As far as I can tell, they do not use any kind of rotary encoder like alps, I saw some opened up EC1 and EC2.
Basically their mousewheels are awesome, becasue they use an optical encoder, they last for ever!
Unfortunately, from what I read about zowie mice. The wheels tend to wobble and are the weak spot.
I am looking for an EC1 in white to replace my IE3, and this is by far the only mouse which comes close to
the specs I am looking for.