Movement Or Caliber?

[Blubarb]

Sorry if this is an old chestnut, but is the word "Movement" as applied to watches synonymous with "Caliber"? Is their a subtle point of difference?  

[WillFly]

No - there is a distinct difference. A watch "movement" is the total mechanism which drives the hands around the dial. There are various designs of movements by different movement makers - and each maker has their own set of designs, known as "calibres".

 

So, for example, Arthur Schild was a maker of movements, and his movements are known as "AS" movements to indicate that he was the maker. Within the complete set of AS movements, there are various designs or calibres, each with its unique number - such as "1287". The movement in my Olma watch from the 1940s contains an AS 1287 movement - the "calibre" AS 1287.

 

The movement in my Hamilton Khaki watch is an ETA movement - calibre (or "cal.") 6497.

 

In the US, American watch movements were known as "grades", rather than the more usual Swiss (mainly) "calibres". So my Hamilton railroad pocket watch has a grade 992B movement in it.

 

Hope that helps.

 

Will

[Geo]

I always think of "calibre" as the the designation for the movement. A bit like bullets, they are all a projectiles that is used in a guns, but the caliber designates the "size" of the barrel and bullet.

This is my take on it, I may be wrong.

[WillFly]

That's a good concept, Geo. I suppose the only difference is that, with bullets, a .303 is a .303, regardless of maker, and will fit (for example) a Lee Enfield and a Belgian FN as well as a Bren gun. I've fired all three and they used the same ammo, if memory serves!

 

Whereas a Cyma 450 movement wouldn't be a replacement for an Omega 450.

 

Or am I misreading you?

[Geo]

No, you're correct Will, it's me that's wrong. My comment above should have referred to Ligne, the size of the movement, not the calibre. ( where's the embarrassed smiley when you need it)?

[WillFly]

No worries! If I had a tenth of your technical knowledge, I'd be a happy man.

[Blubarb]

Thank you, guys. that explains it for me.

[Marc]

Sorry to be a pedant Will but shouldn't that be Adolph Schild?

[WillFly]

Sorry to be a pedant Will but shouldn't that be Adolph Schild?

Yes, of course - can't think why I said Arthur. A senior moment!

[bobm12]

 

I always think of "calibre" as the the designation for the movement. A bit like bullets, they are all a projectiles that is used in a guns, but the caliber designates the "size" of the barrel and bullet.

I love this topic, here goes my 2 cents:

 

To paraphrase Geo: "I always think of "calibre" as the the designation for the movement. A bit like bra's, they are all an upper feminine lingerie that is used on boobs, but the caliber designates the "cup size" of the bra that fits the boob." I may add it is easier to work on larger calibres.  :)

 

Maybe this is not accurate but nice to imagine! :D

 

Cheers,

 

Bob

[WillFly]

I did quite a bit of work on cup sizes in my earlier years... :cool: