Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Posted

Sorry if this is an old chestnut, but is the word "Movement" as applied to watches synonymous with "Caliber"? Is their a subtle point of difference?  

Posted

No - there is a distinct difference. A watch "movement" is the total mechanism which drives the hands around the dial. There are various designs of movements by different movement makers - and each maker has their own set of designs, known as "calibres".

 

So, for example, Arthur Schild was a maker of movements, and his movements are known as "AS" movements to indicate that he was the maker. Within the complete set of AS movements, there are various designs or calibres, each with its unique number - such as "1287". The movement in my Olma watch from the 1940s contains an AS 1287 movement - the "calibre" AS 1287.

 

The movement in my Hamilton Khaki watch is an ETA movement - calibre (or "cal.") 6497.

 

In the US, American watch movements were known as "grades", rather than the more usual Swiss (mainly) "calibres". So my Hamilton railroad pocket watch has a grade 992B movement in it.

 

Hope that helps.

 

Will

  • Like 2
Posted

I always think of "calibre" as the the designation for the movement. A bit like bullets, they are all a projectiles that is used in a guns, but the caliber designates the "size" of the barrel and bullet.

This is my take on it, I may be wrong.

Posted

That's a good concept, Geo. I suppose the only difference is that, with bullets, a .303 is a .303, regardless of maker, and will fit (for example) a Lee Enfield and a Belgian FN as well as a Bren gun. I've fired all three and they used the same ammo, if memory serves!

 

Whereas a Cyma 450 movement wouldn't be a replacement for an Omega 450.

 

Or am I misreading you?

Posted

No, you're correct Will, it's me that's wrong. My comment above should have referred to Ligne, the size of the movement, not the calibre. ( where's the embarrassed smiley when you need it)?

Posted

Sorry to be a pedant Will but shouldn't that be Adolph Schild?

Yes, of course - can't think why I said Arthur. A senior moment!

  • 2 weeks later...
Posted

 

I always think of "calibre" as the the designation for the movement. A bit like bullets, they are all a projectiles that is used in a guns, but the caliber designates the "size" of the barrel and bullet.

I love this topic, here goes my 2 cents:

 

To paraphrase Geo: "I always think of "calibre" as the the designation for the movement. A bit like bra's, they are all an upper feminine lingerie that is used on boobs, but the caliber designates the "cup size" of the bra that fits the boob." I may add it is easier to work on larger calibres.  :)

 

Maybe this is not accurate but nice to imagine! :D

 

Cheers,

 

Bob

  • Like 1

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Topics

  • Posts

    • A helpful way in aid of assembly is to place all the wheels in their respective places, place to plate on the top and fit a couple of the nuts onto the pillars. This stops all the wheels wobbling about as they are lightly held by the plate, you can manoeuvre the pivots into their holes, using a tool , usually home made or can be bought on eBay. I made my own. As the pivots align and fall into place screw the nuts down a bit to keep up the tension on the plate untill all wheels are in place then tighten down sufficiently to keep the plate in place whilst checking the end shake on ALL wheels and their location when all is good only then tighten down the plate.
    • I'd say my Pultra 10 lathe. It is just so well made and everything fits so tightly together.
    • Welcome to the forum, enjoy. 
    • Yes, the specific old tools do exist, but may be having one is not needed as they are not cheap, and also You will be able to do without it well enough. My advice will be to use regular depthing tool and adjust it for the exact distance between pallet fork and escape wheel bearings from the watch. Then remove the shellac from the pallet that now doesn't pass the ew teeth and move this pallet in. Then put the pallet fork and ew on the depthing tool and check how they lock. They should not lock when the pallet is in, but You will little by little move the pallet out and locking will appear. Then move just an idea out for reliable work and apply shellac, then check if things are still the same. You have to observe where the teeth fall on the pallets - it must be just a little below the edge between impulse and rest planes. Then You must check how everything behaves in the movement This Potence tool is so ingenious, but actually, the traditional way to do the things is much more simple. Arrange the parts not on the pillar plate, but on the cover plate. Only the central wheel will remain on the pillar plate, secured by the cannon pinion.
    • There is a tool that was made for setting up and adjusting escapements of full plate watches.  There were two styles, the picture below shows both of them.  The lower tool held a movement plate and the vertical pointed rods were adjusted to hold the unsupported pivots of the lever and escape wheel.  There was also a version of this tool that had 3 adjustable safety centres so that the balance pivot could be supported by the tool :  The other version I’m aware of is the Boynton’s Escapement Matching and Examining Tool came as a set of two or three clamps that gripped the watch plate and held the safety centres for the pivots : These do turn up on eBay from time to time.  For some escapement work, you can set up the parts in a regular depthing tool, with the centres set according to the distance between the corresponding pivot holes on the movement.  I hope this helps, Mark
×
×
  • Create New...