Cal. 680 is a compact automatic movement from Zenith. It features small seconds at 9:00 and a date window at 3:00 (typically) or 4:30.
Cal. 680 was introduced at the Basel Fair in 1994 to power the new Elite “Série 6” line, with initial watches bearing the inscription, “Automatic 680” on the dial. These watches were introduced alongside the revived Zenith El Primero and formed the basis for the rebirth of the company in the modern era. Most featured a transparent caseback showing the 18 K gold central winding rotor.
Cal. 680 was a modern movement for the time, with bi-directional automatic winding, 28,800 A/h operation, and 55 hours of power reserve. The small seconds subdial at 9:00 remains quite unusual, however. The movement was widely used throughout the modern period and continues in production, despite the introduction and cancellation of the larger replacement, Cal. 6150.
Panerai used a version of Cal. 680 as their OP VII movement on some Radiomir models from 2000 through 2003.
Technical Aspects of the Zenith Elite Movement
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 680 and 690: Small Seconds
Cal. 680 was one of the original Elite movements introduced in 1994 and remains in production today. Most of its descendants feature small seconds at 9:00, though Cal. 690 lacks running seconds and the rare Cal. 689 relocates the subdial to 6:00.
| Movement | Years | Winding | Jewels | Seconds | Complications |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elite 680 | 1994-present | Automatic | 26 | 9:00 | Date |
| Elite 681 | 2010 | Automatic | 27 | 9:00 | None |
| Elite 682 | 1996-2014 | Automatic | 26 | 9:00 | Date, 24 Hour Hand |
| Elite 683 | 2003-2010 | Automatic | 36 | 9:00 | Date, Power Reserve at 3:00, 24 Hour Hand |
| Elite 684 | 2000s | Automatic | 26 | 9:00 | Date at 6:00 |
| Elite 685 | 2002-2015 | Automatic | 38 | 9:00 | Date, Power Reserve |
| Elite 6850 | 2008-2010 | Automatic | 38 | 9:00 | Date, Power Reserve |
| Elite 687 | 2008-2010 | Automatic | 41 | 9:00 | Date, Power Reserve, rotating 24 hour ring |
| Elite 689 | 2008 | Automatic | 31 | 6:00 | None |
| Elite 690 | Automatic | 37 | None | Moon Phase at 6:00 | |
| Elite 691 | 2010-2016 | Automatic | 27 | 9:00 | Moon Phase at 6:00, Big Date at 1:30 |
| Elite 692 | 2009-present | Automatic | 27 | 9:00 | Moon Phase at 6:00 |
| Elite 693 | 2012-2017 | Automatic | 26 | 9:00 | 24 Hour Hand |
| Elite 68 | 2006-2010 | Automatic | 27 | 9:00 | Central Power Reserve |