Do you think that it might say "1686", as in AS 1686? The logo seems to be a stylized "V", but the only brand that really comes to mind is Vulcain, and I don't think that's a Vulcain logo.

bidfun-db Archive: Watch Movements: AS 1686

www.ranfft.de

 

It's probably the logo of Mondaine watches.

Regards.

 

Thank you both, that's great!
I first looked at the movement with a loup, I just looked again with a loup and a light, it is 1686.
Yes, looks like a Mondaine logo the other way up, even though it is in a Chateau brand watch!

(Missing seconds hand)

 

I found these pictures of an actual Mondaine and its movement,

 

I'm now not totally sure that it is the Mondaine logo which has the watch's crown, missing from yours. Not instantly sure what else it could be, though, and I'm not aware of any connection between Chateau and Mondaine. Curious..

 

In that case, it is sadly a frankenwatch - someone has "married" parts from two different watches. This won't affect the functionality but it offends the purists and devalues the watch. Since neither of the original two watches the parts came from (one Chateau, one Mondaine) are particularly valuable or desirable, the depreciation is not that great in absolute terms. If it bugs you, get rid of the watch and buy another.

Hartmut Richter

 

Thanks. The inner wouldn't bother me, but I might sell it because of the missing seconds hand, I think the watch looks nice otherwise.

 

If he has a suitable one, the fitting of a replacement sweep seconds hand should be a quick and easy task for any competent watchmaker. The pinion still looks to be present and the job should only cost a few pounds. Why not get an idea of the cost before you rush to sell it, especially if you like the watch?

Regards.

 

I get what you're saying, it should be that easy. A few years ago I had a black dial watch with an irritating smear on the inside of the crystal, a watch shop wanted £20 just to wipe it off.
This watch was around £5.00 including postage after a part refund because of the second hand situation, and it has a difficult lug width, 17.5mm, I have various spare 18mm straps and was able to squeeze one in yesterday;