From what you’ve read so far, you might be thinking there are hardly any advantages to in-house calibers, but that’s not the case. There are many reasons why buying a watch with an in-house movement is a good idea. For starters,
it demonstrates a watch manufacturer’s skilled craftsmanship. It proves the brand can come up with its own movement and deal with the complexity that is inherent to the process. Just consider how things like movement dimensions and modular construction can make a watchmaker’s work a bit easier.
Plus, if a manufacturer opts for a chronograph movement like the ETA Valjoux 7750, it is bound to a very specific dial design and case height. Minor adjustments and visual optimizations are possible,
but they may negatively impact the movement’s reliability. On the other hand, when a watch manufacturer develops and produces their own caliber, they set the dimensions so it perfectly fits into the case. They can also opt to use innovative technical improvements to the escapement, winding mechanism, or regulation system, for example.
Enthusiasts are passionate about in-house calibers for a variety of reasons. They are often considered a highlight of the watch, whereas third-party movements are more likely to be viewed as a practical solution to a manufacturer’s problem.