Introducing the Paulin ETA F06
The design for the Modul case was informed by the challenge of sourcing vintage movements in small and irregular quantities, combined with the limitation of high minimum order quantities from case producers. Our solution to this potentially wasteful problem was to create a case with a modular inner component, which can be adjusted by our watchmakers to accommodate different movement calibres, and allows us to be agile in responding to the changing needs of customers.
In Swiss watchmaking, quartz watches can sometimes be viewed as inferior to mechanical options, and are often hidden behind closed casebacks. We don’t subscribe to this at Paulin, and instead see them as the quality, reliable and accessibly priced timekeeping pieces they are. While exhibition casebacks for a quartz movement is a fairly unusual choice, we all agreed that the 955’s striking blue colour and exposed circuitry deserved to be shown off. It’s a detail our customers have consistently responded positively to and one we’re keen to carry forward.
The ETA 955 movement was an iconic workhorse for almost half a century, however, ETA have discontinued the model and, over the past two years, it has become harder and harder to source. For this reason, we’ve chosen to upgrade to the ETA F06, a modern version of the 955, with improved efficiency with 1.1 microamps max draw. This calibre features hours, minutes and central seconds, and boasts HeavyDrive technology, which protects against shocks and helps maintain accuracy over time. It’s incredibly reliable and accurate, with a range within +/- 10 seconds per year under normal conditions, and its battery can last up to 7 years.
There was one catch, though. Unlike the 955, much of the F06 is hidden beneath a large metal bridge and we found it didn’t have the same visual charm. We didn’t want to compromise our celebration of quartz movements or lose the appeal of an open caseback, so we set out to reimagine what the F06 could look like.
Traditionally, movement bridges were decorated with texture to help prevent dust buildup, but over time, as movement technology improved, finishing became more of an aesthetic decision. While decorative finishing is more common in mechanical watches, there’s a lesser-known but fascinating history of embellishing quartz movements too.
For the F06 finishing, we experimented with mechanical processes, but they didn’t provide the contrast or clarity we were after. So we turned to laser ablation, which allowed us to create intricate textures with high precision. Designing around the screws and jewels was also a challenge for legibility, so we pushed our logo to abstraction, alternating the different laser process per letter, and finishing in 2N gold plating. The finished product includes sunray, linear brushing, radial brushing and a sandblast effect.
The result is a visually engaging, custom-finished movement unique to our Modul range, and a continuation of our belief that functionality and design go hand in hand. Our Modul Quartz watches will still offer the choice of an open or closed caseback, at no extra cost.
If you are interested in decorated movements, our friends at anOrdain recently launched their first: the A1, with Rachel Duckhouse. You can read more about it here.