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WristBuzz Various Watch Calibers
⚙ 120 calibers · Reference

Watch Calibers

Movement-by-movement reference for the calibers that power the watches you actually wear. Spec sheets, history, which references use each, accuracy in the wild, and what to know before service. Pair with the main wiki for complication-level deep dives and Watch 101 for the buyer-friendly Q&A.

Hero: Omega Cal. 321 · Image: Omega
Audemars Piguet
AP Caliber 2121
Royal Oak Jumbo 1972-2022
The 3.05 mm ultra-thin automatic that powered the original 1972 Royal Oak ref. 5402 and the Jumbo 15202 until 2022. Based on JLC Cal. 920, sibling of Vacheron 1120.
2.75 Hz · 40 h PR · 36 jewels · 3.05 mm thin · Central rotor on peripheral rail · Replaced by Cal. 7121 (2022)
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Audemars Piguet
AP Caliber 3120 / 4302
In-house Royal Oak automatic
The 2005 / 2019 in-house Royal Oak automatics that succeeded the JLC-shared Cal. 2120. 22-kt gold central rotor, free-sprung balance, 60-70 h reserve.
3 Hz (3120) / 4 Hz (4302) · 60-70 h PR · 22-kt gold rotor · Free-sprung balance
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Audemars Piguet
AP Caliber 4401
Royal Oak Chronograph in-house (2019)
AP's first integrated in-house chronograph (2019). Column-wheel + vertical clutch + flyback, 70 h reserve, 3-6-9 symmetrical layout. In the modern Royal Oak Chronograph 41.
4 Hz · 70 h PR · 40 jewels · Column-wheel + vertical clutch · Flyback · 3-6-9 layout
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Audemars Piguet
AP Caliber 7121
New Royal Oak Jumbo engine (2022)
The 2022 in-house automatic that replaced the legendary Cal. 2121 in the Royal Oak Jumbo (ref. 16202). 55 h reserve, free-sprung balance, off-centre rotor on ball bearings. End of the JLC 920 era.
4 Hz · 55 h PR · 32 jewels · 3.2 mm thin · Free-sprung balance · Ball-bearing rotor
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Audemars Piguet
Audemars Piguet 2120
Ultra-thin joint-development (1967)
The 1967 ultra-thin (2.45 mm) automatic developed jointly with JLC, Patek, and Vacheron. Peripheral full rotor on 4 ceramic balls. Powered the original 1972 Royal Oak.
2.75 Hz · 40 h PR · 36 jewels · 2.45 mm · Peripheral 22kt gold rotor on 4 ceramic balls
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Breguet
Breguet Caliber 502.3
Classique automatic standard
Breguet's 2.4 mm in-house ultra-thin automatic, in the Classique 5197, 7137, and Marine 5517. Silicon hairspring, hand-engine-turned 22k gold rotor, all the Breguet finishing signatures.
4 Hz · 45 h PR · 35 jewels · 2.4 mm thin · Silicon hairspring · Hand-engine-turned 22k gold rotor
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Breitling
Breitling B01
Flagship in-house chronograph
The first wholly in-house Breitling chronograph (2009): column-wheel + vertical clutch, 70 h reserve, COSC. The same architecture Tudor licenses as the MT5813.
4 Hz · 70 h PR · 47 jewels · Column-wheel + vertical clutch · COSC
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Breitling
Breitling B19
In-house perpetual chronograph
The 2021 in-house perpetual calendar chronograph in the Premier B19 Datora. B01 base + perpetual module, 96 h reserve, ~USD 30-40k entry to perpetual chronos.
4 Hz · 96 h PR · Perpetual calendar + chronograph · Column-wheel + vertical clutch
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Breitling
Breitling B20
Tudor partnership 3-hand-date
The Tudor MT5612 base in the Superocean Heritage II and Premier Automatic. Free-sprung balance, silicon hairspring, COSC, 70 h reserve. From the 2017 partnership.
4 Hz · 70 h PR · 26 jewels · Silicon hairspring · Free-sprung · COSC
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Bulgari
Bulgari BVL 138 Finissimo
Thinnest production automatic (2017)
The world's thinnest serially-produced automatic at launch (2017): 2.23 mm. Peripheral platinum micro-rotor, 60 h reserve. In the Octo Finissimo Automatic.
3 Hz · 60 h PR · 36 jewels · 2.23 mm · Peripheral platinum micro-rotor · Record-thin auto
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Bulova
Bulova Accutron 214
1960 tuning-fork pioneer
The first electronic wristwatch (1960). 360 Hz tuning-fork regulator, ±2 sec/day, by Max Hetzel. The Spaceview shows the mechanism through the dial.
360 Hz tuning fork · ±2 sec/day · Mercury cell · Designed by Max Hetzel · 1960-1977
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Breitling / Heuer / Buren
Caliber 11 Chronomatic
1969 auto-chronograph race contender
The 1969 Chronomatic: Breitling, Heuer, Hamilton-Buren and Dubois Dépraz consortium auto chronograph. Modular micro-rotor base + chrono module. Powered the Heuer Monaco.
2.75 Hz · 42 h PR · 17 jewels · Modular (Buren micro-rotor + Dubois Dépraz) · Crown left
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Cartier
Cartier 1847 MC
Modern Santos in-house automatic
Cartier's second in-house automatic (2018) for the redesigned Santos. 4 Hz, 42 h reserve, paramagnetic shielding. Named for the year Cartier was founded.
4 Hz · 42 h PR · 23 jewels · Paramagnetic shielding · Made in La Chaux-de-Fonds
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Cartier
Cartier 1904 MC
First in-house Cartier automatic
Cartier's first wholly in-house automatic, launched in 2010 with the Calibre de Cartier. Free-sprung balance, double ceramic ball-bearing rotor, 4 Hz, 48 h reserve.
