Cyma / Tavannes one-buton chrono

[skridlov]

I have just acquired this one - the price reflected the fact that the teeth visible in the accompanying close-up snap are worn and occasionally jump when setting. Otherwise it runs well. I was wondering whether there are any options for fixing this fault. So far I've been unable to identify the movement so sourcing a spare part (s) changes from difficult to impossible. I have some other reservations about it but I'll hold back on them for the moment.

Thanks!

Roy

 

[wls1971]

The movement is a A.Michel S.A Grenchen usually just prefixed as A.M movements the teeth look not to be meshing correctly as opposed to excessive wear so more a problem with the setting lever than the wheels it looks like to me

[wls1971]

The cal is a 1710 which is a modified 12 ligne cal 237 which is a non chronograph cal but the setting parts will be the same as the 1710.

[skridlov]

Thanks. Could I have been more wrong? Quite possibly - I've had a lot of practice. Now I need to take a look at the setting lever - may be an easier fix than I thought. Are you absolutely certain about the movement? Not questioning you just interested in not having to be in any doubt.

And now that you've pointed it out, it's pretty obvious that the teeth aren't engaging fully - barely at all. How did I miss this? Same answer as above.

Roy

Edited May 25, 2017 by skridlov
lack of forethought

[wls1971]

You have to do your research when dealing with watches of this vintage on the bottom plate of your watch there are 2 markings one is a triangle made up of a A and M so that tells me that its a Adolf.Michel movement, there is also a second symbol shaped like a shield this is a Ebauches Trust mark also know as Ebauches S.A which was a small group of movement manufactures who in 1926 set up a partnership to pool resources in developing movements in order to survive against larger manufactures Adolf.Michel was one of the founding members of that group, the mark on your watch was fairly short lived and ran from 1936 to around 1939 so your watch movement dates from that period.

It looks like a calibre 237 from the dial side so you need to measure the width of the movement and confirm its a 12 ligne movement if so that would make it a calibre 1710 finding info on watch movements of this vintage is very hard finding parts is almost impossible, for a positive identification you will probably need a Bestfit book to check but you have been given enough information for you to do your research.

Other things I can tell you about your watch are that it is a British military issue watch issued by the Hydrographic Service  to the Fleet Air Arm so you maybe better doing more research along those lines, I think I have a reference book with this watch in, but I am at work at the moment so will look tomorrow when I get home,

Wayne

Edited May 25, 2017 by wls1971

[skridlov]

Thanks Wayne, a detailed and painstaking contribution.

I'm not entirely green when it comes to identifying movements - I have a Paulson catalogue and use the Ranfft site plus the usual web searches. I was misdirected a bit as my friend with whom I jointly buy and sell stuff was adamant about it being a Cyma. Strange how that sort of certainty can prevent one from starting from a blank page. There was another person keen to buy it who was equally certain and, it seems, equally in error!

Thanks again

Roy

[Ishima]

Above and beyond WLS. Colour me impressed. 

[rogart63]

http://forums.watchuseek.com/f11/old-one-button-chronograph-no-minute-register-identify-664439-2.html

[skridlov]

Thank you for the link. That's the same movement. I only wish the dial on mine was as nice. And that you could set the hands (see other post...) OK so it's 1936 for sure if Dr. Ranfft says so.

Roy

[wls1971]

And here's another one marked Pontiac, but with the addition of shock protection the seller also states that this movement is a Venus/AM, Venus where also members of Ebauches S.A it could be that Venus assigned there own calibre number to the A.Michel supplied Ebauches.

http://www.lamesuredutemps.com/one.cfm?Supportchoc&uuid=E278E9E8-01FE-5E41-8264B9B7B15B414D

[skridlov]

Thanks! That's certainly the same basic movement and design. 

Now if only I can fix the setting fault...

Roy