15 BEST Watches with ETA 2892 Inside (The 21-Jewel Marvel!)

Every watch has a movement inside of it that breathes life into it. Some watches are operated with a battery, allowing for simple maintenance and high accuracy. Other watches are purely mechanical, with many moving parts working together to generate power.

Swiss manufacturing has a long history of making mechanical movements, and there was a time when nearly every single watch was mechanical. Now, consumers have the luxury of choosing from a variety of movements, usually boiling down to quartz or mechanical. 

Creating a movement entirely from scratch can be a huge challenge for some brands. This also comes with an increase in associated costs. Luckily, ETA SA has been a driving force in the Swiss watchmaking industry for a long time, providing high-quality and reliable movements that have powered countless watches since the brand’s debut in 1856.

One of the many great ETA movements is the 2892, a truly wonderful movement that balances luxury with cost. Today, we’re here to show you a sample of the many watches that house an ETA 2892 inside.

About the ETA 2892

Many watch companies use movements created by ETA in their watches. By doing so, they are also allowed to print the coveted “Swiss Made” label. The ETA 2892 is an automatic movement created in the workshops of  ETA SA.

ETA has gone to great lengths to ensure that all of its movements are worthy of the “Swiss Made” label. Because of its huge sway in the watch industry, ETA needs to make a quality product that supports its position in the market. Luckily, the 2892 is a truly fantastic work of mechanical art that lives up to its reputation. 

First, let’s go over all of the technical features of the movement. The ETA 2892 is a 21-jewel automatic movement that is relatively thin at 25.60mm and has a height of 3.6mm. Each movement is strong enough to generate an ample 42-hour power reserve.

The movement beats at 28,000 vibrations per hour and features hacking seconds and hand-winding. The accuracy ranges anywhere from +/-20 seconds per day to +/-5 seconds/day. This range depends on the grade or quality of the movement. The three grades are: elaborated grade, top grade, and chronometer (COSC) grade. Next, let’s talk history!

History of the ETA 2892

Some people might have heard about the Swiss brand Eterna. Eterna is a storied brand with rich history, and its most significant achievement is probably the creation of ETA SA. Eterna was founded in November 1856 by Dr. Joseph Girard and Urs Schild. 

They were one of the original movement manufacturers and continued to do so all the way until the company legally separated into Eterna and ETA SA. Eterna mainly focused on making watches, while ETA SA focused on movements.

The mighty Swatch Group now controls ETA SA, so it’s no wonder that ETA movements can be found in many of their brands. ETA movements are a gold standard in the watch world and are a “go-to” movement, especially when costs are concerned.

The Best ETA 2892 Watches

ETA movements are amazing right off the shelf. Of course, brands can take their time to beautify and personalize the movement, but the core features remain the same. We mentioned different grades before. Don’t worry; there’s no test for you today! 

Instead, these grades simply determine how rigorously the movement was tested before being used in the watch. Below are 15 examples of quality timepieces that will delight any future buyer. We’ll provide the description; all you need to do is imagine the amazing features of the watch!

1. Omega Seamaster Diver 300M (ref. 212.30.41.20.01.002, Caliber 2500, based on the 2892-A2)

 

First on the list is an offering from the much-loved brand Omega. The Omega Seamaster Diver just oozes cool, and variations of this watch have been made famous by the James Bond movies. For example, the helium escape valve on the top left corner is actually used by Bond in the movies to operate some of his numerous gadgets. This model features a very cool ink-black dial with a wave pattern that decorates newer models in the Seamaster line. 

All of the watches on the list modify the ETA 2892 in some way. Whether that’s giving it a custom rotor or tweaking some of the specifications, each brand ultimately uses the ETA 2892 as a blueprint for its own designs. In this dive watch, Omega added their unique co-axial escapement, which increases accuracy over time. This is just one modification possible to the ETA 2892.  

2. Breitling SuperOcean Heritage ‘57 (ref. A10370121B1A1, Breitling Caliber B10, based on the 2892-A2)

Breitling is next on the list, a favorite of aviators and divers alike. The famous Breitling Navitimer rules the skies, while the Superocean rules the seas below. The SuperOcean Heritage is a reference to the golden age of diving when many brands were competing to create the best dive watch.

While many of these dive watches were bulky and large, this SuperOcean Heritage model is somewhat modest. The watch is 38mm in diameter with an extra large bezel that curves inward, giving it a unique appearance. 

The ETA 2892 helps to make this watch relatively thin, especially surprising given Breitling’s usually bold and thick watches. The bracelet and case almost seamlessly turn into each other, making this watch slender and very comfortable to wear. Of course, one of the most interesting things about the watch is the bezel that curves inward, which gives the watch a fascinating 3D effect.

