How do you tell movements apart without mafacturer statement?
I'm someone whose into vintage watches both for their looks and price, though a question that constantly boggled me is how does one identify the movement inside. Most of the models I own are extremely old or of questionable origin (they look cool though). This got me thinking how does one identify a movement by looking at it or is there so serials scribbled somewhere?
All help is more than appreciated
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Just a chemistry student who likes watches :)
Cairo, Egypt
Member since
Last active: 3 days ago
5.98” / 15.19 cm
Sometimes you can see the manufacturers name/logo underneath the balance wheel, this is the case with ETA & Valjoux for example.
This is a useful resource at times.
http://www.ranfft.de/cgi-bin/bidfun-db.cgi?10&ranfft&0&2uswk
Agreed. Ranfft is brilliant. I find the "advanced search" especially helpful as you can search by the movement's shape, design and features. That makes it possible to identify movements even when they have no maker's marks or model /serial number.
In addition to Ranfft, you could try these...
https://www.vintagewatchstraps.com/movements.php
https://www.buyingontime.com/movement-gallery
https://calibercorner.com/tag/vintage/
In addition to Ranfft, you could try these...
https://www.vintagewatchstraps.com/movements.php
https://www.buyingontime.com/movement-gallery
https://calibercorner.com/tag/vintage/
That reminds me, this too:
https://17jewels.info/
^^^ all good resources, I use them all.
After a while you get used to what you see…
If you look under the balance wheel most of the time the ebauche logo and model is there. Others it will be under the dial.
Generally, for Swiss wristwatch movements there is a manufacturer’s logo and movement model number near the balance.
I thank you all for your gracious responses, you've been of tremendous help. ❤️
This is a useful resource at times.
http://www.ranfft.de/cgi-bin/bidfun-db.cgi?10&ranfft&0&2uswk
I gave it a shot about a minute ago, though I'm still very confused on the details
Agreed. Ranfft is brilliant. I find the "advanced search" especially helpful as you can search by the movement's shape, design and features. That makes it possible to identify movements even when they have no maker's marks or model /serial number.
I'm still a bit new for the watch movement world and don't really understand much about each individual part (no more than my basic engineering background). I wish to have the courage to dable in it and explore it (maybe with a pocket watch), though I have some fine motor control issues. One day I'll be brave and experimental enough I guess.
Sometimes you can see the manufacturers name/logo underneath the balance wheel, this is the case with ETA & Valjoux for example.
Most of the watches I own are old orients, seikos or dead brands from the 60s. As far as my knowledge goes I never found any clear indicator on the movement that it is a swiss one. One of them I know is a swiss movement from a professional watch maker I went to, though I didn't bother to ask much. This is due to most watch making here in egypt being more artesianal and less educational, as in most watch makers have internal names for movements rather than using the movements actual name. E.g "swesri malwo b rabt" (directly translated: swiss hand-wound screw-down)
I'm still a bit new for the watch movement world and don't really understand much about each individual part (no more than my basic engineering background). I wish to have the courage to dable in it and explore it (maybe with a pocket watch), though I have some fine motor control issues. One day I'll be brave and experimental enough I guess.
Here's a direct link to the advanced search. It's quite straightforward, you just check the boxes next to the drawings which look like your movement and it does the rest.
http://www.ranfft.de/cgi-bin/bidfun-2uswk.cgi?1&ranfft
Most of the watches I own are old orients, seikos or dead brands from the 60s. As far as my knowledge goes I never found any clear indicator on the movement that it is a swiss one. One of them I know is a swiss movement from a professional watch maker I went to, though I didn't bother to ask much. This is due to most watch making here in egypt being more artesianal and less educational, as in most watch makers have internal names for movements rather than using the movements actual name. E.g "swesri malwo b rabt" (directly translated: swiss hand-wound screw-down)
Thanks for the reply, interesting to hear how things are in other countries
Most of the watches I own are old orients, seikos or dead brands from the 60s. As far as my knowledge goes I never found any clear indicator on the movement that it is a swiss one. One of them I know is a swiss movement from a professional watch maker I went to, though I didn't bother to ask much. This is due to most watch making here in egypt being more artesianal and less educational, as in most watch makers have internal names for movements rather than using the movements actual name. E.g "swesri malwo b rabt" (directly translated: swiss hand-wound screw-down)
I don't think you understand my comment my friend. No watch maker in egypt cares to know the exact specifics and codes of each movement. They refer to it in a sense of age/functionality. Not that most of the watches that come here have some magical movments. For example in the realm of cars you have a 1997 kia pride.... no one uses that name here. They call it " 'asfora 97" which translates to bird 97. Does that mean the mechanic that would fix it is incompetent? No that's just a naming convention.
Further I've never personally taken apart any of my watches, as I don't have the tools nor experience. With added value of most of the watches in my collection being orients/ seikos in the realm of 60~90s with some old dead brands from 60s to bellow.
Most of the watch makers/ Maintenance experts are artisanal. I.E they were hand taught to fix movements and identify parts by their family or from a more knowledgeable watchmaker. Most of them don't have a "professional" or studying mentality to watches. Though I can attest to their extreme efficiency and cost. In no other place in the world would a watch maker fully disassemble and service your watch in less than 4 hours and cost ya 150egp (>5$) (without any part replacement).
I don't think you understand my comment my friend. No watch maker in egypt cares to know the exact specifics and codes of each movement. They refer to it in a sense of age/functionality. Not that most of the watches that come here have some magical movments. For example in the realm of cars you have a 1997 kia pride.... no one uses that name here. They call it " 'asfora 97" which translates to bird 97. Does that mean the mechanic that would fix it is incompetent? No that's just a naming convention.
Further I've never personally taken apart any of my watches, as I don't have the tools nor experience. With added value of most of the watches in my collection being orients/ seikos in the realm of 60~90s with some old dead brands from 60s to bellow.
Ok my friend, I have trained many watchmakers from all over the world and when you bench test them it’s not on a movement with a random sobriquet. Just saying, also I love Seiko and can tell you what caliber is in any of them for the most part. Just FYI Seiko uses numbers for designation