A Vintage Watch

Felsa 1560 Automatic

Here’s an interesting movement I picked up from a retired watchmaker this week. It’s a 50’s Telix  using a Felsa 1560 automatic. What caught my eye was the Reeds regulator finishing off the 30 jewelled movement. It’s average size at 11 1/2 ligne but fitted into a 31mm case which wears a little small. Of course I can always dig out a larger case with retainer ring and switch dials if I decide to keep it.

Felsa 1560 Automatic

Freshly serviced and running strong.

1930 Bulova Sky King

1930 Bulova Sky King hinge back

1930 Bulova Sky King with celluloid dust cover on

1930 Bulova 10AN Movement

This eighty year old isn’t in the best of shape but it’s completely original as far as I can tell with celluloid crystal and dust cover intact. The metal seems to have taken more wear than the top. The insides are average for a watch this age. It’s been serviced numerous times according to the watchmakers marks and maintaining a mirror finish wasn’t their top priority. I did a light brush with a felt pad and red compound so I could see the date code and serial but found neither. Thankfully Stephen Ollman at My Bulova filled in the information while I wasn’t looking. Despite the evident filth inside the movement it starts beating after a half turn, I had a hard time believing that myself so I let the mainspring down and tried it again, amazing. That isn’t really very unusual for a Bulova from this period as they were some of the finest movements made at the time no matter the continent. The finishing on the pallet fork alone is something to marvel at.

The 10AN is an adjusted 17 jewel movement using a breguet hairspring? over a split bi-metalic balance beating at 18.000 vph.

It looks like another job for International Dial unless it looks a lot better after a bath. Then again I can’t imagine the entire watch not looking a lot better after a bath.

updates and stickies as it’s restored…

Bulova Sky King case after cleaning and de-burring

FHF 3 escapement with anglaged and polished lever