FE 163

 
FE 163 | 17jewels.info - The Movement Archive

FE 163

Description

1965, the most important french ebauche manufacturies united as France Ebauches, which was very successful in the 1970ies and 1980ies, especially on the german lower price market.

From that period, probably from the late 1970ies dates the ladies' watch form movement FE 163, which was a direct competitor of the FHF/Standard caliber 69 with its rather larger dimensions of 6 3/4 x 8 lignes.

Die FE 163 works with contemporary mid-speed 21600 A/h. The annular balance is beared in two M.T.Antichoc shock protection bearings and controls a conventional pallet lever movement. The size allows a power reserve of almost two days. And since the minute wheel is ruby-beared, the important number of seventeen jewels could be achived without cap jewels.

FE 163: FE 163 dial side

FE 163 dial side

On the dial side, you see the yoke winding system and the escapement wheel, which is easily reachable for cleaning purposes.

In the lab

The movement shown here came in clean and well working condition into the 17jewels.info lab, so a service was not made, only a minor adjustment of beat error and rates.

The measured values are great! In all positions within the chronometer specs, only the amplitude is a bit low on the hanging positions, maybe it's yet time for a minor service.

Timegrapher result



horizontal positions
dial up +3 s/d 249° 0.2ms
dial down +1 s/d 252° 0.1ms
vertical positions
crown right (12 up) +-0 s/d 221° 0.3ms
crown up (3 up) +2 s/d 203° 0.2ms
crown left (6 up) +4 s/d 214° 0.4ms
crown down (9 up) +5 s/d 207° 0.0ms

Technical data

Manufacturer:FE
Caliber:163
Size:6 3/4 x 8''' (measured: 15,4 x 17,7mm)
A/h:21600
lift angle:52°
Number of jewels:17
Escapement:Pallet lever
Balance types: Nickel anular balance
Shock protection(s): M.T.Antichoc
Balance bearing / direction hairspring:Counterclockwise
Moveable stud:yes
Adjust mechanism:Hairspring key
Construction:
  • lever
  • escape wheel, seconds wheel, third wheel, center minute wheel
  • mainspring barrel
Construction type:solid construction
Winding mechanism:yoke winding system
Setting lever spring:5 hole(s)

Usage gallery

FE 163: Prätina ladies' watch

Prätina ladies' watch

The specimen shown here is from the Prätina ladies' watch and is a kind donation of Gundula Stein and her sister. Thank you very much!