UN Opinions

[lurchzilla]

well i am in love with this watch:



Any opinion on UN watches? They seem to be a great quality of watch and as of right now is next on my list.

Thanks

[GerardoG]

I like them a L O T

[C.J.]

Awesome watches I think someone here just had one like that

Lurch, that's a nice looking watch. I quite like a couple of UN watches, and while they are beautifully finished, the only thing that knocks them for me is that they are ETA/Valjoux movements. Not that they're bad movements... quite the opposite. I just personally feel they're overpriced for what they are.

That said, I really like the one you've pictured (and the one Avalon has his sights on with the blue dial). If money isn't a factor, I would buy one in a heartbeat.

[SLRdude]

hmmm....
The one very knowledgeable sales person that I talk to a lot and sells UN told me that UN has been in house calibers since 2003 or something like that....

Originally Posted by Atomic

the only thing that knocks them for me is that they are ETA/Valjoux movements.

Just a clarification - not all UN watches use outsourced movements. However, those that aren't are big dollar items (Freak, etc.).

Originally Posted by Avalon

Just a clarification - not all UN watches use outsourced movements. However, those that aren't are big dollar items (Freak, etc.).

I stand corrected. However, I also understand that UN does completely revamp the outsourced movements to their specifications.

[padi56]

I quite like some of the Ulysse Nardin range,and the chrono in the link, with all this talk of in-house outsourced movements.Lets remember that ETA is the largest Swiss manufacturer, of totally in-house movements,approx 5 million movements a year.And as
far as I know Ulysse Nardin still use, for there volume sales watches, a supplied ETA ébauche or base movement, but they do extensive and substantive in-house modification to them.

[lurchzilla]

Originally Posted by Atomic

the only thing that knocks them for me is that they are ETA/Valjoux movements

Can you explain this a little more? What would be the difference between that and a Rolex movement? Why is one better then the other.

Still learning here.

Originally Posted by lurchzilla

Can you explain this a little more? What would be the difference between that and a Rolex movement? Why is one better then the other.

Still learning here.

Sure. Rolex (and others like Seiko, Glashutte, AP, GP, Lange, PP, etc) manufacture every part of their movements themselves (or hire firms to make parts to their specifications).

A company like ETA manufactures movements and sells them to watch brands who may manufacture their own case, dial, hands, bracelets... but not movements (like UN, Panerai, TAG Heuer to name a few). Some manufactures have the stock movements altered at the ETA factory for their specifications, others do this 'customizing' themselves in their shops.

A non-inhouse movement isn't worse or better than a fully in-house made one. As Padi said, ETA manufactures millions of their movements for all sorts of brands, to great satisfaction of their clients and owners.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by lurchzilla

Can you explain this a little more? What would be the difference between that and a Rolex movement? Why is one better then the other.

Still learning here.

Rolex movements are completely in-house, whereas ETA movements are made by a company called ETA, a division of the SWATCH group. ETA movements are excellent in all respects. Top brands like OMEGA, UN and many others use them with modifications, of course. ETA movements have proven themselves for their durability, dependability and accuracy over the years. Nothing wrong with them!!

Valjoux is another company which specialises in Chronograph movements. Once again, their movements, like the Valjoux 7750, have stood the test of time and are extremely dependable calibres. Breitling uses them a lot as also other high-end Swiss manufacturers.

BTW, that UN is a beauty. Must love those Arabics combined with the blued hands. Knock out!

[padi56]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Rolex movements are completely in-house, whereas ETA movements are made by a company called ETA, a division of the SWATCH group. ETA movements are excellent in all respects. Top brands like OMEGA, UN and many others use them with modifications, of course. ETA movements have proven themselves for their durability, dependability and accuracy over the years. Nothing wrong with them!!

Valjoux is another company which specialises in Chronograph movements. Once again, their movements, like the Valjoux 7750, have stood the test of time and are extremely dependable calibres. Breitling uses them a lot as also other high-end Swiss manufacturers.

