Certina movements
In-house and other movements
At the beginning, in 1888 as the brothers Kurth founded their company called Kurth Frères, only watch parts and movements were produced. These were sold to Switzerland and France. Various manual wind calibers were in the product range until 1947 the first self-winding caliber, the hammer winding KF 360 came out.
The first self-winding movement with a rotor, the caliber KF 21-0114 introduced in 1950, still was a derivative from the caliber AS 1323. Finally in 1951 with the 25-45, the first self-developed self-winding movement came into the market. The caliber line 28-45 was launched in 1953 and had the same construction characteristics like the previous movement, except that the diameter was 3mm bigger.
Maybe you have already noticed: The first number in the caliber designation stands for the diameter in millimeters.
From 1954 Certina delivered Hamilton with self-winding movements for a few years. Hamilton saw a need to add automatic wristwatches to their line but they had no such calibers.
As at the end of the fifties, the demand for flat wristwatches went up also Certina developed an applicable movement. The 25-65 or 25-651/652 (with date/day and date) was launched in 1960 and was 1mm less high than the predecessor 28-45.
The 25-651 is the most prevalent Certina movement which was used in countless models where it could prove its robustness. This robustness has additionally improved with the "DS"-System (Double Security). In this system, beside the shock absorber of the movement the whole caliber is floating mounted by means of an elastic antishock ring made of synthetic rubber (see illustration on the left).
With the "288"-calibers which were used from 1970, the balance rate has been increased from by then 19'800 to contemporary 28'800 A/h. As a special feature the 25-671/672 had a micro ball bearing mounted cannon pinion and the Certina patented anchor escapement "Clineric 21".
The micro ball bearing (see illustration on the right) had a diameter of only 2.2mm and each of the seven mounted balls had a diameter of 0.3mm! For the serial production, a slightly improved version, the 25-681/682 was introduced from 1972. You can identify watches with this movement trough the marking "288" on the dial.
The last self developed self-winding movement was the 919/920-1. It came on the market in spring 1976 and was the successor of the legendary 25-65 calibers.
For the chronographs Certina used, like other manufacturers, approved calibers like the Venus movements, the Valjoux 23 and 72 in its different generations and later the Valjoux 7750. These movements have been partially revised and labeled with a Certina own caliber marking. Two specialities are the 29-064 which based on the Valjoux 728. This is a late and little-known version of the Valjoux 72 family with center chrono minute indication as popularized by the Lemania 5100. The other speciality is the Certina 749. This one is based on the tuning fork movement ESA 9210 "Mosaba" which is a derivate from the ESA 9162/4. At the 9210, the chronograph mechanism is in modular form, and mounts on the dial side of the movement. This caliber was used in Omega and Longines chronographs as well. It is the only one ever made tuning fork chronograph movement and just 21'000 pieces were produced.
The first electric caliber from Certina came on the market in 1971. It was the 28-353 which was used in the Biostar. The 28-353 was a ESA 9154 Dynotron with electronically controlled balance motor. Certina provided this movement with a additional mechanism with a Biorhythm indicator. About that time, the first tuning fork movements were used. The 29-151/152 was a derivate of the ESA 9162/64 "Mosaba" (Montre sans balancier) and was working in the Certronic models. In 1973, the quartz movements were introduced and in the sequel more and more watches were fitted with quartz movements. The Quartz Crisis had achieved the Swiss watch industry. Quartz was "hip", mechanic was "out". And so it remained for a time. The few mechanical movements, which Certina still offered were purchased from ETA. The Certina in-house movements were history...
The following list does not contain all Certina movements, but just the most frequently used as well as those which are attached in the models described on these pages. Currently, 50 movements are listed (status May 6th 2010). Do you think that there is a relevant movement missing in this list? Have you found a bug or do you have further informations? Contact me!
