ETA 1256

 
ETA 1256 | 17jewels.info - The Movement Archive

ETA 1256

Description

The ETA 1256, which debuted 1950, was the first selfwinding movement of the Grenchen manufactury. It already used a very modern selfwinding mechanism, which winds the movement in both directions.

The ETA 1256 is the prime father of all ETA selfwinding movements ever made.

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The specimen shown here was also used by Benrus under their own caliber name CF 1.

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The spring less click reverser with double click wheel allowed, that the oscillating weight winds in both directions.

Video on YouTube

The spring less click reverser with double click wheel allowed, that the oscillating weight winds in both directions.

ETA 1256: top view selfwinding mechanism

top view selfwinding mechanism

The oscillating weight is beared on a conical shaped axle, which avoids running out bushings. This very effective type of bearing was used until in the sixties, ETA used ball bearings.

ETA 1256: bottom view selfwinding mechanism

bottom view selfwinding mechanism

The oscillating weight wheel always turns the outermost winding up wheel (at “4”) and the upper pawl winding wheel (at “2”). The tricky part is now, that the upper(!) pawl winding wheel corresponds with the driving gear (at “1:30”), while the lower pawl winding wheel is connected to the outermost winding wheel. According to the turning direction of the oscillating weight, both pawl winding wheel run either synchronously or the upper wheel spins freely, while the lower wheel is driven and thus reverses the direction.

ETA 1256: movement view without selfwinding mechanism

movement view without selfwinding mechanism

The ETA 1256 bases on the “old” movement family with directly driven minute hand, of which for example the ETA 1081 is a member.

Its screw balance (which is beared in the specimen shown here in a patented Benrus shock protection) beats with contemporary slow 18000 A/h.

The hairspring (here in the beautiful top class Nivarox-I-type) is still fix connected to the balance cock and can be regulated due to the shock protection system on the hairspring key only.

The movement bridges look a bit like a prototype, especially with all its cutted out parts. In terms of quality, this pallet lever movement, whose 17 jewels are all used in the time works, it is very good one!

ETA 1256: detail: coupling clutch

detail: coupling clutch

Under the loupe, you can see the two parts of the pawl winding wheel: In one direction, the click runs freely, in the other one, it is blocked by the “dots” and drives the other wheel.

ETA 1256: main plate

main plate

On the dial side, you see nex to the Benrus inhouse shock protection the yoke winding system, whose setting lever spring has got only one hole.

As on many old movements, a partial minute dial is engraved, which allows a regulation of the movement without mounted dial. This was helpful in times, when not every shop had got a timegrapher.

ETA 1256: ETA 1256 dial side view

ETA 1256 dial side view

Timegrapher result

The specimen shown here, was completely gummed and showed signs of water damage. It had to be cleaned and overhauled competely.
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

Technical data

Manufacturer:ETA
Caliber:1256
Size:11 1/2''' (measured: 25,5mm)
A/h:18000
lift angle:52.23°
Number of jewels:17
Escapement:Pallet lever
Balance types: Nickel screw balance
Shock protection(s): ?
Balance bearing / direction hairspring:Clockwise
Moveable stud:no
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:1 hole(s)
Features:
  • SCD (direct center seconds)
  • AUT (selfwinding)
Production period:1950-1954
References: Flume: 1952 64
Mentioning in literature (years): 1959
Production years:1950-1961
Production figures:1.760.102 (1256, 1257, 1258, 1259)

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