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Valjoux 23C
Manual · 13‴ · Switzerland · 1916
Dimensions
30 mm
Height
6.95mm
Jewels
17
Power reserve
48h
Timegrapher
Beat rate
18,000bph
Frequency
2.5Hz
Reference: healthy amplitude ≈ 270–315° fully wound (>200° at 24 h); beat error ideally < 0.5 ms.
Movement
| Movement type |
Manual
Purely mechanical movements wound by hand via the crown, which tensions the mainspring to store energy. As the spring unwinds, it drives the gear train at a controlled rate set by the escapement and balance. Typical power reserves range from 38 to 80 hours, requiring daily or near-daily winding to keep the watch running.
|
|---|---|
| Winding type |
Stem Winding (Crown)
Winding the mainspring by turning the crown attached to the stem, transmitting torque through the winding pinion. Patented by Adrien Philippe in 1842, it replaced key winding and remains the standard manual winding method for both pocket watches and wristwatches.
|
| Setting type |
Stem Set (Crown Pull)
The dominant modern system: pulling the crown out to a setting position engages the hand-setting mechanism. Introduced in the late 19th century and refined into multi-position crowns (date, time, GMT). Used in virtually all modern wristwatches and most 20th-century pocket watches.
|
| Escapement type |
Swiss Lever
The undisputed standard of modern mechanical watchmaking. Through an elegant interplay between escape wheel, pallet fork, and balance, it delivers reliable impulses with the safety of 'draw' to keep the lever locked. Refined since the 18th century, it powers almost every quality mechanical wristwatch made today.
|
| Control type |
Balance Wheel
The heart of mechanical timepieces, the balance wheel is an oscillating component that, together with the hairspring, forms a harmonic oscillator regulating the gear train's pace. Its steady back-and-forth motion ensures the even release of energy from the mainspring, governing the watch's accuracy.
|
| Regulator type |
Pinned Regulator (or Index Regulator)
The most traditional regulator, consisting of a movable index pointer fitted with two curb pins (or a pin and a boot) that embrace the hairspring. Sliding the index along its scale changes the spring's active length, adjusting the rate. Simple, reliable, and easy to service, it remains the workhorse standard across countless mechanical movements.
|
Specifications
| Lignes | 13‴ |
|---|---|
| Shape |
Round
It is the most common form that we can find.
|
| Complications |
Sub Second
A small seconds hand typically located on a sub-dial and is separate from the central hour and minute hands. Originating from early pocket watches where the main balance wheel drove the seconds hand, it offers an elegant way to track the passage of time without crowding the main display. It remains a testimony to the watch's mechanical precision and history.
,
Day
Beyond hours and minutes, the day complication anchors wearers to their weekly schedule, providing context to our cyclical routine.
,
Date
An essential for many, the date display reminds wearers of their daily commitments, connecting the abstract concept of time to tangible daily events.
,
Month
Navigating longer timeframes, the month display aids in forward planning, ensuring wearers are attuned to the broader passage of time.
,
Chronograph Second
The heart of the chronograph function, the chronograph second hand provides real-time tracking of elapsed seconds when the chronograph is activated. Usually centrally mounted, its smooth or ticking movement around the dial offers a visual spectacle and allows wearers to measure events with precision up to a second.
,
Chronograph Minute
A fundamental component of the chronograph mechanism, the chronograph minute sub-dial records elapsed minutes once the chronograph is engaged. Typically counting up to 30 or 60 minutes, this feature extends the utility of the chronograph function beyond just seconds, making it invaluable for capturing extended events.
|
| Hand count | 5 |
| Hand sizes | 2.30 x 1.60 x 1.10 x 0.25 / 0.25 x 0.23mm |
| Further measures | Mounting Diameter (Dm): 29.5mm Stem height (T): 2.72mm Mounting Height (F): 1.62mm |
Origin & References
| Manufacturer | Valjoux |
|---|---|
| Country | Switzerland |
| Launch year | 1916 |
| COSC certified | Yes |
| Signature | ca. 1950: Doxa S.A., Swiss, 17 Jewels (30min)
(Valjoux 23) |
Notes
Remarks: 1916-1974 (VZC + 23C)
since 1938 with two pushers
early samples: Breguet hairspring
late samples: flat hairspring, mobile stud carrier, optional Triovis regulator
Other data: balance staff: U1546 stem: W1276 mainspring / battery: Zf889, 1.30 x 12.0 x 0.14 x 360mm stem ronda: 351 (13) stem ronda: 2300 (13) Other data: stem ronda: 351 (13)
since 1938 with two pushers
early samples: Breguet hairspring
late samples: flat hairspring, mobile stud carrier, optional Triovis regulator
Other data: balance staff: U1546 stem: W1276 mainspring / battery: Zf889, 1.30 x 12.0 x 0.14 x 360mm stem ronda: 351 (13) stem ronda: 2300 (13) Other data: stem ronda: 351 (13)
Family
Series 23 - 886
18000 A/h:
23 : base calibre
230: fly back
23C: calendar
72 : hour counter
720: hour counter, fly back
724: hour counter, 24h hand gear
72C: hour counter, calendar
78 : no chronograph, calendar
88 : hour counter, calendar, moon phase
90 : no chronograph, calendar, moon phase
21600 A/h:
236: base calibre
234: date (window)
235: fly back
237: date (window), fly back
725: hour counter, fly back
726: hour counter
729: hour counter, 24h hand gear
730: hour counter, calendar
886: hour counter, calendar, moon phase
23 : base calibre
230: fly back
23C: calendar
72 : hour counter
720: hour counter, fly back
724: hour counter, 24h hand gear
72C: hour counter, calendar
78 : no chronograph, calendar
88 : hour counter, calendar, moon phase
90 : no chronograph, calendar, moon phase
21600 A/h:
236: base calibre
234: date (window)
235: fly back
237: date (window), fly back
725: hour counter, fly back
726: hour counter
729: hour counter, 24h hand gear
730: hour counter, calendar
886: hour counter, calendar, moon phase
Related calibers
Valjoux 23
Valjoux 234
Valjoux 236
Valjoux 23C
Valjoux 72
Valjoux 724
Valjoux 726
Valjoux 729
Valjoux 72C
Valjoux 730
Valjoux 78
Valjoux 88
Valjoux 886
Valjoux 90
Compatible Parts
1 other catalog source can supply compatible parts for this caliber.
1 compatible part catalogued · find a donor to harvest a scarce part.
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