Felsa 66
Description
A representative of the further uncommon ellipse shaped ladies' watch movements in the Felsa 66, which was probably made in the 1930ies.
Besides the swiss original version, there was at least one export version with only six jewels (since the US import taxes depended on the number of jewels) and a modified winding bridge with a suboptimal click mechanism.
Video on YouTubeThe Felsa 66 is a typical swiss pallet lever movement.
gears and trains
The screw balance is not shock protected, of course, and was available as true bimetal balance (with full cuts) and with a fake bimetal-lookalike finish, where the cuts were only half of the balance height and had no functional impact at all.
bimetal balance (full cut a 7 o'clock)
The balance was beating with contemporarily slow 18000 A/h.
side view of the gears
The silver colored export version did not contain jewel bearings, besides for the balance. On the original swiss version had jewels on all bearings, except on the minute wheel bearing.
base plate
There are many holes on the dial side, which is good for servicing the movement and oiling the lever pallets.
Felsa 66 dial side - export version
The Felsa 66 has got a yoke winding system with a setting lever angle with two holes.
In the lab
Timegrapher result
The export movement showed poor performance on all positions. Probably the balance wheel is a little bit bent and the hairspring is also out of position, which you can see on the large beat error on all positions.
crown right (12 up)
crown up (3 up)
crown left (6 up)
crown down (9 up)
dial up
dial down
| horizontal positions | |
|---|---|
| dial up | +150 s/d |
| dial down | +30 s/d |
| vertical positions | |
| crown right (12 up) | +270 s/d |
| crown up (3 up) | -180 s/d |
| crown left (6 up) | -270 s/d |
| crown down (9 up) | -560 s/d |
Technical data
| Manufacturer: | Felsa |
| Caliber: | 66 |
| Size: | 6 1/2''' (measured: 14,6 x 25,1mm) |
| A/h: | 18000 |
| Number of jewels: | 6/15 |
| Escapement: | Pallet lever |
| Balance types: |
Nickel screw balance bimetallic screw balance |
| Shock protection(s): |
none |
| Balance bearing / direction hairspring: | Clockwise |
| Moveable stud: | no |
| Adjust mechanism: | Long regulator arm |
| Construction: |
|
| Construction type: | solid construction |
| Winding mechanism: | yoke winding system |
| Setting lever spring: | 2 hole(s) |
| References: |
Flume: K1 128 |
Usage gallery
Arcadia ladies' watch
Para ladies' watch (dial only)