Eta 2094?

[austinnh]

Looking for some thoughts or opinions on this movement. It seems a bit rare, will it be more expensive to maintain (decades down the road) than more common ETAs? Is it as durable/reliable as more common movts like Val 7750, Omega 1861? Edit: it's a very small movement, does this mean anything with regard to durability or ease of servicing?

Specifically I'm interested in the Sinn 6030. (Image yanked from an online seller. I hope they don't mind.) I'm considering it as a possible alternative to the Speedy Pro. Does anyone know where I could try on such a watch near Philly? Sinn's website doesn't seem to have a list of authorized retailers.

[W123]

Apparently it is a smaller sized (designed for smaller women's watches) movement? It should make it a bit harder to service but nothing a competent watchmaker couldnt handle.

[lysanderxiii]

The ETA 2094 is an interesting piece of engineering. It is a modular chronograph, based on the ETA 2000-1, which is nothing more than a miniaturized ETA 2892A2.

Here is a good articles on the movement. (If you don't read French run it through babel-fish, it may not be a perfect translation, but you can get the jist.)

[lysanderxiii]

ETA Caliber 2094. Women’s Chronograph Movement 10 ½ '''

Gilomen Beat, Mahler Olivier
ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse, Schild-Rust-Strasse 17, CH-2540 Grenchen



Summary

One of the forces in the Swiss watch industry today is the mechanical movement. In this field, one observes a strong demand of various movements. For the trend of the rectangular watches and the desire to time more than just the hour, it was necessary to think of a woman’s chronograph in size 10 ½'''. To satisfy this need, ETA SA developed a reliable movement equipped with a chronograph module, by using the base of the caliber ETA 2004-1. To achieve the goal of a robust and reliable construction, a new way was followed.

1. Introduction

To produce a women’s chronograph on which one can still read the dials, a 10 ½''' movement was chosen. This dimension also is best adapted for the making rectangular watches.

In these two cases, it is particularly necessary to pay attention to the thickness in order not to harm esthetics.

In spite of reduced quantities produced it was necessary, to have an affordable price. It is obvious that a quick development and a high reliability are required.

From these goals the ETA 2094 caliber chronograph movement was developed.

2. Features

2.1 Functions

• Dials - 30 minute totalizer at 3:00, 12 hour totalizer at 6:00, of the constant running type.
• Small second at 9:00.
• Start/stop and reset with pushbuttons with 2:00 and 4:00.
• Date with quick set correction by the stem.
• Automatic and manual winding.
• Stop second.
• Etachron final tuning.
• Power Reserve: approx 40h.

2.2 Dimensions

• Diameter of movement: 10 ½''' or 23.30 mm.
• Total diameter: 23.90 mm.
• Height: 5.50 mm with automatic assembly.

Dimensions allow for chronograph watches, either ladies (round) or men (rectangular), with an elegant esthetics.

3. Design

3.1 Basic movement

The starting idea was to use the ETA 2004-1 as basic caliber (10 ½'''). With this choice, there were several advantages:
• Most of the existing tools are usable.
• Most of the development is already made.
• The basic gauge is quite mature.
• An increase in quantity of the manufacture of the basic caliber produced.

The sum of these advantages brings to the customer:
• A high reliability.
• An affordable price.

The low height (3.60 mm) of the basic 2004-1 lends itself very well.

Fig. 1: Movement ETA 2094 caliber

Fig. 2: Dial layout

3.2 Modular design

A modular design has the advantage of dividing complexities into two separate functional groups, the “basic movement” and “chronograph module”. Moreover, the tests of functionality of the module stop watch can be carried out independently of the basic movement.

Fig. 3: Assembly chronograph module

To achieve the goal of “small loss of amplitude”, proper choices have to be made concerning how the functions of starting, stopping and resetting are carried out, as well as how the two modules are coupled.

The module has a 1.90 mm height which leads the overall height of the movement to be 5.50 mm. This dimension is remarkable for a 10 ½''' chronograph movement.

Fig. 4: View of back side (without oscillating mass)

4. Construction

4.1 Basic movement

With the base ETA 2004-1 movement, the time keeping side components and the mechanisms are identical. Only on the dial side did anything have to be adapted.

Fig. 5: Basic gauge 2004-1 with new dial side

Characteristics of the escapement and balance:

Frequency: 4Hz, or 28,800 bph
Inertia: 2.7mg *cm ²
Diameter: 6.15mm
Pointing: 20.2

4.2 Start, stop and reset

To make it possible to fulfill the multiple functions of a chronograph and to have a good distribution of the components in restricted volume, the choice of the control unit of the various functions, namely, the stopping starting and reset was very important.

We wanted this movement very homogeneous in a height very small obstruction. The concept of annular cams superimposed and concentric with the movement gave us the possibility of distributing, as well as possible, all the parts such as, the control levers such as the hammers and the rockers.

Fig. 6: View of the chronograph mechanism

Fig. 7: View of the chronograph mechanism

The superimposed and concentric cams (1 and 2) have on their periphery external rachet teeth (20) and notches (10a and 10b) on which the two rockers (3 and 4) act. The cams are moved by these two levers and operate, by their internal teeth (30) or notches (35), the various levers that control the mechanism of the chronograph.

