Master of Time Caliber DB9

Master of Time caliber DB9 is a large handwound lepine style watch movement with 17 jewels and a power reserve of 53 hours.

ETA 6497-2 Framework:

The DB9 is considered to be a clone of the legendary ETA caliber 6497-2. Master of Time confirmed that about 15 components are “ETA parts compatible”.

In the manufacturer’s own words:

“Since not available from ETA anymore, alternative produced by us.”

Although it is technically a 6497-2 clone, this movement is also a compatible replacement or drop-in for the ETA 6497-1. The reason it is a 6497-2 clone is due to the higher beat rate of 21,600 vph.

Learn more about the difference between 6497-1 / 6497-2 here.

Caliber Number:

As a watch parts supplier and producer, Master of Time (MoT) is comprised of a team with decades of watch industry experience and connections.  Master of Time was founded by Julien De Bortoli. It is a watch production and supply company based in Biel/Bienne, Switzerland.

The “DB” in DB9 stands for the initials of the founder’s last name. In 2014, before the introduction of the DB9 movement, Julien launched a watch brand called De Bortoli – again, his last name.

“DB” also stands for Double Bridge.

The “9” in DB9 indicates that the seconds hand is at 9:00. There is also a DB6, with the seconds hand at 6:00 (similar to the ETA 6498).

The laser engraved calibre number can be found in the typical location: under the balance wheel:

What Grade?

According to Master of Time, the calibre DB6 is a Top grade movement.

When asked if that labeling means it is held to the same testing/accuracy of the Top grade ETAs, the answer was yes.

Keep Learning: All About ETA Movement Grades

Aesthetic and Finishing:

Although the DB9 is mean to be a drop-in replacement or clone of the 6497, the manufacturer has created unique alterations that makes the DB series easily recognizable amongst other similar movements.

A bold border surrounds the bridges with a brushed finish.

The empty real estate of the bridges is filled in with a cross-hatch pattern created by laser machines.

Ratchet Wheel Design:

When ordering direct from the manufacturer, the DB9 has 2 styles of ratchet wheel to choose from: Sun-Brushed style and Turbine style.

The Sun-Brushed style is more common on watch movements, it’s simply a brushed finish.

The Turbine style is actually brushed as well, but features cutouts in the image of a moving turbine. This give a skeletonized look and gives something cool to look at when winding the movement.

The Turbine style looks cool from a distance, but if rough edges and lack of finishing is something that bothers you, you may want to opt for the Sun-Brushed version instead. Below is a closer look at the cutouts:

Balance Bridge Design:

Another design element to the DB9 is the balance bridge cutout for the regulator fine-timing pointer (technically referred to as the “upper index”).

The only complaint here (and actually it is a complaint that carries over from the original ETA 6497-1/6497-2) is that there are no indicators to know which direction is fast or slow when making micro adjustments.

Regulating:

So, which direction is faster and which is slower? Here, Caliber Corner can help with that…

You can refer to the diagram above, but an easy way to remember is that for the ETA 6497 and clones thereof, the pointer will speed up the timing when moved towards the outside of the watch, and slow it down when moved towards the movement. Don’t mess with any of this unless you have some idea about what you are doin, and have a timing machine to check your work.

To learn more about the ETACHRON system, read this.

Blued Screws:

Not all DB versions include blue screws, but for the versions with this attribute, the bluing of the screws is handled by Auchlin SA in Switzerland.

In Auchlin’s own words:

“Auchlin SA has a high degree of expertise in the bluing of screws (steel 20 AP). This process can be carried out to the screw head or to the whole screw.” –Source

Dial Side Finishing:

The dial side of the DB9 features a vertical brushed satin finish.

As mentioned above, the DB9 features a small seconds hand at 9:00. When installing a dial, be sure that it was intended for the 6497 or similar with a cutout for the seconds post:

More dial side macro images:

Country of Origin:

The crown wheel is laser engraved with Swiss Made.

As well as a “Swiss” engraving under the balance wheel:

The manufacturer has stated that the DB9 is 95% Swiss made, and chooses to not be transparent about the origin of the other 5%. It’s unclear how they can come up with a percentage formula to determine the ratio of a movement being Swiss or other – but hey, it’s a Swiss watch movement after all, so smoke an mirrors is what the community has come to expect.

