FHF 11

 
FHF 11 | 17jewels.info - The Movement Archive

FHF 11

Description

Around the turn of the century, it was common, that less expensive pocket watches used a cylinder escapement movement. One of them was the FHF 11, a 11 1/2 ligne movement from Fontainemelon in Switzerland.

FHF 11: base plate

base plate

In the specimen shown here, it was not possible to release all gears, so minute- and third wheel are still mounted unter the small bridge.

As most cylinder movements, the FHF 11 uses 10 Jewels, too. Four for the balance wheel axle, two for the cylinder wheel, two for the seconds wheel and two for the third wheel.

Minute wheel and mainspring barrel turn very slow and with strong force, so it was sufficient to use brass bearings for them.

FHF 11: gear train

gear train

The gear train is standard for a cylinder movement. It consists of mainspring barrel, directly driven center minute wheel, third wheel, seconds wheel and steel cylinder wheel.

FHF 11: side view of the gear train

side view of the gear train

Since the tips of the cylinder wheel always connect with the balance axle, the balance can never beat really free. This has got a negative impact on the precision, even good quality cylinder movements have got a daily deviation in the minute or at least high two digit seconds range.

It doesn’t help much either, that the effective length of the hairspring can be fine tuned with a long regulator arm.

FHF 11: cylinder wheel

cylinder wheel

Aesthetically, the filigree cylinder wheel with its 15 semicirular cutouts and its 15 teeth, which engage with the hollow cylinder of the balance wheel, is always very pleasant.

FHF 11: FHF 11: Dial side

FHF 11: Dial side

The use of a yoke keyless works is typical for the time around 1900. With the help of a small pin, which acts on the setting lever at 2 o’clock, the user can switch between winding the movement and setting the time.

Technical data

Manufacturer:FHF
Caliber:11
Size:11 1/2''' (measured: 26,2mm)
Number of jewels:10
Escapement:Cylinder
Balance types: Nickel anular balance
Shock protection(s): none
Balance bearing / direction hairspring:Counterclockwise
Moveable stud:no
Adjust mechanism:Long regulator arm
Winding mechanism:yoke winding system
Inventory number:19033

Usage gallery

FHF 11: anonymous pocket watch (case missing)

anonymous pocket watch (case missing)

This movement is a donation from Philipp Porter for the movement archive. Thank you very much for your kind support!