I sent my C60 GMT MK3 in for repair, and they've decided to replace the ETA movement with a brand new Sellita movement (the one meant for this model). I bought the watch specifically for the ETA movement (it was one of the few that came with this when the watch first came out). Do you guys think this is a fair trade? Am I getting an "inferior" movement?

If you're getting the Sellita SW330-2 GMT movement it has 56 hours Power Reserve and a much smoother and more accurate GMT action over and above that of the ETA2893-2.

A definite upgrade and worth having in my book.

Guy

Sent from my XPERIA 5 III using Tapatalk

It’s one of those enduring urban myths that Sellita movements are inferior. I’ve had several, including the one Guy alluded to above. It’s actually a superior movement in many ways, especially in terms of crown action, accuracy of the GMT hand and power reserve.

I currently have four watches with Sellita movements in them, and five which may or may not, all of which are Christopher Ward watches. Two of the four are Steinharts, Ocean 39 GMT and Ocean 39 Vintage; the others are Invicta watches, one a Reserve, and the other a 4469 Diver. Crown action and movement operation have been uniformly smooth and without issues. Accuracy has been within specs, although I've not worn the Invicta ones in a long while. Of the five CW watches that may or may not be Sellita's, only the C60 GMT had any issues, and that was a GMT hand alignment. Otherwise, all of them have been good. I would say you are getting a fair exchange.

I have a Sealander GMT with a Sellita SW330-2 movement and it is probably the most accurate watch I own, including my COSC movements. Out of the box it it ran at +/- 0s and now runs at somewhere between + 1 & 2s PD. The power reserve is great and the winding of the movement feels beautifully smooth. I wouldn't worry.

Take the free upgrade. Future servicing will be easier too given ETA's supply chain control.

As long as they've disclosed it, which I assume they did, I wouldn't have a problem with it. ETA's monopoly on their movements is well known, so I won't fault a manufacturer for resorting to an alternative.

Thanks so much for all your input!

Yeah, they said that due to supply restrictions, the Sellita was the only one they could offer - I assume it's the SW330-2 as that's the one typically supplied with most CW GMTs.

I feel much better after reading everybody's comments. Thanks again!

Regarding the movement, CW is believed to be the first company (in 2021) to have used the SW330–2, as documented in the Forum Archive.

Obviously one person’s watch does not guarantee another’s, but I’ve had mine since September 2021 and it has been superb. Timekeeping wise it has lost 2s in the last 48h, and everything lines up as it should!

I’m playing devils advocate here as I’ve not had movement issues with either ETA or Sellita. I would agree with the others who have posted and say I also wouldn’t have a problem.

But

What about perceptions? The fact the OP has posted here as they had a concern means it is highly likely that others will also share that concern. Is a Sellita perceived to not as good as an ETA and will this perception be a negative factor if they come to sell this watch down the line?

Probably not, but as long as this perception remains that ETA are better, there will be people who prefer them over Sellita for no other reason than they think they are preferable.

It's not about perceptions per se, but I genuinely thought that ETA movements were considered to be better across the board. However, I have another CW GMT that has a Sellita movement inside, and I have to admit that that watch has been running like a top.

To be fair, the ETA vs Sellita argument has gone on for years. I joined the Forum in 2011 and, for standard movements, CW stated that you would get either the ETA 2824-2 or the Sellita SW200-1, but wouldn’t specify. I’m not sure when that started.

The “perception” perhaps came from the description of the SW200 as a “clone” of the 2824, with whatever that appears to imply. With a closed case back there was no way to know, but with a glass back you can identify the movement from the stamping under the balance wheel.

I have had both and never noticed an appreciable difference. My C5 dates from 2009 – it is the Sellita movement, very reliable and beautifully decorated as you can see.

Yup. My C5A Mk2 from 2010 has a Sellita and continues to work fine. This was my first CW and the first mechanical watch I ever bought.

Meanwhile my C5A Mk1 (I got it from a forum member around 2011), which has an ETA movement, had some issues with a rather loose-feeling crown and stem (felt like you could wiggle the stem around when you pulled the crown out to set the time) and was sent back for repair/servicing around 2017.

I plan to send my Mk2 for servicing at a local watchmaker soon, not because it's not working well, but just because it's been 13 + years

Amor, I think you captured my sentiment - I've always viewed Sellita as a "clone" of ETA, hence the "inferior" perception. At the end of the day, I guess it's all just marketing hype.