The Vulcain SkinDiver Nautique Salmon fulfills a somehow forever lasting trend of salmon dials. It is inspired by a 1960s diver
ETA caliber 2824 | Automatic | Diameter: 25.6 mm (11½ lignes) | Thickness: 4.6 mm | Frequency: 28,800 vph (4 Hz) | Jewels: 17 | Hours, minutes, seconds | Power reserve: 38 hours
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2nd gen: ETA caliber 2824-1 | Automatic | Diameter: 25.6 mm (11½ lignes) | Thickness: 4.6 mm | Frequency: 28,800 vph (4 Hz) | Jewels: 21 | Hours, minutes, seconds, date and no date | Power reserve: 38 hours
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3rd gen: ETA caliber 2824-2 | Automatic | Diameter: 25.6 mm (11½ lignes) | Thickness: 4.6 mm | Frequency: 28,800 vph (4 Hz) | Jewels: 25 | Hours, minutes, seconds, date and no date | Power reserve: 38-42 hours
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Production of the ETA 2824
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This ETA 2824 is one of the most used three-hander calibers, and based on the Eterna caliber 1427. There are three generations of this movement: the 1st generation (1971-1979), the second 2824-1 generation (1979-1982) and the third 2824-2 generation (1982-2022). ETA still produces the 2824-2 but not in bulk anymore.
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The 2824 has 17 jewels, the 2824-1 has 21 jewels and the 2824-2 has 25 jewels. However, the first and second can also be found as upgraded versions with more jewels. The keyless works and winding stem configuration can also differ within the same generation. And of course each generation is upgraded with better parts, and improved accuracy. Which is up to +/- 12 to 30 seconds per day for a standard 2824-2.
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Increased power reserve for the 2824-2
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The power reserve of the 2824 is about 38 hours, the 2824-1 is on the same level and the 2824-2 does 38 to 42 hours. The 2824-2 can be found with or without a date, removed from the movement or not displayed on the dial. And there are also 2824-2 versions with COSC certification. The price for the ETA caliber 2824-2 is about 350 to 400 US dollars/ euros.
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Next generation ETA 2824
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As the patents on the ETA 2824 ended in 2002 the movement was cloned a lot. The most renewed clone is the Sellita SW200 series. And the Soprod caliber P024 for instance. Meanwhile ETA’s follow-up of the 2824 are the Powermatic 80 calibers, with these codes (so far):
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- ETA caliber Powermatic 80.1XX / C07.1XX with a synthetic escapement
- ETA caliber Powermatic 80.6XX / C07.6XX with a Nivachron balance spring
- ETA caliber Powermatic 80.8XX / C07.8XX with a silicon hair spring
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It seems, but this is not conformed, that the C07 calibers have a basic finish and less expensive materials while the Powermatic 80 calibers have better materials and a higher level of finish.
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That is why these calibers are also written as Powermatic 80.1XX, 80.6XX and 80.8XX. The XX is a number that indicates complications such as GMT, small seconds, and more. So, the 80.111, 80.611 and 80.811 are three-handers with a date for instance.
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Watches with the ETA caliber 2824
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