Forums Latest Members
  1. CaptainWinsor Mar 22, 2020

    Posts
    1,826
    Likes
    3,366
    First off, I am not a watchmaker and make no claims as such. I just found this interesting and wanted to share so be nice if I’m talking nonsense.

    As many watch collectors know, Huguenin Freres made watches and watch cases for many companies including Universal Geneve, Omega and Zenith. I would argue that, outside the watch world, the company is more known for their decorative metalwork especially commemorative medals for events. They also produced decorative signage and display pieces for the watch industry. Located in Le Locle, they had an early relationship with Zenith, producing the decorative purse mirror in the early 1920s. 4th picture. A history of the company can be viewed here:

    http://www.huguenin.ch/en/about-us/history

    2EC4E861-597D-4E69-9898-3FFA8E6A50BB.jpeg 232F05BC-7450-4636-8DF5-4965625A54FC.jpeg 8B91E3AE-5FB5-468F-9602-D66B81A50EE4.jpeg BF281489-C950-49FD-B0F3-A4A997FB865E.jpeg

    Today I’m writing about a unique design found on the Zenith automatic bumper movement 133.8 with a Huguenin case. While removing the movement in a new acquisition I discovered an interesting design feature. Some movements have an outer ring that holds the movement to the case and some use screws but this system employs a pin and slot design. The pin is located at the 11 o’clock position on the movement with the slot in the corresponding position on the case. When replacing the movement, it is inserted at an angle so that he pin enters the slot. The movement is then pressed down into position. Once seated correctly, the movement is rotated slightly to align the hole for the winding stem. Once the stem is put back, everything is secure. I looked at a few of my other Zenith’s but it is only on the Huguenin cases.

    1FE58D87-B7ED-4671-972E-08636F838B60.jpeg
    C0BACA24-F32C-4135-9783-849587B9416F.jpeg
    If anyone else has seen this design, feel free to add to the post. I’ve included pics of some other Huguenin designs and marks for reference.

    80A9D83F-4E9C-41CF-9503-03C4EFFCDF97.jpeg
    728516AB-6611-4ECC-AAB3-A0F35AAFE3A2.jpeg
     
    Edited Mar 22, 2020
    eternalover, probep, 0uss and 4 others like this.