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Hamilton Intra-Matic - Buren Cal, 1281

WillFly

By WillFly
in Your Watch Collection

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WillFly Distinguished Member

WillFly

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I was very taken with an article in Mark's blog on a Hamilton Intra-Matic watch that he'd serviced - one with a Buren calibre 1281 micro-rotor movement. So - some days ago, I found one on the German, Ranfft "bidfun" auction database, put in the minimum bid - and came back from Devon today to find I'd been successful in my bid. (Even on holiday, "watchitis" continues apace...).

 

Lovely movement, and I'm looking forward to getting this one.

 

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bobm12 Distinguished Member

bobm12

Posted
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Excellent looking watch, very clean by the pic, and to me a unique type worth of your wonderful collection! Sometimes I think "watchitis" is not too bad when you find gems like that one! Way to go Will!...and welcome back from vacation!

Jim WRT Addict

Jim

Posted
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wow grats on that wonderful find   micro rotors are really cool that movement looks pristine 

 

Sincerely

Jim

WillFly Distinguished Member

WillFly

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Posted (edited)

Well, the watch arrived today - ticking away like a good auto should - and I've had it on test for two hours or so on the wrist. So far, keeping nice time. I've appended my own recent pic of the movement, which looks beautiful. I'm not a huge fan of automatic movements, mainly because the rotor obscures the details of the movement, though I do have Seiko and Mido autos, but this little micro-rotor is the bees knees. I wonder why they weren't as popular as the more conventional and larger rotor-driven movements. Perhaps the servicing was more of a problem - perhaps they aren't as efficient in maintaining a power reserve or they were more fragile. Who knows. Anyway, I love all 30 jewels of it!

 

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Edited by WillFly
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bobm12 Distinguished Member

bobm12

Posted
Posted (edited)

Hi Will,

 

Just turn the screw on the balance wheel, it is a cam that will do small adjustments with timing. Easy on it though!

 

I believe you were talking about that adjustment or maybe I misundestood?

Edited by bobm12
Geo Distinguished Member

Geo

Posted
Posted

Hi Will, for course adjustment, push or pull the arm with the guide pins, and for micro-adjustment turn screw. The other lever that holds the hairspring stud can be moved to adjust beat.

WillFly Distinguished Member

WillFly

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The movement has a self-winding gear with direction switching, which works by a pinion floating between two huge jewels. This from the Ranfft database...

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Geo Distinguished Member

Geo

Posted
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Good morning Will. I found this article http://people.timezone.com/library/archives/archives631988314105468750 on the the Buren microrotor movement that gives an excellent description of its workings.

In my previous answer regarding regulation I only mentioned the micro-adjustment for fast and slow. Having read this article, the screw furthest away from the balance pivot is for micro-adjustment of the beat.

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WillFly Distinguished Member

WillFly

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Thanks for that, Geo - just read it, and a fascinating article it is. The breakdown he shows is of the early, 17-jewel model, and he mentions how he'd like to get his hands on the later, 30-jewel model - which is what I have. I'm going to copy the article into my watch file.

 

The thing that really attracted me to the Buren 1281 was just the sheer beauty of its design and looks - and it's even more interesting to see its technical description.

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