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The Entire Industry Invented the Automatic Chronograph

May 13, 2021 By Stephen 1 Comment

Automatic watches were hot in the 1950s, and chronographs were cool in the 1960s. But bringing these technologies together was not at all straightforward! Three different automatic chronograph movements were launched in 1969, and the story of their creation reflects the state of the industry at that time as well as the inevitability of technological progress.

Filed Under: History Tagged With: Breitling, Buren, Chronomatic, Dubois Dépraz, Heinrich Stamm, Heuer, High-Beat, Martel, micro-rotor, Seiko, Speed Timer, Zenith, Zenith El Primero

High Beaters: 5 Beat, 8 Beat, 10 Beat, More!

June 18, 2015 By Stephen 2 Comments

Many novices assume that a movement that “ticks” more than once per second is a trait of high-end watches, but it’s actually nothing special. Nearly all mechanical watches, from Chinese and Japanese value lines to Haute Horology, tick at least 5 times per second! The smooth 8-beat seconds hand now associated with fancy Rolex watches isn’t the pinnacle of technology. Seiko and Zenith popularized 10-beat movements in the late 1960’s, and some exotic pieces tick even faster!

Filed Under: Commentary Tagged With: 4500, 5740, Buren, Buren Calibre 82, El Primero, Girard-Perregaux, Grand Seiko, Gyromatic, Hi-Beat, High-Beat, Mikrogirder, Mikrograph, Mikrotimer, Seiko, TAG Heuer, Zenith

The Last Buren: High-Beat Calibre 82 Revival

February 26, 2014 By Stephen 4 Comments

We recently ran across a mystery: This Buren Calibre 82 wristwatch boasts an unknown 36,000 A/h movement and ambiguous date of production. What is it? We unravel the mystery and recommend a buy!

Filed Under: Collection, Grails Tagged With: Buren Calibre 82, Calibre 82, Comor, Hamilton, High-Beat, Schweizer Uhren-Editionen

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