Strictly Vintage Watches: Eric Wind On High-Beat Movements

Charlie Dunne, founder of Strictly Vintage Watches, recently wrote a collector’s guide on the Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox Reference E 875. Within the article, Eric Wind assisted by sourcing a vintage Memovox for Dunne’s personal collection as well provided context on high-beat movements like theJaeger-LeCoultre calibre 916.

“The 1960s were a time of rapid improvement and development of automatic movements, notably the first automatic chronograph movements, but also a time where manufacturers were seeking to produce extremely high-beat and more accurate movements, most notably the Zenith El Primero calibre 3019 PHC chronograph movement introduced in 1969.” During the same year of this calibre 916’s introduction, the Zenith El Primero would in fact be released in three separate references (each with the calibre 3019 PHC boasting a 5Hz 36,000 VPH). The 5Hz movements would require more frequent servicing due to the higher beat rate as well as special oils, which was the reason manufacturers such as Rolex would transition to a 4Hz Zenith movement for use in the first automatic Daytonas including the steel reference 16520. Wind stated, “According to watchmakers who work on them, these higher-beat calibres required special, thicker lubricants, otherwise the speed of the balance wheel could cause the oils to loosen and cover parts of the movement that should remain dry.”

You can read the full article and watch the video below:

https://www.strictlyvintagewatches.com/jaegerlecoultre-memovox-reference-875-42