When I recently received my DS1 Chronometer I remember a conversation in the post about why some were DS1 and others DS1/E and a similar conversation a while back when Jose bought his. I may be wrong, but I don’t believe we reached any conclusion on that question. It may have been asked and answered long ago on this forum somewhere, if so forgive my musings.
Today I received, among other treasures from Scott a DS1/E project watch, it’s mostly all there just needs a crown and stem and a tidy up, oh and a 7 row. This is my first DS1/E, so it got me to thinking on this question again, since I now had 2 identical watches to compare, but are they identical?
Both have the same shaped TC bezel, both have flat crystals and ok one has a white dial and one black but other than that even the dials are the same.
20170510_120212 (1).jpg
The cases both look the same at the back too. Both case backs have the same shape and design with the exception that one is inscribed 1 and the other 1/E
20170510_110908 (1).jpg
Once opened up however the difference between the 2 becomes obvious, the DS1 has an AS 1858 and the 1/E an ETA 2782. Ah, but there are plenty of DS1’s that also have ETA movements including my chronometer, so what does this prove?
You will remember recently Mike posted quite a bit of information for us regarding the evolution of the Swatch group and the part played by both Rado and ETA in that process, from memory Rado officially made the change to ETA movements in 1968, but as discussed, there was a transition period of some years.
Basically the theory is this. During the change over period there was a need to note the difference between AS powered and ETA powered Diastars, hence the E for ETA. Once the changeover was complete the E was no longer required and so was dropped. If this holds true it should mean that DS 1/E’s predate DS1’s that have ETA movements fitted.
20170510_110434 (1).jpg
Today I received, among other treasures from Scott a DS1/E project watch, it’s mostly all there just needs a crown and stem and a tidy up, oh and a 7 row. This is my first DS1/E, so it got me to thinking on this question again, since I now had 2 identical watches to compare, but are they identical?
Both have the same shaped TC bezel, both have flat crystals and ok one has a white dial and one black but other than that even the dials are the same.
20170510_120212 (1).jpg
The cases both look the same at the back too. Both case backs have the same shape and design with the exception that one is inscribed 1 and the other 1/E
20170510_110908 (1).jpg
Once opened up however the difference between the 2 becomes obvious, the DS1 has an AS 1858 and the 1/E an ETA 2782. Ah, but there are plenty of DS1’s that also have ETA movements including my chronometer, so what does this prove?
You will remember recently Mike posted quite a bit of information for us regarding the evolution of the Swatch group and the part played by both Rado and ETA in that process, from memory Rado officially made the change to ETA movements in 1968, but as discussed, there was a transition period of some years.
Basically the theory is this. During the change over period there was a need to note the difference between AS powered and ETA powered Diastars, hence the E for ETA. Once the changeover was complete the E was no longer required and so was dropped. If this holds true it should mean that DS 1/E’s predate DS1’s that have ETA movements fitted.
20170510_110434 (1).jpg
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