foullis
743
Piece of Evolution - The TuNinGfoRk
1953 Max Hetzel receives the first useful transistors, the "CK 722",
from RaythonUSA and produces his first working model by hand. The
length of thetuning fork was five centimeters. The patent application
is filed inSwitzerland on June 19th 1953 under no. 312290.
The tuningfork was born in 1960 by Bulova caliber 214.
In 1969 the swiss Ebauches SA fim buyed the license from Bulova, and developed by Max Hetzel - who had left Bulova a few years previously - ESA 9162. 300 Hz / 300 teeth
Big names used this caliber, like Omega, IWC, Cartina, Movado, Tissot, Longines.
1972 developed the chrono version, called ESA 9210
1974 introduced the day and date version, called 9164. Let's look closer one example, Longines Ultronic.
I hope enjoy this little trip !
Cheers, Milan
Piece of Evolution - The TuNinGfoRk
1953 Max Hetzel receives the first useful transistors, the "CK 722", from RaythonUSA and produces his first working model by hand. The length of thetuning fork was five centimeters. The patent application is filed inSwitzerland on June 19th 1953 under no....
Milan, a subject that used to be very close to my heart
until 2 years ago i owned over 40 tuning forks from 1960 Accutron to Omega Speedsonic and Certina Chronolympic. all brands using the ESA calibre from Baume et Mercier through to Zenith. Tuning forks are fabulous watches and accurate beyond belief when on ...
Very interesting
Thanks for these interesting facts. As a space fan I feel like I should now get an Accutron after reading this - but I note your words re fakes. Regards, Vernon.
Vernon, if you want...
Vernon, if you want a spaceview i'll send you the link to the case numbers, but you've got to get the seller to take the back off. not an easy task as its on the inside. they are easy to date. 1960 is M0, 61=M1 etc 1970 is N0 ect. its on outside of caseba...
Eventually replaced by another Swiss invention...
...the quartz movement. Anyway, I remember living in Queens, New York, and the big Bulova factory/design center near LaGuardia Airport. I think the building is still there, but I don't think the Bulova name is on it anymore (research time!). BTW, then the...
Quartz is Swiss??
Marrison is turning in his grave! On a more serious note, I thought Seiko arrived at their Astron independently of the Swiss, after all, they'd been working on it since (I think) the early 60s. Technology sharing? Do you have a source?
quartz
Yes, you know correct, the first Q watch comed from Seiko Just a little later the CEH Beta 21 arrived. ...and there was another "first" analog quartz caliber, the Girard-Perregaux 352, wich worked with 32kHz....
Thanks a lot, Milan
For this informative and interesting journey in time! I have to admit that I know nothing about accutron. Now, I'm less ignorant. Best, my friend. Nicolas