4 Hz · 48 h PR · 27 jewels · Free-sprung balance · Bidirectional rotor · Made in La Chaux-de-Fonds
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Casio
Casio Module 5611
G-Shock GMW-B5000 metal Square (2018)
The digital quartz module inside the iconic full-metal G-Shock Square GMW-B5000 (35th anniversary). Tough Solar, multi-band 6 atomic-clock sync, Bluetooth, 200 m water resistance.
Digital quartz · Tough Solar · Multi-band 6 atomic sync · Bluetooth · 200 m WR · 26-month dark reserve
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Chopard
Chopard L.U.C. 96.01-L
Micro-rotor flagship (1996)
The 1996 in-house micro-rotor that defined Chopard's rebirth as a serious watchmaker. 22k gold rotor, twin barrels for 65 h reserve, Geneva Seal. Foundation of every L.U.C. caliber.
4 Hz · 65 h PR · 29 jewels · Twin Technology (2 barrels) · 22k gold micro-rotor · Geneva Seal
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Citizen
Citizen Caliber 0100
Most accurate production watch (2019)
The most accurate production wristwatch in the world: ±1 second per year. 8.4 MHz AT-cut thermo-compensated quartz, Eco-Drive light-powered, perpetual calendar through 2400.
8.4 MHz · ±1 sec/year · Eco-Drive (no battery) · 6-month dark reserve · Perpetual calendar · The accuracy benchmark
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ETA / Swatch Group
ETA 2824-2
Industry workhorse (entry)
The cheap, robust Swiss automatic in nearly every entry-tier watch: Hamilton, Tissot, Mido, Tudor (pre-MT). Around 50 million produced.
4 Hz · 38 h PR · 25 jewels · 4.6 mm thick · The most-serviced Swiss movement
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ETA / Swatch Group
ETA 2892-A2
Industry workhorse (premium)
The thin Swiss workhorse used by IWC, Breitling, Omega Aqua Terra (pre-Master), Cartier, and dozens of independents. 3.6 mm thick, 25.6 mm diameter.
4 Hz · 42 h PR · 21 jewels · 3.6 mm thick · Modular base for chronographs
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ETA / Unitas
ETA 6497 / 6498
Big hand-wound pocket-watch base
The 36.6 mm pocket-watch caliber repurposed for vintage-style wristwatches. Powered the original Panerai Luminor / Radiomir as Cal. OP I/II.
2.5 Hz · 46 h PR · 17 jewels · 36.6 mm · Hand-wound · Pocket-watch base
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F.P. Journe
F.P. Journe Caliber 1499
Chronomètre à Résonance (2000)
The dual-balance acoustic resonance movement at the heart of F.P. Journe's Chronomètre à Résonance. Two independent going trains, two balances, coupled through plate vibration. Solid 18k pink-gold plates.
3 Hz · 40-80 h PR · 36 jewels · Two balances in resonance · 18k rose-gold plates · Independent watchmaking icon
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Frédéric Piguet (now Manufacture Blancpain)
Frédéric Piguet 1185
Slim automatic chronograph (1987)
The thinnest mass-produced auto chronograph at launch (1987): 5.5 mm. Column-wheel + vertical clutch + integrated layer. In Blancpain Léman, Vacheron Overseas, AP Royal Oak Chrono.
3 Hz · 40 h PR · 37 jewels · 5.5 mm · Column-wheel + vertical clutch · Integrated chronograph
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Glashütte Original
Glashütte Original Cal. 100 Family
In-house Saxon workhorse
GO's in-house automatic family powering the Sixties, Seventies, PanoMatic, and Senator collections. German silver three-quarter plate, swan-neck regulator, 21k gold double-G rotor. Saxon watchmaking at the volume tier.
4 Hz · 40 h PR · 40-47 jewels · Three-quarter plate · Swan-neck regulator · 21k gold rotor
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Glashütte Original
Glashütte Original Caliber 36
100h Saxon haute-horlogerie automatic
GO's flagship modern automatic (2016). 100 h reserve, silicon hairspring, three-quarter plate in Neusilber, swan-neck regulator. The Saxon answer to the modern long-reserve auto.
4 Hz · 100 h PR · 32 jewels · Three-quarter plate · Silicon hairspring · Swan-neck regulator
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Grand Seiko
Grand Seiko 9S85
Hi-beat in-house
GS's hi-beat (5 Hz) automatic from the Shizukuishi Studio. Hand-finished bridges, Spron 610 hairspring, +5/-3 sec/day spec.
5 Hz · 55 h PR · 37 jewels · Free-sprung balance · Hand-polished bridges
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Grand Seiko
Grand Seiko Caliber 9F
High-precision quartz (1993)
The world's highest-precision production quartz: ±10 sec per year, 3-year battery, instantaneous date, dual-pulse motor. Hand-finished bridges, polished pivots. Since 1993.
32 kHz · ±10 sec/year · Dual-pulse motor · Thermo-compensated · Hand-assembled
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Grand Seiko
Grand Seiko Caliber 9SA5
New flagship Hi-Beat (2020)
GS's 60th-anniversary flagship: a ground-up Hi-Beat with a proprietary Dual Impulse Escapement, free-sprung overcoil, and 80 h reserve at 5 Hz. In the SLGH005 "White Birch".
5 Hz · 80 h PR · 47 jewels · Dual Impulse Escapement · Free-sprung overcoil · Twin barrels
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Hamilton
Hamilton H-10
ETA 2824 with 80 h reserve
Modified ETA 2824-2 with 80-hour power reserve at 3 Hz. Powers Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical and the Tissot Powermatic 80, Mido Cal 80, Longines L888 family.
3 Hz · 80 h PR · 25 jewels · ETA 2824 base · Nivachron hairspring (current)
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Hermès
Hermès Caliber H1837
In-house dress automatic (2012)
The in-house automatic that powers the Slim d'Hermès and Arceau 40. Built on the Vaucher 5401 base (Hermès owns 25% of Vaucher), finished with the Hermès "H" rotor.
