Systems for measuring movement size and thickness

May 30, 2021,16:18 PM
 

Great question but I can only give you a partial explanation of the movement descriptions for these shaped calibres.  There were industry conventions to describe movement sizes and we are all familiar with the ligne of 2.256mm used to indicate the width of a movement.  Another system was also used to express thickness, based on 1/12th ligne (douzième), ie, a thickness of 15/12 lignes is 2.82mm.  Looking through V&C's photo archives, I see this method of recording movement thickness appeared from 1910 to 1920.


Yet another system was used to account for movements which have the size of back plate different from the front plate.  This was also expressed as two numbers but not using a base of "12".  Below you can see "Savonette" pocket watches with back plate measuring 20''' and front plate of 22 lignes width, etc. 

Unfortunately, applying this system to the movement you are referring to would give an unrealistic result for a wrist watch.  On this page, you can also see a bracelet watch from 1913 with movement described as 9 - 19/19.  I can only speculate this is still a measure of thickness but following another convention.  I would greatly appreciate if anyone can shed some light on this!




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 By: Tick Talk : May 28th, 2021-21:12
Inspired by the Harmony watches of fellow Vachonistas and the piece unique American 1921 recently introduced, I've reached into the vault for this feature on shaped watches. But first, an explanation of model numbers. Image credit Vacheron Constantin unle...  

Great post Dean +++++

 
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I was quite excited by the Ref 6984

 
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Any chance you can post that beauty on the Front Page where these are posted-please?

This is a thread on tonneau shapes

 
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there is no logical connection here, nor with Front Page as far as I can see. You have such a deep interest in this one piece, perhaps contact Alex directly?

OK...I have spoke with Alex

 
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Hard to believe it's going nowhere

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 By: teacher Sun : May 30th, 2021-03:01
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Systems for measuring movement size and thickness

 
 By: Tick Talk : May 30th, 2021-16:18
Great question but I can only give you a partial explanation of the movement descriptions for these shaped calibres. There were industry conventions to describe movement sizes and we are all familiar with the ligne of 2.256mm used to indicate the width of...  

thank you very much

 
 By: teacher Sun : May 31st, 2021-00:33