EB 8501-76

 
EB 8501-76 | 17jewels.info - The Movement Archive

EB 8501-76

Description

The EB 8501-76, which was launched around 1976, was one of the last manual wind movements from the swiss Ebauches Bettlach. It was also available with a date indication as caliber EB 8503-76.

It was launched during the emerging quartz crisis, which led to massive price drops on simple mechanical movements. Unlike the Timex movements in Timex watches at that time, the EB 8501-76 was not repairable, since all plates and bridges were riveted.

The balance of this movement, which beats with 21600 A/h in the -76 version, is shock protected in two plastic(!) bearings, and the only jewel in this movement is the ellipse ruby.

Aesthetically, this movement is an extreme. It is a pillar construction of which the bridges are thin, pointed sheet metal strips with tiny jewel-less bearings. There’s also no rocking bar winding system or a breguet clutch - on turning back the crown, the moveable crown wheel detaches.

EB 8501-76: EB 8501-76 dial side

EB 8501-76 dial side

Like on a Roskopf movement, the hands are driven by a double, moveable wheel on top of the mainspring barrel. A further inspection or revision is impossible, since also here the cover place is riveted.

As ugly this movement is, as innovative was it at the same time. Unfortunately, the inventions went (at least subjektively) into the wrong direction.

Technical data

Manufacturer:EB
Caliber:8501-76
Size:12''' (measured: 27,0mm)
A/h:21600
lift angle:45°
Number of jewels:1
Escapement:Pin lever
Balance types: Nickel anular balance
Shock protection(s): none
Balance bearing / direction hairspring:Bridge
Moveable stud:no
Adjust mechanism:Hairspring key
Construction:
  • lever
  • escape wheel, seconds wheel, third wheel, large driving wheel, mainspring barrel
Winding mechanism:special winding system
Features:
  • SCD (direct center seconds)
Production period:1976 - ?
Inventory number:17004

Usage gallery

EB 8501-76: "Minnie Mouse" character watch

"Minnie Mouse" character watch

EB 8501-76: RE-Watch gents diver

RE-Watch gents diver