Phenix 834

Description

Phenix was among the numerous manufacturers from the swiss Jura, which produced their own movements until the 1960ies, when they became part of the MRS group (Manufacture d’Horlogerie Suisse Reunis SA).

Most probably in the 1940ies, they released the 8 3/4 x 12 ligne caliber Phenix 834, described here. It was a pretty large form movement with pallet lever escapement and screw balance. The unique shaped bridges make its identification easy.

The finish is very beautiful with its different perlages.

You also see the characteristics of this form movement: Besides the large mainspring barrel and the large balance wheel, there’s a lot of unused space.

Of course, all important bearingy contain rubies; as usual, only the bearings for the mainspring barrel and the center minute wheel lack rubies, since their torque is high enough.

The gear train is standard for a contemporary form movement: In the center, there’s the directly driven minuten wheel, followed by third wheel, seconds wheel (with decentral seconds hand at 6 o’clock) and finally the steel escapement wheel. Because of the large size of the movement, the gears have a larger diameter.

The Phenix 834 has got a screw balance, which is not yet shock protected and beats with 18000 A/h. It regulates a classical swiss pallet lever movement.

The Phenix 834 is not only decorated on the movement side (with stripes), but also on the dial side, here with a perlage. On the dial side, you can also spot the yoke winding system.

Technical data