Förster 2080

 
Förster 2080 |

Förster 2080

Description

The successor to the Förster 2075, the caliber Förster 2080, with the same size of 8 3/4 x 12 lignes as its predecessor, is likely to have been launched in the late 1940s.

Förster 2080: base plate

base plate

The base plate reveals the major changes that have been made:
The ratchet and spring of the rocking bar winding mechanism have moved to the dial side, and a fourth pillar, bottom right, indicates that changes have been made to the gear train bridge, too.

The quality of the movement has remained the same, and all important bearings are again fitted with jewels.

Förster 2080: gear train

gear train

The gear train itself has remained the same; like its predecessor, it consists of a barrel, central minute wheel, third wheel, decentral seconds wheel at 6 o’clock, and the steel escape wheel.

The biggest difference is that the gear train bridge is now supported by three pillars and features a semicircular cutout around the balance wheel.

Since the additional pillar is located exactly where the pallet cock used to be, it had to be redesigned and repositioned.

Förster 2080: side view of the gear train

side view of the gear train

There were no changes to the balance section; it also uses a monometallic, non-shock-resistant screw balance that beats with 18,000 A/h, and whose effective length of the hairspring is adjusted using a fairly long regulator.

Förster 2080: Detail: Lever

Detail: Lever

There are also versions of this movement where the lever is equipped with transparent, rather than ruby-red, pallets. However, this should have no technical impact.

Förster 2080: Förster 2080: Dial side

Förster 2080: Dial side

On the dial side, you can see the rocking bar winding mechanism, whose spring has now been moved to the dial side for easy service.

The ratchet mechanism has been significantly simplified and is now located at position 10 o’clock on the dial side. Instead of a click and spring, only a simple, sturdy U-shaped spring is used that engages with the teeth of the ratchet wheel. Winding is not a pleasant experience, and such springs are prone to breaking or bending so that they no longer provide reliable engagement. However, it can now be replaced easily and without disassembling the movement.

In the lab

The tested movement of the "Anker" watch came into the archive in new condition and received a small service because it had become resinous due to the long storage period.

Timegrapher result

Despite a simple service, the timegrapher rates are still not as good as hoped; professional service could certainly improve this.

horizontal positions
dial up+25 s/d328°2.5ms
dial down+5 s/d332°2.7ms
vertical positions
crown right (12 up)+35 s/d235°4.1ms
crown up (3 up)+60 s/d232°4.4ms
crown left (6 up)+35 s/d250°3.1ms
crown down (9 up)-120 s/d200°3.9ms

Technical data

Manufacturer:Förster
Caliber:2080
Size:8 3/4 x 12''' (measured: 20,0 x 24,0mm)
A/h:18000
Number of jewels:15
Escapement:Pallet lever
Balance types:Nickel screw balance
Shock protection(s):none
Balance bearing / direction hairspring:Clockwise
Moveable stud:no
Adjust mechanism:Long regulator arm
Construction:
  • escape wheel
  • lever, seconds wheel, third wheel, center minute wheel
  • mainspring barrel
Construction type:pillar construction
Winding mechanism:rocking bar winding system
Setting lever spring:4 holes
Attachment of setting lever:screwed
Features:
  • s (decentral seconds)
References:Feilner: Bl. 44 4006
Flume: 1952 36
Mentioning in literature (years):1950 - 1951
Datasheet:Furniture catalog late 1940s
Inventory number:24025

Usage gallery

Förster 2080: AXA gents watch

AXA gents watch

Förster 2080: Förster gents watch

Förster gents watch


Related Movements

Ratchet with click and spring and rocking bar spring on the inner base plate, 3 pillars
Ratchet, consisting only of a simple spring, on the dial side, as well, as the rocking bar spring, different shape of gear train bridge, 4 pillars, different lever cock
Thank you very much to Rolf-Jürgen for the donation of this movement in the AXA gents watch, and to Lars Schröder for the donation of the Anker gents watch!