4 Hz · 50 h PR · 28 jewels · 3.7 mm thin · Vaucher base · "H" pattern rotor
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Hublot
Hublot Meca-10 (HUB1201 / 1233)
10-day visible-mechanics caliber
Hublot's in-house 10-day hand-wound caliber (2016) with full dial-side exposed mechanism. Twin barrels, jumping power-reserve indicator at day 7, in the Big Bang Meca-10.
3 Hz · 240 h (10-day) PR · 24 jewels · Twin barrels · Dial-side exposed mechanism · Hand-wound
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Hublot
Hublot Unico (HUB1240 / 1280)
Flagship in-house chronograph
Hublot's in-house flyback chronograph (2010+). Column-wheel + double horizontal clutch mounted on the dial side, visible through the open-worked Big Bang Unico dial. 72 h reserve.
4 Hz · 72 h PR · ~330 components · Column-wheel + double horizontal clutch · Flyback · Dial-side mechanism
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IWC
IWC Caliber 51111 / 50000
Pellaton 7-day Big Pilot engine
The Pellaton-winding 7-day automatic that powers the iconic Big Pilot 5009 and Portugieser 7-Day. The signature Schaffhausen movement, named after Albert Pellaton's 1950 winding system.
2.75 Hz · 168 h PR (7 days) · 44 jewels · Pellaton bidirectional winding · Single barrel · Breguet overcoil
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IWC
IWC Caliber 52000
7-day Pellaton in-house automatic
IWC's flagship 7-day Pellaton automatic since 2015 (52010, 52110, 52615). Twin barrels, ceramic Pellaton pawls. In Big Pilot, Portugieser 7-Day, Spitfire.
4 Hz · 168 h PR · 31 jewels · Twin barrels · Ceramic Pellaton winding · 37.8 mm
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IWC
IWC Caliber 79320
Pilot Chrono workhorse (Valjoux 7750 base)
The modified Valjoux 7750 that powered IWC's mainstream chronos through the 2000s and 2010s: Pilot Chronograph 3717, Top Gun, Aquatimer Chrono. Tri-compax with day/date.
4 Hz · 44 h PR · 25 jewels · Cam-actuated · Lateral clutch · Tri-compax with day/date
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IWC
IWC Caliber 89000
In-house chronograph (2007)
IWC's in-house chronograph since 2007 with central-minute and seconds chronograph display. Column-wheel + flyback, 68 h reserve. In Da Vinci, Portugieser Chrono Classic.
4 Hz · 68 h PR · 38 jewels · Column-wheel · Flyback · Central minute + seconds display
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Jaeger-LeCoultre
JLC Caliber 849
Ultra-thin hand-wound (1.85 mm)
One of the thinnest hand-wound calibres ever produced: 1.85 mm thick, 1968. JLC's answer to the Piaget 9P, in the modern Master Ultra-Thin.
2.75 Hz · 38 h PR · 19 jewels · 1.85 mm · Hand-wound · Ultra-thin dress
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Jaeger-LeCoultre
JLC Caliber 854
Reverso Duoface engine
The rectangular manual movement that drives two dials and two time zones from a single engine. Powers the Reverso Duo and Duoface lines.
3 Hz · 45 h PR · 19 jewels · Rectangular form · Single train, two hour wheels · Independent dual-time
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Jaeger-LeCoultre
JLC Caliber 889
Slim central-rotor automatic (1980s-2000s)
JLC's slim 3.25 mm central-rotor automatic. Powered the JLC Master Control, IWC Mark XII, and many AP / Cartier 1990s automatics as the Vallée de Joux's standard slim-auto ébauche.
4 Hz · 43 h PR · 36 jewels · 3.25 mm · 21-kt gold rotor mass on ceramic ball bearing
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Jaeger-LeCoultre
JLC Caliber 920
The 1967 ultra-thin shared with AP, Patek, VC
The 1967 ultra-thin (2.45 mm) automatic licensed to AP (2120), Patek (28-255), Vacheron (1120). Peripheral full rotor on 4 ceramic balls.
2.75 Hz · 40 h PR · 36 jewels · 2.45 mm · Peripheral full rotor on 4 ceramic balls
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Jaeger-LeCoultre
JLC Caliber 956
Memovox mechanical alarm
The modern mechanical alarm movement inside the Memovox Polaris: hammer-and-gong alarm, no batteries, descendant of the legendary 1956 Cal. 815. One of the only mechanical alarms in regular production.
4 Hz · 45 h PR · 23 jewels · Mechanical alarm · Two mainsprings · Hammer striking case-back gong
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Jaeger-LeCoultre
JLC Caliber 970
Modern Reverso Tribute movement
JLC's modern manual rectangular form-caliber for the Reverso Tribute Monoface and Tribute Small Seconds. Geneva stripes, polished bevels, blued screws.
3 Hz · 42 h PR · 19 jewels · Rectangular form-caliber · Hand-finished · Reverso-specific
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Kenissi
Kenissi MT5xxx Family
Tudor + Chanel manufacture (2016)
Tudor's manufacture-grade automatic, jointly owned with Chanel, supplied to Breitling (B20) and Norqain. 70 h reserve, silicon hairspring, free-sprung balance, COSC. The Tudor BB58 / Pelagos engine.
4 Hz · 70 h PR · 25-28 jewels · Silicon hairspring · Free-sprung balance · COSC
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A. Lange & Söhne
Lange Caliber L043
Zeitwerk jumping-hour movement (2009)
The mechanical movement behind the Zeitwerk: three large jumping discs displaying digital time, driven by a constant-force escapement that releases every 60 seconds. Most innovative regular-production Lange caliber.
3 Hz · 36-72 h PR · 66 jewels · Constant-force escapement · Three jumping discs · Mechanical "digital" display
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A. Lange & Söhne
Lange Caliber L121.1
Current Lange 1 engine (2015)
The 2015 in-house movement of the modern Lange 1: instantaneous big date, twin-barrel 72 h reserve, in-house balance with overcoil, hand-engraved balance cock.
