Help with unknown Swiss movement

[JKL.]

Hi, is anyone able to identify the maker of this Swiss movement? It is from a trench watch dating to c1917. Thanks.

 

[MrRoundel]

Welcome to the NAWCC's watch forums.

Can you provide the diameter across the back of the movement in millimeters? It helps narrow things down a bit. I'm guessing that it is a 9-11 ligne movement, i.e. ~20-25mm, but having a smaller range helps when checking references. Cheers.

 

[JKL.]

Welcome to the NAWCC's watch forums.

Can you provide the diameter across the back of the movement in millimeters? It helps narrow things down a bit. I'm guessing that it is a 9-11 ligne movement, i.e. ~20-25mm, but having a smaller range helps when checking references. Cheers.

Thanks for taking a look MrRoundel. I have been a long time visitor to these forums, but only recently joined. Measuring the movement in the case, it is 27mm across., so I guess this is 12 ligne?

 

[MrRoundel]

Thanks for adding the diameter. Unfortunately, I can't ID it based on the bridge layout, etc. If someone like roughbarked , can't figure it out based on the same, you might have to have the dial removed to see the keyless works to have a better shot at it. Sorry about that. Good luck.

 

[JKL.]

Thanks, roughbarked. Ok, I've been collecting antique watches for a few years, but have never taken one apart. I guess it is time to start. Any tips? Tools?

 

[MrRoundel]

There are lots of tips and tutorials on youtube and elsewhere. Search "Removing watch dial", and you'll find lots. Removing the dial can be tricky, with the main risks coming from destroying the hands or the dial, or perhaps dropping the watch. The smaller they are, the easier they drop. This definitely hurts the value of any watch.

Is the watch a runner, or are you trying to ID it in order to be able to find a balance staff, mainspring, etc., for it? If it's running, I wouldn't risk messing it up by a bad dial removal. That said, we haven't seen the dial so maybe it's already messed up, so there would be less to lose.

 

[JKL.]

The watch is running well and the dial is in great condition. . I would just like to know who made it and I think I'm ready to take the next step and start opening up my watches. I have to start somewhere. Thanks for everyone's help, MrRoundel & roughbarked.

 

[MrRoundel]

Here's a link to a video of a guy removing the dial, and beyond, on a trench watch that looks similarly configured as yours. He loosens one dial screw, the cam screw in the back. I believe that yours has a second one that is next to the case screw across from the one he loosens on his. You may be able to see that cam screw by looking between the plates. That way you'll know when it is fully released. You don't want to forcefully pry the dial, as you could really damage it. I think that the dial of the watch in the video may have been cracked because someone didn't loosen that less visible dial screw some time in the distant past.

If you don't have a hand remover, you can use a sheet of plastic baggie over the hands to protect the dial. You then take two screwdrivers under, and on opposite sides of, the hour hand, and twist them in opposite directions to release the hands. This does have some risk if the hands are stuck to any great degree, so be careful and/or wait until you have a proper hand removing tool.

Of course, once removed, you will have to reinstall, and that comes with its own challenges. This is especially true with a less extensive tool set. Good luck.

Trench tear-down