IWC

chintu
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IWC does make extensive modifications. Here goes...

Hi

IWC doesnot suppress the fact that it uses ETA/Valjox ebauches. From whatever I could understand, IWC is pretty transparent about even the add on modules. Please visit  www. IWC.ch ( the forum inside) to have a complete diagram of the iWC 37582 perpetual calendar module that rides on the ETA 2892.

Coming to your specific question;

The extent of modification that IWC makes to an ETA movement can be understood from the below extract. This has appeared in a message thread in another forum and I am not posting any links.

I have only chosen the part which highlights the modifications. This appears to be a message from IWC itself to a question posed in that forum.

QUOTE

" IWC buys at ETA no complete movements. The movements are only bought in its components, never assembled. In addition, only the best possible version is purchased - the so-called Chronometer version. Some components of the original ETA calibre's are immediately eliminated and are never used
by IWC. They are replaced by usually more expensive and better ones.

The main parts IWC replaces are:
A. the mainspring
B. the barrel
C. the escape wheel
D. the pallet fork
E. the complete balance including the balance spring
The entire escapement is a good example. It is ordered separately with different, more exact technical IWC specifications and is only fitted into the calibre at the end of the assembly."

UNQUOTE

Another paragraph posted by the member of a different forum is equally enlightening; 

QUOTE:

[On the] "2892-A2, the watchmakers in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, have gone to the trouble of so luxuriously rebuilding the base calibre that you could almost describe it as a total revision. The most immediately notable feature of the modified calibre is the gold plating. After subjecting the calibre to comprehensive upgrading, it operates with significantly less friction and its balance swings through a larger arc. IWC insists on closer tolerances for endshake, meshing and truing in the flat than ETA permits. A lever is individually made for each movement. Nearly all critical components along the path from the escapement to the mainspring are removed from the movement and replaced with corresponding components from IWC's own manufacture. The escapement and balance are optimally fine-tuned and painstakingly adjusted."
UNQUOTE

My apologies if I have violated any forum rules. It is just that I found the above so informative that I thought that the discussion will benefit from the same.

Regards

Narsi