PRIM (watches)

PRIM is a Czech trademark for a range of watches. The serial production started in 1957, thus Czechoslovakia has become one of only twelve countries in the world capable of producing wrist watches.[1] Since 2001, the brand was used by the two Czech watches manufacturers (Elton hodinářská and MPM-Quality), which was subject to the long-standing lawsuits. However, in June 2025 MPM-Quality purchased the Elton, thus combining all parts of the Prim brand under one management.

Some more expensive models have watch movements of their own production and some contain movements of foreign manufacture (Japanese or Swiss). The company has three branches in: Frýdek-Místek, Nové Město nad Metují and Prague 1.

History

In 1949, the subsidiary of company Chronotechna Šternberk was established in Nové Město nad Metují, specializing in the production of personal watches (wristwatches and pocket watches). The first prototype watches were made in 1954 and were marked 'Spartak', the 'PRIM' brand was registered in 1956, the serial production started in 1957.[1] It was the only manufacturer of watches in Czechoslovakia

Own wristwatch movements

Historical

Caliber 25 - mechanical watch directly derived in 1954 from the original Lip R25 pattern; was used in the first series of the Spartak and was gradually replaced by a 50 gauge
Caliber 50 - mechanical with manual winding, derived in 1954 from the model Lip R25. 15 stones, eccentric second. In production until 1971.
Caliber 52 - mechanical with manual winding, derived in 1955 from caliber 50, added data ring. In production until 1971
Caliber 55 - mechanical with manual winding, newly solved central second hand with indirect drive, 16 stones. In production in 1958–1971.
Caliber 57 - mechanical with manual winding, derived from caliber 55, added data ring. In production in 1958–1971.
Caliber 66 - mechanical with manual winding, new caliber design derived from the Swiss model ETA 1080, 17 stones. In production in 1965–1993.
Caliber 68 - mechanical with manual winding, derived from caliber 66, data ring added. In production in 1969–1993.
Caliber 70 - mechanical with manual winding from 1971, not introduced into production.
Caliber 80 - mechanical with manual winding, 17 stones. In production in 1971–1993.
Caliber 96 - mechanical with automatic winding, 21 stones. In production in 1971–1989.
Caliber 97 - mechanical with automatic winding, 21 stones, date wreath with Day-Date display. In production in 1979–1989.
Caliber 200 - quartz, 7 stones. In production in 1988–1995.
Caliber 210 - quartz, 7 stones, data wreath. In production in 1993–1995.

In production

Caliber 105 - mechanical with automatic winding, 24 jewels. In production since 2017.
Caliber 103 - mechanical with manual winding, 19 jewels. In production since 2017.
Caliber 98.00/98.01 - mechanical with automatic winding, 22 jewels. In production since 2009/2013.
Caliber 95 - mechanical with automatic winding, 22 jewels. In production since 2013.
Caliber 94/94.01/93 - mechanical with manual winding, 17 jewels. In production since 2009/2010/2013.
Caliber 75 - mechanical with automatic winding, 26 jewels. In production since 2019.

foundation	1957
founder	Chronotechna
type	Private
location country	Frýdek-Místek, Czech Republic
industry	Watch manufacturing
products	Luxury Watches
website	https://prim.cz/en/

History

Own wristwatch movements

Historical

In production

External links

References