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Identify auto wind design around the perimeter of the rotor.

  1. Canuck Mar 23, 2019

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    Once in a while I happen upon this style of auto wind movement. In the late 1950s or early 1960s, when early Seiko automatics found their way to these shores, I saw one of their movements designed like this. I have seen a Patek movement design like this. The Patek rotor had “wheels” (for want of a better term) in the form of hole jewels running on axles, around the perimeter of the rotor. This image is an FHF 65. A ring gear operates the auto wind gears. FHF (Font) calls it “Fontomatic”. Is there a name for this type of auto wind system? Enquiring minds want to know. TIA.
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    Waltesefalcon and 89-0 like this.
  2. Canuck Mar 24, 2019

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    Browsing the net turned up this item on the FHF 65 caliber auto wind system. The author of this item indicates that the “Fondamatic” system was the basis for the design of the Patek 350 caliber movement, shown in the article. I’d still like to know who invented it, or what the design is called.

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