Bifora 85

 
Bifora 85 | 17jewels.info - The Movement Archive

Bifora 85

Description

One of the most beautiful after-WW-II movements from Bifora was the 8 3/4 ligne caliber 85, the successor of the Bifora 84/1.

Bifora 85: base plate

base plate

On the pretty small (only 19 millimeters diameter), you can see the well made finish of the movement. All important bearings except mainspring barrel and center minute wheel are equipped with rubies and the balance is already shock protected.

Bifora 85: gear train

gear train

The gear train is a classical construction, state of the art of the early 1950ies. The center minute wheel is direcly driven by the mainspring barrel, followed by third wheel, seconds wheel at 6 o’clock (which carries the decentral second hand) and stell escapement wheel. This one has got a cap jewel for its movement side bearing.

Bifora 85: side view of the gear train

side view of the gear train

The Bifora 85 has got a golden toned screw balance, which is already beared in two inhouse Bishock shock protections. Its frequency of 18000 A/h can be fine-tuned by a long regulator arm. The escapement is a swiss pallet lever escapement.

Bifora 85: Bifora 85: Dial side

Bifora 85: Dial side

Looking on the dial side, you don’t think at first, that this is a movement from then 1950ies, since it already looks pretty modern. Of course, the Bifora 85 uses a yoke winding system - a detail, which is not yet present on its successor.

In the lab

The specimen shown here was resinified and has a loose balance cock, so it got a full cleaning treatment. Afterwards, it became clear, that the hairspring lost its shape and kind of falls onto the legs of the balance. In addition to the very compact construction around the balance, it is impossible for a non-watchmaker to fix this.

Technical data

Manufacturer:Bifora
Caliber:81
Size:8 3/4''' (measured: 19,3mm)
A/h:18000
lift angle:51.5°
Number of jewels:17
Escapement:Pallet lever
Balance types: Nickel anular balance
Shock protection(s): Bidlingmaier (Bifora)
Balance bearing / direction hairspring:Clockwise
Moveable stud:no
Adjust mechanism:Long regulator arm
Construction:
  • lever
  • escape wheel, seconds wheel, third wheel
  • center minute wheel
  • mainspring barrel
Construction type:solid construction
Winding mechanism:rocking bar winding system
Setting lever spring:5 hole(s)
Features:
  • SCD (direct center seconds)
Production period:1958 - 1962
References: Flume: 1962 3
Mentioning in literature (years): 1959
Production years:1958-1962
Inventory number:15019

Usage gallery

Bifora 85: Bifora ladies' watch

Bifora ladies' watch

Bifora 85: Bifora ladies' watch

Bifora ladies' watch

This movement and watch was kindly donated by Erwin. Thank you very much for the support of the archive!