Audax (Eta 1280)

[Marc]

Another eBay non-runner. I just really liked the look of it so put in a low bid and won it uncontested.

 

 

Audax signed 17 jeweled ETA 1280 inside.

 

 

It turned out that the problem was both balance staff pivots had broken off. Given that this movement has shock protection this suggested that the watch must have had a really serious whack at some point. However, although not exactly pristine, the case didn't bear witness so any such catastrophe. I suspect that a more likely scenario is that someone had the balance cock and balance out of the watch and was none too careful putting it back, tightening the balance cock screw without the pivots properly seated in the jewels and snapping them off.

 

Fortunately my stock of odds and ends turned up both a replacement staff, and better still, a complete spare movement. I took the lazy way out and simply substituted the balance complete from the donor, serviced the movement, and cleaned it up a bit. Now a great time keeper and a favorite to wear. I can always repair the original balance if I get stuck for something to do on a rainy day.

[WillFly]

Lovely stuff - well worth the effort on what looks to be a nice, clean watch.

[Craig]

That looks excellent Marc and a bargain!!

[autowind]

That looks like a nice clean example Marc,  another one well worth saving.  The movement does not look used and abused,  so it's difficult to explain two broken pivots,  as you say it would take an almighty whack to do that.  If only these watches could talk they would have some tales to tell.

 

RogerC

[Marc]

Apart from the broken balance pivots the only other sign of rough handling of the movement is a set of dots imprinted in the train bridge in a grid pattern just below the AX in Audax. Heaven only knows what made them. As you say AW it would be interesting to know a bit more about the history of some of these pieces.