Chronograph case compatibility

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JwRosenthal

·Mar 6, 2021

I recently picked up a lovely Clebar chrono in a chrome plated case with Landeron 248.

The chrome case is in excellent shape but I always prefer stainless when I can. I saw on eBay there is a seller with an almost identical empty case but in stainless, he says it housed a Val23/72 movement. Can a case that housed a Val work with my Landeron?

 

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Dan S

·Mar 6, 2021

According to Ranfft, the Landeron appears to be a solid mm larger than those Valjoux movements. And that's leaving aside the issue of pusher locations, which are definitely not standard.

 

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JwRosenthal

·Mar 6, 2021

Dan S

According to Ranfft, the Landeron appears to be a solid mm larger than those Valjoux movements. And that's leaving aside the issue of pusher locations, which are definitely not standard.

The pusher location was my main concern. The O/D of the case is the same size, of course I would have to ask about the I/D

 

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wsfarrell

·Mar 6, 2021

I think the main concern for me would be the height of the stem-hole in the movement. If it was different from the height of the stem-hole in the case, the stem wouldn't go in, or would bind. And yes, I know "stem-hole" is probably not what a watchmaker would call it.

 

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Dan S

·Mar 6, 2021

JwRosenthal

The pusher location was my main concern. The O/D of the case is the same size, of course I would have to ask about the I/D

OD is not relevant at all IMO. Since the movements aren't the same size, one would not expect the inner dimensions of the cases to be the same. If the case is too large, then a custom movement holder could potentially be used, and pusher rod extensions could be used if the pusher tubes are in the correct locations (which they probably aren't). However, if the case is too small (as in this case) you're out of luck unless you can machine down the outer circumference of the movement.

As @wsfarrell noted, there can also be problems in the z-direction. If the case is too shallow, you're totally out of luck. Too deep, a custom spacer could potentially be made.

Pusher locations ... that's a major problem.

Personally, I think you would be very unlikely to make this work well. Even if you somehow got the movement in there, it could be very tricky to get the pushers and crown to function properly.

 

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JwRosenthal

·Mar 6, 2021

Agreed to all, was a nice idea- but not worth the risk/ that much effort. Appreciate the input.

 

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Vercingetorix

·Mar 6, 2021·Spam Risk

I thought the Valjoux 72 had asymmetrical pushers?

 

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JimJupiter

·Mar 6, 2021

Vercingetorix

I thought the Valjoux 72 had asymmetrical pushers?

Exactly, it’s not working cause of the different positions of the pushers.

 

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MRC

·Mar 6, 2021

Vercingetorix

I thought the Valjoux 72 had asymmetrical pushers?

Seems to be a feature of Valjoux movements. Even the later 7733 I'm wearing this week, derived from Venus 188, has that.

 

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JimJupiter

·Mar 6, 2021

MRC

Seems to be a feature of Valjoux movements. Even the later 7733 I'm wearing this week, derived from Venus 188, has that.

Are you sure? My 773x chronos are all symmetrical regarding the pusher distance to the crown.

 

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JwRosenthal

·Mar 6, 2021

I looked again at the listing and the seller did indeed include the I/D and it’s 30mm which gels with what Dan said as the L248 is 31mm. So pusher magic aside, it wouldn’t fit.
If anyone needs a decent looking case for a Val23/72 project- here ya go

https://www.ebay.com/itm/402731074273

 

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