![]() Project 99 was the code name of a syndicate combining chronograph manufacturers and brands working together toward this goal: Breitling, Heuer/Leonidas, and Hamilton/Büren. The players: 2 major Swiss brands, 2 movement specialists, and a Japanese giantĪs has become public today, Zenith began its efforts in 1962, hoping its first automatic chronograph would be ready for the manufacture’s centennial anniversary in 1965, but it took four more years to reach its goal than originally planned. This quest kept watchmakers in several research and development departments quite busy back in the 1960s. Additionally, they had to integrate considerably more components, most importantly a large rotor and winding system within the small dimensions of a wristwatch case already full with chronograph mechanics. ![]() The crux of the matter is that the movement needs much more energy to move the chronograph second and minute hands than just displaying the time, therefore requiring a much more powerful winding mechanism.Īlso, when it came to movement design, watchmakers had to break new ground in combining the two complex mechanisms in the best possible way. Steve McQueen wearing a TAG Heuer Monaco in the 1971 film ‘Le Mans’ The task: not an easy oneĮven today, the conception of a chronograph movement is considered premier league and it often takes years to accomplish. The development of this movement had become kind of a holy grail. In the context of the 1960s, a decade that was characterized by spectacular motor races, a boom in the automotive industry and increased mobility, the Swiss watch industry tried to keep up with this fast-moving zeitgeist. Until then, it had not been possible to combine the advantages of automatic winding with the complex functions of the chronograph. It seems fitting that the invention of the automatic chronograph, the very wristwatch whose technology was designed to measure time intervals, was a race in itself. ![]() ![]() Background: ready, set, automatic chronograph The 1969 automatic chronographs made their debuts at different times throughout the year, though the manufacturers were all in competition to be first.Īlthough this took place only half a century ago, it is already entwined with myths and legends – all involved parties were extremely secretive about their plans, especially with each other.įifty years later, we can fittingly tell this story in five chapters. But that is a different story for a different day. It came shortly before the so-called quartz crisis that would almost end the century-old Swiss watch industry. This breakthrough of convenience in watchmaking was probably one of the most important inventions in the last century because it meant a powerful market advantage for the brands hoping for great economic success. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |