Timex M72

 
Timex M72 | 17jewels.info - The Movement Archive

Timex M72

Description

The Timex caliber M72 is the oldest 21 jewel movement, made by Timex. It was introduced in 1961.
In contrast to “normal” 21 jewel movements, on this caliber, only the axes of the gears were pivoted in jewels, the balance was still pivoted in brass pivots.
This hybrid of a cheap non-jeweled and a “good” fully jewels watch was better than a non-jeweled watch, but far below a good swiss fully jeweled movement.

Timex M72: Detail: pin lever with ruby pins

Detail: pin lever with ruby pins

As you can see, most bearings were covered by deck jewels, which were bordered in a kind of chaton. These deck jewels are, maybe except the anchor wheels' deck jewel, not really needed, but they helped to reach the high number of 21 jewels. Maybe, Timex hoped, that their “21 jewels” watches were seen superior to generic (but nevertheless technically advanced) “17 jewels” watches.

Since Timex watches were always regarded as rather cheap watches, the expensive “Timex 21” models did not sell that good and in the early 1970ies, they disappeared from the scene. A certain collectors value cannot be denied, though.

Timex M72: Timex M72 dial side

Timex M72 dial side

Technical data

Manufacturer:Timex
Caliber:M72
A/h:18000
Number of jewels:21
Escapement:Pin lever
Balance types: Nickel anular balance
Shock protection(s): none
Balance bearing / direction hairspring:Bridge
Moveable stud:no
Adjust mechanism:Hairspring key
Construction:
  • lever, escape wheel, seconds wheel, third wheel, large driving wheel, mainspring barrel
Features:
  • SCD (direct center seconds)
Production period:1961-~1970

Usage gallery

Timex M72: Timex gents watch model 6524

Timex gents watch model 6524

Links