Micro Rotor Automatic

[WestCoastTime]

Does micro rotor count as 'Unique Complication'?

Hamilton 663, aka: Benrus 1000A. Long running argument between Benrus and UG over who was 1st to market with the Micro Rotor Automatic. Both seem to have been announced in around 1958.

Love Hamilton, old and new, but wish they would offer something special like this in the current line. This movement came from a 33mm Thin-o-Matic. Seems like there is a lot Hamilton (& others) could do with a micro rotor automatic in today's 40mm & up form factors.

 

[Mafkees]

My ex Hamilton T-403 with cal. 663 as well says hello.

 

[WestCoastTime]

Mafkees

My ex Hamilton T-403 with cal. 663 as well says hello.

That asymmetrical case looks great!

 

[Revo]

You'd think with that dial and case it would have a bumper movement!

 

[WestCoastTime]

Hamilton cal 628, c.1964, Micro-Rotor.
Maybe this is why we don't see more micro-rotor automatics...

 

[Larry S]

My watchmaker told me a while back that PP is the only house that did Micro Rotors right.

 

[WestCoastTime]

Larry S

My watchmaker told me a while back that PP is the only house that did Micro Rotors right.

Not taking anything away from Patek, but if I'm spending my own $ I'd take the Bulgari BVL 138 (60hrs reserve / 2.23mm in thickness) over the PP 240 (48hrs / 2.53mm).

 

[Mediocre]

Not sure if it is considered a complication, but I keep considering a Chopard or Parmigiani with one. Things of beauty

 

[Revo]

Larry S

My watchmaker told me a while back that PP is the only house that did Micro Rotors right.

Not UG as well? Those Polerouters always looks nice to me but I have no first hand experience of them.

 

[Spruce]

What about a Majex. I’ve always thought that they look fun

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/255076610569

 

[WestCoastTime]

Spruce

What about a Majex. I’ve always thought that they look fun

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/255076610569

Looks very much like an ébauche Benrus 1001 (which is a pretty nice movement, I think).

 

[Larry S]

Revo

Not UG as well? Those Polerouters always looks nice to me but I have no first hand experience of them.

UG Micro are the most inefficient according to him.

 

[SpeedTar]

WestCoastTime

Looks very much like an ébauche Benrus 1001 (which is a pretty nice movement, I think).

It's more a Buren 1000. Buren and Universal Genève were in competition for the 1st microrotor movement.

Universal Geneve microrotor are pretty good and well designed. Especially the 66 (ultrathin and major microrotor bearing improvement)

 

[Revo]

Larry S

UG Micro are the most inefficient according to him.

OK I'll just get a Patek then.

 

[Larry S]

Revo

OK I'll just get a Patek then.

That was not the point. Comment was made while trying to restore function to one of my Polerouters. He eventually tracked down a replacement rotor. They service Patek too so he’s seen plenty of these. Not a fan of micro rotors.

 

[Revo]

Larry S

That was not the point. Comment was made while trying to restore function to one of my Polerouters. He eventually tracked down a replacement rotor. They service Patek too so he’s seen plenty of these. Not a fan of micro rotors.

I know, I just trying to be funny. Whether micro rotors work well or not, I do think they are cool. They scream "DISPLAY BACK" more than any amount of decoration and engraving.

 

[Rado63]

The micro rotor isn't a complication but is unique among modern movements. Other than Vaucher, Patek Philipe, Piaget, and Chopard, not aware of others using the micro rotor. The Buren and UG are believed to have started using the micro rotor to make slimmer watches which are claimed to be 1953 but some say it was actually a later date when it was actual sold. Patek Phillipe which introduced the caliber 240 in 1977 still uses the micro rotor 240 in several watches today.

 

[WestCoastTime]

Hamilton cal 628 Micro-rotor "Thin-o-Matic"









They make a big deal out of the "thinness" of the movement in the marketing & branding, but for as thin as the movement is, the dial, dial furniture, hand stack, case, & crystal really do nothing to take advantage of the very thin micro-rotor movement. The finished watch still ends up being 9.2mm in thickness, with the ~3.2mm cal 628 sandwiched down inside all the surrounding hardware...

 

[Othman]

Mafkees

My ex Hamilton T-403 with cal. 663 as well says hello.

OMG!! That is one gorgeous beautiful watch! Congratulations.

 

[Vanallard]

From a past Hamilton Thinomatic with service photo