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Valjoux 59 new
Manual · 19‴ · Switzerland · 1949
Dimensions
43.1 mm
Height
6.90mm
Jewels
15
Power reserve
—
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 | 19‴ |
|---|---|
| Shape |
Round
It is the most common form that we can find.
|
| Complications |
Sweep Second
Contrary to the ticking motion of quartz watches, the sweep second hand in mechanical watches moves smoothly around the dial, offering a visual representation of time flowing continuously. This has become synonymous with the precision and craft of mechanical horology.
,
Chronograph Stopwatch
Functionality meets style as this feature allows wearers to measure specific time intervals, embodying the blend of everyday utility with sophisticated design.
,
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.
,
Chronograph Hour
Deepening the chronograph's utility, the chronograph hour sub-dial keeps track of elapsed hours when the chronograph function is running. Often located in a dedicated sub-dial, this complication allows for the measurement of longer durations, expanding the watch's timekeeping versatility.
|
| Hand count | 3 |
| Hand sizes | 1.30 / 1.30 x 1.30mm |
| Further measures | Mounting Diameter (Dm): 42.15mm Winding Gear: 0.5mm Stem height (T): 3.9mm Mounting Height (F): 0.6mm |
Origin & References
| Manufacturer | Valjoux |
|---|---|
| Country | Switzerland |
| Launch year | 1949 |
| COSC certified | No |
| Signature | 1949: old data sheet |
Notes
Remarks: open face calibre
stop- and addition function with pillar wheels
Usually for the option 36000 A/h just the frequency is doubled, and accordingly the maximum displays and the power reserve are halved. Here the gear ratio from seconds wheel to escape wheel is doubled, leaving the mentioned times unchanged, and allowing same dials for both variants.
likely made by Valjoux, but listed in catalogs often only as Heuer Sport 19" FSD (or similar)
Other data: balance staff: U1545 stem: W1731 mainspring / battery: Zf3229, 1.70 x 15.5 x 0.20 x 430mm
Ranfft mentioned about this caliber: There are variants with this quantity of jewels 7, 15
stop- and addition function with pillar wheels
Usually for the option 36000 A/h just the frequency is doubled, and accordingly the maximum displays and the power reserve are halved. Here the gear ratio from seconds wheel to escape wheel is doubled, leaving the mentioned times unchanged, and allowing same dials for both variants.
likely made by Valjoux, but listed in catalogs often only as Heuer Sport 19" FSD (or similar)
Other data: balance staff: U1545 stem: W1731 mainspring / battery: Zf3229, 1.70 x 15.5 x 0.20 x 430mm
Ranfft mentioned about this caliber: There are variants with this quantity of jewels 7, 15
Family
Series 32 - 2
escape-wheel cock, solid springs, mostly only balance stop:
32: -
33: split second
59: addition timer, hour counter
wire-springs, additional second stop:
32 new: -
33 new: split second
59 new: addition timer, hour counter
3/4 plate, detail modifikations:
320: -
320/1: simple variant, features uncertain
320/2: addition timer
330: split second
330/2: split second, addition timer
340: addition timer, hour counter
360: split second, addition timer, hour counter
winding gear with rocker:
321: -
321/2: addition timer
32: -
33: split second
59: addition timer, hour counter
wire-springs, additional second stop:
32 new: -
33 new: split second
59 new: addition timer, hour counter
3/4 plate, detail modifikations:
320: -
320/1: simple variant, features uncertain
320/2: addition timer
330: split second
330/2: split second, addition timer
340: addition timer, hour counter
360: split second, addition timer, hour counter
winding gear with rocker:
321: -
321/2: addition timer
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