Horological Meandering

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Here is a Caliber C.112 to compare:

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They also use some old Enicar 165s as a base for a number of calibers with some Dubois Depraz modules (quarter repeater, perpetual calendar etc.) .  

Here is a Chronoswiss Caliber C.122 used in their Chronoscope (a regulateur with mono-pusher, column wheel, chronograph seconds)

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They also use a large date and retrograde chronograph calibers from La Joux Perret as well.  Most of their chronographs and automatic date watches have historically been ETA movements (7750, 2892-A2 and 2000).  What surprised me on this model was they specified it as a ETA 2892-A2 on their website, catalog and dealer detailing materials yet the watch that I received is obviously a Sellita SW 300 (ETA 2892-A2 equivalent):

[URL=http://s1238.photobucket.com/user/iim7v7im7/media/Chronoswiss%20Timemaster%20Automatic%20CH2855LU/cstm19_zps73ee701d.jpg.html][/URL]

I was a bit surprised that's all. Somehow, I thought that Swatchgroup's clamping down on the external supply of ETA movements was limited to newer, smaller (non-Swiss) watch companies.  Chronoswiss has been a customer of ETA for 30-years and is not a start-up company.  They may have purchased through finishing houses like Sellita or AROLA but the watch arriving with a different caliber really highlights the short supply of ETA calibers to non-Swatchgroup companies (even established customers). This watch was shown at Baselworld 2012 and the first watches are just available now?  Perhaps this was due to a movement shortage (TBD)?

I have expressed my disdain for the recent decision in favor of Swatchgroup in this regard before. Sellita, Soprod and Valanvron cannot fill what ETA used to supply so their is a shortage. Issues like what I believe that I am seeing are just the beginning of the consequence of this decision.

Bob

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