ETA 2824-2

The ETA 2824-2 winds in both directions, at a rate of 650 to 800 turns per day.

The most widespread movement in Swiss watchmaking

Designed in the 1970s, the ETA 2824-2 powers hundreds of brands: Tissot, Hamilton, Oris, Longines, Sinn, Stowa, Christopher Ward, and a large part of independent micro-brand watchmaking. If you own a Swiss automatic watch between AED 1,000 and AED 8,000, there is a good chance it uses one.

It comes in four grades of finish: Standard, Elaboré, Top and Chronometer. The winder setting does not change from one grade to another.

Thirty-eight hours is short

This is what sets this calibre apart from modern long-reserve movements. Thirty-eight hours means that a watch put down on Friday evening has stopped by Sunday morning.

For a daily wearer, this is not a problem. For someone who alternates between two or three pieces, the 2824-2 is exactly the kind of calibre where a winder makes sense: otherwise the watch will have stopped every time you want to wear it.

The date, and what not to do

The 2824-2 has an instant date change around midnight. The date mechanism starts to engage from around 9pm and stays engaged until 3am.

Using the quick-set date during this window puts strain on parts that are already engaged, and it is a classic cause of damage on this calibre. A winder removes the issue: the date never stops, so you never need to correct it.

The Sellita SW200-1

Since access to ETA movements became restricted, many brands have switched to the Sellita SW200-1, which is architecturally very similar. The settings are identical: bidirectional, 650 to 800 turns per day.

If you do not know which of the two is in your watch, the setting makes no difference.

Other calibres

See our Settings by calibre page, or our watch winders with adjustable programmes.

A question about your reference? Email us at contact@maisonorvian.com.