[CurrentTime]

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It's called the Beta 21 (13-Jewels) and was the fist commercially produced Swiss quartz movement used in Swiss timepieces. It was produced by a conglomerate of Switzerland's biggest Watch Companies under the direction of the Centre Electronique Horloger (CEH). The movement was released to the public at Basel in 1970. No less than 16 brands used this Quartz movement including Omega, Rolex, and Patek Philippe.

Here's some reading on the Rolex version . . . http://www.oysterquartz.net/the_quartz_date_5100.htm

Here's an owner's manual for the Omega Constellation . . . http://www.old-omegas.com/f8192en.html

I owned 2 of these watches . . . an 18kt Patek Philippe, and an all SS Omega Constellation. Eventually, selling both of these watches afforded my new bride (at the time) and I a sizable down payment on our new house!


There are several available on eBay if you want to check them out . . .

http://cgi.ebay.com/PATEK-PHILIPPE-VINTAGE-GOLDEN-CIRCLE-18K-RARE_W0QQitemZ170278050878QQcmdZViewItemQQptZWristwatches?hash=item27a55cdc3e

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150381898939&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200402592805&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT


This is a pic of the movement from my Patek . . .

 

[TVDinner]

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that is some incredible information. I loved reading that. So cool to see the inner parts like that.

Thanks for posting that.

 

[djpop]

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Great pictures CT and very interesting information

 

[CurrentTime]

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Thanks, guys.

In a sense, it's this movement (and the technology that followed), very much helped the Swiss Watch Industry survive the Worldwide Japanese quartz invasion that would occur within a decade.

The company that built most of the parts and the oscillator for the Beta 21 was Ebauches SA (now known as ETA).

Arguably, the development and creation of the Beta 21 movement (and all it's technology) fueled ETA (and the Swiss Industry as a whole) towards more advanced and precise quartz technology.

 

[stien57]

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Wow really enjoyed the reading material.Loved the pics also.Its so cool to see the works of some of these movements.
ken