at the time and an enormous leap in accurate time keeping. The movement was a modular design and components were manufactured by individual companies (such as Omega who made the micro motor) and then assembled at three workshops. The beta 21 watches had a sweeping second hand, which moved smoothly round the dial and ‘hummed’ thanks to the Omega vibrating micro motor. Production watches Although 20 watch companies were originally involved in the development of the beta 21 production watch under CEH, not all of these companies took this to production stage. It is indicated that 18 Swiss manufacturers showed beta 21 watches at the 1970 Basel Fair. Between 1970 and 1971 6,000 beta 21 units were manufactured (Omega's calibre was 1300). To date there are only known of surviving examples from 12 of the original manufacturers and a number of these are not complete watches: 1. Bucherer : Branded as Bucherer Quartz and available in 18-carat gold or stainless steel models. 2. Bulova:Branded as Accuquartz, available in an 18-carat gold models. 3. Favre-Leuba: This has only ever been seen as a movement with dial and not as a production watch. 4. International Watch Company: Branded as Davinci, International and also as a pocket watch available in a range of precious metals and stainless steel. 5. Jaeger-LeCoultre: Branded as Masterquartz however this has only been seen as a movement with dial and not as a production watch. 6. Omega SA: Branded as Electroquartz and available in 18-carat gold and stainless steel models 7: Longines: Branded as Quartz-Chron, this has only ever been seen as a single production watch in stainless steel. 8. Patek Philippe: Branded as Cercle d'Or available in 18-carat gold models. 9. Piaget: Available in 18-carat gold as date and non date models. 10. Rado: Branded as Quartz 8192, available in Stainless steel and made circa 400 examples. 11. Rolex: Branded as Oysterquartz calibre 5100 available in 18-carat gold. 12. Zenith: This has only ever been seen as a movement without dial and not as a production watch. Omega's version of the beta 21 wristwatch came in the form of the Electroquartz, the case design was larger at the top than the bottom and as such it gained the nickname 'pupitre' after the French word for writing desk. Omega took 5 examples of the electroquartz to the 1970 Basel Fair in 18-carat gold with integral bracelet and displayed