Manual winding
| Name | Features | Dimensions | Data | Comments | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | KF 330 | Manual winding Subsidiary second | 13''' Dm= 29.0mm H= 4.5mm | 15 jewels 18'000 A/h Power reserve 44h | From about 1950 |
 | 25-36 | Manual winding Sweep second | 11.5''' Dm= 25.6mm H= 4.2mm | 17 jewels 19'800 A/h Power reserve 43h Datasheet 1,2 | Derivated from caliber 25-35 From ? to 1960 |
 | 25-66 | Manual winding Sweep second | 11.5''' Dm= 25.6mm H= 3.85mm | 17 jewels 19'800 A/h Power reserve 48h Datasheet 1,2 | 1960-1977 |
 | 25-66M | Manual winding Sweep second | 11.5''' Dm= 25.6mm H= 3.85mm | 17 jewels 19'800 A/h Power reserve 48h | Like 25-66 but modified balance (3 spokes) About from 1974 |
 | 25-661 | Manual winding Sweep second Date | 11.5''' Dm= 25.6mm H= 4.55mm | 17 jewels 19'800 A/h Power reserve 48h Datasheet 1,2 | Derivated from caliber 25-65, 25-651 and 25-66 1960-1977 |
 | 25-661M | Manual winding Sweep second Date | 11.5''' Dm= 25.6mm H= 4.55mm | 17 jewels 19'800 A/h Power reserve 48h | Date without quickset Set by changing 23-24h Like 25-661 but modified balance (3 spokes) About from 1974 |
 | 28-10 | Manual winding Subsidiary second | 12.5''' Dm= 28.0mm H= 3.75mm | 17 jewels 19'800 A/h Power reserve 44h Datasheet 1,2 | About from 1955? |
 | 28-16 | Manual winding Sweep second | 12.5''' Dm= 28.0mm H= 4.4mm | 17 jewels 19'800 A/h Power reserve 44h Datasheet 1,2 | About from 1965? |
 | 28-163 | Manual winding Sweep second Date Biorhythm | 12.5''' Dm= 28.0mm H= ?mm | 17 jewels 19'800 A/h Power reserve 48h | Mechanism with three biorhythm discs About from 1965 |
 | 853-1 | Manual winding Sweep second | 11.5''' Dm= 25.6mm H= 4.05mm | 17 jewels 28'800 A/h Power reserve 48h | About from 1976 |
 | 854-1 | Manual winding Sweep second Date | 11.5''' Dm= 25.6mm H= 4.05mm | 17 jewels 28'800 A/h Power reserve 48h | About from 1976 |
Self-winding
| Name | Features | Dimensions | Data | Comments | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | KF 360 | Automatic | 11.5''' Dm= 25.60mm H= 5.45mm | 19 jewels 18'000 A/h | First self-winding caliber Hammer winding with a weight swings in an arc between two banking pins From 1947 |
 | 25-011 | Automatic Sweep second Date | 11.5''' Dm= 25.60mm H= 5.35mm | 21 jewels 21'600 A/h Power reserve 46h | Basic caliber ETA 2783 Date with quickset About 1975 to 1976 |
 | 25-032 | Automatic Sweep second Day und Date | 11.5''' Dm= 25.60mm H= 5.90mm | 25 jewels 28'800 A/h Power reserve 46h | Basic caliber ETA 2789 Day and Date with quickset From 1976? |
 | 25-45 | Automatic Sweep second | 11.5''' Dm= 25.60mm H= 6.00mm | 21 jewels 18'000 A/h Power reserve 40h Datasheet 1,2 | 1951-1960 |
 | 25-451 | Automatic Sweep second Date | 11.5''' Dm= 25.60mm H= 6.50mm | 21 jewels 18'000 A/h Power reserve 40h Datasheet 1,2 | Date without quickset Set by changing 23-24h Derivated from caliber 24-45 1951-1960 |
 | 25-65 | Automatic Sweep second | 11.5''' Dm= 25.60mm H= 5.00mm | 27 jewels 19'800 A/h Power reserve 42h Datasheet 1,2 | 1960-1977 1960-1968: 7221 Chronometer (25-65 and 25-651) |
 | 25-651 | Automatic Sweep second Date | 11.5''' Dm= 25.60mm H= 5.35mm | 27/28 jewels 19'800 A/h Power reserve 42h Datasheet 1,2 | Date without quickset Set by changing 23-24h 1960-1977 1960-1968: 7221 Chronometer (25-65 and 25-651) |
 | 25-651M | Automatic Sweep second Date | 11.5''' Dm= 25.60mm H= 5.35mm | 28 jewels 19'800 A/h Power reserve 42h | Date without quickset Set by changing 23-24h Like 25-651 but modified balance (3 spokes) From 1975 |
 | 25-652 | Automatic Sweep second Day and Date | 11.5''' Dm= 25.60mm H= 5.98mm | 27/28 jewels 19'800 A/h Power reserve 42h Datasheet 1,2 | Date without quickset Set by changing 23-24h Derivated from caliber 25-651 1960-1977 |
