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You are here: Home / Movements / Zenith 661

Zenith 661

Last Update: May 27, 2020

Brand:Zenith
Family:
Zenith Elite
Height:3.28 mm
Jewels:26
Reserve:55 hours
Frequency:28,800 A/h
Winding:Automatic, Bi-Directional Automatic Winding, Central Rotor Automatic Winding
Diameter:25.60 mm (11.5 ligne)
  Complications:
Hands:Central Hour Hand, Central Minute Hand
Distinguishing Technical Characteristics
Ultra-Thin Central-Rotor Automatic
Central-Rotor Automatic
Clockwise Balance Cock
Balance at 1:30
Barrel at 7:30
Central Rotor
Production: 1994 – 
1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s

Cal. 661 is an ultra-thin automatic movement from Zenith. Closely related to other Zenith Elite movements, Cal. 661 lacks any complications, including the seconds hand, and is reduced in height to just 3.28 mm. The similar Cal. 660 has a date display but is not used in any known watch model.

Cal. 661 was one of the original Elite movements launched in 1994 but was rarely seen since. The original Elite “Série 6” model was a limited edition of 250 in platinum and was introduced at the Basel Fair in 1994.


Technical Aspects of the Zenith Elite Movement

Zenith Elite Cal. 680

The basic Elite movement measures 11.5 ligne (25.60 mm) diameter and most models are under 4 mm thick, despite a central automatic winding rotor and date complication. A few models used a larger main plate to move the date window outward or to support complications like a running 24 hour ring. The thinnest Elite movement is the hand-winding Cal. 650 at 2.83 mm and the thickest and most complicated is the large Cal. 687 at 6.20 mm.

Unusually, many Elite movements (apart from the 660 and 670 lines) feature small seconds at 9:00, a distinctive feature that differentiates the watches that use it. Some, however, feature central seconds, an adjustable 24 hour hand, a power reserve indicator, and other complications.

All Elite movements use an annular Glucydur balance wheel with a self-compensating balance spring and fine micrometer screw for adjustment. The automatic winding rotor is mounted on ball bearings like the ETA 2892 and originally included a tungsten carbide element for higher winding power. Most Elite movements boast 50 to 55 hours power reserve and all operate at 28,800 A/h.

Zenith Elite 650 and 660: Ultra-Thin

Cal. 661, a simple two-handed version, was one of the original Elite movements. The hand-winding Cal. 650 and 655 were soon introduced as well. All of these movements were advertised as “ultra-thin” by Zenith.

MovementYearsWindingJewelsSecondsComplications
Elite 6501997-presentManual329:00Date
Elite 6551997-2000sManual329:00Date, Power Reserve
Elite 660Not ProducedAutomaticNoneDate
Elite 6611994Automatic26NoneNone
Images are taken from official publications and are used here for commentary and educational purposes. Copyright is held by the original owner as noted.

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