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.
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: |
|
Construction type: | solid construction |
Winding mechanism: | yoke winding system |
Setting lever spring: | 5 hole(s) |