3 Hz · 72 h PR · 43 jewels · Twin barrels · Instantaneous big date · German silver three-quarter plate
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A. Lange & Söhne
Lange Caliber L901.0
The original Lange 1 caliber (1994)
The caliber that launched modern A. Lange & Söhne in 1994 inside the original Lange 1. Hand-wound, twin barrels, 72 h reserve, three-quarter plate in Neusilber.
3 Hz · 72 h PR · 53 jewels · Twin barrels · Untreated nickel silver three-quarter plate · Hand-engraved balance cock
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A. Lange & Söhne
Lange Caliber L951.1
The Datograph chronograph
The 1999 Datograph chronograph caliber: hand-wound, column-wheel, vertical clutch, flyback, jumping minute. Widely called the most-beautiful modern chronograph.
2.5 Hz · 36 h PR · 40 jewels · German silver three-quarter plate · Patek-tier finishing
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A. Lange & Söhne
Lange Caliber L951.6
Datograph Up/Down (2012)
The 2012 evolution of the legendary Datograph movement: column-wheel flyback chronograph with outsize date, twin-barrel 60 h reserve, hand-engraved balance cock.
2.5 Hz · 60 h PR · 46 jewels · Column-wheel · Lateral clutch · Outsize date · Twin barrels
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Lemania
Lemania 1873
Cam-actuated successor to 2310
The 1968 cam-actuated chronograph that replaced the column-wheel Lemania 2310. Used as Omega Cal. 861 (1968-96) and Cal. 1861 (1996-2021).
3 Hz · 45 h PR · 17 jewels · Cam-actuated (shuttle cam) · Hand-wind
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Lemania
Lemania 2310
Architecture behind Omega 321 + Patek CH 27
The 1942 column-wheel chronograph designed by Albert Piguet that became Omega Cal. 321 (Speedmaster, all NASA Moonwatches) and Patek CH 27 (Calatrava chronos).
2.5 Hz · 44 h PR · 17 jewels · 12-ligne (27 mm) · Column-wheel + lateral clutch
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Longines
Longines Caliber L888
Master Collection workhorse
The 72-hour ETA 2892-base workhorse powering the Longines Master Collection, Spirit, and Heritage lines. Silicon hairspring (2020+), COSC variants, the volume engine of the largest mid-tier Swiss brand.
3.5 Hz · 72 h PR · 21 jewels · ETA A31 base · Silicon hairspring · COSC variants
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Miyota / Citizen
Miyota 8215
Cheap Japanese workhorse
The cheapest mechanical caliber on the modern market: 3 Hz, 21 jewels, 42 h reserve, no hacking, no hand-wind. In Invicta, Citizen Tsuyosa, Bulova entry, microbrands.
3 Hz · 42 h PR · 21 jewels · No hacking · ~USD 30 in volume
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Miyota / Citizen
Miyota 9015
Microbrand standard
The Japanese workhorse that powers half the microbrand industry: Christopher Ward, Halios, Farer, Lorier, Oris (some refs), Magrette. Slim, reliable, very cheap.
4 Hz · 42 h PR · 24 jewels · 3.9 mm thick · Hand-wind, hacking
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NOMOS Glashütte
NOMOS Alpha
First in-house manual (2005)
NOMOS's first fully in-house caliber (2005), the manual companion to the DUW 3001 automatic. Powers the manual Tangente, Orion, Ludwig, and Club. Made entirely in Glashütte; Swing System escapement since 2018.
3 Hz · 43 h PR · 23 jewels · 2.6 mm thin · Three-quarter plate · NOMOS Swing System (post-2018)
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NOMOS Glashütte
NOMOS DUW 3001
Ultra-thin in-house automatic (2015)
NOMOS's 3.2 mm ultra-thin in-house automatic with proprietary Swing System escapement. Powers the Tangente Neomatik, Metro, Orion, and Minimatik. Bauhaus dress watchmaking from Glashütte.
3 Hz · 43 h PR · 27 jewels · 3.2 mm thin · NOMOS Swing System escapement · German silver three-quarter plate
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Omega
Omega Caliber 1861 (and 861)
Speedmaster Moonwatch caliber 1968-2021
The Speedmaster Moonwatch caliber from 1968 to 2021. Cam-actuated successor to the column-wheel Cal. 321; Lemania 1873-derived. Worn on every Apollo mission from Apollo 14 onward.
3 Hz · 45 h PR · 18 jewels · Cam-actuated (shuttle cam) · Hand-wound · Replaced by Cal. 3861 in 2021
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Omega
Omega Caliber 2500
First commercial co-axial automatic (1999)
The first commercial co-axial wristwatch caliber, launched 1999. ETA 2892-A2 base + George Daniels co-axial escapement. Powered Omega's catalogue 1999-2014.
3.5-4 Hz · 48 h PR · 27 jewels · ETA 2892 base · Co-axial escapement (George Daniels)
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Omega
Omega Caliber 321
Original Moonwatch caliber
The hand-wound column-wheel chronograph designed by Albert Piguet at Lemania in 1942, NASA-qualified in 1965, worn on the Moon by Buzz Aldrin in 1969.
2.5 Hz · 44 h PR · 17 jewels · Column-wheel · Reborn 2019 (Atelier 321, Bienne)
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Omega
Omega Caliber 3303
First Co-Axial Speedmaster chrono (2007)
The Co-Axial chronograph that powered the 2007-2011 Speedmaster Broad Arrow Co-Axial. F. Piguet 1185 base + George Daniels Co-Axial escapement, before the in-house 9300 took over.
4 Hz · 52 h PR · 37 jewels · Co-Axial escapement · Column-wheel · Modified F. Piguet 1185
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Omega
Omega Caliber 3861
Speedmaster Moonwatch caliber
The modern manual-wind co-axial that powers the current Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch since 2021. Direct successor to the Cal. 321 / 1861.
