{"id":286,"date":"2014-03-20T14:14:11","date_gmt":"2014-03-20T19:14:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.bernardwatch.com\/blog\/?p=286"},"modified":"2016-12-19T09:32:14","modified_gmt":"2016-12-19T15:32:14","slug":"swatch-eta-movements-pushing-ahead-with-hamilton-h-21-h-31","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bernardwatch.com\/blog\/swatch-eta-movements-pushing-ahead-with-hamilton-h-21-h-31\/","title":{"rendered":"SWATCH ETA Movements, Pushing Ahead With Hamilton H-21 and H-31"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row padding_top=”0px” padding_bottom=”0px”][vc_column fade_animation_offset=”45px” width=”1\/1″][image type=”none” float=”none” src=”722″ alt=”” href=”” title=”” info_content=”” lightbox_caption=”” id=”” class=”” style=””][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row padding_top=”0px” padding_bottom=”0px”][vc_column fade_animation_offset=”45px” width=”1\/1″][text_output]In 2011, Hamilton<\/a> introduced two new chronograph movements dubbed the H-21 and H-31.\u00a0 These movements are based on the extremely popular and well-loved ETA Valjoux 7750<\/a> and ETA 7753<\/a>.\u00a0 The Valjoux 7750 was introduced in 1974\u00a0and captures the essence of \u201ceconomy of manufacture.\u201d\u00a0The movement itself sits at 7.9mm thick which helps to explain why most chronograph watches with the 7750 sit at 13mm to 17mm thick.\u00a0\u00a0 Thankfully most people who want a chronograph typically enjoy a larger watch.<\/p>\n

It is well-known to people who follow Swiss watch industry news that the SWATCH Group<\/a> has been focused on reducing the supply of ETA movements<\/a> to companies outside their group, but these movements are still being supplied, and will continue to be supplied under certain agreements.\u00a0 However, SWATCH is only under agreement to supply the movements that they have sold for years (decades).\u00a0 This allows them to innovate and create cutting-edge movements exclusive to the SWATCH group, while their competition must rely on the standard (but clearly still a great workhorse) ETA ebauches or use a Sellita SW 500.<\/a><\/p>\n

Watch firms with more capital can invest significant funds into researching & developing their own movements, or modifying an ETA or Sellita themselves.\u00a0 SWATCH first announced they would phase down delivery of their movements way back in 2002.\u00a0 Breitling and Panerai are two of the largest watch brands who traditionally used MANY ETA Valjoux movements and did not create any of their own movements.\u00a0 They saw the writing on the wall and by the end of the decade they were selling watches with their own in-house movements<\/a>.\u00a0 These new\u00a0manufacture<\/i>\u00a0movements do not come cheap, on average costing 4-6 times more than a Hamilton.[\/text_output][text_output]<\/p>\n

Hamilton H21 and H31<\/h2>\n

Below is a short promotional video Hamilton created which shows of the beauty of these new Hamilton movements.[\/text_output][vc_raw_html]JTNDaWZyYW1lJTIwd2lkdGglM0QlMjI1NjAlMjIlMjBoZWlnaHQlM0QlMjIzMTUlMjIlMjBzcmMlM0QlMjIlMkYlMkZ3d3cueW91dHViZS5jb20lMkZlbWJlZCUyRnhWSlBuRFg5Mmg4JTIyJTIwZnJhbWVib3JkZXIlM0QlMjIwJTIyJTIwYWxsb3dmdWxsc2NyZWVuJTNFJTNDJTJGaWZyYW1lJTNF[\/vc_raw_html][text_output]<\/p>\n

60 hour power reserve<\/h3>\n

With the introduction of the Hamilton H-21 and H-31 SWATCH has stepped up their game by providing two very significant improvements to the 40-year old movement.\u00a0 Most obvious is the increased power reserve of 60 hours instead of 42 hours.\u00a0 Hamilton achieved this increase power reserve by improving the main springs on the Valjoux.<\/p>\n

For someone with a couple of favorite automatic watches they like to switch out, or maybe for the man who has a workweek watch and a weekend watch, this extra 18 hours running-time helps assure your watch will still be running when you pick it up again without the need of a watch winding box.[\/text_output][image type=”thumbnail” float=”none” link=”true” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” src=”714″][text_output]<\/p>\n

\u00a0Increased Accuracy<\/h3>\n

It is commonly known that a Swiss or Japanese quartz movement is more accurate than the most sophisticated of mechanical watches.\u00a0 People who appreciate mechanical watches accept this.\u00a0 That is not to say that we don\u2019t care about accuracy!\u00a0 At Hamilton\u2019s \u201cUniversity\u201d<\/a> they simply state \u201cThe spiral has been glittered to increase accuracy and stability\u201d.\u00a0 I tried to do some research on what the process of \u201cglittering\u201d is, but my google-fu failed me.\u00a0 We timed a couple of the new movements and found them to keep within COSC specifications (while not being a Chronometer certified watch).<\/p>\n

