CEH-103, Beta 1 Prototype

CEH-103, ‘Beta 1’ Prototype, July 1967

Prototype category: proof of concept

Description: Symmetric, square, aluminium and acrylic cased (observatory chronometer configuration) prototype. Acrylic two layered back, fixed with four screws to the aluminium case. Two MIH (Musée International d’Horologerie, La Chaux-de-Fonds) inventory stickers with numbering fixed to case. Movement hand engraved with production number ‘CEH-103’. 11 (of 14) distinctly visible frequency divider elements, each marked with coloured dots (red / green / orange). Movement fixed to the aluminium case by three screws. Protruding rod for time setting. White coloured brass dial with black printed hour and minute marks, no inscription. Chronometer detection sticker at ‘minute 26.5’. Blued hands. Flat acrylic crystal. No crown. Protruding 50 Ohm connector by Suhner at ‘6’, glued to the aluminium case, connected to the movement by two cables (yellow and red with red cover insulation and tan tape).

Movement: CEH-103, Beta 1, prototype, hand engraved movement number

Additional info: This historic piece represents one of the first wrist watch sized quartz movements ever made. This particular piece was made in July 1967, encased in chronometer configuration, but there is no record that it participated to the ‘Observatory of Neuchâtel’ chronometer competition of 1967. Strangely the movement has no stem and no crown and after thorough examination. However, there is a protruding metal rod, perpendicular to the plate level, which is used to set the time.

The connector protruding from the case was linked with the movement by a red and yellow cable. These were used during the precision measurements at the Observatory in Neuchâtel. To avoid electrical damage of the movement the connecting cables have been severed after the competition measurements. To retain an optical cleanness the severed cables have been taped together (not reconnected) with normal tan tape.

Provenance: This piece was deaccessioned from CEH and is now part of the permanent collection of the MIH (Musée International d’Horologerie, La Chaux-de-Fonds).

Acknowledgements: Many thanks to the team at MIH for letting me analyse this historic piece!