Is IWC still receiving movement kits from ETA...

or are they receiving whole movements now because of Swatch Group's move to cutting off their ebauche program?
Sorry if this has been covered before, I could not find that exact issue addressed in the archives.
If so, does IWC do their upgrades in house or does ETA already build them to spec at their factory?
Thanks in advance,
Stuart

here's an earlier reply from IWC

[i]The following from IWC to a consumer is from a TZ post last month in answer to the same questions:[i]

Dear Mr. -----------,

Thank you very much for your request and your interest in IWC.

I am very sorry that I'm answering your request so late -- my sincere apologies.

We have found ourselves in a period of transition ever since the policy decision by ETA not to supply ébauches (i.e.movement kits), but only fully assembled movements in the longer term. As a result, since mid-2007, we have also been installing fully assembled movements, manufactured by ETA according to our standards and specifications, in addition to our own calibres assembled by us and based on the Valjoux 7750 ébauche. The number of ébauches supplied has been decreasing steadily since then, and deliveries will cease altogether at the beginning of 2011. However, because all the modification measures required by IWC have been incorporated into ETA’s production techniques, the complete movements also embody the latest developments and conform to IWC’s high quality standards. Regardless of whether the ébauche is assembled by IWC or a fully assembled movement is supplied by ETA, every individual movement is subjected to IWC’s comprehensive and exacting testing procedures.

We regard an IWC watch as an oeuvre, in which – alongside the movement – form and design, the choice of exclusive materials and outstanding ease of use combine to ensure that our timepieces represent a precision product of the highest quality across all price categories.

Once again, my sincere apologies for my late response.

Kind regards from Schaffhausen,

Jannis Faupel
Senior Product Manager
IWC Schaffhausen
Branch of Richemont International S.A.
Baumgartenstrasse 15
CH-8201 Schaffhausen

Regards,
Jack Freedman

Thanks Jack! Have you seen any difference...

in movement quality on watches post 2007 versus prior 2007 that you have worked on, other than the visual changes?
Thanks in advance!

Re: Thanks Jack! Have you seen any difference...

I haven't seen any difference and I don't expect to. The Swatch Group knows very well the high standards expected by IWC and will continue to respect such by delivering top quality movements.

I don't see any good reason to worry now about ETA or other movements used by IWC since they have strict quality control in every phase of watch production.

Regards,
Jack Freedman

Thanks again Jack, very nice to know.

Re: Thanks Jack! Have you seen any difference...

Dear Mr. Freedman:

Are you, then, offering reassurance--and your word as a recognized expert will carry great weight with me as well as countless others--that the movements in question, completed by ETA since mid-2007, are in every respect equal to those done in-house at IWC prior to mid-2007?

Again thank you for responding to my earlier query regarding my Mark XVI's stainless steel bracelet-, which I learn was furnished by an outside supplier.

So the question arises as to just which parts of the IWC watch in question was manufactured by IWC.

Thanks for again taking the time!

Best Regards,

Donald Wilson

here are some assurances ...

In the years I've been associated with IWC (25 ) I have seen constant technical improvements made on ETA movements. These are denoted by a change in the calibre number suffix e.g. C375 xx.

I've been advised a long time ago that many changes IWC made to improve the efficiency of ETA movements have been later adopted and incorporated by Swatch. As is common in the industry, movement suppliers deliver their goods in grades according to the requests and prices paid by watch companies. Thus, without say, IWC would order and receive the best executed movements of its kind.

While IWC still uses ETA movements for their basic needs I'm quite certain that the quality control standards are still the same whether they receive only the parts in a kit or as complete movements. In my humble opinion, since ETA movements used by IWC carry an IWC calibre number and individual movement serial numbers, I'm inclined to believe that a special run is organized for IWC's needs.

As with all other components delivered to IWC, such as cases and steel bracelets, there is always close attention paid to the quality of the parts and the workmanship both in and out of their workshops.

Regards,
Jack Freedman

here are some assurances ...

Dear Mr. Freedman:

Thanks very much for your reply, with its meaningful reassurances.

By the way, fellow Forum member Taubi seems to be of the opinion that "bro" is engraved in all the steel bracelets and buckles of IWC watches.

Whoever makes the bracelet, as I said in my original posting, does an incredible job with it--and, of course, is EXTREMELY well paid for his efforts!

Cheers!

Donald

Never noticed the BRO before but

it is there on my Aquatimer bracelet!

Maybe - half in house ...

Donzé-Baume was acquired by Richemont in November 2007 and the following is part of the press release:

"Donzé-Baume SA is based in Les Breuleux in the Jura canton of Switzerland and has some 300 employees working in the manufacture of watch cases and bracelets. The company supplies many of the leading Swiss specialist watchmaking companies, including a number of Richemont’s own Maisons"

Cheers from the cellar

Donze-Baume S.A.

Maybe - half in house ...

Fascinating! Thanks for this.

I wonder if this company also makes any cases for IWC?

Cheers!

Donald

Any differences in decoration and finish ? nt

"Swatch Inside"

...the Swatch group would sell their movements to non-Swatch group manufacturer at the condition that they clearly state within their brochures and catalogues that the movement was made by ETA - Swatch group.

Is this true ? If yes, this would certainly lead to making a lot of publicity for the Swatch group as well as the product perception may be negatively affected thus creating a global competitive advantage in favour of the Swatch group.

Could Nicolas Hayek pushes it to the point of requesting a sticker "Swatch Inside" to be affixed on each watch incorporating either an ETA ebauche or an ETA movement ?