Do movements come on different sizes or does one size have to fit all?

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tikkathree
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Do movements come on different sizes or does one size have to fit all?

Post by tikkathree »

Did you ever pop the back off a watch and be surprised that the movement doesn't exactly fill the case?

I was surprised when I popped my new-to-me C60 MkI and found the movement sitting in a spacer/holder.

My Planet Ocean is even worse....

Why is my immediate reaction always one of disappointment?Image

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C60 MKI, MKII, MKIII: "some",
C6 & C60 Kingfishers,
C600 Tritechs,
C63 "some",
C65 "some",
C4, C40, C8, C9, C3, C5, C20 & 23FLE
Some other brands
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Amor Vincit Omnia
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Re: Do movements come on different sizes or does one size have to fit all?

Post by Amor Vincit Omnia »

Thinking about this logically, I can see where you are coming from, but...

An off-the-shelf movement like the 2824 or the SW200 is a specific size, so the question must be: what is the smallest case that can accommodate it?

My first two CWs were very different in size (C8 and C5) yet they had the same movement, so obviously the C8 must have had a lot of space to fill.

Unless you are going to create a movement specifically to fit a case, à la manufacture, then you are always likely to experience this.

It's something I never actually see, since I don't take the backs off.
Steve
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tikkathree
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Re: Do movements come on different sizes or does one size have to fit all?

Post by tikkathree »

Amor Vincit Omnia wrote: Mon Feb 17, 2020 8:29 am Thinking about this logically, I can see where you are coming from, but...

An off-the-shelf movement like the 2824 or the SW200 is a specific size, so the question must be: what is the smallest case that can accommodate it?

My first two CWs were very different in size (C8 and C5) yet they had the same movement, so obviously the C8 must have had a lot of space to fill.

Unless you are going to create a movement specifically to fit a case, à la manufacture, then you are always likely to experience this.
I think my first inception of one size fitting all was when I was putting together a new case, dial & hands set with a new 7750 movement; at the time I had a number of wobblers in different sizes. My worry was of buying a movement which then wouldn't fit the movement holder and quick emails to the two vendors and my preferred "watch assembler" confirmed that I had no cause for concern.

I think my next "anxious moment" came on buying an Omega chrono, my first, and metaphorically finding a beautiful yolk sitting centrally and surrounded by an expanse of white: had I bought a frankenfake? No obviously not.

I'm completely relaxed about battery watches having a tiny movement barely any bigger than the fuel cell; it's the mechanicals which still cause me a second look. I try to tell myself that a smaller, more compact movement is lighter and arguably, has fewer issues with cenrifugal forces acting upon it - like I know what I'm talking about hahahha!
Amor Vincit Omnia wrote: Mon Feb 17, 2020 8:29 am It's something I never actually see, since I don't take the backs off.

Oh the things you're missing, you're denying yourself about 30% of the pleasure of the watch. But at least you don't know about accumulations of cheese such as visible in the lower left corner of my photo. :oops: :silent: :oops:
C60 MKI, MKII, MKIII: "some",
C6 & C60 Kingfishers,
C600 Tritechs,
C63 "some",
C65 "some",
C4, C40, C8, C9, C3, C5, C20 & 23FLE
Some other brands
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Amor Vincit Omnia
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Re: Do movements come on different sizes or does one size have to fit all?

Post by Amor Vincit Omnia »

Again, I may be talking rubbish here, but my concern with a small movement in a large case would be the length of crown stem required. Possible issue with fragility?
Steve
Linguist; retired teacher; pilgrim; apprentice travel writer

Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time


Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. (Max Ehrmann)
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tikkathree
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Re: Do movements come on different sizes or does one size have to fit all?

Post by tikkathree »

Amor Vincit Omnia wrote: Mon Feb 17, 2020 4:07 pm Again, I may be talking rubbish here, but my concern with a small movement in a large case would be the length of crown stem required. Possible issue with fragility?
Well, I would refer my learned colleague to the vast array of large case quartz watches only some of which, I surmise, would have some bushing in the crown tube to serve the dual purposes of preventing the ingress of water and support the stem. Beyond that I'm in the world of "citizen science" ie waffle and bluster! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
C60 MKI, MKII, MKIII: "some",
C6 & C60 Kingfishers,
C600 Tritechs,
C63 "some",
C65 "some",
C4, C40, C8, C9, C3, C5, C20 & 23FLE
Some other brands
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Amor Vincit Omnia
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Re: Do movements come on different sizes or does one size have to fit all?

Post by Amor Vincit Omnia »

Well, I'm all in favour of a spot of bushing in the crown tube.
Steve
Linguist; retired teacher; pilgrim; apprentice travel writer

Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time


Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. (Max Ehrmann)
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tikkathree
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Re: Do movements come on different sizes or does one size have to fit all?

Post by tikkathree »

Amor Vincit Omnia wrote: Mon Feb 17, 2020 7:53 pm Well, I'm all in favour of a spot of bushing in the crown tube.
Would you consider it preferable to Much Binding in the Marsh?

[youtube]http://youtu.be/Fu44j-ZUKNU[/youtube]
C60 MKI, MKII, MKIII: "some",
C6 & C60 Kingfishers,
C600 Tritechs,
C63 "some",
C65 "some",
C4, C40, C8, C9, C3, C5, C20 & 23FLE
Some other brands
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Re: Do movements come on different sizes or does one size have to fit all?

Post by Wis »

Amor Vincit Omnia wrote: Mon Feb 17, 2020 7:53 pm Well, I'm all in favour of a spot of bushing in the crown tube.
I say, steady on old chap! :lol:
Bjørn
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