pocket watch

[osiris]

hey all this watch is in need of repair this is the one that i posted without a pic and its markings are in french not sure of maker no markings on dial and galonne ithink is the silver smith marking anyone can u please help would like to have restored but on the fence because of condition any info would be great

[Ray MacDonald]

Swiss make - 3/4 plate three finger bridge which would date it from 1890-1910 I think. The hands look sort of Art Nouveau but they don't appear to match. The subsecond hand is missing and the dial looks as if it has rust on it. I'd say it's in pretty poor condition although it was a nice watch in its time - 15 jewels, Breguet hairspring, compensated balance, double roller, lever escapement.

[craigkasmin]

Looks like a real quality piece -- any thoughts on why it isn't working? Could just need a good cleaning. Wouldn't hurt just to get an estimate. Good luck.

[bjohnson]

Perhaps I'm amiss, but aren't 3/4 plate and three finger birdge mutually exclusive descriptions?

I think this it a three finger birdge and NOT a 3/4 plate

[aditya]

Swiss make - 3/4 plate three finger bridge which would date it from 1890-1910 I think. The hands look sort of Art Nouveau but they don't appear to match. The subsecond hand is missing and the dial looks as if it has rust on it. I'd say it's in pretty poor condition although it was a nice watch in its time - 15 jewels, Breguet hairspring, compensated balance, double roller, lever escapement.


and a swan neck regulator...... a sure sign of quality.

I agree with bjohnson reg. 3/4 plate vs 3 finger bridge.

Kind regards

Aditya

[Ray MacDonald]

No I wouldn't say mutually exclusive. Swiss 3/4 and 1/2 plate movements can be distinguished from bar movements which are earlier than 1890 for sure. This one is definitely not a bar movement as it does have the 3/4 plate *and* it features the 3 finger bridge. Probably 3 finger bridge would be enough to describe it though.

[osiris]

hey guys thanks for the help i had no clue of date watch dial is in alright shape except that it is worn through at the 2 and 8 hands are alittle bent but worth looking into having fixed i like the look of this piece thanks again for info

[bjohnson]

No I wouldn't say mutually exclusive. Swiss 3/4 and 1/2 plate movements can be distinguished from bar movements which are earlier than 1890 for sure. This one is definitely not a bar movement as it does have the 3/4 plate *and* it features the 3 finger bridge. Probably 3 finger bridge would be enough to describe it though.
Time for me to learn something.

What is a 3/4 plate? I thought it was when the top plate was one piece that covered 3/4 of the movement.

What is a bar movement?

[Ray MacDonald]

Here is how I interpret it. I may not be 100% correct though. I stand open to correction by a real watchmaker.
A 3/4 plate movement has 1/4 of a full plate cut out. You can still have various bridges that make up the remaining 3/4. It doesn't have to be one piece.
A bar movement usually has a series of parallel or converging bars that hold things in place instead of a top plate. It is quite a common movement in European pocket watches from (say) 1840-1885.

[bjohnson]

Where is the 3/4 plate on this one?

does have the 3/4 plate *and* it features the 3 finger bridge

[Ray MacDonald]

Probably you are right. The area where the balance is cut out did look like a 3/4 plate design to me. I don't think it's a bar movement though either, because it definitely has plates.

[aditya]

Here's my amateurish understanding of the different constructions

1) Full plate: balance cock on top of back plate
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h36/asambhare/watchesGen/full_plate.jpg

2) 3/4 plate: balance cock on same level as back plate. all other wheels under a single back plate.
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h36/asambhare/watchesGen/3quarter_plate.jpg

3) Lepine or Finger-bridge: Each wheel under its own cock/bridge.
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h36/asambhare/watchesGen/lepine.jpg

The subject of this post has later keyless winding. So the barrel bridge also carries the keyless-work &transmission-rachet wheels. Also, the centre and third wheels are under one bridge.

Kind regards

Aditya

[Ray MacDonald]

Yes I think that is probably the definitive answer. Thanks for your post.
The one that was confusing me had a combination of plate and finger, but definitely not a single 3/4 plate or combination of plates covering 3/4 of the back.