FE 163

 
FE 163 | 17jewels.info - The Movement Archive

FE 163

Description

In 1965, the most important french ebauche producers formed the so-called France Ebauches, which was especially in the 1970s and 1980s very much present in the lower price range on the german market.

FE 163: with M.T.Antichoc protection

with M.T.Antichoc protection

From this time, probably from the late 1970s, originates the ladies' watch form movement FE 163, which because of its larger size of 6 3/4 x 8 lignes was a direct competitor of the FHF/Standard 69-21.

FE 163: base plate

base plate

The base plate shows, how well the movement was made, all important gears, including the minute wheel, are ruby-beared. This ruby bears allows the well-marketable number of 17 jewels without the use of cap jewels.

FE 163: gear train

gear train

The gear train construction is typical for a form movement of that size.

The mainspring barrel drives the center minute wheel, followed by third- and seconds wheel, and finally the escape wheel.

Since there’s few space available, the bearings of third- and seconds wheel are above the escape wheel, effectively a 1 1/2 storey construction.

FE 163: side view of the gear train

side view of the gear train

The three-leg anular balance is beared in a pair of french shock protections of different kinds (known are at least M.T.Antichoc and Antichoc 108) and works with 21600 A/h.

The regulation is done directly at the hairspring key, but the result is phenomenal - one the the speciment shown here is within the chronometer spec in all positions!

FE 163: ratchet

ratchet

The two-part ratchet consists of the locking cone and a spring and is located below the ratchet wheel. The pin of the ratchet is only punched out, not a very beautiful solution, but functionally sufficient.

FE 163: FE 163: Dial side

FE 163: Dial side

On the dial side, you see the yoke winding system and the escape wheel, which is freely accessible in large parts and hence easy to clean and oil.

FE 163: Dial side with M.T.Antichoc

Dial side with M.T.Antichoc

In the lab

The specimen with the M.T.Antichoc shock protection came in clean working condition into the movement archive lab, and had no need for a service. It was only adjusted a bit.

It hardly can be better, in all positions within the chronometer specs, only the amplitude is a bit low in the hanging positions, and could indicate the need for a professional 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): Antichoc 102
Antichoc 108
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)
Inventory number:23029

Usage gallery

FE 163: Prätina ladies' watch (M.T.Antichoc)

Prätina ladies' watch (M.T.Antichoc)

FE 163: Prätina ladies' watch (Antichoc 108)

Prätina ladies' watch (Antichoc 108)

The specimen shown here in the Prätina ladies' watch with the M.T.Antichoc is a kind donation from Gundula Stein and her sister, and the movement in the Prätina ladies' watch with the Antichoc 108 is a kind donation from Lars Schröder. Thank you very much for your great support!