Luch-1956, Luch-2356, Luch-2350 mechanisms
Clockwork «Luch-1956»
Combining scientific achievements with practical experience allowed the factory to expand production of new designs and improve technical quality. The disadvantages of earlier quartz movements were fixed, leading to the improved «Luch-1956». In 1980, work began on a quartz electro-mechanical watch with a stepper motor. «The Luch-1956» used a «Debut-1» (large scale integrated circuit – LSI) integrated circuit, developed by SPA Integral (Scientific and Production Association) and made in an experimental workshop at the Minsk Watch Factory. In 1981, it won the «Grand Gold Medal» at the Plovdiv International Fair in Bulgaria for its high technical level and attractive design. The factory also made specialized versions, such as «medical» watches with a scale for measuring pulse (9).
Clockwork «Luch-2356»
In 1984, production began on the «Luch-2356» quartz movement, still made today. It had a stepper motor and a quartz oscillator. Notable versions included watches for the blind, where opening the cover allowed a person to feel the position of the hands (10). In 1987, a special edition for polar explorers was released, with a geographic scale, marking the 50th anniversary of Valery Chkalov’s 1937 non-stop flight from the USSR to the USA (11). There were also watches marked «lithium», using a large 3-volt battery instead of the usual 1.5 volts. This allowed the watch to run for about three years without changing the battery (12).
Clockwork «Luch-2350»
Also, in 1984, the «Luch-2350» quartz clock mechanism entered production. It had a stepper motor, analog display, central seconds hand, and a quick-set double date showing the day and date.
It was used in «miner’s» watches, which had a special protective cover for protection of glass from damage (13). In 1988, a «perpetual calendar» watch appeared using this movement, programmed until the year 2036. Production of the «Luch-2350» ended in 2003.
Combining scientific achievements with practical experience allowed the factory to expand production of new designs and improve technical quality. The disadvantages of earlier quartz movements were fixed, leading to the improved «Luch-1956». In 1980, work began on a quartz electro-mechanical watch with a stepper motor. «The Luch-1956» used a «Debut-1» (large scale integrated circuit – LSI) integrated circuit, developed by SPA Integral (Scientific and Production Association) and made in an experimental workshop at the Minsk Watch Factory. In 1981, it won the «Grand Gold Medal» at the Plovdiv International Fair in Bulgaria for its high technical level and attractive design. The factory also made specialized versions, such as «medical» watches with a scale for measuring pulse (9).
Clockwork «Luch-2356»
In 1984, production began on the «Luch-2356» quartz movement, still made today. It had a stepper motor and a quartz oscillator. Notable versions included watches for the blind, where opening the cover allowed a person to feel the position of the hands (10). In 1987, a special edition for polar explorers was released, with a geographic scale, marking the 50th anniversary of Valery Chkalov’s 1937 non-stop flight from the USSR to the USA (11). There were also watches marked «lithium», using a large 3-volt battery instead of the usual 1.5 volts. This allowed the watch to run for about three years without changing the battery (12).
Clockwork «Luch-2350»
Also, in 1984, the «Luch-2350» quartz clock mechanism entered production. It had a stepper motor, analog display, central seconds hand, and a quick-set double date showing the day and date.
It was used in «miner’s» watches, which had a special protective cover for protection of glass from damage (13). In 1988, a «perpetual calendar» watch appeared using this movement, programmed until the year 2036. Production of the «Luch-2350» ended in 2003.