| 25-652M | Automatic Sweep second Day and Date | 11.5''' Dm= 25.60mm H= 5.98mm | 28 jewels 19'800 A/h Power reserve 42h | Date without quickset Set by changing 23-24h Like 25-652 but modified balance (3 spokes) From 1975 |
| 25-671 | Automatic Sweep second Date | 11.5''' Dm= 25.60mm H= 5.35mm | 27 jewels 28'800 A/h Power reserve 42h | Derivative of the caliber 25-651 Date without quickset Set by changing 23-24h Ball bearing for minute staff 1970-1972 |
| 25-672 | Automatic Sweep second Day and Date | 11.5''' Dm= 25.60mm H= 5.35mm | 27 jewels 28'800 A/h Power reserve 42h | Derivated from caliber 25-652 Date without quickset Set by changing 23-24h Ball bearing for minute staff 1972-1977 |
 | 25-681 | Automatic Sweep second Date | 11.5''' Dm= 25.60mm H= 5.35mm | 27 jewels 28'800 A/h Power reserve 42h Datasheet 1,2 | Improved version of the 25-671 3 instead of 2 screws at the minute staff Date without quickset Set by changing 23-24h 1972-1977 |
 | 25-682 | Automatic Sweep second Day and Date | 11.5''' Dm= 25.60mm H= 5.98mm | 27 jewels 28'800 A/h Power reserve 42h Datasheet 1,2 | Improved version of the 25-672 3 instead of 2 screws at the minute staff Date without quickset Set by changing 23-24h 1972-1977 |
 | 28-45 | Automatic Sweep second | 12.5''' Dm= 28.00mm H= 6.00mm | 21 jewels 18'000 A/h Power reserve 40h Datasheet 1,2 | Derivated from caliber 25-45 1953-1960 |
 | 28-451 | Automatic Sweep second Date | 12.5''' Dm= 28.00mm H= 6.50mm | 21 jewels 18'000 A/h Power reserve 40h Datasheet 1,2 | Date without quickset Set by changing 23-24h Derivated from caliber 25-451 1953-1960 |
 | 681 | Automatic Alarm (duration 10s) Sweep second Date | 13.75''' Dm= 30.40mm H= 7.90mm | 25 jewels 28'800 A/h Power reserve 49h Datasheet | Basic caliber AS 5008 Leap Date with quickset, Hack mechanism Self-winding of movement and alarm 1973 bis 1977 |
 | 919-1 | Automatic Sweep second Date | 11.5''' Dm= 25.60mm H= 5.20mm | 25 jewels 28'800 A/h Power reserve 44h Datasheet 1,2,3 | Derivated from manual winding caliber 853-1/854-1 Date with quickset From 1976 |
| 920-1 | Automatic Sweep second Day and Date | 11.5''' Dm= 25.60mm H= 5.20mm | 25 jewels 28'800 A/h Power reserve 44h | Derivated from manual winding caliber 853-1/854-1 Day and Date with quickset From 1976 |
Chronograph movements
| Name | Features | Dimensions | Data | Comments | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | EA 31-061 | Manual winding Pillar wheel | 14''' Dm= 31.60mm H= 8.20mm | 19 jewels 18'000 A/h Power reserve 44h | Basic caliber Venus 185 Coaxial single button on the winding-crown for stop and reunite of the split-second About from 1940 to 1952 |
 | Venus 188 | Manual winding Cam switched Sub second L 60s, 30min R | 14''' Dm= 31.60mm H= 6.00mm | 17 jewels 18'000 A/h Power reserve 42h Datasheet 1,2,3 | From 1948 to 1966 |
 | 29-052 | Manual winding Pillar wheel | 13''' Dm= 29.50mm H= 6.95mm | 17 jewels 18'000 A/h Power reserve ?h Datasheet 1,2 | Basic caliber Valjoux 72 Derivated from caliber 29-053 About to 1974 |
 | 29-053 | Manual winding Pillar wheel subsidiary second 60s, 30/45min, 12 h | 13''' Dm= 29.50mm H= 5.85mm | 17 jewels 18'000 A/h Power reserve 46h Datasheet 1,2 | Basic caliber Valjoux 23 About to 1974 |
 | 29-0531 | Manual winding Pillar wheel subsidiary second 60s, 30/45min Date | 13''' Dm= 29.50mm H= 6.47mm | 17 jewels 18'000 A/h Power reserve 46h Datasheet 1,2 | Derivated from caliber 29-053 About to 1974 |
 | 29-062 | Manual winding Pillar wheel subsidiary second 60s, 30/45min, 12 h | 13''' Dm= 29.50mm H= 6.95mm | 17 jewels 21'600 A/h Power reserve 46h Datasheet 1,2 | Basic caliber Valjoux 726 Derivated from calibers 29-053 29-063 and 29-052 About to 1974 |
 | 29-063 | Manual winding Pillar wheel | 13''' Dm= 29.50mm H= 5.82mm | 17 jewels 21'600 A/h Power reserve 46h Datasheet 1,2 | Derivated from caliber 29-053 About to 1974 |