3. IWC Spitfire (ref. IW3268-01, Caliber 32110, based on the 2892-A2)

IWC takes to the skies with the Spitfire model, featuring the Caliber 32110. In this movement, IWC uses silicon to bolster the movement’s strength. Silicon is used in watches because of its strength and flexibility. The escape wheel and pallet lever are made of this material, a very nice change because it improves the longevity of the pieces and allows the watch to go long periods without needing service. 

The Spitfire is a classic aviation-inspired watch. Aviation watches emphasize legibility above all else. And with a large, bold number printing, clearly delineated minute tracker, and large sword hands, you’ll have no trouble reading the time, even in the most intense situations. 

4. Hublot Classic Fusion 45 Chronograph Black Magic (ref. 521.CM.1771.RX, Hublot caliber HUB1143, based on the 2892-A2)

Wearing a Hublot means you’re not afraid of what anyone thinks. Hublot has built a reputation for its unapologetically bold timepieces. They immediately grab your attention and aren’t shy about it. This 45mm chronograph is no exception, and the outlandish name matches its aesthetic.

The ceramic case is extremely well-made and scratch-resistant. The futuristic black color coats every part of the watch. The bracelet is equally amazing, all ceramic and brushed and polished to a bright shine. The caseback is transparent, which shows off the HUB1143 behind the window.

Hublot modifies the baseline ETA 2892 with an integrated Dubois-Depraz module that powers the chronograph function. This module is an excellent feature and modification to the always-reliable ETA 2892. The module is added to the base movement to handle whatever additional feature the brand wants to add. 

5. TAG Heuer Autavia GMT (ref. WBE511A.BA0650, Calibre 7, based on the 2892-A2)

The Autavia line from Tag Heuer features many vintage-inspired models that take design cues from successful past models from Tag’s history. This model is a very handsome pilot’s watch that is effortlessly cool. It does all this while having a GMT feature, one of the most practical complications a watch can have.

As a pilot watch, the dial is extremely clean and legible. The printing is bold, large, and generously filled with lume for low-light conditions. 

This is a COSC-certified chronometer and pushes the ETA 2892 to its limit. COSC certification means that the watch has been tested in extreme conditions to ensure that it remains accurate. Any movement that doesn’t survive the process isn’t used for future watches. This is a mark of quality; anyone would be delighted to see this vintage-inspired beauty on their wrist. 

6. Longines Hydroconquest (ref. L3.695.4.53.6, Caliber L619.2, based on the 2892-A2)

With an intimidating name like Hydroconquest, I expect a watch that can conquer the seas and survive anything Mother Nature can throw at it. Longines certainly tries to live up to that expectation with this next offering on our list, a large 44mm stainless steel watch. 

This is a titan of diving, with 300m of water resistance and an expertly engineered case that shields the ETA-based Caliber L619.2. One of my favorite details on the watch is the heavily engraved caseback featuring the winged Longines logo. 

7. Panerai Luminor 1950 (ref. PAM01109, Panerai caliber P.9200, based on the 2892-2)

It’s definitely easy to spot a Panerai on someone’s wrist. The unique case shape and large 47mm case are unmistakable. This model is a little different from other Panerai models because it includes a chronograph function that takes up a majority of the dial. However, the large 12 and 6 hour markers are still present, which is a signature of many Panerai models. 

Inside this Italian classic is Panerai’s version of the ETA 2892, the Caliber P.9200. Panerai adds extra features like an improved balance wheel and increased shock-resistance to really make this watch true to its rich history and association with tough, military watches. 

8. Tudor Heritage Chrono 70330N (ETA Caliber 2892-2054)

Tudor is simply an amazing brand that offers top-quality pieces at unmatched prices. I love the Tudor shield logo because I know I am getting something incredible with this sign of quality. This timepiece is a colorful chronograph with racing-inspired design cues.

The Tudor shield is at 12 o’clock and seamlessly flows with the other hour markers. The chronograph subdials are filled in with a slightly darker color than the dial, giving an interesting contrast between them. 

Tudor added a separate chronograph module to the base ETA 2892. The Dubois-Depraz 2054 is a marvelous addition that really unlocks the capabilities of the base movement. The watch is heavy and thick, so it may take some time to get used to the extra weight on the wrist, but in the price-value category, this modern interpretation of a vintage watch is hard to beat.

9. Oris Divers GMT (ref. 01 668 7639 8454-07 8 24 01PEB, Oris 668, based on the 2892-A2)

As one of the few remaining independent watch brands, Oris holds a unique position in the market. Many of the brands on this list, like Omega and Longines, fall under the umbrella of the Swatch Group. Oris, however, is owned entirely by themselves.

The Oris Divers line is a series of no-nonsense models inspired by watches from the 1960s. This model also includes the popular GMT feature and combines practicality with luxury. Regarding the movement, Oris has been making waves with its movement work.

They even have their own in-house movement that they developed for their premium models. For this Oris 668, extra fine-tuning has made this movement even more accurate and reliable. The true GMT feature works amazingly when combined with the reliability of the base movement. 

