Lovers of watches often meet the terms " caliber " And " movement". But is it the same thing or is there a subtlety? This article enlightens you on this differencewith concrete examples and clear explanations. We will see that if these terms are often used as synonyms, their use reveals an important technical and historical difference.
In watchmaking, a movement is the set of internal components that allow a watch to display the time and work. It is made up of dozens, even hundreds of mobile parts grouped in a very small space. These components include:
There are different types of movements:
Movement is therefore the technical soul of the watch. It is he who animates the needles, the complications and guarantees the precision of the measurement of time.
Originally, the word "caliber" simply designated the dimensions of a movement (often expressed in lines). But today, the term has evolved to designate a specific model of movement, recognizable by an alphanumeric reference given by the manufacturer. For example: ETA 2824-2, Rolex 3135, Seiko 6R35.
Each caliber is a kind of "technical identity card" of the movement. It indicates its technical characteristics, its origin, its internal design, and sometimes its level of finish. The same caliber can be used in several models, or even by several brands.
It can be factory (designed internally by a brand like Rolex, Omega, Patek Philippe, Artya) or produced by specialists like ETA, Sellita or Miyota, widely used in Swiss and Japanese watchmaking.
In other words, the movement is the general concept (mechanical, quartz, hybrid), while the caliber is the precise version of this movement. To illustrate: a Tissot PRX PowerMatic 80 has a Powermatic caliber 80.111which is an automatic reassembly movement derived from an ETA.
Understand this nuance has several interests:
These examples show how brands use the concept of caliber as a real marketing and technical argument.
In collection cases, each caliber is often duly listed, which allows it to be traced in the brand's archives.
The movement is the engine of a watch, and the caliber is the precise designation. Their distinction, although subtle, is essential to assess the technical richness of watchmaking, understand the specifics of a model, and make enlightened choices as a buyer or passionate. Do not hesitate to comment or share your own experiences with calibers!
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