Between 1952 and 1956, Helmut Epperlein's company develop a prototype electric watch. The company then enters into a partnership with the Hamilton Watch Company and further work on a prototype progesses using contacts and magnets supplied by Hamilton; the end result, in 1958, resembles a Hamilton 500.

The 500-type Epperlein 100 prototypes had various technical problems and in 1959 Epperlein change the design and release a watch of the same name which now resembles the Hamilton 505. About 5000 were produced but about 30% of these were returned to the factory with problems and destroyed. In 1960, the company announces the development of a ladies electric watch but it never reaches production and the company files for bankruptcy in 1971.

I have two watches containing an Epperlein 100...in both cases, the movement is marked "Paul Portinoux". The Dorlin watch is a work-in-progress while the Paul Portinoux was an incredibly lucky find! Use the links on the left hand side to view these.