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Our Movements: Seagull 3600k vs ETA 6498-2

Posted by Brent Treadway on 27th Jul 2024

Seagull 3600k vs eta 6498-2

Here is the comparison of the 2 movements we use in our skeleton watches.

Manufacturer ETA Seagull
Caliber Number 6498-1 3600K, ST3600K, ST36K, ST-3600K, ST36
Movement Type Mechanical, Manual wind Mechanical, Manual wind
Materials used Rhodium Stainless Steel
Production period 1950- now 2006- now
Diameter 36.6mm 36.6mm
Height 4.5mm thick 4.5mm thick
Vibrations Per Hour 18,800 bph 21,600 bph (3 Hz)
Power Reserve 46 hours 45 hours
Jewels 17 17
Anti-Shock Incabloc Incabloc
Lift Angle 44 degrees 44 degrees
Rate Deviation -10 to +20 sec/ per day -10 to 20 sec/day
Hacking? No no
Functions Hours, minutes, small seconds (at 6:00) Central hours, central minutes, small seconds at 6:00)
Country of Manufacture Switzerland China
Known Models Sea-Gull M222SK, Invicta 5001, Invicta 17265, Invicta 1090, Invicta 1088, parnis 44,

The mechanical manual-wind calibre ST3600 from Tianjin Seagull, is an ETA 6497/ 6498 clone, The K means that its skeletonized.

Modern Horology Assessment

There is a deep conversation about the quality standards between the Swiss and the Chinese.  These movements have been on the market a long time and perhaps because of that we find the differences between the movements negligible. Evaluation of the performance data taken empirically on both watch movements would slightly favor the seagull.

The seagull ST36k ships unlubricated and unregulated. A skilled watchmaker must service the watch before assembling. All watches we sell that use the ST are lubricated, regulated and tested to operate within the factory tolerances. This is a high-quality movement we find performs very well against its Swiss counterpart.

The ETA movement, however, is made of Rhodium and is expected to last longer.

The parts for both movements are interchangeable and easy to source.  The cost to replace the entire movement, should that be necessary, is affordable. Typical replacement of a seagull movement is less than $120 dollars. To replace the ETA movement currently costs $600.