As described in the parent section, the development of the Beta 21 movement passed several important phases with the development of earlier prototypes (proof of principles), Beta 1 and Beta 2, of which Beta 2 was selected to perform the technology transfer from the hand made Beta 2 prototypes to an industrially produced derivate: Beta 21.
The first functioning Swiss quartz wrist watch movements are indeed Beta 1 and Beta 2, later the technology transfer from Beta 2 for the development of Beta 21 needed the manufacture of 10 intermediate prototypes to ensure smooth industrial production. To achieve this, the main principles of Beta 2 were kept, but the whole configuration and parts of the movement had to be adapted for large scale production.
Moreover the ‘static’ tests performed during the chronometer competition at the Observatory of Neuchâtel in late 1967, although crowning the Beta 1 and Beta 2 movements as the most precise movements to date, were not enough for ensuring correct functioning of the movements once worn on the wrist. Therefore during the refinement of these 10 Beta 21 prototypes by CEH engineers mid 1969, they were submitted to additional ‘dynamic’ tests, which among other changes, led to modifications of the quartz suspension. One of these earliest 10 hand assembled Beta 21 driven watches is presented below.
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CEH – 233 Beta 21 Prototype No. VII, July/August 1969
Category: functional prototype
Description: Symmetric, rectangular, nickel plated brass cased prototype with polished surfaces. One of the back rims of the case scratch marked ‘VII’. Hand made, transparent, acrylic case back fixed with 4 screws. Custom made aluminium movement holder, experimentally fixed with 4 metal columns by the pressure of the case back. White, brass dial with black printed ‘CEH’ at ’12’ and black minutes marks, ‘Swiss Made’ printed in black below ‘6’. Chronometer detection sticker at minute ’28’. Raised, black ‘baton’ hour indexes. Black brass hands. Acrylic crystal, nickel plated crown.
Dimensions: 34.4mm (without crown), thickness: 11.4mm, lug – lug: 46.7mm, lug width: 22mm
Movement: Beta 21, # CEH – 233, with no calendar module
Additional info: This prototype predates the fully industrially produced 5980 pieces belonging to the ‘zero’-series and represents one of only 10 prototypes hand assembled directly by CEH engineers. The scratched number ‘VII’ on the case rim identifies this watch as the 7th of the 10 prototypes made, which was confirmed by the CEH engineer who assembled this movement, organised the manufacture of its case at CEH and assembled this watch (see below). According to information found in the CEH archives this prototype was made in July/August 1969.
The case, the acrylic case back and especially the movement holder and its connection to the acrylic case back were purpose made for acceleration and shock testing at CEH and during the 2nd and the 3rd test phases for the evaluation of new testing equipment at the Observatory in Neuchâtel. The dial and hands correspond to the ones already mounted on Beta 2 movements for chronometer testing at the observatory in late 1967.
The numbering of these earliest Beta 21 movements suggests, that the numbering code for the Beta 2 prototypes was taken and the continuity of the numbering starting with CEH – 210 was used.
Provenance:
Ex. H. Baumann collection
This watch was obtained by H. Baumann directly from a high ranking engineer who worked at CEH during the development of the Beta 2 prototypes, the Beta 21 prototypes and the production of the ‘zero’-series. The engineer constructed this watch himself and he confirmed to Baumann, that this watch has remained untouched since its construction in summer 1969.
Exhibited:
- 2015: ‘Die Entwicklung der elektrischen Armbanduhr’, Mannheim, Vitrine #4, Exhibit #2
- 2024: CSEM Business Day 2024, Bern
- 2025: SSC (Société Suisse de Chronométrie), Petit déjeuner horloger, Neuchâtel
Electric Watch Prototypes 