ETA Caliber 2899 Watch Movement

Brand	ETA
Caliber Number	2899, 2899-S2
Movement Type	Automatic, self-winding mechanical
Jewels	21
Lignes	11 1/2”’
Diameter	25.6mm
Height	3.6mm (unconfirmed)
Power Reserve	~42 hours
Lift Angle	51 degrees (unconfirmed)
Vibrations Per Hour	28,800 (4 Hz)
Anti-Shock System	Incabloc
Regulator System	ETACHRON
Rotor Type	Ball bearing system
Rotor Winding Direction	Bi-directional
Crown Time Setting Direction	Clockwise
Hacking Seconds?	Yes
Hand Count	3
Features	Offset hours and minutes dial; offset running small seconds subdial at 9:00, date at 9:00
Country of Manufacture	Switzerland, Swiss made
Known Models	Rado Diamaster Grande Seconde (Please add your watch in the comments below…)

The ETA caliber 2899 is an automatic movement found in Rado’s Diamaster Grande Seconde family of watches. This Swiss made caliber has 21 jewels with a power reserve of about 42 hours. What distinguishes the calibre 2899 from other movements is that it allows for an asymmetrical dial design with hour and minutes leaning towards 3:00, and an offset sweeping seconds hand located closer to 9:00 – with a date practically at what would be the 9:00 marker on most traditional layouts.

Rado announced timepieces with this movement at Baselworld 2015 and Baselworld 2017.

Some of the topics covered in this caliber listing:

ETA 2899 = RADO 657?

Lots of resellers are listing Rado Diamaster Grande Seconde models as having a calibre 657, but Caliber Corner has been unable to find official Rado marketing material referring to this caliber number. However, “657” is the first set of digits in the Grande Seconde reference number. Until it is confirmed with official references of “calibre 657” from Rado, perhaps it is simply a case of gray market copy and paste. If Rado material is located with mention of caliber 657, this post will be updated. Editor’s note: JLC does have a calibre 657.

As for the true or base caliber number, on the Rado press images presented on this page, an ETA logo is clearly visible. Rado and ETA are both SWATCH Group companies. Also visible (albeit not clearly) is a caliber number 2899.

2899-S2 what is the S2?

This movement is also sometimes called the 2899-S2. The -S2 indicator is used for special movements and can usually be found next to the main caliber number. The press images do not have the -S2 marking, but press renderings are not always 1/1 accurate. If you have a watch with this caliber, please help the community by confirming in the comments below (with pics if possible) if your movement is signed 2899 or 2899-S2 (or 2899S2).

The 2899 would be based on the ETA caliber 2892-A2 framework with modifications made for the offset displays.

It is said that this caliber was produced specifically for Rado, and at the time of publishing this caliber listing we do not know of other watches with a caliber 2899. If you know of one, please comment below.

Editor’s comment: If this was a piece introduced in 2022, perhaps they would call it a Rado in-house movement 😛

Rado Diamaster Grande Seconde:

The caseback of the Grande Seconde shows that the movement itself is offset within the ceramic case of the watch. It also appears that a longer stem than usual would be used for this design, something to take into consideration if you need a replacement.

Grade and Accuracy Rating

While an official claim of accuracy cannot be found as provided by Rado (and there are no tech sheets for the 2899 available), if basing the data off of the ETA caliber 2892-A2 the range depends on the grade of movement. Based on the finish and components (and the fact that Rado doesn’t advertise the Diamaster Grande Seconde as a chronometer), it appears that the 657 can be a Top grade ETA. If confirmed, this would mean the specs are as follows: