And Then I Spotted This One!

[WillFly]

Got back to the B&B and relaxed with eBay. Checked my Watch List and saw there were no bids on this - so I snapped it up. It's another typical 1930s/1940s watch with a nice, if slightly worn dial. Never heard of Ralco? It's Movado by another name. The Ralco name comes from the initials of three of the Ditesheim family (owners of Movado), Roger, Armand and Lucien.

 

[Geo]

Well done again Will. It looks very similar to a Lanco bumper watch that I have.

Is the case chrome or stainless?

[WillFly]

Stainless steel - looking forward to getting this one when I get home.

[Geo]

That's excellent Will, you'll be able to get it looking like new with a wee bit of work.

[bobm12]

I like it too! I had a mind of making one in the same combination but the case I sourced wasn't as accommodating so I ended up doing this: (the crown is pulled out to save battery life)

 

 

[daz]

Nice looking watch Will it will be great to see it restored, was it listed as a runner..

[WillFly]

It's listed as a runner - we'll see on Wednesday when I get home...

[WillFly]

Well, I opened up the parcel containing the little Ralco yesterday and gave the crown a twist. Spun round like silk and started instantly. I had a little wrench getting the screw case cover off - it's one of those un-notched, octagonal cases with an  inner seal - but the Jaxa case tool did the job in the end. I doubt that's it's been opened since the 1930s or '40s! Anyway, it's as clean as a whistle and running to the second this morning. Not bad for £18... These little watches - and this one is just 28mm without crown - are very unfashionable these days, but I love them. The movement is lovely, and I'm going to do some research on the calibre, which may or may not be Movado. No restoration for this one - just a polish over the stainless steel case with a silver cloth.

 

[Geo]

That's a nice wee watch you've picked up Will, especially for £18.

[Geo]

I just noticed, are the retaining screws and clamps for holding the movement missing or just not required?

[WillFly]

Both - screws and clamps not required as there's an inner ring and an inner cover (not pictured) which hold the movement firmly in place.

[Marc]

Looks like an AS1187.

You may need to take the dial off to find the calibre mark and if I'm right then you should also see a quadrant of minute indices so that the movement could be timed and regulated (using just a minute hand and a microscope to check against a reference) without having to install the dial.

It's a very competent little movement that found it's way into watches from quite a number of different makers right the way across the quality spectrum.

[WillFly]

Thanks Marc - it is indeed an AS 1187 - with a slightly different setting for the right-hand jewel on the bridge. By coincidence I was trawling through the Ranfft pages when I stopped to check the forum posts - must have skipped over this one!

[Marc]

The example shown on Ranfft is the 17 jewel variant so the escape wheel pivots are capped which I think is the difference that you've spotted.