There was an incorrect rumor at in the WatchUSeek Forums<\/a> that these Hamilton movements had the Nivachoc shock-protection.\u00a0 The Nivachoc is utilized in the signficantly nicer Omega 8500 and 9300 calibers<\/a>.\u00a0 The rumor was debunked, and originated due to the jewel caps being two opposed Ts like the shock absorber on the modern Omega Co-axial opposed to the violin shaped jewel caps on an Incabloc.[\/text_output][image type=”thumbnail” float=”right” link=”true” info=”popover” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” src=”715″][text_output]Hamilton watches already offered a great value for the budget-conscious watch collector, even before introducing these two significant improvements.\u00a0 The extended power reserve and enhanced accuracy are just the cherries on top.\u00a0 We are excited to offer a range of Hamilton watches for purchase<\/a>.\u00a0 We only have one of each model and we expect the selection to slim down quickly![\/text_output][lightbox selector=”.x-img-link” opacity=”0.875″ prev_scale=”0.75″ prev_opacity=”0.75″ next_scale=”0.75″ next_opacity=”0.75″ orientation=”horizontal”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

With the introduction of the Hamilton H-21 and H-31 SWATCH has stepped up their game by providing two very significant improvements to the 40-year old Valjoux 7750 movement: Improved Power Reserve and Accuracy. Learn more about how this budget-friendly brand is bringing great innovations to consumers. We also goes into some minor detail on the (dwindling) supply of ETA ebauches to other non-SWATCH Group brands. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":722,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[36,28,7],"class_list":["post-286","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-watch-knowledge","tag-hamilton","tag-movements","tag-swatch","entry"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.bernardwatch.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/ham-h31-header.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":78,"url":"https:\/\/www.bernardwatch.com\/blog\/eta-2824-and-eta-2892-comparison\/","url_meta":{"origin":286,"position":0},"title":"ETA automatic workhorses, the 2824 and 2892","date":"August 13, 2008","format":false,"excerpt":"ETA is the largest supplier of movements in Switzerland. Currently about 80% of Swiss watches have ETA movements. ETA is owned by the Swatch Group conglomerate. Eta was formed in 1983 with the merger of ASUAG and SSIH. Prior to that ETA was Ebauches SA which was an alliance of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Watch Comparisons"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bernardwatch.com\/image\/archive\/OMG2081MVMT.JPG?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":14,"url":"https:\/\/www.bernardwatch.com\/blog\/nicholas-hayek\/","url_meta":{"origin":286,"position":1},"title":"Nicholas G. Hayek: “Mr. Swatch”","date":"September 8, 2006","format":false,"excerpt":"Nicholas G. Hayek: \"Master of Time\", Mr. Swatch, CEO of Breguet, co-founder and chairman of the Swatch Group, and \"savior\" of the Swiss watch industry. Hayek is a huge believer in the entrepreneur mentality and is close friends with risk and innovation. He takes the traditional Swiss industrial strengths of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Watch History"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/specials-images.forbes.com\/imageserve\/0bsM4Q1d0n87k\/620x434.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":1083,"url":"https:\/\/www.bernardwatch.com\/blog\/watch-notes-of-the-week-never-worn\/","url_meta":{"origin":286,"position":2},"title":"Watch Notes Of The Week: Never Worn","date":"November 28, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"We focus on selling pre-owned watches, but sometimes great unworn watches come our way and we have to buy 'em so we can offer these goodies to our viewers. Here's some select pieces! Rolex - Submariner Date This hefty chunk of gold is still new, but at a great price\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Watch Notes & Comments"","img":{"alt_text":"Watch Notes on Never Worn Watches","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bernardwatch.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/blog-never-worn-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":411,"url":"https:\/\/www.bernardwatch.com\/blog\/pjs-watch-notes-of-the-week-7\/","url_meta":{"origin":286,"position":3},"title":"PJ\u2019s Watch Notes of the Week","date":"October 17, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Panerai - Radiomir GMT Alarm - PAM 98 This is a model we have been fortunate enough to come across a couple of times in the past, but it remains a rare piece, with only 3000 total pieces made between 2001 and 2006. \u00a0 The Panerai Radiomir GMT Alarm features\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Watch Notes & Comments"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bernardwatch.com\/image\/archive\/PAN283S.JPG?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":271,"url":"https:\/\/www.bernardwatch.com\/blog\/pjs-watch-notes-of-the-week-5\/","url_meta":{"origin":286,"position":4},"title":"PJ’s Watch Notes of the Week","date":"September 7, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"I almost drooled on this watch, but I didn't. \u00a0Oh, also, it is in pristine condition and has a balance of the factory warranty, although you shouldn't need it since this piece was averaging 0 seconds of gain or loss with no position outside of COSC specs on a full\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Watch Notes & Comments"","img":{"alt_text":"A. Lange & Sohne - The Richard Lange","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bernardwatch.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/ALS04E3.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":1073,"url":"https:\/\/www.bernardwatch.com\/blog\/watch-notes-chronographs-nov-2016\/","url_meta":{"origin":286,"position":5},"title":"Watch Notes of the Week – Chronographs!","date":"November 16, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"You probably already know a chronograph is essentially a watch with a stopwatch built in. In most cases, the chrono-seconds are mounted in the center, and the watch will have additional subdials for the minutes and hours. Below is a selection of Chronographs with some special notes on each!","rel":"","context":"In "Watch Notes & Comments"","img":{"alt_text":"Chronograph Watch Notes","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bernardwatch.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/chronograph-watches.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bernardwatch.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/286","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bernardwatch.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bernardwatch.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bernardwatch.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bernardwatch.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=286"}],"version-history":[{"count":43,"href":"https:\/\/www.bernardwatch.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/286\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1113,"href":"https:\/\/www.bernardwatch.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/286\/revisions\/1113"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bernardwatch.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/722"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bernardwatch.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=286"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bernardwatch.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=286"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bernardwatch.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=286"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}