Ronda 433

 
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Ronda 433

Description

Ronda AG in Lausen (Switzerland) made their own inhouse entry-level movements from 1961 till the 80ies. The variety of movement was very big, ranging from simple pin lever movements to a microrotor automatic.

Among the latest movements of medium quality is the simple but true pallet lever movement Ronda 433, which bases on the pin lever caliber 1413. It was released in the 1970ies.

The Ronda 433 has got a diameter of 10 1/2 lignes and is equipped with 17 jewels.

Video on YouTube

The caliber 433, which bases on the base caliber Ronda 1413 is a movement in pillar construction, which is partially made like a Roskopf movement. More about that later.

Ronda 433: gear works

gear works

After releasing the top plate, you’ll be surprised not to find a pin lever, but a true swiss pallet lever.

The gear works are already modern made, with directly driven center second and missing minute wheel. The mainspring barrel drives the second wheel (at 1 o’clock) on the movement side.

A little odd is the position of the setting lever: It is located on the main plate (at 8 o’clock) and not, as usual, on the dial side.

Ronda 433: side view of the gears

side view of the gears

How cost-efficient that movement was constructed can be seen on the balance statt: The ring balance with beats with contemporary 21600 A/h is located under a punched kind-of balance bridge, which is in fact only a balance cock, whose other end lies on the top main plate. And even more surprisingly, there are no ruby bearings for the balance, but two plastic(!) bearings.

To still achieve the number of 17 jewels, this movement has got lots of cap jewels. The three ones on top, which are attached on an own plate, have no real function, the movement works as good with, or without them.

Ronda 433: main plate

main plate

The hands are driven on the dial side via the mainspring barrel.

Ronda 433: double cannon pinion for the minute hand

double cannon pinion for the minute hand

The minute wheel is made of a cannon pinion with two gears at the one end.

Ronda 433: Here, the double minute hand is positioned.

Here, the double minute hand is positioned.

The lower gear is driven by the outer gear of the mainspring barrel, the higher gear drives the exchange wheel. This is different to a Roskopf movement, where there’s no exchange wheel, since both hands would be driven by gears on top of the mainspring barrel.

Ronda 433: Ronda 433 dial side

Ronda 433 dial side

The Ronda 433 has got a rocking bar winding mechanism and a click mechanism on the dial side, which is pretty well made. The used rubies are also of better quality since they are domed and contain reservoirs for the oil.

In the lab

The specimen shown here came as completely gummed NOS movement into the lab and got a full service. After that, it still did not run. Further investigation showed, that the height adjustment of the balance cock was completely wrong and the balance wheel was stucked into the plastic bearings.

With a tiny distance ring and a screw, which was fixed by nail polish, the height adjustment could be fixed and the balance now beats with perfect amplitude, like on the its first day after production.

Timegrapher result

On the timegrapher, the movement shows rates, which are ok. Nevertheless, the maximum position difference of 50 secs per day is way too much for a pallet lever movement.
crown right (12 up)

crown right (12 up)

crown up (3 up)

crown up (3 up)

crown left (6 up)

crown left (6 up)

crown down (9 up)

crown down (9 up)

dial up

dial up

dial down

dial down


horizontal positions
dial up+25 s/d
dial down+-0 s/d
vertical positions
crown right (12 up)+25 s/d
crown up (3 up)+50 s/d
crown left (6 up)+45 s/d
crown down (9 up)+50 s/d
Timegrapher output

Technical data

Manufacturer:Ronda
Caliber:433
Size:10 1/2''' (measured: 23,6mm)
A/h:21600
lift angle:52°
Number of jewels:17
Escapement:Pallet lever
Balance types: Nickel anular balance
Shock protection(s): none
Balance bearing / direction hairspring:Counterclockwise
Moveable stud:yes
Adjust mechanism:Hairspring key
Construction:
  • lever
  • escape wheel, seconds wheel, third wheel, large driving wheel, mainspring barrel
Construction type:pillar construction
Winding mechanism:rocking bar winding system
Setting lever spring:4 hole(s)
Features:
  • SCD (direct center seconds)

Usage gallery

Ronda 433: Parker de Luxe mens' watch

Parker de Luxe mens' watch