BTW, that UN is a beauty. Must love those Arabics combined with the blued hands. Knock out!

ETA movements are 100% totally in-house they make,every single part down
to the last screw.

Originally Posted by padi56

ETA movements are 100% totally in-house they make,every single part down
to the last screw.

Yeah but I'm sure they outsource their lubricants, so you can't really say ETA is truly 'in-house'.

[dman]

I had a similar version to that one. That one is the Annual Chrono, I had the marine. Beautifully finished watch, but too shiney for me.


They make a very good product. I just wasn't feeling it.

[Launch Mini]

I like the detail in the bracelet, the small anchors on each side.
AND, it is a nice watch too.

[dman]

Originally Posted by Launch Mini

I like the detail in the bracelet, the small anchors on each side.
AND, it is a nice watch too.

The watch had a finish that was out of this world. Really accurate too, but it really was too damn shiney. The whole bracelet was polished. I was afriad of getting CHARACTER on it.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by dman

The watch had a finish that was out of this world. Really accurate too, but it really was too damn shiney. The whole bracelet was polished. I was afriad of getting CHARACTER on it.

Now you're talking, pal...sarcasm or no sarcasm!

[dman]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Now you're talking, pal...sarcasm or no sarcasm!

Couldn't help it my man.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Atomic

Yeah but I'm sure they outsource their lubricants, so you can't really say ETA is truly 'in-house'.

Well if thats the case,same applies to Rolex and many others.

In my view UN suffers from a stigma that it doesn't really deserve, that comes from the ETA movements used in their base models. Like most "higher end" ETA based watches, they certainly take the base movement to another level with finishing and upgrades. And while the base engine is ETA, UN develop their own modules to add to the movements.

For instance, their GMT+/- watch is (I believe) unique in that the hour hand can be adjusted without taking the watch off your wrist, using pushers, and in either the forward or backwards direction. Certainly a very practical version of the GMT function.

In the higher end models, they have done a great job developing new technology, such as is used in the Freak, and the new 160th Anniversary model. The dual escapement is quite a leap forward over a traditional swiss lever design, and uses some unusual manufacturing techniques. The Freak is quite unique in that the entire movement forms rotates and forms the time display as well.

Here is a link to news on the 160th Anniversary watch - not my style personally, but this gives you some insight on the balance technology they are using in this watch.

http://www.network54.com/Forum/47372...ge/1143326682/

I personally love the Sonata, and if I ever win the lottery that will be one of the first purchases on my list (even though it is way too big for me). I have handled one in person and it is a stunning watch, but the style is not for everyone. I love the rose gold version.

I find that some of their pieces are not to my taste at all, but others I can't stop thinking about. I am quite drawn to the 1846 Marine Chronometer, and it is certainly high on my list for the next purchase. Even though it uses an ETA base movement, I am beginning to see that this is not necessarily a bad thing. Up until now, all my watches have had manufacture movements, but I think over time most people with somewhat open minds come to realize that this is not the be all, end all in watches. In fact, it very much goes against the Swiss watchmaking tradition, and is a farily recent thing to hold in high regard.

Here is the watch I tried on recently, but I think I prefer the version with Romans, which are unfortunately harder to find in the display cases......





Anyway, just my take on UN as a brand.

[Launch Mini]

I saw the 1846 in my travel yesterday. I did like the look of it.
The store was quite busy, so I did not have them take it out of the case.
It did look a bit on the smaller side sitting next to the rest of the UN's.
Al, Have you tried it on?? How does it look on you wrist??

Originally Posted by Launch Mini

I saw the 1846 in my travel yesterday. I did like the look of it.
The store was quite busy, so I did not have them take it out of the case.
It did look a bit on the smaller side sitting next to the rest of the UN's.
Al, Have you tried it on?? How does it look on you wrist??

The shot in my post is on my wrist.......I think it fits well!

[Launch Mini]

Originally Posted by Avalon

The shot in my post is on my wrist.......I think it fits well!

