How long is the development cycle for a new movement?

[glamorama]

When Rolex or another brand want to release a new movement, fully redesigned or a new complication. How long does it take roughly from decision to shipment to market?

Sure it is different for different companies and type of movement, I can imagine Rolex being one of the slower ones due to quality testing etc. But in general?

3-6 years is my guesstimate.

I think Lange called their first movement 90x and it was released 94 so about 4 years.

[schoolboy]

I would think at least 5 or 6 years for an updated movement or something

But to make something brand new, like the SkyDweller movement, or when Patek releases their first annual calendar some 20 years ago (I think) I assume that THAT takes more years

[Claven2]

I read it took omega around 10 years ti put out a viable mass production coaxial escapement, and that was with George Daniels and all the resources of swatch group behind it.

Some things are harder than others, for example the valjoux 7750 was developed from almost scratch in under 3 years at the height of the quartz crisis..

[glamorama]

A lot of time for sure.. somehow smaller brands like FP journe and Lange seem to churn more movements at a relatively higher pace than Patek and Rolex. But I am only guessing really.