Regarding the C65 AM VEV movements discussion.
Let me apologize for taking longer than I had hoped to get back with the correct information, but I wanted to be accurate.
I have consulted with CW and they have also contacted ETA so that we get accurate information. CW have also confirmed that they will be releasing the remaining C65 AM VEV 2’s with an ETA 251.264 movement very soon. They will also be relaunching any remaining C65 AM VEV 1 with a correctly stated movement.
This information below is directly from ETA:
C65 AM VEV 1
ETA 251.272
Typical: +36.5 seconds a year
Minimum -109.5 seconds a year
Maximum +182.5 seconds a year
+15/-9 seconds per month
ETA 251.274 (Replacement for 251.272)
Typical: +-10 seconds a year
Minimum and maximum: +- 26 seconds a year
C65 AM VEV 2
ETA 251.233
Typical: 0 seconds a year
Minimum and maximum: +- 25.55 seconds a year
ETA 251.264 (Replacement for 251.233)
Typical +/- 10 seconds a year
Minimum and maximum +/- 26 seconds per year
Now let me explain the movements in question.
ETA 251.233 - This movement was previously used in the C30 and C70 Chronometers as a COSC movement. The same movement was used in the C65 AM VEV2 but was not COSC. Although previously certified the COSC papers were missing so they were sold as non COSC. It remains a thermo-compensated movement although the rating of -15/+15 seconds per year as stated in the website description would seem to be a few seconds off.
ETA 251.264 – This is the replacement movement for the now discontinued 251.233. It is a thermo-compensated movement. This movement is also within COSC specs but does not have certificates and will not be certified. This non COSC movement is rated Typical +/- 10 seconds a year with minimum and maximum +/- 26 seconds per year.
ETA 251.272 – This movement was previously used in the original C7 and C70 series. They were rated at +20/-10 seconds per month. This movement has been discontinued. Later versions, as used in the C65 AM VEV 1 carry a “typical” rating of +36.5 seconds per year but are considered within spec if +15/-9 seconds per month and -109.5 seconds a year/+182.5 seconds a year.
Over the past 5 years ETA improved this movement and changed the way of communicating the accuracy
ETA 251.274 – This was the replacement for the 251.272 movement. This carries a “typical” rating of +10/-10 seconds per year but is considered within spec at +/- 26 seconds per year.
The CW website was incorrect in that it stated “thermo-compensated” movements for the ETA 251.274. Neither the 272 or 274 are “thermo-compensated”. The 251.272 was also listed showing +10/-10 seconds per year. This also was incorrect as you can see by the information above and was corrected near the end of sales. However the new movement in VEV 2 (ETA 251.264) is thermo compensated.
CW sincerely apologizes for the misinformation on the website as do I for my previous post that was not entirely accurate. Should anyone have any further inquiries, Jörg Bader, Head of Christopher Ward SA, would be happy to discuss the various differences and merits of each movement with any member of the forum. His email is:
jorg.bader.sen@christopherward.ch. If you would like to speak to customer services about your order, the normal process should be followed by emailing
customerservices@christopherward.co.uk and one of the team will respond.
As you can see there are accuracy differences between the 272 and 274. How much that potential 3 ½ minutes per year difference matters is entirely up to you. Any of these movements is very accurate.
To get everything together, here is how you can tell which movement you have (251.272 or 251.274)
RESETTING THE COUNTERS TO ZERO
CALIBRE TYPE - If the chronograph hands spin when you pull the crown out to
position 2, you have an ETA calibre 251.274. If the chronograph hands do not
spin, you have a calibre 241.272.
RESETTING THE COUNTERS TO ZERO ON THE CALIBRE 251.274
1. Pull the crown out to position 2.
2. Press pusher A to select the desired counter:
30-minute counter
60-second counter
or 1/10th-of-a-second counter
3. Press pusher B to reset the counter hand to zero.
RESETTING THE COUNTERS TO ZERO ON THE CALIBRE 251.272
30-minute counter
1. Pull the crown out to position 2.
2. Press pusher B to reset the 30-minute hand to zero.
60-second counter
1. Pull the crown out to position 3.
2. Press pusher A to reset the 60-second hand to zero.
1/10th-of-a-second counter
1. Pull the crown out to position 3.
2. Press pusher B to reset the 1/10th-of-a-second hand to zero