 | 29-0631 | Manual winding Pillar wheel | 13''' Dm= 29.50mm H= 6.47mm | 17 jewels 21'600 A/h Power reserve 46h Datasheet 1,2 | Basic caliber Valjoux 234 Derivated from calibers 29-053 29-063 and 29-0531 About to 1974 |
 | 29-064 | Manual winding Pillar wheel Center-Chrono-Min. und Sek. 12h bei 6 | 13''' Dm= 29.50mm H= 6.47mm | 17 jewels 21'600 A/h Power reserve 46h | Basic caliber Valjoux 728 Derivated from calibers 29-053 29-063 und 29-0531 Used in the Chronolympic "Regatta" From 1971 |
 | 674 | Automatic Cam wheel subsidiary second 60s, 30min, 12h Day and Date | 13.25''' Dm= 30.40mm H= 7.90mm | 25 jewels 28'800 A/h Power reserve 46h Datasheet Valjoux 7750 | Basic caliber 7750 About from 1974 The 7750 is still in production |
Tuning fork movements
| Name | Features | Dimensions | Data | Comments | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 29-151 | Tuning fork Sweep second Date | 13''' Dm= 29.00mm H= 4.85mm | 12 jewels 300 Hz Datasheet | Basic caliber ESA 9162 "Mosaba" Date with quickset From 1969 to 1976 |
 | 29-152 | Tuning fork Sweep second Day and Date | 13''' Dm= 29.00mm H= 5.55mm | 12 jewels 300 Hz Datasheet | Basic caliber ESA 9164 "Mosaba" Day and Date with quickset From 1971 to 1976 |
 | 749 | Tuning fork Cam wheel subsidiary second 60s, 30min, 12h Day and Date | 13.25''' Dm= 30.40mm H= 7.95m | 12 jewels 300 Hz | Basic caliber ESA 9210 "Mosaba" Derivated from caliber ESA 9162/4 Additional chronograph module Day und Date with quickset Unique tuning fork movement with chronograph (21'000 produced) Also used for the Omega Speedsonic and the Longines Ultronic. 1972 to 1976. |
Quartz movements
| Name | Features | Dimensions | Data | Comments | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 28-353 | Electronically con-trolled balance motor. Sweep second. Date Biorhythm | 12.5''' Dm= 28.00mm H= 5.55mm | 13 jewels 28'800 A/h | Basic caliber ESA 9154 Dynotron with additional mechanism for biorhythm (Patent Certina). Date without quickset (Set by changing 23-24h). Hack feature From 1971 |
 | 29-251 and 755 | Quartz Analog Sweep second Date | 13''' Dm= 29.00mm H= 5.75mm | 7 jewels 32'768 Hz | Basic caliber ESA 9180 First ETA Quartz movement Date with quickset From 1972 |
 | 29-252 and 756 | Quartz Analog Sweep second Day and Date | 13''' Dm= 29.00mm H= 5.75mm | 7 jewels 32'768 Hz | Basic caliber ESA 9181 First ETA Quartz movement Day and Date with quickset From 1972 |
 | 750 | Quartz Analog Sweep second Date | 11.5''' Dm= 25.60mm H= 5.5mm | 7 jewels 32'768 Hz | Basic caliber ESA 9361 Quickset date stopsecond From 1977 |
 | 751 | Quartz Analog Sweep second Date | 11.5''' Dm= 25.60mm H= 5.5mm | 7 jewels 32'768 Hz | Basic caliber ESA 9362 Quickset date From 1980 |
 | 780-24 | Quartz Digital LCD Chronograph 12 Functions | 13''' Dm= 29.00mm H= 4.85mm | 32'768 Hz | Basic caliber ESA 934 711 From 1977 |
| 787 | Quartz Digital LCD Chronograph 16 Functions | 13''' Dm= 29.00mm H= 5.55mm | 32'768 Hz | Basic caliber ESA 934 712 From 1977 |
Related links
- Roland Ranffts Archive The biggest movements archive in the Net
- Chuck Maddox's Watch Blog Valjoux 72 Chrono Family Discussion
- Aus dem Tal der Tüfftler Article from Gisbert L. Brunner about the Valjoux chrono calibers (german)
- ETA Swisslab Instruction manual for the Valjoux 7750 caliber
- The Accutron Watch Page Informations about the ESA 9162/9164 caliber
- The Accutron Watch Page Informations about the ESA 9210 chrono caliber
- Homepage von Hartmut Wynen Informations about electrical Certinas (german)
- Fascination Tuning Fork Watches Richard Kunzes Site about Tuning Fork Watches with great videos (german)
- Watchcarefully Article about manual winding Certinas from C. Bradley Jacobs
Update: 05.06.2010
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