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Caliber 861 -- Factory L -- and a magic show
6.5'" 16J; Sat, 14 December 2019 19:40
Maker: Factory L
Size: 6.5 ligne
Jewel Markings: 16 Jewels
Adj Markings: 4 Adj
Config: Hunter
Dial feet: 1 & 6.25 positions
Dial release mech: side screws
Example date: late 1922-1923
Sister caliber to the 849. Note the difference in train jewel orientation on back plate, setting bits and layout on front plate. This is a later version, now no longer marked "Gruen Watch Co" or "Gruen Watch Co Factory L" but transitioned to "Gruen Guild". This would be ca. 1923, possibly later 1922. Apologies for the poor quality photos of the back plate, it's currently fully disassembled for service, so can't get better for now.
Note that the machining Gruen did to remove any maker's marks has also totally effaced the Serial Number on this one. A little magic trick happened when I viewed the pic I took at the watchmaker's yesterday--some of the maker's stampings that were machined off the front plate by Gruen partially re-emerged! If you look closely at the front plate pic: by the click spring you can see writing ending in "Co.", and more writing in lower/left center. I assure you, these marks are ground completely away and cannot be seen by the eye or under a loup (I also find evidence of machining down on my 849s). No matter what I did, I could not replicate this. Now you know where to look for any remnants on yours--best of luck! So close to Factory L, but so far!
Any forensic science hobbyists out there? Or any idea of the base metal of these plates? I know there are reagents that can make all these stamps reappear clearly.
The caliber database |
4 comments
Caliber 96 (United Watch Co + Gruen Guarantee)
Marc Favre, 10L, OF, 15J; Tue, 03 December 2019 23:47
Maker: Marc Favre
Size: 10 ligne
Config: Open Face
Dial feet: 10.5 & 4.5 positions
Dial release mech: side screws
Example date: ca. 1912
Variants: sister Caliber 97 (possibly hunter config?)
The Caliber date table I've seen lists the introduction date for Caliber 96 as 1917. That is not the case. Here is an early version, made 1912-1913, marked "United W. Co" & "Guarantee Gruen" (transitional, pre-"Gruen Guarantee"). Back plate stamped "Fifteen 15 Jewels", not marked for adjustments. Front plate stamped with lot code "24". Ceramic dial, back marked only "Suisse".
I've noted later examples, with cases stamped "96", and here is the image from the 1939 parts catalog:
The caliber database |
16 comments
Calibers 794, 794(S), 794(7) -- WSC, Factory F, Guild
Evolution of movements & variants; Tue, 12 November 2019 22:39
(edited to correct "Factory F" to Frey--not Favre  )
Size: 10.5 ligne
Config: Open Face
Dial feet: 11 & 5 positions
Dial release mech: friction (no screws)
Variants: 794 (15j, no seconds), 794s (15j, sub-seconds), 7497 (17j, no seconds)
I've just found several variants of this caliber in my collection--all from ca1920 to 1922--thought it might be interesting to see what changed & what didn't. Two are marked "Factory F," and all appear to have been finished by Frey vs. ebauched.
I'm noticing that all "Factory F" marked watches from this period that I own or see on the forum share the same simple stud carrier & click. All mine also have a 6 digit progressive serial number stamped on the front plate by the winding works. May help point out what's Frey finished vs. a Frey ebauche finished at another factory, if others have noticed the same.
They all seem to have 3 adjustments, too...
201203 - factory F stamped; no caliber # stamped
203644 - factory F stamped; no caliber # stamped; G Pilot Quality 10.5L case # 610367 engraved "1920"
Frey W Co (Delmar): sn 240775, now with 1922 tariff stamps
The caliber database |
2 comments
Cal 103
Fri, 18 October 2019 15:00
Has anyonw ever come across a caliber 103 movement? This is the first time I have seen one.
The 1926 Supplement B Parts Catalog shows it, it is 8 ligne (althought actually I measure 7.85 ligne), the catalog says 15 and 16 jewels, but it actally is 17 jewels 4 Adjustments. Mikes book lists it as introdcued 1917 which is well possible. Numbers only for jewels /adj, no jewel or adjustment count in words.
Marked Gruen W. Co., so it may be a in house movement? It appears to be very light weight, almost as it were made of aluminium.
The caliber database |
20 comments
Precision Caliber 90 / 91 / 92 / 93 (Gruen Watch Co.)
11'", 15 (90/91) or 17 (92/93) jewel, Manual wind; Mon, 07 October 2019 17:13
Based on the many discussions around cals 91-92-93 recently, wanted to share this example. Stamped as cal 92, seemingly cataloged as cal 93. Interesting setting mechanism.
Introduction date: 1911
Identification method: "92" stamped both on back of dial & between bridges. I also say caliber 93, as this appears to be an orphaned radium dial version of Strap model 12 (note hands vs Strap 11 shown with radium dial), which Master Book lists as caliber 93
Size: 11'"
Thickness: 4mm
Jewel marks: 17 Seventeen
Adj marks: Adjusted Temp
Other marks: movement # stamped on front plate & bridge, "Suisse" stamped on back plate near barrel bridge, "15078" stamped on back of dial (dial serial #??)
Example production date: 1923-1924, based on movement #
Dial feet locations: 1130 & 530 positions
Dial attachment means: side screws
   
The caliber database |
1 comment
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