Caliber 30110 question

Hi folks, I have searched and searched, both archives here, other watch sites and google etc. but cannot find a definitive answer to this.

I know that the 30110 in my new AT2000 is a reworked 2892, and that until recently IWC replaced certain parts and regulated it for greater accuracy etc. Now that ETA do the work themselves to IWC specs, it seems near impossible to find out what they actually do. Do ETA do the same as IWC used to do, and to the same standards? Is this checked by IWC, then regulated by them? Is each watch checked, or just examples from different batches? Do IWC do any work on the movement themselves?

Certainly my AT started at 3-4 seconds a day out of the box but, after a couple of months, has settled down to a consistent 1 sec per day - so no complaints! But I'd really like to know what's in the watch, and have spent literally hours searching to find out, so if anybody knows the answers to any of these questions, I'd be very grateful.

Thanks in advance,
Jez

I would assume IWC procures the highest quality 2892 with some specific adjustments required as per IWC that ETA performs. I suspect then, the movement is then delivered to IWC where they drop it in your watch fully assembled.

I wouldn't look any further into it than that. A few years ago, they would get it in pieces and they would assemble it themselves. Today, to cut costs, having ETA do it is clearly more efficient for IWC.

I just love the price increases with the quality decreases. While I love IWC, this sort of behaviour makes me find the brand a little less special. Also annoys me that they call it at Ca 30110 when in fact it's a 2892.

Each watch is individually and extensively tested, and adjusted as needed.

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I have to agree. But when you buy an AT 2000 you not only buy a 30110 calibre you buy the case too and trust me, the Aqua Timer is a great piece of engineering. And after all, ETA 2892 is a very reliable calibre but we would expect from IWC a bit more transparency...

So are you saying that these are pretty much the same movement with the exact same dimensions? Like you're just able to place a 2892 into a case that was built for the 30110?

It's my understanding that the current 2982-A2 incorporates many of the modifications that Richard Habring brought to the table when IWC used to tinker with 2892 themselves, so no matter what, you're getting IWC innovation (then again, so is everyone who uses a modern ETA 2982-A2).

Of course, the $64,000 question remains as to whether or not the c.30110 in its current guise is any different from a bog-standard top-grade 2892 sold to other brands (beyond a signed rotor, that is), but either way, it's a terrific movement and one that has more than earned its stripes.

Regards,
Adam

PS - The reason fully-assembled movements are now provided to IWC, as opposed to ebauches, has nothing to do with cost control and everything to do with Swatch Group's decision to cut off the supply of kits to non-Swatch Group brands.

You probably could pop one in a the case only because the height and width are the same. The 30110 is made to IWC specifications and has several technical differences.