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The announcement for the patent of a battery driven watch using a tuning fork as timing device in 1953 by ‘Bulova’ on top of the development of a working electro-mechanical movement by ‘LIP’ and ‘Elgin’ in 1952 hit the traditional Swiss watch industry extremely hard. Whereas after the first impact of these news, most Swiss watch manufacturers decided to ignore what seemed to be exotic and short lived systems, other manufacturers such as Omega and Ebauches SA (ESA), started almost immediately efforts to pursue their own paths towards an electric watch.
The first battery driven Swiss watch
Thus, the work on the first Swiss electric prototype movements started in 1952 under the direct supervision of André Beyner and René Besson at Ebauches SA and few years later and independently at Battelle for Omega. Swiss developments involving a tuning fork resonator were initially scared off by the very sophisticated ‘Bulova’ patent of 1953, but will resume in the early 1960s at the Centre Electronique Horloger (CEH) and at ESA. It is undeniable, that the electro-mechanical ‘LIP/Elgin’ prototypes were the working base for these early Swiss developments, the electro-mechanical system leaving enough area of research, further development and variability. The overall construction parameters seemed straight forward, as with the ‘LIP/Elgin’ system, the battery and the interlinked electric circuitry would need to ensure isochrone balance wheel oscillations, the battery replacing the main spring as energy source.
The research department of Ebauches SA managed to get working prototypes by 1954. These first prototypes had either a rechargeable battery integrated into the case back (Version A (Accumulator); P1-V1) or one non-rechargeable battery placed adjacent to the watch case inside a large bracelet link (Version B (Battery); P1-V2), see below.
From Omega’s side there is a Swiss patent filed the 26.4.1955 (granted 1961) for an experimental electro-mechanical set up with fixed coil and magnets on the balance. Omega did work with this system around 1964 and made a few prototypes. The concept was pushed so far, that the model name was already decided upon: Dynatron (not to confuse with ESA’s Dynotron). The Omega system, as also ESA’s Dynotron system had transistors.
Although the patent for this system is attributed to Omega, it seems that engineers from the Battelle institute in Geneva are responsible for the invention. Omega’s research collaboration with the Battelle Institute in Geneva will finally abandon the electromechanical systems and enter the development of quartz regulated watches.
Ref.:
- Omega patent CH-357027
Electric Watch Prototypes 