9.7

Movements in a Plastic Capsule – New Materials Change Clock Manufacturing

From the end of the 1950’s to the 1970’s, the clock movement enclosed in a plastic case dominated the mass market. The low price and its size made it the preferred large clock movement of the time.

These clocks no longer had to be wound. A battery provided energy to tighten the spring electromechanically. A motor or sprung lever, a lever usually made like a capsule, served as a
winding mechanism.

The balance driven movements caught on in the 1960’s thanks to transistor technology. The electromagnetic direct impulsion of the balance took pressure off of the gears. The toothed gears could now be made of plastic instead of metal.

This type of economization helped many companies to reduce their workforce. Those who persisted in using elaborate metal processing were soon unable to keep up with the competition. That is why companies with a long enduring tradition, such as Mauthe, Blessing and Kaiser, went bankrupt in the 1970’s.


Assembling of Electromechanical Movements about 1970

Gebrüder Staiger, St. Georgen about 1970
1.33 min