As we all know, the very nature (and legality) of designating a watch or a movement as “Swiss Made”, allows for less than 100% of the watch or movement to actually be made in Switzerland. What’s concerning (and frankly annoying) about the DB9 is that the product listing clearly states the following:

“We guarantee with our reputable name and experience. This is a factory new, never used 100% SWISS MADE MOVEMENT. No Fake, No copy or similar. Simply true and genuine.” –Source

Editor’s Commentary: The caps were left as-is in the quote above. Guess you could say it’s capping. Why companies put their reputation on the line for a measly 5% is beyond me, but it seems to be the Swiss Made way after all. It’s unfortunate to see watch companies still stuck in the old ways. Those old ways were very successful before a thing called the Internet, and much of the industry still doesn’t understand the effect the Internet has had on making buying decisions: consumers want to know more about what they are buying. Since the growth of the watch community and explosion of information availability, consumers’ desire for transparency has evolved and changed the market. If the Swiss watch industry ever faces another so-called “crisis”, as it did with the introduction of quartz movements, then it will be a crisis related to lack of transparency around Swiss Made labeling.

As for components we know for sure are Swiss, the manufacturer told Caliber Corner that the Incabloc, ETACHRON, and Glucydur balance wheel are all genuine parts from their respective suppliers.

Below is a macro image of the genuine Swiss Incabloc anti-shock device and ETACHRON regulating system.

Caliber Corner did not receive confirmation as to the exact balance spring being used.

Stem Removal:

When removing the included stem from the DB9 movement, you will want to follow similar instructions for the ETA 6497 series:

1. Pull the stem out one click into time-setting mode (technically referred to as position 2 by ETA).
2. Carefully unscrew the stem setting screw. Only two turns are needed, do not fully remove the screw!

Real World Buying and Using:

As for drop-in ready, Master of Time informed Caliber Corner that the movements are all oiled and regulated from the factory. Just bear in mind that when using the movements for production purposes (ie: in a watch to sell and not only for personal use), you will want to double check the oils, timekeeping, and overall functionality before installing in the watch case. It’s reassuring to know this is done at the factory before shipping, but it never hurts to double check.

Also, before casing, you should go over everything with a loupe and Rodico to make sure there is not dust or oil smudges from assembly (this is based on the movements photographed here, which were not 100% ready for drop-in – but certainly much better than the fingerprints and particles you get from China).

Packaging and Shipping:

As of now, the movements ship directly from Master of Time in Switzerland.

Each movement is packed in a hesalite plastic movement case with a separate baggie containing additional parts (the baggie with this DB9 was marked “DB6” but the parts are the same either way).

When purchasing a new DB9 movement, it includes two movement fixing screws (aka case screws), the hour wheel and a friction spring (aka dial washer). Note: based on the movements obtained by Caliber Corner, the nickel finish movement includes silver fixing screws; the black version includes blue fixing screws.

There is also a stem attached to the movement which is extra long and can be cut and used as needed.

Replacement Price:

At the time of this post, the price of a new Master of Time caliber DB9 movement is $250.00 USD for the silver version and $285.00 USD for black. Shipping to USA is an additional $15.50. The prices based on individual units (buying one movement at a time). The prices can be reduced based on larger order quantities.

You can buy the same movement here.

Master of Time (aka Swiss-Made-Time) is also seller of genuine ETA 6497-2 movements. As a price comparison, the ETA goes for $330 USD.

Caliber Commentary:

The DB9 is what Caliber Corner calls a meet-in-the-middle movement. It’s not an ETA, but it’s not a China made Seagull (or other); it doesn’t cost as much as a NOS ETA movement, but it’s not as cheap as a Seagull; some components are made outside of Switzerland, but some are made in Switzerland (as well as assembled and regulated in Switzerland); it’s not hand-finished to the highest standards, but it’s not unfinished. Overall, it is a viable choice for your manual-wind mod or new watch brand.

Editor’s Opinion: Since the DB9 is offered in black and rose gold colored options, they should give them different designations to avoid any caliber confusion – even if it’s just DB9-B.

Image Gallery:

Video:

Additional Resources:

• Master of Time official site
• @master_of_time_sa on Instagram
• ETA 6498-2 Technical drawings
• ETA Unitas Caliber 6497 VS. 6498