1970 Omega Electroquartz f8192 Hz,First Quartz Omega Watch
The first Omega quartz watch was the Omega Electroquartz f8192 Hz, launched in 1970, and it was based on the Beta 21 quartz movement — a major Swiss collaboration intended to rival Seiko’s pioneering quartz technology.
Omega Electroquartz f8192 Hz (Ref. 196.0052) – 1970
Key Features:
-
Movement: Beta 21 quartz caliber (developed by the Centre Electronique Horloger [CEH] in Neuchâtel, Switzerland)
-
Frequency: 8,192 Hz (hence the name)
-
Accuracy: ±5 seconds per month
-
Battery life: Around 1 year
-
Case: Often cushion-shaped, large for the time, typically in stainless steel or gold
-
Display: Analog dial with sweeping seconds hand (unlike most later quartz watches with ticking hands)
Historical Context:
-
The Beta 21 project was a joint venture by 20+ Swiss watchmakers (including Omega, Patek Philippe, Rolex, IWC, and others) to defend against the seismic disruption caused by the 1969 Seiko Astron.
-
Omega was the first to commercially release a Beta 21-based watch in April 1970, slightly ahead of other brands.
-
Around 6,000 Electroquartz watches were produced between 1970 and 1973.
Comments
Post a Comment