3 Hz · 50 h PR · Co-axial · Si14 silicon hairspring · METAS Master Chronometer · Hand-wind
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Omega
Omega Caliber 8500 / 8501
First wholly in-house co-axial (2007)
Omega's first wholly in-house co-axial caliber (2007). Twin barrels, 60 h reserve, three-level co-axial escapement, Si14 silicon hairspring (since 2008). Predecessor to the METAS-certified 8800/8900.
3.5 Hz · 60 h PR · 39 jewels · Twin barrels · Co-axial · Si14 silicon hairspring · Free-sprung balance
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Omega
Omega Caliber 861
Speedmaster Pro 1968-1996
The cam-actuated chronograph that powered every Speedmaster Professional from 1968 to 1996, replacing the column-wheel Cal. 321. Lemania 1873 base, 21,600 vph.
3 Hz · 45 h PR · 17 jewels · Lemania 1873 base · Shuttle cam · The longest-serving Moonwatch caliber
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Omega
Omega Caliber 8800 / 8900
Master Co-Axial flagship
The Master Chronometer co-axial that powers the modern Seamaster Diver 300M, Aqua Terra, Planet Ocean. METAS-certified, 15,000-gauss anti-magnetic.
3.5 Hz · 55-60 h PR · Co-axial escapement · Si14 silicon hairspring · METAS Master Chronometer
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Omega
Omega Caliber 9300 / 9900
Master Co-Axial chronograph
The Master Co-Axial chronograph: column-wheel, vertical clutch, METAS, 15,000 gauss, Si14 silicon. Powers Speedmaster Racing and Planet Ocean Chrono.
4 Hz · 60 h PR · Co-axial · Column-wheel + vertical clutch · METAS Master Chronometer
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Oris
Oris Caliber 400
In-house 5-day reserve (2020)
Oris's first modern in-house automatic (2020): twin-barrel 5-day reserve, silicon escape wheel, antimagnetic to 2,250 gauss, 10-year recommended service interval. Powers the Aquis Cal. 400 and Big Crown ProPilot Cal. 400.
4 Hz · 120 h PR (5 days) · 21 jewels · Silicon escape wheel · 2,250 gauss antimagnetic · 10-year service interval
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Panerai
Panerai P.9000
Main in-house automatic (3-day)
Panerai's main in-house automatic since 2009. Twin barrels, 72 h reserve, made in Neuchâtel. Powers most modern Luminor, Submersible, and Radiomir automatics.
4 Hz · 72 h PR · 28 jewels · Twin barrels · Bridge-type construction · Made in Neuchâtel
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Patek Philippe
Patek Caliber 215 PS
Hand-wound Calatrava workhorse
Patek's main hand-wound Calatrava caliber: ultra-thin 2.55 mm, Gyromax balance, Patek Seal. Powers the dress 5196, 5119 and small-seconds Calatrava references.
4 Hz · 44 h PR · 18 jewels · 2.55 mm · Gyromax balance · Patek Philippe Seal
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Patek Philippe
Patek Caliber 26-330 S C
Current Calatrava + Nautilus automatic
Patek's current main automatic, launched 2021. Adds hacking seconds (a famous omission from the 324), 45 h reserve. In Nautilus 5711 olive, Aquanaut 5168G.
4 Hz · 45 h PR · 30 jewels · Hacking seconds · 21-kt gold rotor · Patek Philippe Seal
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Patek Philippe
Patek Caliber 27-70
Vintage Nautilus chrono (Lemania base)
The Lemania-based automatic chrono that powered the original Nautilus 3712 (2005). Last Lemania-based Patek chrono before the in-house CH 28-520 took over in 2006.
3 Hz · 50 h PR · 24 jewels · Column-wheel · Modified Lemania 2310 · Used in Nautilus 3712
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Patek Philippe
Patek Caliber 324 S C
Modern Calatrava workhorse (2004-2021)
Patek's main central-rotor automatic from 2004 to ~2021. Powered the Calatrava 5227, Nautilus 5711, Aquanaut 5167, World Time 5230. Gyromax + Spiromax silicon hairspring.
4 Hz · 35-45 h PR · 29 jewels · 21-kt gold central rotor · Patek Philippe Seal
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Patek Philippe
Patek Caliber CH 28-520
In-house automatic chrono (2006)
Patek's first in-house automatic chronograph (2006), powering the Nautilus 5980, Aquanaut 5968, and 5960 annual-calendar chrono. Column-wheel + vertical clutch, 60-min totaliser at 6.
4 Hz · 55 h PR · 34 jewels · Column-wheel · Vertical clutch · Mono-counter layout
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Patek Philippe
Patek CH 29-535 PS
Modern in-house chronograph
The 2009 first wholly in-house Patek chronograph: column-wheel, lateral clutch, 65 h reserve, six patents. Replaced the Lemania 2310 / CH 27 derivative.
4 Hz · 65 h PR · 33 jewels · Column-wheel + lateral clutch · 6 patents · Patek Seal
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Patek Philippe
Patek Philippe 240
Microrotor classic (since 1977)
The 1977 ultra-thin (2.4 mm) microrotor automatic with 22-kt gold rotor flush in the plate. Powered the Calatrava 3940 Q, Nautilus 5712, Aquanaut 5167, World Time 5230.
3 Hz · 48 h PR · 27 jewels · 2.4 mm base · 25+ variants · Spiromax silicon hairspring
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Piaget
Piaget Caliber 430P
Ultra-thin manual (1998)
A 2.1 mm ultra-thin manual-wind movement that powers the Piaget Altiplano Ultra-Thin and serves as the architectural ancestor of the Cartier 430 MC. In production since 1998.
3 Hz · 43 h PR · 18 jewels · 2.1 mm thin · The Altiplano engine
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Richard Mille
Richard Mille RM 010 (RMAS7)
Volume Richard Mille (2006)
The first non-tourbillon Richard Mille and the brand's commercial breakthrough. Variable-geometry winding rotor, multiple material variants, several thousand produced over six years. The reference that scaled Richard Mille beyond boutique tourbillon-maker tier.
