Any public announced plans for a Calibre to replace 30110?

Michael and others,

Has IWC publicly announced the development of a 11-1/2 ligne in-house automatic calibre to replace Calibre 30110? Given, last year's commission ruling in favor of ETA (SwatchGroup) exerting its right to not to continue to supply competitors with movements, I was wondering how this might shape IWCs future developments.

It did not surprise me that IWC's Calibre 89xxx was sized similarly to an ETA 7750 at 13-1/4 ligne. Has IWC announced a life cycle replacement for ETA 2892/A2? I suppose, one of three scenarios is possible:

1) The Hayek's continue to supply IWC as they have for years
2) IWC switches to Sellita SW300 or a Soprod A10 built to spec. or delivered as an ebauche.
3) IWC develops a 11-1/2 ligne base calibre of its own

While I suspect option 1 because the Hayek's likely view IWC as a real watch company, but who knows? They could really hurt Richemont brands by shutting down ETA and Nivarox-FAR. Personally, option 3 would be my hope and preference. Long term reliance on a competitor is never a good strategy.

I really have not been following this lately. If this has been discussed in other thread, please direct me.

Thanks,

Bob

Great queation - Lets see what happens and the latest updates during SIHH ?

Didn't I read here somewhere that IWC has a special position with ETA, IWC having contributed to some of the movements, and IWC having special versions of them? Like for the Mark XVII and the new to come Ingenieur Automatic, that have the 30110: I read that ETA would continue this movement for IWC. But of course, the only constant is the change, so this statement may be nearing the end of its validity life cycle.

Kind regards,
Paul

Yes, a very interesting topic!

Any future light on this is highly appreciated.

/Anders

As far as I was able to find out, my Portofino Automatic should be equipped with the movement from Sellita SW300. About the future plans I do nor expect any official announcements. So far, this topic was always kept silent...

IWC, like virtually all watch companies, does not publicly announce its future plans. To the extent I know them, I really can't state anything.

That said, I will say that I do know of IWC's 2013 models, and there may be some interesting pieces down the road but nothing to replace calibre 30110 or otherwise affecr IWC's long-standing relationship with ETA. As already commented IWC does use Selita as a supplier for some models. Also, I will say that Richemont is an incredibly strong company, with great breadth and depth including for movement manufacture.

Given all these factors, and not to be dismissive, I personally consider the issue a non-issue, and certainly not one for any revelations at SIHH. In the long run, I (again personally) perceive the issue more of one of price: in an economic marketplace, whenever supplies are limited or monopolies confirmed, that increases the price for such supplies or alternatives.

Michael,

Thanks as always for you comments.

It is currently a design limitation that keeps IWC from designing watches for the wrists of mortals (:-). IWC's competitors; both inside and outside Richemont will drive this change as well by offering in-house calibres in the price segment where IWC competes with ETA/Sellita based calibres. Also, anthropometric reality will take the world back from 44-46 mm watches. I personally, would welcome a new smaller IWC in-house auto calibre and a smaller manual wind like the venerable Calibre 89, allowing For watches in the 38-42 mm range again. Calibres 50000, 80000 and 98000 drive larger watch designs. I was pleased to note that IWC's team designed the 89000 to the same size as a 7750.

Thanks Again,

Bob