In the Swiss watch industry, ETA has long dominated the movement market. However, as the Swatch Group restricted the supply of ETA movements to external brands, another name emerged as a formidable replacement—Ronda. With reliable quality, competitive pricing, and flexible supply capabilities, Ronda has quickly become the top choice for numerous watch brands worldwide.
Join DHLA Luxury in exploring the history, key milestones, and reasons why Ronda is hailed as the spectacular successor to ETA.
The History and Development of Ronda
- Founded in 1946 by William Mosset
What is Ronda? This term refers to watch movements manufactured by Ronda AG, a Swiss company specializing in precise, durable, and advanced watch movements.
Founded in 1946, during the post-World War II reconstruction period, visionary entrepreneur William Mosset established Ronda AG. From the start, he focused on developing high-quality mechanical movements under the philosophy: “Quality is the core.”
Initially, Ronda mainly produced mechanical movements for Swiss watch brands. Thanks to its flexibility and innovation, Ronda’s movements stood out for their high precision, easy maintenance, and exceptional durability. These qualities quickly made Ronda a trusted partner for many renowned watchmakers.
- A Turning Point During the Quartz Crisis
In the 1970s, the Swiss watch industry faced the Quartz Crisis when Japanese brands, particularly Seiko, introduced high-precision quartz watches at lower costs. This led to the downfall of many Swiss watch companies, with some even going bankrupt.
Instead of clinging to traditional mechanical movements, Ronda made a revolutionary decision: transitioning to quartz movement production. This strategic move not only helped Ronda survive the crisis but also laid the foundation for sustainable growth.
Ronda’s quartz movements quickly became a popular choice due to their high accuracy, affordability, and adherence to Swiss Made standards. This allowed Ronda to expand its market, catering to both luxury and mainstream segments.
- Next-Generation Growth and Breakthroughs (1985 – Present)
After William Mosset passed away in 1985, his successors continued to expand Ronda’s product range with advanced movements, including quartz and hybrid (mechanical-quartz) models. The company also focused on modern production technologies, reducing costs while maintaining high quality.
A significant milestone was the introduction of the R150 movement, a high-end mechanical caliber designed to compete with ETA’s traditional movements, marking a new era for Ronda.
Notable Ronda Movements in the Watch Industry
Ronda supplies movements to many prestigious brands, including:
- Bruno Söhnle Pesaro II – Ronda 7004.P
- Founded in 1957, Bruno Söhnle is known for fine timepieces.
- The Ronda 7004.P is a high-end quartz movement with an accuracy of ±10 seconds per month.
- Ultra-thin design with a date function at the 6 o’clock position.
- Maurice Lacroix Aikon #tide – Ronda 515
- Features the Ronda 515 Powertech 500 quartz movement with a 45-month battery life.
- Energy-saving functionality.
- Used in the eco-friendly Aikon #tide model.
- Tag Heuer Formula 1 Quartz Chronograph 43mm – Ronda 5040.D
- Equipped with the Ronda 5040.D from the Startech 5000 series, designed for chronographs.
- Accuracy of ±10 seconds per month with a 54-month battery life.
- Includes 1/10 second timing, a 30-minute counter, and ADD & SPLIT functions.
- U-Boat Darkmoon – Ronda 712.3
- Operates in a special oil-filled environment, creating a unique visual effect.
- 60-month battery life with energy-saving capabilities.
- Bruno Söhnle Allegro – Ronda 1062 BS
- Part of the Slimtech series, with a thickness of just 1.9mm.
- Battery life of up to 6 years.
Why Ronda is a Spectacular Replacement for ETA
- Expanded Supply Policy
- Unlike ETA (under Swatch Group), which limits movement distribution, Ronda is open to working with any brand in need, preventing market dependency on a single supplier.
- Competitive Pricing
- The Ronda 515 movement costs around 350,000 VND, whereas the ETA 955.112 costs up to 750,000 VND.
- Watches using Ronda movements generally have 30%-50% lower production costs compared to those using ETA movements.
- Easy Maintenance and Replacement
- Ronda components are more widely available, making maintenance and replacement easier than ETA movements.
Current Ronda Movement Series
- Standard Line: Classic quartz movements widely used in mainstream watches.
- Startech Line: High-end chronograph movements with advanced timekeeping functions.
- Mecano Line: Mechanical movement series, including the notable R150 caliber.
- Slimtech Line: Ultra-thin quartz movements, with thickness as low as 1.9mm.
Conclusion
Ronda is not just a substitute for ETA; it is carving out its own place as one of Switzerland’s most important watch movement manufacturers. With its quality, precision, reasonable pricing, and flexible supply capabilities, Ronda is undoubtedly a name that watch brands cannot overlook.
