Uhrinstinkt Magazine
«Watches and test results of a young legend»
The Powermatic 80 movement is a development of the Tissot watch brand in collaboration with ETA movements. The caliber is based on the ETA 2824-2, which has proven itself for decades, but has been modified to increase the power reserve to 80 hours. This is achieved through various optimizations, including an extended barrel and a modified escape wheel. Various watch manufacturers use the Powermatic 80 movement under different trade names, for example Caliber H-10 (at Hamilton) or Caliber 80 (at Mido).
Technology and operation: a modified classic
The characteristic feature of the Powermatic 80 is the enormous power reserve, which gives the caliber its name. The power reserve refers to the time that a mechanical watch can run with the mainspring fully wound before it has to be wound again. In conventional automatic watches, the reserve is usually around 38 to 48 hours. The Powermatic 80 movement, on the other hand, offers a power reserve of no less than 80 hours.
Besides the actual ETA 2824-2 movement, related movements like the 2836-2 in Powermatic-80 version are also manufactured. This differs from the 2824-2 by the additional day display (besides the pure date display).
The movement operates at a frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour (3 hertz) and features 25 jewels for low-friction operation. This reduced frequency in place of the 28,800 vibrations per hour usually found in this ETA movement is an important aspect in the realization of the higher reserve.
The movement properties of the Powermatic 80 movement are made possible by various technical modifications. These include, in particular, the use of an extended mainspring barrel and the modification of the escape wheel. The extended barrel makes it possible to accommodate a longer mainspring that can store more energy. The modification of the escape wheel reduces the movement’s energy consumption, which contributes to the longer running time.
Visually, the lower frequency is noticeable in the movement of the second hand. Since the hand of this movement only performs six steps per second, it jerks a bit more than the more smoothly running hand of a regular 2824 caliber. The higher frequency of the latter allows the hand to cover eight steps per second.
Powermatic 80 and the accuracy: basics
Increasing the power reserve usually does not directly affect the accuracy of the watch. Accuracy depends on various factors, such as the quality of the movement, regulation, balance alignment and other technical aspects.
It is worth noting that the accuracy may decrease over the time the movement is running. This is due to the fact that the tension of the mainspring gradually decreases. As a result, the movement technically becomes slightly less accurate the longer it runs. Accordingly, it was a major challenge for the watchmakers and engineers responsible to keep the rate characteristics constant throughout the reserve time.
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The test results for the caliber
There are some test results on the accuracy of watches with the Powermatic 80 movement. Tissot, as one of the main users of the movement, states that the accuracy is usually in the range of a deviation of -15 to +15 seconds per day. This corresponds to the generally accepted standard for mechanical watches in this price range.
There are also independent test results and testimonials from watch enthusiasts and collectors who evaluate and analyze the accuracy of watches with the Powermatic movement. These reports vary, sometimes significantly. While some users report very high precision within the specified range in the test, other users note slightly higher deviations.
It should be taken into account that the accuracy of a movement depends on a whole range of factors. It may vary slightly in measurements from one movement to another and also from test to test. These factors include, but are not limited to, the individual regulation of the watch, the wearing habits of the user, and (especially for watches that have been used for a long time) the maintenance history of the watch. It should also be noted that the Powermatic-80 movement is available in different quality levels. The chronometer version is the one with the highest guaranteed precision. This is certified by the COSC after extensive testing. Numerous models of this caliber are equipped with chronometer-certified movements, such as the Mido Commander Chronometer or the Tissot Ballade Powermatic 80 COSC.
The advantages of the silicon coil spring
As a special upgrade, the Powermatic movement is also available with a silicon balance spring in some watches. For a long time, these were only available in watches of the highest luxury class from manufacturers such as Ulysse Nardin and Patek Philippe.
The first prototype was developed in 2002 by mathematician Ludwig Oechslin for Ulysse Nardin. In a concerted research project by Patek Philippe, Rolex, Swatch Group and CSEM, the silicon hairspring has been continuously improved. As a result of rapid development, the Swatch Group is now able to use Si springs in much more affordable models, such as the Mido chronometer caliber 80 Si. There are considerable advantages over alloys such as Nivarox.
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Silicon is non-magnetic, which makes the hairspring less susceptible to magnetic influences. Magnetic fields can affect the accuracy of a mechanical watch by changing the oscillation frequency of the hairspring. The use of a Si hairspring minimizes this problem. The material also has a higher temperature resistance compared to the alloys normally used. This contributes to improved accuracy over a wider temperature range. The surface of the material is smoother than that of common alloys, resulting in lower friction within the movement. Lower friction means more efficient energy flow and can help improve reserve and accuracy. The element is also less sensitive to external influences such as oils and lubricants, which allows the hairspring to last longer. In this way, maintenance intervals are longer.
Use of the Powermatic 80 caliber: Models at a glance
Different manufacturers use the modified ETA caliber under different trade names. At the pioneer Tissot, it is still called Powermatic 80 and is used in various model series such as Gentleman, PR 100, Seastar 1000 and Le Locle. Not all models in the ranges include the movement, but it can be found in special models in this range.
Hamilton uses the movement under the name H-10 in models such as the Hamilton Jazzmaster, Hamilton Khaki Field and Hamilton American Classic.
Mido uses the Powermatic movement under the name Caliber 80. Among others, it is installed in the models of the Baroncelli, Commander (and Commander II) and Multifort product lines. COSC-certified models of this caliber ensure a particularly high certified accuracy of the movement.
The manufacturer Certina also uses the movement under its original name in models such as the Certina DS-1 and the Certina DS-2.
