AS 1199

Description

The AS 1199 shown here is a high class pin lever movement, which actually did not exist. Why? It’s because in the literature, there exists only an EB 1199, which the note, that AS pin lever movements were produced by the Ebauches Bettlach (EB). The reason for that is, that (probably in the 1930ies) , there was a specialization within the Ebauches SA with the result, that pin lever movements, which were formerly produced by the AS, from then on were produced by the Ebauches Bettlach.

It looks, like this specimen was made in the short timespan, in which the AS made their own pin lever movements, or it was just a misprint.

The AS 1199 has got a diameter of 10 1/2 lignes and is a Roskopf construction, but it differs in some details from that construction type.

Die base plate shows, that it is a high class manual wind movement, although it was only a pillar construction. All important bearings are equipped with synthetic rubies, 15 in total.

But even better: The movement side bearings of second and third wheel have cap jewels, which are bordered and bolted from the inside of the top plate. Aesthetically very impressive!

The AS 1199 has got the usual Roskopf gear train, which in contrast to the gear train of classical swiss lever movement, one transmission step was saved. The mainspring barrel is overdimensional large and reaches over the center of the movement. The following second and third wheel are also larger (and have more teeth) and finally the silver toned escapement wheel has got only 15 teeth instead of 18, which were standard on true Roskopf movements.

The indirectly driven center seconds wheel is located on the dial side. It is driven by its outer sprocket by the outer sprocked of the bottom located seconds wheel.

As escapement, a pin lever escapement is used, whose execution is visually and technically well made. You can see, how the lever was balanced:

As said, the AS 1199 has got a pin lever escapement, whose screw-less anular ring balance beats with 18000 A/h, which is unusual for Roskopf movements, since they usually beat with 17280 A/h. Of course it is not yet shock protected, but at least, it has got a long regulator arm for adjustment of the frequency.

On the empty dial side, you can easily spot the yoke winding system - an indication for a movement of better quality.

The center second indication is an own module with gear and plate, which is mounted on the dial side. Its axle carries the minute wheel, which means, that the time indication (minutes and hours) is also driven indirectly.

As common on Roskopf movements, the cannon pinion is driven by a moveable wheel on top of the mainspring barrel. Unlink on real Roskopf movements, the AS 1199 drives the hour wheel by an changer wheel and not by the double wheel on top of the mainspring barrel. This is a renunciation of the Roskopf construction and an indication of a modern constructed lever movement.

You can clearly see the “AS 1199” mark on the dial side. In literature, an AS 1199 does not exist, but only this movement as “EB 1199”, so the specimen shown here is a true rarity!

In the lab

Timegrapher result

Of course, on a 70 year old movement, the oil has dried and so, the timegrapher results were quite poor - as expected. After a service, it should perform significantly better.

Technical data

Usage gallery