Who Manufacturers 6497 and 6498 Movements? Why the demand?

ETA in Switzerland and Seagull in Tianjin have continued the manufacture of the Unitas 6497/98 movement, first released in 1950 and in high demand even today.

Demand for 6497 and 6498 movements come from several sources. Panerai's patent on their crown protector expired and they used Unitas and ETA movements for 50 years. The expiration has opened the door for homage (o-mage) models such as Parnis.

This link to eBay should give you an idea of the volume in this product.

The Flieger World War II watches also use 6497 and 6498. Here's another link to give you an idea of the many offerings. 

Many German websites sell these watches.

Another popular model is the M&P World War I British Expeditionary trench watch. Here's an example.

The California Dial has developed a significant market too. Here's an example for you to set what I'm talking about.

Otto Frei uses the 6497/6598 in their tool kits for the Time Zone watch school. They have done a great job of being at the right place at the right time.

Otto Frei evev dedicates a page to just 6497/98 parts http://www.ofrei.com/page1418.html. I buy arts from them and have been satisfied.

People buy the Parnis/Chinese watches with the Seagull ST-3600 movements (AKA Asia 6497) and swap them out with the ETA models. They then put the ST-3600 on sale on eBay and get $49.95 for them. It cuts the cost of find a case, dial, hands and so forth.

Another seller gets a lions share of the business Swiss Made Time  of my business. He sells watch dials for $39. It's one of the few places I can find this dial. 

Finally, more evidence of Otto Frei's (almost) monopoly of the Time Zone School tool kits looks like this.

They also sell the 6497/98 movements at the same price as the low end of Swiss Watch Time's movement for $189. That's convenient for Americans.

What I don't understand: Why aren't isn't Esslinger offering a selection of tools, parts and movements for the ETA 6497. It seems like a no-brainer to me and I like the service and ease of doing business with Esslinger.

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