What makes a good movement?
Discussion
It's the word 'good' which needs looking at, as it depends on criteria - the ubiquitous V 7750 is a good movement as it is reliable and a good timekeeper (subject to regulation) for example, however it's probably not 'interesting'.
Automatic chronograph movements are a good example; the Zenith El Primo has been around virtually unchanged since its inception in '69 - it's integrated, high-beat and as accurate as anything else but is complex and expensive to work on. The Cal. 11/12 isn't integrated - it's modular, so sometimes looked on as being a lesser movement because of that, but is nonetheless reliable and accurate too (the 11 was quickly superseded by the 12 to correct certain weak points). Purists may say that a chrono should be integrated, with column wheel, vertical clutch and so on, these are all points that lead peoples interest but whether it makes it 'good' or not depends on how you feel about it - outwardly they'll perform very closely to a venerable 7750, which dispensed with a column wheel in favour of a 3 cam system - does this make it good or bad...?
There's a good précis here http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... that goes into a bit more detail.
There are constant little innovations such as parachrome or silicon main springs, the Daniels escapement etc that are worthy of attention,
My favourite is a Lemania 5100/5012 for example, an integrated cam wheel vertical clutch movement, but to look at it is very agricultural, including Drylon (plastic) parts, but doesn't suffer rotor wobble and has the minute chrono directly driven which affords it a robustness under shock/'g' better than non-directly driven counterparts. A Lemania 2222/Omega 321 is perhaps one of the best looking manual chrono movements but obviously is not automatic - so you pays your money and takes your choice.
Some of the critisism of the more expensive watches that use ETA movements is that ETA are relatively cheap and don't need much fettling by the manufacturer - in effect the 'manufacturer' just designs and builds the case - 'all show, no go' is the attitude that surrounds these makers - but of course, as I've said, they are sound movements, just sometimes over-priced in relation to something more in-house or tweaked. This is particularly the case when no real effort is made in the design or case engineering. Sinn/Damaskos focus for example is on case technology and dial clarity which the do very well at, so although they use a 7750 the overall package is redeemed.
Don't forget that there are different grades of ETA movement as well - this also may have some bearing on what you would describe as 'good'.
So no really good answer, it may be that the best way to decide is to read up on the merits and see what ticks your particular personal boxes!
Automatic chronograph movements are a good example; the Zenith El Primo has been around virtually unchanged since its inception in '69 - it's integrated, high-beat and as accurate as anything else but is complex and expensive to work on. The Cal. 11/12 isn't integrated - it's modular, so sometimes looked on as being a lesser movement because of that, but is nonetheless reliable and accurate too (the 11 was quickly superseded by the 12 to correct certain weak points). Purists may say that a chrono should be integrated, with column wheel, vertical clutch and so on, these are all points that lead peoples interest but whether it makes it 'good' or not depends on how you feel about it - outwardly they'll perform very closely to a venerable 7750, which dispensed with a column wheel in favour of a 3 cam system - does this make it good or bad...?
There's a good précis here http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... that goes into a bit more detail.
There are constant little innovations such as parachrome or silicon main springs, the Daniels escapement etc that are worthy of attention,
My favourite is a Lemania 5100/5012 for example, an integrated cam wheel vertical clutch movement, but to look at it is very agricultural, including Drylon (plastic) parts, but doesn't suffer rotor wobble and has the minute chrono directly driven which affords it a robustness under shock/'g' better than non-directly driven counterparts. A Lemania 2222/Omega 321 is perhaps one of the best looking manual chrono movements but obviously is not automatic - so you pays your money and takes your choice.
Some of the critisism of the more expensive watches that use ETA movements is that ETA are relatively cheap and don't need much fettling by the manufacturer - in effect the 'manufacturer' just designs and builds the case - 'all show, no go' is the attitude that surrounds these makers - but of course, as I've said, they are sound movements, just sometimes over-priced in relation to something more in-house or tweaked. This is particularly the case when no real effort is made in the design or case engineering. Sinn/Damaskos focus for example is on case technology and dial clarity which the do very well at, so although they use a 7750 the overall package is redeemed.
Don't forget that there are different grades of ETA movement as well - this also may have some bearing on what you would describe as 'good'.
So no really good answer, it may be that the best way to decide is to read up on the merits and see what ticks your particular personal boxes!
Edited by andy_s on Wednesday 17th August 09:30
Gassing Station | Watches | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff