The manufactory AHS (Alfred Hirsch, Schwenningen, Germany) was famous for mass production of simple pin lever movements. The caliber 152 described here, was made in the fifties and was a very nice exception, since it was a true pallet anchor lever movement.
Although it uses a service unfriendly pier construction with one single plate and on the dial side only a rocking bar winding mechanism and a simple flat click spring, it is equipped with a screw balance with regulator arm and a block for the indirectly driven center second hand. The balance runs in two trishock-like shock protection systems.
Technical data
Manufacturer
AHS
Caliber
152
Number of jewels
17
Escapement
Anchor with pallets
Balance
Nickel screw balance
Shock protection(s)
Rufarex
Balance cock direction
clockwise
Hairspring stud
fixed
Regulator type
Long regulator arm
Movement construction
Fork
Escapement wheel, Fourth wheel, Third wheel, Center wheel, Mainspring barrel
Center second pinion
The AHS 44 was one of many simple pin lever movements, which made wristwatches available for everyone. It was among the latest pin lever movements, as you can for example see on the modern decoration of the main plate.
It was equipped with almost nothing, no second hand, no jewels, no shock protection, but was put into a golden case with golden plastic(!) dial and a very expensive sounding name “Selecta De Luxe” printed on the dial.
Technical data
Manufacturer
AHS
Caliber
44
Number of jewels
0
Escapement
pin lever
Balance
Nickel
Shock protection(s)
none
Balance cock direction
clockwise
Hairspring stud
fixed
Regulator type
Hairspring key
Movement construction
Fork, Escapement wheel, Fourth wheel, Third wheel, Center wheel, Mainspring barrel
The AHS 43 is another part of the 40er movement series by August Hirsch of Schwenningen.
For a true pin lever movement, it is astonishing well made with its balance staff with pivots (not shock protected) and the indirectly driven center second, which is ruby-beared below an own cock. The long regulator arm, which sets the effective length of the hairspring is also an unusual feature for pin lever movements.
The dial side in nevertheless typical for a simple movement: The winding system is realized as rocking bar and the mainspring click is just a simple spring.
The large cutout around the escapement is very helpful for a proper service of the escapement pins.
Technical data
Manufacturer
AHS
Caliber
43
Number of jewels
5
Escapement
pin lever
Balance
Nickel
Shock protection(s)
none
Balance cock direction
clockwise
Hairspring stud
fixed
Regulator type
Long regulator arm
Movement construction
Fork, Escapement wheel, Fourth wheel, Third wheel, Center wheel, Mainspring barrel
Center second pinion
The AHS caliber 41 is similar in size and functions to the Caliber 40. The only difference is, that the balance wheel runs in synthetic jewels, which is good for the precision, but bad for the survival of bad shocks.
This movement is also available in different versions; the one displayed here has got a double plate on the balance.
Technical data
Manufacturer
AHS
Caliber
41
Number of jewels
4
Escapement
pin lever
Balance
Nickel
Shock protection(s)
none
Balance cock direction
clockwise
Hairspring stud
fixed
Regulator type
Long regulator arm
Movement construction
Fork, Escapement wheel, Fourth wheel, Third wheel, Center wheel, Mainspring barrel
Description
The AHS caliber 40 is a simple, 10 1/2 ligne pin lever movement, made in Germany in the 1950ies. It was available in different versions, among them the one displayed here with a pointed staff and double plate.
There’s no shock protection and also no jewels in the movement; the gears run in brass bearings, probably a preparation for other calibers, which were partially equipped with rubies.
On the dial side, there’s of course only a simple rocking bar winding mechanism and only a spring for the winding mechanism. This spring had to be replaced on the movement displayed here. Fortunately, it was compatible with other movements of AHS.
The movement displays hour and minute, and there’s also a sub-second indication at position “6”.
Technical data
Manufacturer
AHS
Caliber
40
Number of jewels
0
Escapement
pin lever
Balance
Nickel
Shock protection(s)
none
Balance cock direction
clockwise
Hairspring stud
fixed
Regulator type
Long regulator arm
Movement construction
Fork, Escapement wheel, Fourth wheel, Third wheel, Center wheel, Mainspring barrel