ETA: 50 years of technology

quartz movement

Prototypes Bêta 1 et 2

1967 Prototypes Beta 1 et 2

First prototypes

1967

The Centre Electronique Horloger (Neuchâtel) presents the first prototypes of Swiss quartz watches. Ebauches SA is the largest CEH shareholder, holding 39.5% of the capital. The Beta 21 calibre (industrial version) is presented at the 1970 Basel Watch Fair.

 

Legend: Prototypes Bêta 1 et 2, Centre Electronique Horloger

Calibre 9181

caliber 9181- Ebauches SA

Three-hand quartz

1972

The 9181 calibre is the first three-hand quartz movement developed by Ebauches SA in collaboration with Ebauches Electroniques Marin.

 

Legend: Calibre 9181, Ebauches SA

 

Calibre 940.111

Caliber 940.111- Ebauches SA and Ebauches Fabrik ETA

Particularly flat dimensions

1976

This three-hand quartz calibre is characterised by particularly flat dimensions. The total height of the movement is just 3.7 mm. 

 

Legend: Calibre 940.111, Ebauches SA & Ebauches-Fabrik ETA

Calibre 900.231

Caliber 900.231- Ebauches SA

Second time zone and digital chronograph

1978

This calibre is characterised by an analogue-digital display. The LCD model enables chronograph functions (minute and seconds) and second time zone functions to be displayed.

 

Legend: Calibre 900.231, Ebauches SA

Calibre 999.001

Caliber 999.111 - Ebauches SA and Ebauches Fabrik ETA

Case serving as the main plate

1979

The case of the Delirium serves as the main plate. The height allowed for components is just 1.98 mm in this first model. In 1980 this will be reduced to a thickness of 0.98 mm.

 

Legend: Calibre 999.001, Ebauches SA & Ebauches-Fabrik ETA

Calibre 500 Swatch Gent

Caliber 500 Swatch Gent - Ebauches Fabrik ETA

Integrated inhibition circuit

1983

The industrialisation of production methods and the automation of assembly processes allow pieces to be manufactured in large volumes.

The operation of Swatch watches is controlled by an integrated inhibition circuit.

 

Legend: Calibre 500, Ebauches-Fabrik ETA

 

 

Calibre 958.331

Caliber 958,331- Ebauches Fabrik SA

Control via electronic shaft

1984

This multifunction calibre is equipped with a bi-directional motor and an analogue-digital display (LCD). An electronic shaft controls the alarm, timer and chronograph.

 

Legend: Calibre 958.331, Ebauches-Fabrik ETA

Calibre 255.511

Caliber 255.511 - ETA SA

Temperature compensation via second quartz

1985

First temperature compensation system made by ETA. Integration of a second quartz thermometer oscillating at a frequency of 262 kHz, achieving an accuracy level of +/- 10 seconds per year. The adjusted operation is stored in a non-volatile memory.

 

Legend: Calibre 255.511, ETA SA

Calibre 255.241

Caliber 255.241 - ETA SA

Inclusion of two motors

1986

This calibre is characterised by the overlaying of two motors: one for the movement, the other for the chronograph function which can be read in analogue way.

 

Legend: Calibre 255.241, ETA SA

Calibre 255.485

Caliber 255.485 - ETA SA

Moon phase

1987

The 255.48x calibre is available in four different versions. All include the Moon phase function at the 6 o’clock mark, only the position of the day and month discs differs.

 

Legend: Calibre 255.485, ETA SA

Calibre 251.262

Caliber 251.262 - ETA SA

Classic chronograph appearance

1988

The chronograph function can be read in analogue way thanks to the three counters at 2 o’clock, 6 o’clock and 10 o’clock. This layout gives the model a classic appearance.

 

Legend: Calibre 251.262, ETA SA

Calibre 252.411

Caliber 252.411 - ETA SA

Perpetual calendar

1990

This calibre has a perpetual calendar window programmed until 2099.

 

Legend: Calibre 252.411, ETA SA

Calibre 255.513

Caliber 255.513 - ETA SA

New temperature compensation

1994

ETA develops another temperature compensation system. Unlike the 1985 technology, the temperature is no longer measured using a second quartz but instead directly within the integrated inhibition circuit.

 

Legend: Calibre 255.513, ETA SA

Calibre 251.274

caliber 251.274

PowerDrive and PreciDrive

2013

This calibre is equipped with PowerDrive and PreciDrive technologies. The Watch Module C7 ceramic case houses the integrated circuit and quartz (miniaturised and in a vacuum).

Today, the majority of our quartz calibres are equipped with PowerDrive and PreciDrive technologies.

 

Legend: Calibre 251.274, ETA SA