ZIM ChK-6

Description

The french caliber LIP R43 (“round, 43mm diameter”) was used as blueprint for one of the earliest and most successful russian pocket watch movements. Initially, only produced by the ZIM factory, it even was named “ZIM”, but later the factory did also produce other movements.

One of the attributes, which other ChK-6 producers did not use, is the hidden winding mechanism.

The execution of this, one for sure very expensive, movement is really good. All important bearings contain rubies, and it is a massive construction, not only a pillar movement.

The gear train shows not many surprises. Just like on almost every pocket watch movement, the mainspring barrel drives the center minute wheel, followed by the third wheel, decentral seconds wheel at 6 o’clock and the escape wheel.

The only speciality is the hidden winding system, which requires, that the minute wheel runs above the ratchet wheel.

We have a pallet lever movement here, which is controlled by a monometallic screw balance with two legs. It beats with 18000A/h and its Breguet hairspring can be adjusted with a long regulator arm. At least in theory, because in reality, the hairspring key is much too wide to be effective.

The dial side is very clean executed, too. Of course, you won’t find here a shock protection, but there’s a very well made and rugged yoke winding system.

In the lab

Timegrapher result

Wear and tear are good to see on the tested specimen, and so the timegrapher results are pretty bad also.

Technical data

Usage gallery