UNITAS 6497/6498

UNITAS



Unitas was established in 1898 as Manufacture Auguste Reymond in the small town of Tramelan in the center of the Jura Mountain region of Switzerland. The 6497 and 6498 calibers became regarded as among the best pocketwatch movements ever designed for their ruggedness and accuracy.



When Ebauches S.A. absorbed Unitas, Valjoux and other manufacturers within ETA S.A, many of the original ebauche names and calibre numbers were retained.  That is why today, the UNITAS 6497 and 6498 calibers and the Valljoux 7750 and 7751 calibers manufactured by ETA  still carry the name and caliber number of the original ebauche manufacturer.



In the early 1930s, the Incabloc® movement shock absorber was developed, and it revolutionized movement durability and maintaining accuracy. It was adopted by virtually all Swiss movement manufacturers. It has been refined over the decades since and is the premier method of protecting Swiss watches from severe shock. UNITAS incorporated the Incabloc® system in their movements. Among them is the UNITAS 6497 and 6498 pocketwatch movements designed in the 1950s. The 6497 and 6498 calibers became regarded as among the best pocketwatch movements ever designed for their ruggedness and accuracy.



The UNITAS 6497 is experiencing a resurgence today as a movement for wristwatches. At a whopping 16.5 ligne, it requires a massive case--just the thing for those wanting a manly watch.   Both the UNITAS 6497 and 6498 movements remain the premier movements for mechanical pocket watches. The obvious difference between 6497 and 6498 is the seconds hand sub dial is at 8 o'clock for the 6497 and at 6 o'clock for the 6498.



6497/6498 specs:

Manual hand-wound, 16.5 ligne, 17 jewels, Swiss lever escapement,

Incabloc movement shock absorber,

Accuracy of -10/+15 seconds/day,

Anti-magnetic,

21,600 vibrations/hr (3 Hz),

36 hrs power reserve

small second

Standard crown




Watches using the Unitas movements include Glycine KMU 48, Glycine F-104, Epos Passion 3403 Open Heart.