• Swiss Made

Watches, clocks and alarm clocks manufactured in Switzerland bear the designation "Swiss made" (or its abbreviation "Swiss") as well as the logo of the producer or distributor. This label ("place of origin" in legal terms) enjoys a solid reputation throughout the world. And globalization of trade has done nothing to diminish its importance. On the contrary, the modern consumer is looking for a maximum of information when he or she goes shopping for a new timepiece. ***

• ETA 2824-2 Automatic Movement

The origins of the ETA group go back to the end of the 18th century: a watch factory was set up in Fontainemelon (FHF) in 1793. In 1855 another factory specializing in the production of «ébauches» (movement blanks) was opened in Grenchen. It took the name of ETA later. In 1926 Ebauches SA, a holding company which brought together Switzerland’s largest ébauches manufacturers, was founded. When the SMH was created in 1983, Ebauches SA became ETA SA Fabriques d’Ebauches. With 9’000 employees in Switzerland and abroad, ETA is one of the world’s largest producers of watches and movements. In 1996 it produced about 100 million units. 

Source: ETA Fabriques d'Ebauches Web Page

• Automatic Movement

A watch whose mainspring is wound by the movements or accelerations of the wearer's arm. On the basis of the principle of terrestrial attraction, a rotor turns and transmits its energy to the spring by means of an appropriate mechanism. The system was invented in Switzerland by Abraham-Louis Perrelet in the 18th century. *** 

• 25 Jewels

The jewels are synthetic sapphires or rubies which have been drilled, champfered and polished to serve as bearings for gears in watches, reducing friction or mechanical parts to a bare minimum. Generally speaking, on may say that a simple mechanical watch (hours, minutes and seconds hands) should include at least fifteen jewels located in the places most subject to wear due to friction. It should be fitted with a shock-absorbing system on the balance, a good quality balance-spring and an unbreakable spring. ***

• 28,800 Vibrations Per Hour (VPH)

Movement of a pendulum or other oscillating element, limited by two consecutive extreme positions. The balance of a mechanical watch generally makes five or six vibrations per second (i.e. 18,000 or 21,600 per hour), but that of a high-frequency watch may make seven, eight or even ten vibrations per second (i.e. 25,200, 28,800 or 36, 000 per hour).***

• Hack Setting Second Hand

"Hack Set" is a feature that stops the watch to allow synchronization with another timepiece

• Quick Set Date

Some watches require you to turn the hands past midnight repeatedly until you arrive at the correct date. The "quick set" feature allows you to use the stem to set the date only, independently of the time.

• Mineral Crystal (front)

Watch crystals are available in plastic, Mineral, Sapphire and various synthetic materials. Mineral crystals offer up a good combination of clarity, strength and resistance to scratching.

• Mineral Crystal "Display Back"

Most watches hide much of their beauty behind their cases. A display back provides you with a "window" into the complicated and intricate workings of a watch.

• 24 hour Markings on Dial

World time and military time operates on a 24 hour measurement. After 12:00 noon you continue to add "1" hour. 1:00 p.m. is 13:00 or "13 hundred". Midnight is "24:00". The ETA pilot has the traditional 12 hours dial and the 24 hour day markings.

• Water Resistant to 30 Meters

Manufacturers often measure water resistance to a number of feet (ft), meters (m) or atmospheres (atm). Watches marked "water resistant" with or without additional indication of high pressure must comply with NIHS 92-10 watch Standard (corresponding to ISO 2281 international Standard). Such watches are designed for everyday life and must be water resistant during exercise such as short swims. They can be worn in different temperature and pressure conditions but are under no circumstances designed for scuba diving. ***

• Screw Back

Watch cases are designed many different ways. Cheaper and vintage watches will usually have a "snap back." This is a watch where the back is held in place by pressing it on until it "snaps" into place. This offers the movement little to no protection from outside contaminants. A "screw back" is a back with finely cut threads. It then is screwed into the watch case. It usually has a gasket ring that also helps to seal the good stuff in and the bad stuff out. The ETA Pilot also features a screw down crown. The crown is the small item used to set the hours, date and wind the watch. The same theory applies to the crown. Instead of "snapping" back into position, it is screwed down sealing out unwanted items such as dirt and water.

• Tritium Markers and Hands

In order for timepieces to be read in the dark, a radioluminescent material is laid on the dial indexes and hands.
According to ISO 3157 Standard, only the use of the following radionuclides is authorized for timepieces: tritium (3H) and promethium (147Pm). It is important to specify that these radionuclides emit a radiation of low energy, perfectly confined by the watch case and glass; they may under no circumstances threaten the health of the watch user.***

• 38 Hour Power Reserve

Automatic and manually wound mechanical watches have what is known as a "power reserve." The power reserve is the amount of time the watch will run, after being fully wound, without any additional winding. A 38 hour power reserve is more than adequate.

*** Information is from the Federation of The Swiss Watch Industry Web page.