View source for ETA 6497

'''Cal. 6497''' is a large [[pocket watch]] movement produced by [[Unitas]] and [[ETA]] since [[1950]] and continuing until the present day.

==Overview==

The Cal. 6497 family is a [[Lépine]] [[pocket watch]] [[calibre]] and thus has the [[sub seconds]] dial at 9:00, in line with the [[crown]] and [[winding stem]], but is closely related to [[Unitas 6498|Cal. 6498]], the [[hunter]] version. It is a large movement, measuring 16.5 [[ligne]] (36.6 mm) in diameter but is only 4.5 mm thick thanks to a compact [[manual winding]] design. Modern 6497's are [[fully jeweled]] (17 jewels) though some have only 15. Most 6497's operate at 18,000 A/h, though some '''6497-2'' versions, like [[Panerai]]'s "OP" movements, tick at 21,600 A/h. Power reserve for modern versions is 46 hours, though Panerai boasts 56 hours.

'''Cal. 6503''' is identical to Cal. 6497 but adds a date wheel. It is 5.0 mm thick but otherwise shares the same specifications. Cal. 6503 was not updated to "-1" or "-2" specs and is no longer manufactured.

Although developed for pocket watches and far too large for the small wrist watches that were popular in the 1950's, the advent of large sports watches has made Cal. 6497 popular on the wrist. In particular, [[Panerai]] brought the movement to popular acclaim with their [[Panerai Radiomir|Radiomir]], [[Panerai Laminar Base|Luminor]], and [[Panerai Luminor Marina|Luminor Marina]] models. Other makers who use this calibre include [[Alpina]], [[Anonimo]], [[Chronoswiss]], [[Dornblüth]], [[Eberhard]], [[Guinand]], [[Omega]], [[Maurice Lacroix]], [[Rado]], [[Tissot]], and [[U-Boat]].

Cal. 6497 is also the most-widely used teaching movement in watchmaking schools, making it very well-understood by watchmakers.

==Movement family==

* [[Unitas 6497]] (1950) - 18,000 A/h
** [[ETA 6503]] - Date version of Cal. 6497
** [[ETA 6497-1]] (1967) - Updated ETA version with pallet lever [[bridge]] instead of [[cock]] and [[Etachron]] regulator
** [[ETA 6497-2]] - ''Elaboré'' version with [[Incabloc]] [[shock protection]] and basic decoration; some operate at 21,600 A/h
* [[ETA 6498]] - [[Savonnette]] version
** [[ETA 6498-1]] (1967) - Updated ETA version with pallet lever [[bridge]] instead of [[cock]] and [[Etachron]] regulator
** [[ETA 6498-2]] - ''Elaboré'' version with [[Incabloc]] [[shock protection]] and basic decoration; some operate at 21,600 A/h

== Ebauche Variants ==

* 6497
** [[Omega]] 960 - [[Triovis regulator]]
* 6497-1
** [[Alpina]] AL-435 - in-house finishing on ETA/Unitas 6497/8
** [[Alpina]] AL-650 - in-house construction based on ETA/Unitas 6497/8
** [[Chronoswiss]] [[Chronoswiss C692|C692]]
** [[Dornblüth]] 99.2
** [[Maurice Lacroix]] [[ML-16]] - Skeletonized
** [[Maurice Lacroix]] [[ML-1]] - Double [[retrograde]] calendar and [[second time zone]]
** [[Maurice Lacroix]] [[ML-100]] - Double [[retrograde]] calendar and [[second time zone]], [[power reserve indicator]]
** [[Panerai]] OP XXIX
* 6497-2, 21,600 A/h
** [[Panerai]] OP I
** [[Panerai]] OP II
** [[Panerai]] OP X
** [[Panerai]] OP XI - With [[swan neck regulator]] and new bridges
** [[Rado]] RHW1 - Aluminum construction

==See Also==

* [[ETA 6498]]

{{WD|
'''Description:'''
:[[Manual winding]] movement
:With/without [[shock protection]] ([[Incabloc]])
:[[Escapement]]: Stone lever
:[[Yoke winding system]]

'''Functions:'''
:Hours, Minutes
:[[Small seconds]]

'''Data:'''
:16½ [[ligne]]s
:D 36.6 mm, H 4.5 mm
:17 [[jewels]]
:18,000 A/h or 21,600 A/h
:Power reserve 46 hours

'''Production period:'''
:Since [[1950]]
}}

[[Category:Movements]]
[[Category:Manual winding movements]]
[[Category:Pocket watch movements]]
[[Category:ETA calibres]]