ETAs phasing out soon?

[Absolutionaw]

What's the latest news on this? For Pam's of coz...

[Ryuden]

Taken from Wiki :-

"Cartel investigation[edit]

In 2003 the Swiss Competition Commission launched an investigation into the business practices of ETA SA after Nicholas Hayek, then chairman of ETA parent The Swatch Group Ltd., announced in 2002 that ETA would shortly stop supplying ébauches (partial watch movements) to companies outside The Swatch Group. Competitors complained that this would effectively put them out of business. Hayek countered that Swiss watch making companies must begin to invest in their own movement-making capabilities because it was detrimental to the long term health of the Swiss watchmaking industry to rely on one supplier, ETA, for the bulk of ébauche and parts production. The Swiss Competition Commission ordered ETA to continue supplying ébauches to companies outside The Swatch Group during the investigation.[12]


In 2005 the Swiss Competition Commission concluded its investigation and ordered ETA to continue delivering ébauches and parts at the then current levels until 2008, after which ETA was allowed to gradually reduce deliveries until 2010. The Commission had found that for ébauches in the price range up to US$256, there were no real alternatives and ETA's decision to stop deliveries was a breach of Swiss law pertaining to cartels.[12]


Although the 2005 decision has spurred some watchmakers to invest in the personnel and equipment necessary to produce movements in-house, heavy reliance on ETA continues to the present day. The original finding has been extended, with the Swiss Competition Commission ordering in July 2012 that based on 2010 supply levels, ETA may reduce the level of supplied movements by 30 percent in 2014-2015, 50 percent in 2016-2017 and by 70 percent by 2018-2019. The number of Nivarox products that must be offered will be reduced gradually, dropping by 70 percent by the year 2023. ETA hopes to eventually reach a market position where they are allowed to freely choose to supply or not to supply parts and ébauches to competitors based solely on ETA's discretion.[13]"

"Hayek said Swatch would not stop providing for the industry but wanted to reserve the right to choose with whom they worked.
"We do not want to be a supermarket, forced to deliver to everyone whatever they want. The supermarket era is coming to an end," he told the Wall Street Journal."



It's still a long way before they ( Swatch Group / Eta ) totally stop and have the rights to choose who they want to supply as its all done gradually. The Swiss would also want to protect the watch making industries which they are well known for and wouldn't want one single big organization monopolizing the trade.

On Panerai's part , Panerai are already taking actions even before Swatch Group are allow to totally stop providing Eta movt out of the Swatch Group. Thus the introduction of various in house movt.

Manual Winding :-

P999
P3000
P3001
P3002
P2002
P2004
P2005 , 2005G , 2005S
P2006
P5000

Automatic :-

P9000
P9001
P9002
P2003
P9100 , 9100R

Looking at the number of in house movts, Panerai are already putting into actions to phase out their Eta movt models by slowly putting in place the newer in house models into the market.

But to really answer your question when will Panerai phase out their Eta, only Bonati and his horsemen will know the answer.

For now , buyers can enjoy the option to purchased the

More affordable , reliable , easily serviceable , proven workhorse Eta movt models ,

or

Slightly more 'atas' , exclusively Panerai , and yet to pass the test of time , newer in house movt models.

Well , when it comes to Pams , we are definitely sure to be spoilt for choices.

Cheers.

[roguehog]

When the 510's price was initially revealed to ad's prior to the actual launch, there was strong speculation that it was going to replace the 111 as it was priced a mere $100 more than the latter. But after they revived the pricing to $9500 days prior to the launch, it got people thinking again.

[iwaterview]

I like panerais with eta movements. Very reliable and easily repaired with parts available n cheaper servicing then in house movements.
If eta going to gradually stop reducing their supplies I foresee prices are going up fast for watches made with this movements.
Anyway I always like the simple pam models eta over the more expensive in house brothers models.
I actually searching for old pams with eta and tritium pams now like pam1a, pam2a etc which is rare in the market . No longer am l chasing after newer models cause is just too many out there.

[Absolutionaw]

Thanks Ryuden for the info...great read...

[Wanderlust]

When the 510's price was initially revealed to ad's prior to the actual launch, there was strong speculation that it was going to replace the 111 as it was priced a mere $100 more than the latter. But after they revived the pricing to $9500 days prior to the launch, it got people thinking again.

I was amused when someone told me PAM510 is meant as a replacement for PAM 111. The price and 8-day power reserve definitely suggest PAM 510 is not PAM 111 replacement. Maybe the real PAM 111 may be introduced in SIHH 2014.

[zameenzahari]

Its anticipated that there will be some news around this to be announced during SIHH which starts later today SG time. But of course, this is pure speculation at this juncture.