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Questions on bumper calibers

Mephisto
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Hello all,

So I have set my sights on acquiring a watch with a "bumper" movement. I know these are typically less effective than full-rotor movements, but would that pose a problem in practice? I typically wear my watches around 12 hours a day. And are they any more risky reliability-wise? (Any problems in servicing?)

Furthermore, are there any calibers that are noteworthy? The Omega 35x series, Zenith 133.8/71 and JLC 476/481 are on my radar now. Thanks!
 
gatorcpa
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Almost all bumper movements can also be handwound. In my experience these are just as reliable as rotor automatics.

You just need to be sure that the bumper springs are present and in good shape. For that reason, it is important that you get good pictures of the inside of the watch.

All of the movements you mentioned are good. Any watchmaker familiar with vintage watches should be able to service these watches. Early Eterna and Tissot bumpers should also be on your short list.

Hope this helps,
gatorcpa
 
noelekal
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Good for you for considering sampling bumpers. Only two live here and both were inexpensive Ebay finds. Neither of them were very costly to have rehab'ed by my dependable watchmaker.

Since that time both have proven to be trouble free and among the most accurate of the watches in the menagerie here. Mind you, they don't frequently see daily wear, but only occasional wear for enjoyment. It's fun to feel them occasional "bump." They have proven to remain adequately wound if subjected to wearing over several days' time. It's been 3-4 years since they were serviced and they proved reliable.





A 1949 caliber 351 (top) and a 1954 caliber 344 (bottom)

The 1940s/1950s Omega bumper automatics aren't quite as inexpensive to acquire as they were only a few years back.
 
Canuck
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I don’t think I would consider a 65 or 70 year old bumper automatic as a front line watch. But for occasional, short term wear, why not?
 
Mephisto
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Thanks for the info! That does assuage my fears.
Are most bumpers roughly equal in terms of technical merit and capabilities? Aesthetically, I do like the finishing on the JLCs and Zeniths

@gatorcpa I often saw these Tissots; did they use rebranded Omega/SSIH calibers? And thanks for the tip on Eternas! I long thought they only made 360 automatics.
Would the lack of springs damage/seriously impair the functioning of the winding mechanism?
 
gatorcpa
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Early UG Polerouters with the cal. 138SS movement should also be in your list.

92d4541f-8d7a-41c5-9dd2-3a07ff11b00f-jpeg.641348

https://omegaforums.net/threads/sas-polarouter-auction-at-sotheby´s.83786/#post-1077245

Well, not necessarily that particular example. 😀
gatorcpa
 
Mephisto
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Hmmm the finish is a bit spartan to my taste, compared with the later micro-rotor movements, but I guess I could always sell an arm and a leg for it....😎
 
Wryfox
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Mephisto Mephisto
So I have set my sights on acquiring a watch with a "bumper" movement.

I have a couple bumpers. The #1 thing for me is getting used to the feeling the watch is broken. You actually feel the bumper movement as it bounces off the spring stops. Its definitely more noticeable if you don't wear one everyday.
 
Mephisto
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Is it rather annoying/loud, or is it fun in that it gives a tactile experience?
 
Wryfox
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My 1967 Universal is the best example(and I can't find the other one at the moment), yes you'll hear it and feel it. In fact, just putting it on now....you'll hear it more than feel it. It swings around and hits the stops hard as you move your arm up and down....like when picking something up. Feels like something is loose inside. In fact, when I came across this watch again after several years, I literally thought it was broken.

It's an acquired taste. A quirk of the vintage era.
 
STANDY
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Zenith bumper, lucky you......

image.jpeg image.jpeg


Mephisto Mephisto
Is it rather annoying/loud, or is it fun in that it gives a tactile experience?

Fun feeling that is noticeable every now and then, wouldn't say you feel it all the time but you do feel it.
 
jmazpiazu
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Mephisto Mephisto
Is it rather annoying/loud, or is it fun in that it gives a tactile experience?

I would not say so. The springs significantly reduce the sound of the oscillating weight so it is more of a fun experience.
 
paulw
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I was also looking into an early bumper, but all the examples I came across had the springs missing and the sellers were adamant that they were working perfectly 😲 so decided to only go for a much later full rota movement, which I wind manually every morning if not going to wear it that day. May yet revisit a bumper at some stage, but probably from a more reliable source.
Paul
 
Wryfox
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Bumpity bump bump bump

UG 138SS movement, 1967
DSC04517.JPG 20180111_073516.jpg


UG 139 Movement, 1952 (crap, don't have movement pic but its a very attractive watch.) Noisy but still holds 5sec/day.

1503858996406.jpg
 
Mephisto
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Gaaaaaaaaaaaah...... stop posting beautiful movement picures and ENCOURAGING me!
Must. not. buy.
Resist. Impulses.
Expenses. should. not. exceed. Budget.
 
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