Villeret 423

Description

The red-gold toned Villeret 423, also known as Aurore-Villeret 423, probably dates from the 1950ies.

Villeret was at the time part of the Ebauches SA, where it was divided up, which manufacturer had to produce which kinds of movements. For simple manual wind movement without complications, it was mainly Peseux to be responsible, so that Villeret with an almost identical product range (flat manual wind movements without center second) got behind. Accordingly rare are the Villeret movements, while the similar flat Peseux movements (mainly caliber 320) are pretty common.

The Villeret 423 stands out with its very flat construction and a very well made execution, here with shock protected Glucydur balance.

Except for the minute- and mainspring barrel bearing, all bearings of the gear train are equipped with rubies, the movement side excapement wheel bearing even with a cap jewels. This totals up to 17 jewels.

The gear train is truely classic, with directly driven minute wheel and decentral second (if used) at 6 o’clock.

The gold toned Glucydur screw balance is beared in two Incabloc shock protections and beats slowly with 18000 A/h. It regulates a classic swiss pallet lever movement.

There are no surprises on the dial side - of yourse you find a yoke winding system here.

In the lab

Timegrapher result

Except for two positions, the rates are great, only the amplitude is quite low. This is an indication, that it is due for service. Nevertheless, it is remarkable, how well that 50 year old movement performs.

Technical data