10. TAG Heuer Carrera Big Date (ref. WAR5010.BA0723, Calibre 8, based on the 2892-A2) 

Like its namesake, the Carrera Big Date is as exquisite as any luxury sports car. Despite its seemingly wearable size, with a case diameter of 41mm, the watch wears bigger due to its large thickness and lug-to-lug distance. The black dial is gorgeous and features the Big Date complication at 12 o’clock, along with a subdial at 6 o’clock that keeps track of the second time zone.

The watch is powered by the Calibre 8, which is a modified ETA 2892 with an additional GMT function. Combined with the Big Date complication, it makes for an excellent everyday timepiece, especially for those interested in tracking two different time zones.

11. Omega Speedmaster Reduced (ref. 3510.50.00, Omega Caliber 3220, based on the 2892-A2)

While the Speedmaster Reduced is certainly smaller than its regular-sized counterpart, this does not compromise the quality. The Speedmaster Reduced is a smaller 38mm version of the legendary Moonwatch.

The dial has several small but noticeable differences compared to its big brother, like the location of the subdials. The subdials are also stretched to the outer edge of the watch. One of the biggest differences, which truly makes it reduced, is the lug-to-lug width and bracelet.

The Reduced is 44mm lug to lug, down from the normal 47mm of the Moonwatch. This makes it much easier to style with numerous wrist sizes. The bracelet is also slightly thinner at 18mm and tapers to a fine steel finish. Inside the Reduced is the Caliber 3220, Omega’s version of the ETA 2892.

It is automatic compared to the traditionally hand-winding Moonwatch movement. The chronograph function between the Reduced and Moonwatch is mostly because the Reduced chronograph is a module stacked on top of the movement, which changes the dynamics of the watch.

12. Breitling for Bentley Motors Blue (ref. A2536212.C618, Breitling Caliber 25B, based on the 2892-A2)

Breitling and Bentley have collaborated for a long time together to create amazing moto-inspired watches. Every Breitling for Bentley collection watch has a distinctive look, especially with the braided bezel design. 

This watch is quintessential Breitling. It’s a big 48mm watch with the famous Breitling wings logo, a Breitling-tipped chronograph hand, and a ton of information on the dial. The pushers to the side almost seem dwarfed by the large, adventurous watch. The ETA 2892 base movement is wonderfully decorated with Breitling design language and features a 30-second seconds counter as well.

13. IWC Mark XX (ref. IW3282-02, Caliber 32111, based on the 2892-A2)

IWC takes to the skies again with this excellent timepiece. Perfectly sized at 40mm and with the pilot-styled DNA everyone loves, the Mark XX is a surefire hit to everyone who can look at one. Even the name invokes the image of Iron Man, who is known to soar through the skies. 

IWC is a master of aviation watches. Just look at the numerous models in their extensive lineup. The Caliber 32111 is hidden behind the caseback and finished with intricately detailed Côtes de Genève patterns.

14. Longines Legend Diver (ref. L3.774.4.90.2, Caliber L888.5, based on the 2892-A2)

The Legend Diver is a look back at the past and transports you to a time when diving was still a brand new world to explore. As a modern interpretation, the Legend Diver is packed with modern conveniences, like an updated 42mm case size, sapphire crystal, improved inner rotating bezel, rugged stainless steel construction, and of course, enhanced modern movement. 

Underneath this surprisingly thin case is the Caliber L888.5, featuring an extra durable silicone balance wheel. Anyone who gets their hand on this collector’s item is sure to be amazed by just how handsome the whole package looks.

15. Oris Artelier Small Second Date (ref. 01 623 7582 4074-07 5 21 71FC, Oris 623, based on the 2892-A2)

Last but not least is the elegant Oris Artelier Small Seconds Date. The word “Artelier” brings up nostalgic images of old-school watchmaking in small, private workshops. Indeed, this model is carefully finished and shined to perfection. The hour markers are sharp like daggers and are polished to a mirror finish. 

The hands, too, look sharp and crisp. The dial is layered with two circles on top of each other, with the small seconds sub dial prominently featured at the 6 o’clock position. I love how the shiny shades of black look stacked on top of each other.

The date window is like a hidden surprise at the bottom as well, like a little window that provides extremely useful information to viewers. Of course, Oris’s skill at making movements is on display here with the excellent Oris 623.

The flash of red on the movement, as seen through the transparent caseback, is a welcome surprise. The many features of this movement, like the extra precise time accuracy and stop-second, make this an excellent and elegant timepiece.

Conclusion

As you can now see, the ETA 2892 can take many forms. Brands take this wonderful movement and decorate it to their liking. Sometimes they can add extra features to it, like a chronograph movement. Other times, they can innovate the materials used inside of it or customize how the rotor looks. Regardless of the changes, the same amazing, high-quality Swiss mechanical movement beats at the heart of every one of these watches!