MST 323

 
MST 323 | 17jewels.info - The Movement Archive

MST 323

Description

MST (Meyer und Stüdeli, also known for their brand name “Roamer”) is a manufacturer, which still exists today. In their early times, they made simple cylinder movement, before they became famous for their very well made pallet lever movements.

Most probably in the 1930s and 1940s, this cylinder movement for ladies' watches was made, at a time, where cylinder movements were considered already technically obsolete.

MST 323: base plate

base plate

Except for the upper (visible!) balance wheel bearing, the MST 323 completely lacks ruby bearings.

MST 323: gear train

gear train

The gear train of this pillar construction is standard: Mainspring barrel (with ratchet on the dial side), directly driven center minute wheel, third wheel, seconds wheel at 6 o’clock and finally a steel cylinder wheel.

MST 323: side view of the gear train

side view of the gear train

Of course, the flat anular balance is not shock protected. On the visible side (on the movement side), its axle is beared in a ruby bearing with cap jewel, but on the base plate, it only has got a metal bushing with a steel cover. It is easy to understand, that you cannot expect good timing results with such a construction.

MST 323: unmasked...

unmasked...

The inner side of the gear train bridge shows, that the MST 323 promises more, that it can hold: Visually, the gear train bridge should look, like there are two bridges, one for the mainspring barrel and one of the gear train. That is by no means the case, there’s only a small slot as an illusion.

MST 323: MST 323: Dial side

MST 323: Dial side

As you can see, the MST 323 uses a rocking bar keyless works with ratchet on the dial side. The ratchet uses a well executed pawl.

At 8 o’clock, there’s the metal cap plate for the dial side balance wheel bearing. It causes, that metal runs on metal, resulting in high wear and bad precision.

Technical data

Manufacturer:MST
Caliber:323
Size:8 3/4''' (measured: 19,3mm)
A/h:18000
Number of jewels:2
Escapement:Cylinder
Balance types: Nickel anular balance
Shock protection(s): none
Balance bearing / direction hairspring:Counterclockwise
Moveable stud:no
Adjust mechanism:Long regulator arm
Construction:
  • cylinder wheel
  • seconds wheel, third wheel, center minute wheel, mainspring barrel
Construction type:pillar construction
Winding mechanism:rocking bar winding system
Setting lever spring:4 hole(s)
Features:
  • s (decentral seconds)
References: Flume: 1947 98
Inventory number:20030

Usage gallery

MST 323: Medana ladies' watch

Medana ladies' watch