4 Hz · 50 h PR · 21 jewels · Skeletonised tonneau · Variable-geometry rotor · Date complication
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Richard Mille
Richard Mille RM 011 (RMAC1)
Felipe Massa Flyback Chrono (2007)
The iconic skeletonised flyback chronograph with annual calendar and 60-min countdown that powered the Felipe Massa series from 2007. Vaucher base with extensive RM modifications. The watch that took Richard Mille mainstream.
4 Hz · 55 h PR · 55 jewels · Skeletonised tonneau · Flyback chrono + annual calendar · Vaucher base
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Richard Mille
Richard Mille RM 27-04 Nadal
Lightweight tournament tourbillon (2020)
The 30-gram tournament tourbillon worn by Rafael Nadal. Suspended baseplate held by woven steel cables inspired by tennis-racket strings. TPT Quartz case, 50 pieces produced. Among the lightest mechanical tourbillons ever made.
4 Hz · 38 h PR · 24 jewels · 30g total weight · TPT Quartz case · Suspended baseplate (tennis-string inspired)
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Richard Mille
Richard Mille RM 50-03 McLaren F1
First Graphene watch (2017)
The first commercially-produced wristwatch case incorporating graphene (Graph TPT). Tourbillon split-seconds chronograph with torque indicator, 40g total weight. McLaren F1 partnership, 75 pieces produced.
3 Hz · 70 h PR · 37 jewels · Graph TPT (graphene) + TPT Carbon · Tourbillon + split-seconds · 40g
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Richard Mille
Richard Mille RM 67-02 (CRMA7)
Ultra-thin sport automatic (2017)
The 32-gram ultra-thin automatic worn by Wawrinka, Pogba, Yohan Blake, Mutaz Essa Barshim. 3.6mm movement with platinum micro-rotor, TPT Quartz / NTPT Carbon cases in athlete-themed colour variants.
4 Hz · 50 h PR · 25 jewels · 3.6mm movement · 32g total · Platinum micro-rotor · TPT Quartz / NTPT Carbon case
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Rolex
Rolex Caliber 1520 / 1530
Vintage 5513 Submariner engine
The non-chronometer-grade automatic that powered the iconic Submariner ref. 5513 "no date" from 1962 to 1989. The vintage Sub grail caliber: McQueen, Bond, MilSub.
2.75 Hz · 50 h PR · 17-26 jewels · Non-chronometer · The 5513 engine for 27 years
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Rolex
Rolex Caliber 1570 / 1575
Vintage workhorse 1965-1980s
The 19,800 vph automatic that powered nearly every iconic vintage Rolex sport: Sub 1680, GMT 1675, Explorer 1016, Sea-Dweller 1665. Hacking added in 1972.
2.75 Hz · 48 h PR · 26 jewels · GMT-hand variant 1575 · The vintage Rolex sports engine
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Rolex
Rolex Caliber 3035
First Quickset Rolex (1977-1988)
The first Rolex caliber with Quickset date (1977): 28,800 vph, free-sprung Microstella balance. Powered the 16800 Sub, 16660 Sea-Dweller, 16750 GMT, and the 16000-series Datejust.
4 Hz · 48 h PR · 27 jewels · Quickset date · Free-sprung Microstella · The bridge between vintage and modern Rolex
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Rolex
Rolex Caliber 3135
Modern classic (1988-2020)
The 3-hand workhorse that powered Submariner, Datejust, Sea-Dweller, and Yacht-Master from 1988 to ~2020. About 20 million units produced.
4 Hz · 48 h PR · 31 jewels · Parachrom Bleu (post-2005) · The benchmark for indestructible
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Rolex
Rolex Caliber 3155
Day-Date 36 engine (1988-2015)
The Day-Date variant of the legendary 3135: powers the Day-Date 36 (118238, 118239 etc.) from 1988 to 2015. Double Quickset for day and date, day in 26 languages.
4 Hz · 48 h PR · 31 jewels · Day + date double Quickset · 3135 base · Day disc in 26 languages
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Rolex
Rolex Caliber 3186
2007-2018 GMT-Master II
The 2007-2018 GMT-Master II caliber: 3135 + true GMT module, Parachrom Bleu hairspring, 48 h reserve. Powered the 116710 Batman, Pepsi.
4 Hz · 48 h PR · 31 jewels · True GMT (jumping local hour) · Parachrom Bleu
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Rolex
Rolex Caliber 3235
Modern in-house workhorse
The current 3-hand engine in every modern Submariner Date, Datejust 41, Sea-Dweller, and the base for the GMT-Master II.
4 Hz · 70 h PR · Chronergy escapement · Parachrom Bleu hairspring · 31 jewels
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Rolex
Rolex Caliber 3255
Current Day-Date 40 engine (2015)
The current Day-Date 40 movement (2015): Chronergy escapement, 70 h reserve, Superlative Chronometer ±2 sec/day. Day disc still available in 26 languages.
4 Hz · 70 h PR · 31 jewels · Chronergy escapement · Parachrom Bleu · ±2 sec/day Superlative
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Rolex
Rolex Caliber 3285
Current GMT caliber
The current GMT-Master II caliber: 3235 architecture with a true GMT module, 70 h power reserve, jumping local hour.
4 Hz · 70 h PR · 31 jewels · True GMT (jumping local hour) · Chronergy escapement
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Rolex
Rolex Caliber 4030
Daytona "Zenith" 1988-2000
The heavily modified Zenith El Primero that powered the legendary Daytona 16520 from 1988 to 2000. Column-wheel chrono, the bridge between the manual Valjoux 72 era and the in-house 4130.
4 Hz · 50 h PR · 31 jewels · Modified Zenith El Primero · Column-wheel · Microstella regulation
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Rolex
Rolex Caliber 4130
Original in-house Daytona (2000-2023)
The first wholly in-house Rolex chronograph, replacing the Zenith El Primero in the Daytona in 2000. Vertical-clutch, column-wheel, 72-hour reserve, 4 Hz.