I tracked down that post, It looks WAY better on your wrist with a bracelet.
The one I saw was on a skinny leather band, changed the entire look of the watch.

[dman]

Originally Posted by Avalon

In my view UN suffers from a stigma that it doesn't really deserve, that comes from the ETA movements used in their base models. Like most "higher end" ETA based watches, they certainly take the base movement to another level with finishing and upgrades. And while the base engine is ETA, UN develop their own modules to add to the movements.

For instance, their GMT+/- watch is (I believe) unique in that the hour hand can be adjusted without taking the watch off your wrist, using pushers, and in either the forward or backwards direction. Certainly a very practical version of the GMT function.

In the higher end models, they have done a great job developing new technology, such as is used in the Freak, and the new 160th Anniversary model. The dual escapement is quite a leap forward over a traditional swiss lever design, and uses some unusual manufacturing techniques. The Freak is quite unique in that the entire movement forms rotates and forms the time display as well.

Here is a link to news on the 160th Anniversary watch - not my style personally, but this gives you some insight on the balance technology they are using in this watch.

http://www.network54.com/Forum/47372...ge/1143326682/

I personally love the Sonata, and if I ever win the lottery that will be one of the first purchases on my list (even though it is way too big for me). I have handled one in person and it is a stunning watch, but the style is not for everyone. I love the rose gold version.

I find that some of their pieces are not to my taste at all, but others I can't stop thinking about. I am quite drawn to the 1846 Marine Chronometer, and it is certainly high on my list for the next purchase. Even though it uses an ETA base movement, I am beginning to see that this is not necessarily a bad thing. Up until now, all my watches have had manufacture movements, but I think over time most people with somewhat open minds come to realize that this is not the be all, end all in watches. In fact, it very much goes against the Swiss watchmaking tradition, and is a farily recent thing to hold in high regard.


Anyway, just my take on UN as a brand.

Great post Al, you are right too!! I think it is a great brand that knows itself and product extremely well.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Avalon

In my view UN suffers from a stigma that it doesn't really deserve, that comes from the ETA movements used in their base models. Like most "higher end" ETA based watches, they certainly take the base movement to another level with finishing and upgrades. And while the base engine is ETA, UN develop their own modules to add to the movements.

I am quite drawn to the 1846 Marine Chronometer, and it is certainly high on my list for the next purchase. Even though it uses an ETA base movement, I am beginning to see that this is not necessarily a bad thing. Up until now, all my watches have had manufacture movements, but I think over time most people with somewhat open minds come to realize that this is not the be all, end all in watches. In fact, it very much goes against the Swiss watchmaking tradition, and is a farily recent thing to hold in high regard.

And could not agree with you more Al a lot of people think the ETA
is a inferior movement which it is not.The Ulysse Nardin marine chronometers have always been highly regarded, but it is a little known fact that for years, they were fitted with a hi-beat version of (36000 BPH) version of the ETA 2824-2, UN calibre NB11QU.

Sometime I hear comments like "such an expensive watch and only an ETA movement inside ". Words like these give the impression that an ETA movement is of lower quality.It should be the other way around, people should say "Well, it has a excellent ETA movement inside this watch, but the price of this watch is astonishingly high".And they still make and sell around five million movements a year.Lets not forget that ETA is the largest manufacture in Switzerland, because they make everything, in-house only.I have a special regard for the Unitas 6497/8 this movement has not basically changed now for over 50 years,and is capable of COSC standards,and very forgiving in its service or lack of.A truly great workhouse movement that has powered many high end watches.

This is short list of outstanding movements that should all easily achieve a daily consistency of five seconds or better on the wrist.ETA 2892-A2, ETA 2824/2, ETA 7750,Unitas6497/8,Omega 2500, JLC 889/2 , JLC 960, all of the current Rolex calibers, Longines 990 (Lemania 8815), PP 215, PP 240, Zenith 400,Zenith 670, GP 3100 plus there are many more.