that beats 6 times a second, therefore, it is theoretically more precise.
FREE FLAT HAIRSPRING
The decrease in the alternations/hour of the PW 80 is compensated by the functionality of the flat free hairspring. This solution is adopted on higher-end watches such as Omega, Patek and Rolex etc.. The free hairspring of the Powermatic 80 differs from the standard flat hairspring of the 2824-2 for two reasons: operation and adjustment.
2824-2 STANDARD FLAT HAIRSPRING OPERATION and ADJUSTMENT
The hairspring of the Eta 2824-2, during its motion, impacts the pins of the regulator arm in expansion and shrinkage. This movement forces the hairspring to unbalance and work off-center with the center of gravity outside the axis of the INCABLOC anti-shock ruby (we are talking about micrometric measurements). When the power reserve is less efficient, the hairspring loses stability and accuracy.
The adjustment of the Eta 2824-2 is done by means of a screw that moves the adjustable arm (ETACHRON REGULATOR). By moving the latter, it shortens or lengthens the hairspring on the support point of the regulator pins, thus determining its rigidity or elasticity.
PW80 FREE FLAT HAIRSPRING OPERATION and ADJUSTMENT
Not being delimited by the pins of the regulator arm, the free hairspring of the PW 80 works by expanding and tightening freely in a regular manner. This hairspring is designed to work with greater stability. While driving, the center of gravity remains as close as possible to the axis of the anti-shock ruby, compared to the standard flat hairspring. The watch is running steadily even when the power reserve is running out.
As for the adjustment of the Powermatic 80, it is done through the two screws in the balance. Unscrewing and screwing changes the balance, and consequently, the speed of the balance increases or decreases.
In conclusion, the Powermatic 80 has fewer vibrations than the 2824-2, but it has twice the power reserve. The lack of precision is remedied thanks to the free hairspring that works more constantly and stably, especially in the event of a low power reserve.
Basically the two calibers have a similar precision, but the Powermatic 80 has higher quality characteristics and is up in step with the times. With this move ETA wants to depart from the various 2824-2 clones and similar movements such as the Sellita SW 200, which appeared after the expiration of construction patents of the same caliber. In fact, the Powermatic 80 is reserved exclusively for the watchmaking companies of the Swatch Group: Rado, Hamilton, Certina, Mido and Tissot.
ETA 2824-2 has four different grades:
STANDARD which estimates an accuracy between +/- 12 seconds per day, adjusted to 2 positions;
ELABORÉ with a deviation between +/- 7 seconds a day, adjusted to 3 positions;
TOP with an accuracy of +/- 4 seconds per day, adjusted to 5 positions;
CHRONOMÈTRE with the same characteristics as the Top grade but with a chronograph certificate from the COSC;
As with the 2824-2, the Powermatic 80, over the years, also develops two more degrees, the C07.611 and the C07.811.
C07.111: is the progenitor caliber. Despite having a COSC level precision, this caliber is not convincing because of the High Tech components: the escapement wheel and anchor are made of plastic polymer, a lightweight material that does not require lubrication.
This movement also loses the two rubies on the anchor, so we will find 23 jewels engraved on the movement.
C07.611: traditional movement with 25 rubies and metal escapement wheel and anchor.
With an investment of 90 million, in 2018 Swatch created, in collaboration with Audemars Piguet, a new hairspring, called Nivachron, made of non-magnetic titanium alloy for 9/10. This new technology could, in the future, replace the silicon hairspring.
For this price range, the 611 caliber represents a revolution. Thanks to the quality, innovation and prestige, the Powermatic 80 changes the balance of all the competition.
C07.811: caliber with traditional metal escapement and silicon hairspring. Silicon is a semi-metal with the characteristic of always returning to its original form, so it is very stable and totally non-magnetic. The use of the silicon hairspring, normally reserved for much higher-end watches, is a valuable technical solution. Adopted on economy watches, such as Tissot, it gives all enthusiasts the opportunity to enjoy these innovations.
Depending on the Swatch Group’s Maison, the C07.111 caliber and its upgrades take on different names: Powermatic 80 (Tissot), H10 (Hamilton), Caliber 80 (Mido), finally Rado does not use a specific name.
As for the PW 80, among enthusiasts, there is a fear that watches can only be repaired or overhauled through the parent company. On the contrary, anyone who needs assistance can safely rely on an independent watchmaker certified Swatch Group, who, therefore, can access replacement parts. Those who prefer to rely on their parent companies, will already know that all the maisons, on their official websites, offer maintenance services for their products. In principle, for a time-only watch, the figures are around €210/310. When you send your watch to the parent companies, there may be a possibility that the caliber can be replaced with a new or overhauled one. Those who resort to assistance do not have to worry about the longevity of the watch, as these calibers are standard and do not have serial numbers on the movement, so the value will remain unchanged.
Several mid-range or entry-level watches cash in these ETA movements. Having an ETA product inside your timepiece guarantees reliability and prestige. Without a doubt every fan has in his collection at least one watch with one of these two calibers!
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