4 Hz · 72 h PR · 44 jewels · Column-wheel + vertical clutch · Powered the 116520 / 116500LN
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Rolex
Rolex Caliber 4131
Current Daytona caliber
The new chronograph engine inside the 2023 Daytona (126500LN), replacing the long-serving 4130 with the Chronergy escapement.
4 Hz · 72 h PR · Column-wheel · Vertical clutch · Chronergy escapement
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Rolex
Rolex Caliber 9001
Sky-Dweller annual calendar
The Sky-Dweller annual calendar caliber: Saros annual calendar, true GMT, Ring Command bezel setting, 72 h reserve. Since 2012.
4 Hz · 72 h PR · Annual calendar + GMT · Ring Command bezel · -2/+2 sec/day
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Seiko
Seiko 6139
1969 automatic chronograph pioneer
One of the world's first self-winding chronographs (May 1969). Vertical clutch, column-wheel, single register. Worn on Skylab 4 by Col. Pogue in 1973.
3 Hz · 36 h PR · 17 jewels · Vertical clutch · Column-wheel · Single register at 6
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Seiko
Seiko 6R35
Modern Seiko workhorse
The mid-tier Seiko automatic with 70-hour power reserve. Powers the Prospex SPB dive watches and most Seiko 5 KX models since 2019.
3 Hz · 70 h PR · 24 jewels · Spron 530 hairspring · Hand-wind, hacking
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Seiko
Seiko Caliber 4R36
Modern Seiko 5 Sports engine
The 2019 successor to the legendary 7S26: powers the entire Seiko 5 Sports SRPDxx line. Adds hacking and manual wind to the 7S26 architecture. Mechanically identical to the TMI NH35.
3 Hz · 41 h PR · 24 jewels · Day + date · Hacking + manual wind · Magic Lever auto-winding
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Seiko
Seiko Caliber 6105
Original 1968 dive workhorse
The 1968-1977 automatic dive movement inside the iconic 6105-8110 "Captain Willard" (Apocalypse Now). Grandfather of the modern Seiko diver line.
3 Hz · 45 h PR · 17 jewels · No hacking · No manual wind · Captain Willard
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Seiko
Seiko Caliber 7S26
SKX007 / Seiko 5 engine 1996-2019
The most-produced mechanical caliber of the modern era: powered the SKX007, SKX009, and every Seiko 5 from 1996 to 2019. No hacking, no manual wind, total reliability.
3 Hz · 41 h PR · 21 jewels · Day + date · Magic Lever auto-winding · The bargain workhorse
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Seiko
Seiko Caliber 8L35
Marinemaster MM300 engine
Grand Seiko-grade architecture in a Seiko-branded watch: powers the Marinemaster MM300 SBDX001/017 and high-end Prospex SLA reissues. Built in the Shizukuishi GS facility.
4 Hz · 50 h PR · 26 jewels · GS 9S55-base architecture · Hacking + manual wind
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Seiko Instruments (TMI)
Seiko NH35 / NH36
Microbrand standard automatic
The most-used Japanese automatic in microbrand watchmaking. Identical to the Seiko 4R35/4R36, sold by TMI to any brand. Hand-wind, hacking, ~USD 30 in volume.
3 Hz · 41 h PR · 24 jewels · Hand-wind, hacking · The microbrand standard
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Sellita
Sellita SW200-1
ETA-2824 alternative
Sellita's near-identical alternative to the ETA 2824-2: same architecture, +1 jewel. Powers Oris, Longines, Bell & Ross, Bremont, Christopher Ward.
4 Hz · 38 h PR · 26 jewels · ETA 2824-2 compatible
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Sellita
Sellita SW500
Independent Valjoux 7750 alternative
The modern alternative to the Valjoux 7750: same architecture, longer 58 h reserve, available to brands outside Swatch Group. Cam-actuated 6-9-12.
4 Hz · 58 h PR · 25 jewels · Cam-actuated · 6-9-12 day-date
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Soprod
Soprod A10 (Newton P092)
Independent ETA 2892 alternative
A Swiss-made drop-in alternative to the ETA 2892-A2, also marketed as the Newton P092. Used by Christopher Ward, Bremont, and many independent microbrands seeking non-ETA Swiss movements.
4 Hz · 42 h PR · 25 jewels · ETA 2892 dimensional compatibility · Made in Les Reussilles
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Grand Seiko / Seiko
Spring Drive (9R65 / 9R86)
Mechanical-electronic hybrid
Hybrid mechanical-electronic regulation: mainspring + glide wheel braked by quartz. Smooth-sweep seconds, ±15 sec/month accuracy, no battery. Powers the Snowflake.
Mechanical + quartz regulation · ±15 sec/month · 72 h PR · No battery · Smooth-sweep seconds
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TAG Heuer
TAG Heuer Caliber 1887
First in-house TAG chrono (2010)
TAG's first modern in-house automatic chronograph (2010), based on a Seiko TC-78 architecture re-engineered in Chevenez. Column-wheel + oscillating pinion, 50 h reserve.
4 Hz · 50 h PR · 39 jewels · Column-wheel · Lateral clutch · Carrera Calibre 1887
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TAG Heuer
TAG Heuer Caliber 360
1/100 sec mechanical chrono (2005)
The first mechanical wristwatch chronograph capable of timing 1/100 second. 50 Hz chronograph train + 4 Hz time train running independently in the same watch. In the Carrera Mikrograph (2011-2014).
4 Hz time + 50 Hz chrono · 1/100 second resolution · Two independent escapements · Carrera Mikrograph
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TAG Heuer
TAG Heuer Calibre Heuer 02
In-house chronograph (2017)
TAG Heuer's main in-house chronograph since 2017. Column-wheel + vertical clutch, 80 h reserve, COSC option. Powers the Carrera Heuer 02, Autavia, Monaco.
