OMEGA Constellation ElectroQuartz - Reference 196.005. - Lot 133

OMEGA Constellation ElectroQuartz - Reference 196.005. Steel quartz wristwatch. Rectangular "pupitre" case, smooth bezel, fluted crown, screw-down caseback. Blue dial, white painted baton minute track, white baton hands, date window at 6 o'clock, applied logo. Movement: quartz. Caliber 1300 "Beta21" 13 jewels - Numbered 31733193 (circa 1970). Case, dial and movement signed. Case dimensions: 37 x 42 mm. Omega steel bracelet with folding clasp - Reference 1185. In 1962, to develop a quartz movement, the Centre Electronique Horloger brought together twenty-one brands, including Omega and Piaget, to create a high-precision quartz caliber for their timepieces. The result in 1970 was the Beta21: a high-frequency quartz caliber with extreme precision. This caliber was the basis for Omega's Electroquartz range. Electroquartz models are distinguished by the Omega logo with a red background, and this model launched in 1970 has a special feature: the crown is worn on the left. This watch was to be worn on the left wrist, as this caliber does not require winding, the crown is only needed to set the time, and because of its high precision, hour adjustments are only made once a month or when changing time zone. The Beta21 calibers were produced in limited quantities, 14,000 units were made by Omega, and the first iteration, the caliber 1300, was produced in 9,000 pieces.