IWC Pilot's 3777 - In-house movement?

[nejo]

Hi,

was wondering if the 3777-01 has an in-house movement or a modified ETA movement?

Saw a for sale ad that said in-house, but at a Swedish grey-dealer it says modified ETA...

// Kristoffer

[kilyung]

It's based on the excellent 7750 movement.

[Cuts33]

To the best of my knowledge, ETA used to send the parts of a 7750 movement to IWC. IWC would then put the movement together with whatever modifications they felt were necessary. I think some of the modifications were simply changing out some parts for higher quality parts than what was used on a typical 7750 movement.

Then a few years back ETA stopped sending "kits" or the disassembled pieces to IWC, as well as to all other manufacturers using their movements.

Now ETA assembles the movement and sends it to IWC in tact, per IWC's specifications. To me at least, it is unclear what if anything IWC does to the movement now once it is received from ETA aside from typical quality control testing. I also cannot tell what specifications IWC gives ETA that results in what appears to be such a significant premium price wise compared to other manufacturers who utilize even the highest grade 7750 movement.

Maybe its just me but if there was more transparency by IWC in terms of what exactly you are getting when you purchase this model, there is a strong chance I would have chosen it over the Omega PO 8500 I ended up with because it is certainly a beautiful watch.

[kilyung]

Originally Posted by Cuts33

To the best of my knowledge, ETA used to send the parts of a 7750 movement to IWC. IWC would then put the movement together with whatever modifications they felt were necessary. I think some of the modifications were simply changing out some parts for higher quality parts than what was used on a typical 7750 movement.

Then a few years back ETA stopped sending "kits" or the disassembled pieces to IWC, as well as to all other manufacturers using their movements.

Now ETA assembles the movement and sends it to IWC in tact, per IWC's specifications. To me at least, it is unclear what if anything IWC does to the movement now once it is received from ETA aside from typical quality control testing. I also cannot tell what specifications IWC gives ETA that results in what appears to be such a significant premium price wise compared to other manufacturers who utilize even the highest grade 7750 movement.

Maybe its just me but if there was more transparency by IWC in terms of what exactly you are getting when you purchase this model, there is a strong chance I would have chosen it over the Omega PO 8500 I ended up with because it is certainly a beautiful watch.

Correct, IWC dictates to ETA what modifications they want. Even with more transparency, the co-axial 8500 movement is, in IMO, a better movement.