Transistors and integrated circuits

The use of transistors has made it possible to miniaturise quartz clocks and to build quartz-powered marine and deck chronometers. A major step was provided when Max HETZEL developed a tuning fork watch comprising a transistor to maintain the oscillation and a ratchet wheel. The transistor, and above all the integrated circuit, made the production of the first quartz watches possible. The CEH rendered the clock and watch industry a considerable service by creating low power consumption integrated circuits and by producing a quartz watch fitted with quartz movements developed at Ebauches SA. For the first time in 1967, quartz watches were entered in the Neuchâtel Observatory Competition. CEH won top prizes with results far outstripping all those previously achieved for watches of other kinds. This extraordinary achievement finally put paid to any doubts concerning the feasibility of quartz watches. Let's not forget, though, that the competition was unfair because the 0 factor of quartz is 100,000 while that of the balance is 300. A major industrial effort would be required before the quartz watches we know now finally evolved.