ETA Caliber 2896 Watch Movement

Manufacturer	ETA
Caliber Number	2896
Base Caliber	ETA 2892A2
Movement Type	Automatic, self-winding mechanical
Lignes	11.5”’
Diameter	25.6mm
Height	4.85mm
Jewels	22
Power Reserve	42 hours
Beat Rate	28,800 vph (4Hz)
Lift Angle	51 degrees
Shock System	Incabloc
Regulator System	ETACHRON
Rotor	Ball bearing system
Rotor Winding Direction	Bi-directional
Hand-Windable?	Yes
Hands Count	3
Features	Central hours; central minutes; central sweeping seconds; double digit big date at 3:00
Hacking Seconds?	Yes
Quickset Date?	Yes
Country of Manufacture	Switzerland, Swiss made
Known Models	(Too many to list, add your watch in the comments below…)

The ETA caliber 2896 is a 22 jewels Swiss made automatic watch movement with a frequency of 28,800bph. This caliber’s most notable feature is the double-digit big-date calendar complication at 3:00.

This movement was released in around 2003-2004, with the earliest technical documents found dated January 10, 2004. The most recent updates to the tech sheets were made available on January 29, 2015. This does not indicate that ETA stopped producing the 2896, but keep in mind that their movements are now unavailable outside of the Swatch Group.

Some of the topics covered in this caliber listing:

2896 VS 2892A2:

The cal. 2896 is basically an ETA caliber 2892A2, but with a double digit big date module on top. This module adds to the 2892A2’s slim height of 3.6mm, giving the 2896 a thickness of 4.85mm.

Another difference is that the 2892A2 has 21 jewels and the 2896 being discussed here has 22 jewels.

All of the other basic specs (diameter, frequency, lift angle, power reserve, etc.) are the same.

2896 Big Date Assembly:

As far as service is concerned, the date system is different, so you will want to pay attention to the instructions for synchronizing the date discs during assembly of the 2896. More information can be found on page 28 of the tech sheets (find pdf below).

Is there a Sellita version of the 2896?

Not in the current Sellita catalog of watch movements.

Other Calibers Based on 2896 Framework:

As with most ETA movements, 2896 has been known to be used as an ebauche with brand specific caliber numbers. For example:

Breitling caliber 49

Do you know more brands using the 2896 with their own caliber designation? Please add it in the comments below…

Replacement Prices:

By now it’s old news that ETA movements are unavailable to brands outside of Swatch Group, however, there are still watch parts sellers with new old stock available.

Raw 2896 movements can be found in the range of $300-500 USD. At the time of this post, there is one on eBay for $360.