Electric watch: Difference between revisions
Created page with "An '''electric watch''' is one that uses an electric current to power a conventional wheel train and balance. This is differentiated from an electronic watch which uses a circuit and electronic timer (typically a quartz crystal) to keep the time. The first electric watches were introduced by Hamilton in the United States and LIP in France in the late 1950s. Ebauches SA debuted a fully-functional electric watch movement, [[L-4750|Cal. L-4750]..." |
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The first electric watches were introduced by [[Hamilton]] in the United States and [[LIP]] in France in the late 1950s. | The first electric watches were introduced by [[Hamilton]] in the United States and [[LIP]] in France in the late 1950s. | ||
[[Ebauches SA]] debuted a fully-functional electric watch movement, [[L-4750|Cal. L-4750]], at the [[Basel Fair]] in [[1961]]. Their goal was to develop an electric movement that was no more expensive than an automatic lever watch, had comparable timekeeping performance, had a separate battery or accumulator for recharging, and was as simple as possible to manufacture and service. Ebauches SA used an electro-magnetic balance which drove a conventional wheel train. The circuit was made and broken by two contact springs. Although first demonstrated in [[1960]] with an accumulator, the production watch used a conventional battery that was said to last 12-15 months. | [[Ebauches SA]] debuted a fully-functional electric watch movement, [[L-4750|Cal. L-4750]], at the [[Basel Fair]] in [[1961]]. Their goal was to develop an electric movement that was no more expensive than an automatic lever watch, had comparable timekeeping performance, had a separate battery or accumulator for recharging, and was as simple as possible to manufacture and service. Ebauches SA used an electro-magnetic balance which drove a conventional wheel train. The circuit was made and broken by two contact springs. Although first demonstrated in [[1960]] with an accumulator, the production watch used a conventional battery that was said to last 12-15 months. The movement also had a [[hacking seconds]] lever that disconnected the battery when the watch was not in use, preserving the battery during shipment and storage. | ||
[[Category:Terms]] | [[Category:Terms]] | ||
Revision as of 18:13, 16 April 2024
An electric watch is one that uses an electric current to power a conventional wheel train and balance. This is differentiated from an electronic watch which uses a circuit and electronic timer (typically a quartz crystal) to keep the time.
The first electric watches were introduced by Hamilton in the United States and LIP in France in the late 1950s.
Ebauches SA debuted a fully-functional electric watch movement, Cal. L-4750, at the Basel Fair in 1961. Their goal was to develop an electric movement that was no more expensive than an automatic lever watch, had comparable timekeeping performance, had a separate battery or accumulator for recharging, and was as simple as possible to manufacture and service. Ebauches SA used an electro-magnetic balance which drove a conventional wheel train. The circuit was made and broken by two contact springs. Although first demonstrated in 1960 with an accumulator, the production watch used a conventional battery that was said to last 12-15 months. The movement also had a hacking seconds lever that disconnected the battery when the watch was not in use, preserving the battery during shipment and storage.