Is the end of the availalibility of ETA movements here?

[RWG Technical]

@Ziggy

i have similar info from my supplier. He told me also i should not worry about the availabilities of ETA movements/parts - only prices will go higher. ETA has stop only selling his ebauches to some companys. Some swiss companys (selitta, soprod) bought ETA ebauches and overwork them (decoration) and sold them for much higher price. ETA makes less profit on ebauches, but this companys makes high profit on decorated movements. And ETA want now sell also decorated movements and will make this profit for his own. Also will ETA accept customs orders from big watch brands and will build decorated movements special for this brands.

but this factoys like Soprod, Choisi and other have bought many ETA ebauches for the future. So will they have ETA movements available for many more years.

But otherwise will ETA stop the sale to small companys/factorys and it will be more difficult to get ETA movements for public. The prices will go automatical higher. ETA has a price increase of 8% in 2008 for Unitas "plain" movements and the distributors want additional 8% more. So we have here 16% higher prices on market for resellers. This resellers make the price additional 5% higher and the end-consumer pay finaly 23% more for a Unitas 6497. On other movements (2893-2, 7750 chrono) it will be much more as this 23% price increase.

This exsample is only for "plain" movements... and prices for decorated movements from Soprod, Choisi??? HORRIBLE PRICE INCREASE

Very interesting.

My prices have gone up a lot from last year, more than the 16%...

Your comments would support why my supplier says I have nothing to worry about, ETA will be available, at what price who knows...

I have dozens of complete ETA's in my spares cabinets, and a lot of the normal servicing parts as well (mainsprings etc) so I am ok for a long time.

RG

[t]

Very interesting.

My prices have gone up a lot from last year, more than the 16%...

Your comments would support why my supplier says I have nothing to worry about, ETA will be available, at what price who knows...

I have dozens of complete ETA's in my spares cabinets, and a lot of the normal servicing parts as well (mainsprings etc) so I am ok for a long time.

RG

same here for me The Zigmeister

16% price increase is only for larger quantity order (minimum 100 pieces) and Unitas "plain". Decorated 6497 movements are 35% higher price. For single order will the price increase higher

for ETA 2824-2 movements pay now 90% more as in 2006. Nearly DOUBLE price

[RWG Technical]

for ETA 2824-2 movements pay now 90% more as in 2006. Nearly DOUBLE price

This is why I am holding on to my spare parts and complete movements, including the ETA 7750's I have...

RG

[freddy333]

Anyone know what the word is on Time Zone regarding this topic? or have they even discussed it.

As of summertime, the general consensus on TZ (Rolex & Watchmaking forums) seemed to run along the lines of what I indicated previously (supplies will be cut in 2009). But, as Bob Frei said (late summer), no one knows for sure what the official plans are yet.

I read a press release about a pending anti-trust or arbitration issue in the ETA/Swatch case brought about (I think) by the Bern City Council (or some other Bern government agency) that someone on TZ referred me to, but I cannot find it now.

[RWG Technical]

As of summertime, the general consensus on TZ (Rolex & Watchmaking forums) seemed to run along the lines of what I indicated previously (supplies will be cut in 2009). But, as Bob Frei said (late summer), no one knows for sure what the official plans are yet.

Well I guess we'll know next year this time, if the price list I get has no ETA's listed on it...

Thanks for the insight.

RG

[tag]

ETA has stop only selling his ebauches to some companys. Some swiss companys (selitta, soprod) bought ETA ebauches and overwork them (decoration) and sold them for much higher price. ETA makes less profit on ebauches, but this companys makes high profit on decorated movements. And ETA want now sell also decorated movements and will make this profit for his own. Also will ETA accept customs orders from big watch brands and will build decorated movements special for this brands.

I'm no specialist but that's also what I understood from the beginning. ETA will stop selling ebauches at all from 2012, so a caliber based on an ETA ebauche will have to be replace either by a non ETA movt or by the standard ETA, bearing ETA's logo (and not IWC, Oris, ML or whatever).

Standard ETA movt will still be available otherwise ETA closes down.

For rep maker, is there any issue? Won't they buy standard movt, replace the rotor by a rotor with the logo they want to rep, then seal the case? Instead of infriging the replicated brand only, they will infringe ETA's rules but do they care?

Again, that's what I understood. Am I wrong?

EDIT: there's not only sellita as an alternative for branded calibers but also miyota, seagull, etc.

Who can give us a short overview of how they compare to each in terms of quality/robustness?

My guess;

1. ETA

2. Miyota

3. Seagull

?. Sellita?

etc.

Edited January 3, 2008 by tag