Out of stock

[watchbureau]

Hello,

Just asking if anyone knows why the company would wait 6 months to a year to get ETA movements when there are excellent substitutes available on the market? I emailed Yao and did not get a response.

Thanks

[obie]

Are you asking why Bill decided to wait and would like us to speculate?

Some, strike that, most Swiss watch manufactures use ETA movement (well over 92% I believe). Don't believe that other movement manufactures have movements laying around the warehouse waiting for some company to call and have them boxed up and sent out. Because of what ETA decided to do a few years ago (quota system), some companies looked elsewhere. Those "elsewhere" manufactures are also backlogged with orders as well. Also when planning a watch, many other parts have to be scheduled and placed in a well defined manufacturing process. Finally, even if other companies would take new orders, believe me there is a delay from order to producing to shipping them. If a movement is delayed, most likely the other parts have already been designed, and designed to work with a specific movement in mind.

Many manufactures have had to hold back previous Basel releases and many are months behind on their estimated ship dates. Remember there are many factors going into making a watch. This is not just effecting MKII but most other Swiss watch companies as well, you just don't see it as they usually don't answer questions directly to consumers and dealers understand that when a product ships that is when it is available.

[watchbureau]

Obie,

That was helpful. I did receive a message from Bill Yao that the Stingray production would resume when ETA movements were recieved later this year. Thought maybe it was a preference issue vs. Selitta (example) availability issue.

[obie]

Obie,

That was helpful. I did receive a message from Bill Yao that the Stingray production would resume when ETA movements were recieved later this year. Thought maybe it was a preference issue vs. Selitta (example) availability issue.

There are several other companies out there that make good movements but ETA is still the standard. Also when you start going to another manufacture of movements, the consideration of spare parts availability needs to be taken into consideration. If models are already produced with an ETA movement switching to another brand means keeping two sets of spare parts in stock, understanding which pieces have which movements, etc.

[caesarmascetti]

Just to throw my 2 cents in, I'm sure that ETA gives priority to the larger watch companies (bigger volume) and members of the SWATCH group. The boutique compnaies like MKII are probably the last ones to get serviced.

[Dragoon]

Very nice synopsis, Obie!!!

I think a lot of folks who are not WIS just look at watch x or watch y and think ....Oh yeah...no big deal...I will grab one at some point or when I get the money...or "fill in the reason", ect.

But, the folks on the inside understand that from start to finish it can be brutal at times. Delays, modifications, parts supply issues, even air freight difficulties, and add the cost of fuel, exchange rates, and price increases and you can see why it can be a nightmare of sorts for everyone from the manufacture to the customer to get that particular watch x or watch y in his hands.

Certainly not a whole warehouse full of watches in Switzerland just waiting to ship em out (except maybe for a brand or two).
At least, I dont think there is???:-d:think:

[obie]

Just to throw my 2 cents in, I'm sure that ETA gives priority to the larger watch companies (bigger volume) and members of the SWATCH group. The boutique compnaies like MKII are probably the last ones to get serviced.

ETA has instituted a quota system across the board. While I don't think any manufacture inside the Swatch group would have a problem sourcing ETA movements, other companies regardless of size still have to follow the quota system. Additionally regardless of the manufacture orders are placed months if not over a year for X amount of Y movements for Z watch. Watch companies don't pick up the phone and call ETA asking them to send over 5000 7750 Chronograph movements.

[caesarmascetti]

ETA has a nice gig going for the moment

[Farrell]

^ You're not wrong.

I know a consistent problem for Eddie Platts over at Timefactors if movements. Avalability being prime, and then the (often obscene) price those that have them ask in exchange.