A Hybrid Swiss - Chinese Movement 6497-x

[takashi]

This one you won't find anywhere on the market and I believe this modification is rarely done. I am in the process of writing an article about Asian vs Swiss ETA6497 based movement. Recent acquisition of PAM113 PVD from daytona4me requires me to make a major revamp to my article. Simply, Asian 6497-2 has evolved much faster than I would have imagined. It has improved not only cosmetically but also mechanically. I will focus more on the mechanical point of view which evaluates how good the parts are machined.
However, in this post, let us begin looking into possibility of how a modified 6497-2 can be achieved.

So without further delay, let us take a look at this newly created Swiss - Chinese movement. I will list out modifications done at the end of this article.

 

[alwayslate]

Nice one...now when will we start to see these movements in the Pam reps?

 

[alvinado]

Nice one...now when will we start to see these movements in the Pam reps?

I think they are there, but rare...

 

[alwayslate]

Any hints? Like which model it made an appearance in?

 

[Time4Direct]

Looks like a base 6497 swiss with stick on plates there is an Asian version that has been around ages usually in Pre "E" watches this is a very easy mod to get an Asain and take the plates off and put them on a base swiss.
If you want to make it a 6497-2 that is also possible but a lot more involved with swapping bits and then you are making a predomenently Asian movement with only the base front plate and main spring Swiss. If you are sticking with this design you can also use the swiss bridges
Never tried but may be possible to use the existing swiss balance as well and modify the fork

 

[takashi]

Sorry for the incomplete post. I was rushing to get it posted and seems that the edited version was not posted properly.
If you want to get visually similar movement, you can do what T4D suggested. Use the Swiss bridge to subsitute your E/H series Asian 6497-2 movement. There are many Asian 6497 variations, you have to be sure to get the -2 copy (indicated by smaller balance wheel flared, beating at 21600bph).

That's still won't be close to the genuine article. There are more parts you need to change to ETA parts to achieve that better "look" than Asian parts.

Don't forget that while doing all this mods, full watch movement service and reoiling should be done.

Here is the list of mods:
I started with Swiss ETA6497-1 which comes with an early version of PAM036. First major difference: 6497-1 beats at 18000bph. This has to be taken care of with changes on several parts.

Required parts, specific to this project:
1. Balance wheel. It just happens that I have a broken Asian 6497-2, non swan neck, sword regulator with CdG finishing. The balance bridge for stud and jewel support is taken from this Asian 6497-2. Reason that you can use this part is because it comes with correct Incabloc shock protector. The Swiss 6497-1 comes with different shock protector. You can be content with that Asian 6497-2 balance wheel but this Swiss ETA6497-2 Glucydur balance wheel is totally a different breed. Much better in finishing and offers you superior timekeeping performance (if adjusted properly) You have to remove the silver stud to replace this balance wheel. Here is the part I used: 721/40.050.21 Glucydur ETASTABLE ETACHRON/ CHR.

To change it to a high beat movement, is not as simple as it is. You need to change more parts. You can take those parts from your Asian 6497-2 movement. However, there are a few visible gears that you need to change to get that better finishing.
2. Escape wheel. 705/30.040 I have to admit that this part is not visible but Swiss version looks much better in finishing. The one that came with my Asian movement was broken so it needs to be replaced anyway.
3. Second wheel. 224/30.027.13 This happens to be broken also but I got it from another Asian movement. Non visible parts. I have bought it before to use it for my iPAM project. But that is base model so the number is 220/30.027 for the one without second hand enabled (shorter pivot).
4. Centre wheel. 201/30.015. This is a visible part. Asian version still can't match this finishing on the Swiss version.

Third wheel, barrels are taken from Asian version (non visible and good). Ratchet wheel and crown wheel are also taken from newer version Asian to achieve that sunburst finishing. Swiss version costs a lot of money with this kind of finishing.

The rest of the parts are from Swiss low beat version.

 

[moggio]

thanks for posting taka..looking good

 

[cybee]

Very good info Taka..Thanks for that. You are right about the asian center wheel not quite as finished as the Eta. Also I have tried to use blued asian bridge screws in a real Eta movement and Eta screws in asian bridges and found that they are not interchangable. Have you found this to be true also??

Thanks for the post.

 

[takashi]

In this case, screws are compatible.

 

[higgy]

Nice post Tak!!!!

Higgy 8)

 

[babola]

Good one Taka, I embarked last yoear on a similar journey, realised many more parts were required for conversion from Swiss slow-beat '-1' to a hybrid faster-beat '-2', like escapement wheel and hour wheel with extra teeth for 21.6kbh which I just couldn't procure without ordering a whole A6497-2 mov't.
Those were quite hard to source as spare parts back then , besides I slowly lost interest along the way and reduced it to my watch box.

I may re-start it again now, your post really inspired me (once again)

thanks,
babola