498 Discussions and CommentsMember since March 28, 2001
Very nice and slim ones
C401[i][/b][i]C401[i][/b]
Hi Bill,
here´s some information: C401 is a 10 1/2 lines (=23.4mm) wide and 3.65mm high movement, 17 jewels, 19.800 A/h, Breguet overcoil and central second. It does have a "swan-neck"-type of fine regulation, quite likely the ones used for C85/852 automatic movements.
The production spans 1952 to 1964 with a production total of 23.800 pieces (other sources mention 22.800).
Most C401 i have seen are very slim dress watches, measuring around 34-46mm and barely higher as 8mm.
I like the movement and those dressy ultra-flat ones. Some may argue there are much finer finished C89 movements in comparable cases of almost equal heigth. Nonetheless, in my very personal opinion these are fine movements. And - like any IWC - capable of performing tremendously over a long period.
554 Discussions and CommentsMember since Sept. 22, 2001
Here is my Cal.402 with 14YG case...
Dear Mr.Purcell and Mr.Conrad
Sorry I do not have Cal.401. Mine is Cal.402,it also has fine-regulater,and it look like Cal.8541. I also think Cal.401,402....is slim and good-size for Japanese. I wear it at special-days like New year party.....and enjoy wearing.
I hope Cal.401 make you happy.
Best Regards and excuse my English. SATORU YOSHIDA from JAPAN
1,128 Discussions and CommentsMember since March 28, 2001
The c.40x movement serie....
The list in the Tölke/King book is for the caliber 40x family quite inacurate.
My opinion is:
Of this caliber family exist 4 different versions:
c.40 Breguet overcoil balance spring, no fine adjustment system, screw balance, 1200 built. c.401 Breguet overcoil balance spring, "Goose neck" fine adjustment system, screw balance, 25200 built. c.402 Breguet overcoil balance spring, IWC fine adjustment (Excenter screw),flat balance with excenter screws on balance arms, 17400 built. c.403 Flat balance spring, IWC fine adjustment (Excenter screw), flat balance, 31200 built.
The c.40 is not indicated in the literature, but it existe (even clearly marked as c.40). The first serie of that movement family was produced without fine adjstment system. The picture shows a comparison of the c.40 (top) and c.401, I placed earlier in the forum.
You may ask why I indicate a higher number for the c.401. In the Tölke list is one serie (1778801- 1782400) maked as c. 40. This serie is just inbetwen the c.401 and c.402 production, probably they were not shure to which type they belong. I saw once a movement 1780113 which was a c.401. Maybe that the a part of this 3600 movements are c.402 Would be interesting if someone has a movement of this serie).
Regards
Ralph Ehrismann
Watches show the time flow, time to watch the watch show.
Thanks. Bill Purcell
C401[i][/b][i]C401[i][/b]
Hi Bill,
here´s some information:
C401 is a 10 1/2 lines (=23.4mm) wide and 3.65mm high movement, 17 jewels, 19.800 A/h, Breguet overcoil and central second. It does have a "swan-neck"-type of fine regulation, quite likely the ones used for C85/852 automatic movements.
The production spans 1952 to 1964 with a production total of 23.800 pieces (other sources mention 22.800).
Most C401 i have seen are very slim dress watches, measuring around 34-46mm and barely higher as 8mm.
I like the movement and those dressy ultra-flat ones.
Some may argue there are much finer finished C89 movements in comparable cases of almost equal heigth. Nonetheless, in my very personal opinion these are fine movements. And - like any IWC - capable of performing tremendously over a long period.
Hope this helps a bit.
Greetings from germany,
Peter
Dear Mr.Purcell and Mr.Conrad
Sorry I do not have Cal.401.
Mine is Cal.402,it also has fine-regulater,and it look like Cal.8541.
I also think Cal.401,402....is slim and good-size for Japanese.
I wear it at special-days like New year party.....and enjoy wearing.
I hope Cal.401 make you happy.
Best Regards and excuse my English.
SATORU YOSHIDA from JAPAN
movement
Hi Mr. Yoshida,
that is a nice C402!
I do like those lugs ("calatrava" style?) and did not notice many 40x beeing adjusted like your one. Very nice.
Thank you for sharing and wear it in good health!
Greetings from germany,
Peter
The list in the Tölke/King book is for the caliber 40x family quite inacurate.
My opinion is:
Of this caliber family exist 4 different versions:
c.40 Breguet overcoil balance spring, no fine adjustment system, screw balance, 1200 built.
c.401 Breguet overcoil balance spring, "Goose neck" fine adjustment system, screw balance, 25200 built.
c.402 Breguet overcoil balance spring, IWC fine adjustment (Excenter screw),flat balance with excenter screws on balance arms, 17400 built.
c.403 Flat balance spring, IWC fine adjustment (Excenter screw), flat balance, 31200 built.
The c.40 is not indicated in the literature, but it existe (even clearly marked as c.40). The first serie of that movement family was produced without fine adjstment system.
The picture shows a comparison of the c.40 (top) and c.401, I placed earlier in the forum.
You may ask why I indicate a higher number for the c.401. In the Tölke list is one serie (1778801- 1782400) maked as c. 40. This serie is just inbetwen the c.401 and c.402 production, probably they were not shure to which type they belong. I saw once a movement 1780113 which was a c.401. Maybe that the a part of this 3600 movements are c.402 Would be interesting if someone has a movement of this serie).
Regards
Ralph Ehrismann
Watches show the time flow, time to watch the watch show.
Last edited: 23 May, 2013 - 23:51
Dear Mr. Ehrismann,
thank you a lot for sharing these informations (which includes the c88 statement below)! You never fail to impress me.
Greetings from germany,
Peter
Amazing expertise on this forum.
Bill Purcell
Last edited: 12 February, 2011 - 08:37
just found A grade 18K Cal 402 watch, do you think it is good for a new comer to have? otherwise what should I consider it? thanks!
Last edited: 28 April, 2011 - 03:03