4 Hz · 80 h PR · 33 jewels · Column-wheel + vertical clutch · 168 components · COSC option
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Tissot / ETA
Tissot Powermatic 80 (ETA C07.111)
Long-reserve ETA workhorse (2012)
The 80-hour long-reserve evolution of the ETA 2824-2: Powermatic 80 in Tissot, H-10 in Hamilton, Cal. 80 in Mido. Modern Nivachron hairspring, 21,600 vph trade-off for the long reserve.
3 Hz · 80 h PR · 23 jewels · Nivachron hairspring · ETA 2824 base · Powers the Tissot PRX
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Tudor
Tudor Caliber MT5621
Pelagos LHD power-reserve variant
The MT5612 base + power-reserve indicator at 9, in the Pelagos LHD ref. 25610TNL and the discontinued North Flag. Silicon hairspring, COSC, 70 h reserve. Most spec-complete Tudor caliber.
4 Hz · 70 h PR · 26 jewels · Silicon hairspring · Free-sprung balance · COSC · Power reserve at 9
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Tudor
Tudor Caliber MT5652
Black Bay GMT engine (2018)
The in-house GMT inside the Tudor Black Bay GMT "Pepsi" (ref. 79830RB). True GMT (jumping local hour), 70 h reserve, silicon hairspring, COSC. Part of the Kenissi MT5xxx family.
4 Hz · 70 h PR · 28 jewels · True GMT · Silicon hairspring · COSC chronometer
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Tudor / Kenissi
Tudor MT5402
39 mm Black Bay / Pelagos 39 caliber
Tudor's compact in-house automatic: 26 mm sized for 36-41 mm cases. Free-sprung balance, silicon hairspring, COSC, 70 h reserve. In Black Bay 36/39/41 and Pelagos 39.
4 Hz · 70 h PR · 27 jewels · 26 mm · Free-sprung balance · Silicon hairspring · COSC
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Tudor
Tudor MT5612
In-house chronometer
Tudor's first in-house automatic, launched in 2015 inside the Pelagos and Black Bay 41. Free-sprung balance, silicon hairspring, COSC certified.
4 Hz · 70 h PR · Free-sprung balance · Silicon hairspring · COSC
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Tudor / Kenissi
Tudor MT5813
In-house Tudor chronograph
Breitling B01-based in-house Tudor chronograph: column-wheel, vertical clutch, silicon hairspring, free-sprung balance, COSC, 70 h reserve. In the Black Bay Chrono.
4 Hz · 70 h PR · 47 jewels · Column-wheel + vertical clutch · Silicon hairspring · COSC
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Ulysse Nardin
Ulysse Nardin UN-118
Silicon escapement automatic (2010)
The 2010 COSC automatic with a fully silicon regulating organ: DiamonSil escape wheel, pallet fork, and balance spring. Anti-magnetic by construction. In the Marine Chronometer.
4 Hz · 60 h PR · 50 jewels · Silicon escapement · DiamonSil hairspring · COSC chronometer
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Vacheron Constantin
Vacheron Caliber 1120
JLC 920 sibling (1967-2010s)
Vacheron's version of the JLC Cal. 920: a 2.45 mm ultra-thin auto with central peripheral rotor. In the 1977 Vacheron 222 and the original 1996 Overseas. Sibling of AP 2121.
2.75 Hz · 40 h PR · 36 jewels · 2.45 mm thin · Central rotor · Based on JLC 920
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Vacheron Constantin
Vacheron Caliber 1142
Lemania-2310 chronograph (Geneva Seal)
Vacheron's haute-horlogerie chronograph based on the legendary Lemania 2310 (Albert Piguet, 1942). The Vacheron sister to Omega Cal. 321 and Patek CH 27. Geneva Seal finishing.
2.5 Hz · 48 h PR · 21 jewels · Column-wheel + lateral clutch · Lemania 2310 base · Geneva Seal
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Vacheron Constantin
Vacheron Caliber 4400
Hand-wound Patrimony / Traditionnelle workhorse
Vacheron's main hand-wound caliber since 2008. Geneva Seal certified, single barrel + Maltese-cross stop work, 65-hour reserve. Powers Patrimony, Traditionnelle, Historiques.
4 Hz · 65 h PR · 21 jewels · 2.8 mm · Geneva Seal · Maltese-cross stop work
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Vacheron Constantin
Vacheron Caliber 5100 / 5200
Current Overseas engine (2016)
The 2016 in-house automatic powering the modern Overseas (Generation 3) and Fiftysix. 60 h reserve, Hallmark of Geneva, Maltese-cross 22k gold rotor. Replaced the JLC-base Cal. 1120.
4 Hz · 60 h PR · 32 jewels · Hallmark of Geneva · Maltese-cross peripheral rotor · Free-sprung balance
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Valjoux
Valjoux 72
Vintage chronograph icon (1938-1974)
The most-celebrated manual-wind chronograph of the 20th century. Powered the original Rolex Daytona refs. 6239-6265 and the 1963 Heuer Carrera.
2.5 Hz · 45 h PR · 17 jewels · Column-wheel · 3-6-9 sub-dials · Lateral clutch
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Valjoux / ETA
Valjoux 7750
Industry chronograph workhorse
The most-produced mechanical chronograph of all time. Cam-actuated, oscillating-pinion, 6-9-12 day-date layout. Powers Breitling, IWC, TAG Heuer, Sinn since 1974.
4 Hz · 44 h PR · 25 jewels · Cam-actuated · Day-date
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Zenith
Zenith El Primero
Hi-beat chronograph icon
The world's first self-winding integrated chronograph (1969). 5 Hz hi-beat, column-wheel. Powered the Rolex Daytona 1988-2000.
5 Hz (36,000 vph) · 50 h PR · Column-wheel · Integrated chrono · 1/10-sec timing
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Zenith
Zenith El Primero 3600
New-gen 1/10s Hi-Beat (2021)
The 2021 ground-up redesign of the El Primero: 5 Hz heart finally exploited as a 1/10 second display on the central chrono hand, 60 h reserve. In the Chronomaster Sport.
5 Hz · 60 h PR · 35 jewels · 1/10 second central chrono hand · Column-wheel · Integrated chronograph
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