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Why CWC Uses Ronda Movements

Ronda 517 vs ETA F06

When selecting a quartz movement for a military watch, the decision is not based on marketing or perceived prestige, but on reliability, serviceability, and suitability for purpose. Two commonly compared Swiss quartz movements are the Ronda 517 and the ETA F06.

Ronda 517: Proven, Practical and Current Military Standard

The Ronda 517 is a Swiss-made quartz movement and is currently the only movement used in CWC diver watches supplied to British Forces under present contract requirements.

Following the discontinuation of the ETA 955.122 in 2022, Ronda became the only supplier offering the required day/date configuration suitable for military specification.

Why CWC Uses the Same Movement Across Diver Models

CWC uses the Ronda 517 across both day/date and non-date diver models. This approach offers several practical advantages:

Streamlined production
Using a single movement platform reduces manufacturing complexity and helps control costs.
Simplified assembly
Day/date and non-date dials can be fitted within the same production process.
Greater flexibility
Allows for more efficient handling of special orders and dial variations.
Long-term serviceability
Standardising components ensures clarity and consistency when watches require servicing or repair in the future.

In contrast, producing separate case internals for different movements would increase both complexity and cost, without offering any meaningful benefit in performance.

The ETA F06.402 and Titanium range

When designing our first Titanium case watch, the TGN Crew Watch No.1, for a collaboration, the ETA F06.402 was specifically requested as part of the design. As the Titanium case was a brand new construction anyway, and the watch did not require a day/date function, the ETA was a viable option.

The Ti300, which uses the same grade 5 Titanium case and similarly lacks the date function, retains the same ETA movement. The F06.402 is a workhorse of the quartz range, providing accurate and reliable timekeeping.

Key Considerations

Practical Performance

In terms of accuracy and everyday use, both movements perform to a high standard. The differences are minimal in real-world conditions.

Serviceability

The Ronda 517 is straightforward to service, with widely available parts, ensuring long-term maintainability.

Supply and Consistency

Ronda operates independently, providing consistent availability. Movements from ETA, part of ETA SA, are subject to more restricted supply.

Why CWC Uses Ronda

For Cabot Watch Company, movement selection follows the same principles that have defined military watches for decades:

Reliability in all conditions
Ease of maintenance
Proven, practical engineering
Long-term serviceability

The Ronda 517 meets these requirements without unnecessary complexity. It is a movement designed to perform its function accurately and reliably, which aligns directly with the purpose of a CWC watch. While the ETA F06 is a capable and well-made movement, the Ronda 517 remains the correct and current choice for military-specification watches.