Eta Caliber 988 333

ETA Caliber 988.333

Ani-Digi Multifunction Swiss Made Movement

Eta Caliber 988 333

ManufacturerETA
Caliber Number988.333
Replaces
988.332
TypeQuartz, chronograph
Size9.75”’ x 11.5”’
Diameter
22mm x 25.5mm
Thickness3.25mm
Jewels
7
Frequency
32,768 Hz
Thermocompensated?
No
Battery Cell Number370 / 399
Stem988333.401, tap 10
Hand Sizes1.00mm / .55mm
FunctionsAnalog: Hours, minutes / Digital: see below
Country of ManufactureSwitzerland
Known Models
Butler Watch Company OOOI, Rado Ceramica Multifunction, Victorinox Chrono Classic XLS MT, Bell & Ross BR0392-AVIA-ST, Dodaine Type 23 Quartz (please add more in the comments below…)

The ETA caliber 988.333 is a quartz powered ani-digi movement with 7 jewels. It is Swiss made and is part of ETA’s Flatline family, however, this caliber is no longer listed in their current lineup. The most recent documentation related to this movement was from 2009.

ETA 988.333 VS 988.332:

The ETA caliber 988.333 is an updated replacement for a similar caliber 988.332. The older 988.332 has a larger and brighter digital LCD display. The font used in the display is also different.

Watches with a broken 988.332/988.333 movement are having tough times with some manufacturers no longer servicing this caliber. It is said that a broken 988.332 can be swapped for a 988.333, but we need more confirmation from folks who have done this successfully. If you have performed this swap, please comment below and send us before and after pics to post here.

Digital Display Functions:

Aside from the central analog display of the hours and minutes, the caliber 988.333 also has a black digital screen offering the following functionality:

  • Hours, minutes and seconds
  • Multi-lingual day (English, French, German, Spanish)
  • Date with perpetual calendar
  • Timer: Hours, minutes and seconds
  • Second time zone
  • Chronograph: Hours, minutes, seconds, 1/100 second,  ADD or SPLIT function
  • Alarm (hour and minute alarm)

There are two screens, the top displays the current mode and the bottom screen displays the numerical functions of that mode.

No Backlight:

The 988.333 is not equipped with a blacklight for the digital LCD display, making it impossible to see without some kind of light source.

Low Battery Indicator:

When the battery is low, this movement has an “end of energy” indicator which is presented via blinking of the digital display.

Interesting note: ETA used to refer to this EOL (end of life), but recently started referring to this feature as EOE (end of energy). This new term not only sounds better, it’s a more accurate way to describe the situation.

Replacing the Hands:

ETA repair manuals state that a movement holder is necessary for fitting hands on the caliber 988.333 in order to support the lower pivot of the center wheel. The official movement holder that ETA recommends for this movement is part number 4080.35.244.

Note that the hands should be placed with the movement running (ie: battery installed).

For removal of the hands, the official documentation recommends Bergeon tool ref. 30.671-7.

Replacement Prices:

At the time of this post, replacement prices for the 988.333 were found from watch part suppliers in the range of $185 – $199 USD.

Drawings:

Eta 988333 Ani Digi

Watches with this caliber:

Although the ETA 988.333 is mostly found in big watch brands like Bell and Ross, Rado, and of course the Breitling Aerospace, but there is at least one microbrand watch using it: Butler Watch Company. In 2017, Butler launched a Kickstarter campaign for their OOOI model.

Additional Resources:

  • Official tech sheets

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13 Comments
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Druthebru
Druthebru
4 years ago

I never was able to understand why everyone loves this movement so much. It’s in overpriced watches, non thermocompensated, and can’t even be seen at night. I’d rather have $99 anadigi gshock.

Áron Biacsi Schön
Áron Biacsi Schön
4 years ago

LumiNOX SXC XCOR Aerospace XX.5241.XS

trackback
Top 15 Best Digital Watch [ Review & Guide 2020] - EpikWatch.com
4 years ago

[…] is eye-catching yet manly. The timepiece includes a Swiss-quartz Movement and utilizes the Swiss ETA Ani-Digi Multi-function motion, and that means you’re going to have the ability to keep a decent time. […]

Stephen Halpert
Stephen Halpert
3 years ago

Dunhill 8030

Verner Becker
Verner Becker
3 years ago

There is actually titanium watches from both Tissot and Certina too that indeed use the ETA 988.333. Both look like close cousins to the Breitling Aerospace

certina ds podium titanium multifunction.jpg
Mel
Mel
6 months ago
Reply to  Verner Becker

I have one by Tissot. I like it but it’s a PIA to set when a battery runs out.

trackback
Breitling Aerospace Review: Quartz Geekery and Beyond! - FIFTH WRIST
3 years ago

[…] evolutions of the Aerospace model since it first came out in 1985. Asides from dial variations and ETA super quartz movement updates, the minute repeater function was added some time during the mid 90s, and a […]

Arnel David
Arnel David
3 years ago

Where can i order this cal eta 988.333 please i need it very badly ..tnx

Arnel David
Arnel David
3 years ago
Reply to  Arnel David

Correction in my last comment i rather order the caliver eta 988.331 ..thanks

trackback
Novedad: BR 03 Type A Patrouille De France - SaFonaGastroCrono
1 year ago

[…] debe exrtañar entonces que su calibre BR-CAL.103 está basado en el ETA 983-333, el mismo que usa Breitling (y alguna otra marca de alto standing del Swatch Group como […]

Oliver
Oliver
1 year ago

Hello watch enthusiatsts,

I have a Breitling emergency with a ETA calibre 988.332 movement.
The display had been damaged by a previously incorrectly inserted battery when I bought the watch (the battery was too high).
A replacement of the damaged 988.332 display with a new 988.333 display did not work. The display went crazy, was not displayable in different places and did not show numbers and letters, but hieroglyphics instead. Maybe this information helps a bit. Many greetings, Oliver

Jeff
Jeff
1 year ago

Hey Guys, I have the 988.333 movement in a Victorinox watch I have owned for about 10 years. Changed the battery (it sat dead for ~ 1 year) and now the hands don’t move. The watch is probably worth $700 and repair has been quoted at ~$500. I can’t see investing any more into it. Any thoughts on how to get running again? Thanks.

Brand:
Seagull Caliber St19

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