This principle was patented by ETA

4.3 Vertical clutch

We sought to have a minimal amplitude of 190 degrees, after 24 hours in the vertical position. This is what we considered the worst-case circumstances for a chronograph.

In order to meet these requirements, we chose a clutch of the vertical type with its advantages:

• Avoid an angular displacement of the chronograph wheel for meshing of the teeth.
• Avoid the forces created on the pivots.
• Transmission of the couple by friction allowing a clean and instantaneous disengaging.

Fig. 8: Clutch engagement

When the cam is in the stop position, the stop lever raises the intermediate gear, and disengaging is carried out. It is very important to be able to regulate the amount of movement of the intermediate gear. This adjustment is carried out by the eccentric which makes it possible to adjust the position of the fulcrum on the lever. By this adjustment, the value of the tension of the spring is changed, which influences the race of disengaging of the intermediate gear.

4.4 Adjustment of the pushbuttons.

For the adjustment of the forces on the pushbuttons, the eccentrics were assembled on the bridge stop watch. The two eccentrics allow the very precise adjustment of the force on the notches to carry out the functions with a maximum of sensitivity.

Fig. 9: View of start/stop and reset levers

The start/stop and reset levers, operated by the pushbuttons, push on rollers which move the annular start/stop cams. The travel of the buttons is limited by the mainplate. If this were not the case, the forces would be absorbed by the levers which press on the start/stop cams. The chronograph mechanism is never subjected to shocks coming from the buttons and is very thus well protected.

Fig. 10: Cross section vertical clutch

4.5 Compensation of the tolerances

Each hammer of the various dials has an elastic arm making it possible to compensate for the tolerances of position of the cams and levers. Thanks to the elasticity of the hammer, the mechanism of resetting is protected from the effects of an accidental shock on its pushbutton.

Cam for the reset function
Elastic arm of the hammer
Heart

Fig. 11: minute recording wheel.

4.6 Automatic winding assembly.

The automatic winding mechanism only winds in one direction, equipped with only one reverser wheel with a one directional ratchet, these are characteristics taken from the base movement, the ETA 2004-1.

This mechanism functions perfectly, Its winding efficiency is about 60%. Even a very calm wearer acquires 2 hours power reserve for each hour worn.

5. Reliability

This caliber passed all our reliability tests successfully. The mechanism conforms with our specifications and does not show abnormal wear even with hard wear. In the same way, quality regulating deviations of less 10s/d after the shock tests is comparable with other men’s movements.

6. Standardization

The effect of the rigorous use of existing components results in a reduction in the costs and a better reliability. As you can note, this rule was observed.

Fig. 12: Comparative graph with many new parts
Fig. 13: Comparative graph with gauge 2894-2

7. Conclusion

The Chronograph ETA 2094 answers the current trend for “rectangular men’s and ladies chronograph watches”. The modular concept simplifies the complexity of the unit and indicates a caliber of a great series. The design of the annular and concentric cams brings a layout which can be designed in a more robust way.

With this Swiss made movement, our customers get increased reliability, a excellent after sale service and an affordable price.

8. Thanks

I thank the manufacturers and specialists who took up the challenge not to remain on trodden paths, but which dared to explore the new ones.

[austinnh]

lysander, thanks so much for that article! And for translating it. I can see how the mechanism resembles that of a column wheel, sort of a gigantic inside-out column wheel if I read the figures correctly. It appears this movement is unlike any other automatic chronograph movement in more than one way.

I understand it is a modular chrono, with the base movement unmodified. Is this a cause for any concern? Presumably the base movement was not designed for such loads.

Whatever chrono I buy, it will be run *most* of the time. Should this be of greater concern in this modular movement where the base movement was not meant for such loads?

[lysanderxiii]

The Sinn 6030 is only 35 mm in diameter, is that big enough? One of the problems with the big watch trend is technically fascinating smaller movements get over looked, and sometimes, phased out. The actual base movement for the 2094 was the 10.5''' 2004-1, a 2000-1 with a larger mainplate, was discontinued a few years after it was introduced.

As to running the chronograph all the time, I don't think it will hurt the base movement, but the chronograph module (or, chronograph parts in an integrated chronograph) are not designed to run continuously. Such demands might require a more frequent service schedule.

[molarface]

While I find the watch to be attractive enough, and very legible, I personally find the lack of a tachymetre perplexing. There are "dressy chronographs" that eliminate it for esthetic reasons and I guess that makes sense fbecause those watches are primarily used as just a watch (or jewelery). But the Sinn has a definate "tool watch" look to it and as such it should have a tachy. It reminds me of a Swiss army knife without the sissors or screwdriver.

I guess I could make a case for my wife (with her very small wrist) wearing one of these, but then why not get a Speedy Reduced?
Tried and true movement, tachymetre, and better resale when/if she got tired of it.

[austinnh]

I've got a vintage dress watch at about 35mm that I like very much, so it's big enough. I have little use for a tachy and on this watch prefer no tachy. Probably will have low resale.

I find the movement very fascinating.

It'll be a tough choice for me.