A simple complication. 'Mondia Top-second'

[anilv]

When you mention complications in horology, it is usually something which is complex (hence 'complications' !). Even the simple complication like a date adds several parts and springs.

But once in a while a complication comes by which is whimsical in nature and simple in execution.

Such a complication was a feature of the 'Mondia 'Top-second'.

At first glance it looks like any other Swiss watch from the 70s ..

Then something catches your eye..did I see something there?

The clever chaps at Mondia came up with a way to lend a bit of interest to a normal watch by having a 'porthole' in the dial through which a coloured 'propeller' could be seen giving a blinking effect. Some online references state that the propeller is fitted to an extended to an extended escape wheel pivot but I think that that would be too slow.  I remember seeing a pciture of the escape wheel for this watch which has an additional wheel to drive a dedicated wheel for the prop'. The watch has not been serviced and is high on my to-do list as there is very obvious water damage on the dial. I'm still looking for a new dial or at least one in better condition but no luck so far. A new crystal in in the cards as well as this one has yellowed glue round the edges.

 

The caseback is simple enough.. it gives information but no mention of the manufacturer. This was common practise in the 70s with a lot of Swiss watches being housed in generic cases.

But on the inside we see that it really is a Mondia! I was really expecting to see 'Çased in Hong Kong'! Does 88 mean the watch was last serviced in 1988? More than likely! Here we see the movement spacing spring is in place as well. On older watches they're usually missing!

Next up is a picture of the AS1913 movement. Not my favourite movement to work on but it does its job. The part of the stem that can be seen looks rust free and overall the movement seems to be reasonable condition.  Note the 'Mondia', '25 Jewels 25' and 'Swiss'  are printed on rather than engraved into the rotor. Another sign of the 70s.

Finally the crown. While it is 'marked', it is a generic water proof crown. Not good as its not original but at least the watch has seen a semi-competent watchmaker who made the effort to change the crown to ensure water-proofing. You see those use 'branded' crowns on ebay? Those were removed and replaced to ensure water-proofing, and now they're having a second life for those who insist on a 'signed' crown!

 

Hope you enjoyed the pictures.

 

Anilv

[StuartBaker104]

Hey Anilv, that’s pretty cool. Have you seen this which shows how it works?

http://thewatchspotblog.com/?p=2030

 

[anilv]

Thanks Stuart,

That is the photo of the escape wheel with additional gear I remember seeing.

The GIF is cool but in reality its a bit faster and you can see that there is some rotary motion.

I'll try to grab a short video.

Anilv

[anilv]

Here's a video of the watch in action. I think the coloured propeller on mine has been installed a little off center as there is a black segment showing. Something else to attend to when I get round to it!

V_20171213_151616.mp4

Anilv

[Chopin]

Came across one of these for sale a few months ago but was too expensive. Very beautiful pieces!

[rappeleur]

Cool, I got an ebay notification set up for this watch. Some day the right one will show up an I will grab it

[noirrac1j]

On 12/13/2017 at 8:29 AM, anilv said:

Here's a video of the watch in action. I think the coloured propeller on mine has been installed a little off center as there is a black segment showing. Something else to attend to when I get round to it!

V_20171213_151616.mp4

Anilv

Ah yes the little "beating heart" mechanical complication! You've shown this one before, but it's nice (and uncommon) enough to show more than once.

J