The 6497 6498 information thread
Posted: January 8th, 2020, 3:39 pm
I’ve started looking at doing some builds using these and realized that the 6497/6498 thread(s) from the old forum didn’t seem to have made it over - at least not by my search. I’m going to put my opinions (I’m sure our resident watchmakers will have comments and please feel free to correct me) here. Please feel free to add your opinions and or pics to this thread.
I love these for their ease of servicing and their durability. These are great movements to learn how to clean and oil a watch movement.
UNITAS 649x
I have seen early Unitas 6497, 6498 movements in 15 jewel and more commonly 17 jewel versions. Typically found in pocket watches from the 70s and 80s. These movements can be found in (just to make a few)
Arnex (by far the most common brand)
Nastrix
Aero
Many more
Branded pocket watches. These are typically marked with “17 Jewels Incabloc” on the dial. Most of these vintage movements will benefit from a service and can be found typically in the $50-$100 range (unserviced). IMO, if the working description is accurate, they make great donors for projects. Finishes are typically brushed, or hammered finish in silver, gold, brass finish.
These are 18,000 frequency movements
ASIAN 649x
I don’t have much experience here, as my limited exposure to them early on were more problematic than I was willing to deal with. Back then (I’m not sure about now), it seemed like most came unoiled (so they needed a service anyway) and 10-20% of them seemed to have defects and spare parts were not available. Before our watchmakers appeared and taught us the right way to shorten the seconds pivots, I was guilty of snipping the long seconds pivot and my experience is that the metal is softer that the Swiss versions. How that translates to durability over 10-15 years, I do not know.
Many here prefer these over vintage units, I would say it’s a toss up and depending on your luck and diligence when pulling the trigger.
ETA 649x -1 and -2
-1 variants are 18,000 and -2 variants 21,600. These are my favorite. If new, they seem to come oiled and pretty much ready to drop in for use. If used, these typically are lightly used and housed in modern day cases so less exposure to moisture. Undecorated Silver finished new units used to be $120 on eBay but a quick search puts them closer to $200 now after shipping etc. Decorated finished can push the prices north of $500. High beat -2 versions typically start north of $400. There are many modified variations out there, including central seconds, different bridge designs, power reserve and even chronograph modifications.
I love these for their ease of servicing and their durability. These are great movements to learn how to clean and oil a watch movement.
UNITAS 649x
I have seen early Unitas 6497, 6498 movements in 15 jewel and more commonly 17 jewel versions. Typically found in pocket watches from the 70s and 80s. These movements can be found in (just to make a few)
Arnex (by far the most common brand)
Nastrix
Aero
Many more
Branded pocket watches. These are typically marked with “17 Jewels Incabloc” on the dial. Most of these vintage movements will benefit from a service and can be found typically in the $50-$100 range (unserviced). IMO, if the working description is accurate, they make great donors for projects. Finishes are typically brushed, or hammered finish in silver, gold, brass finish.
These are 18,000 frequency movements
ASIAN 649x
I don’t have much experience here, as my limited exposure to them early on were more problematic than I was willing to deal with. Back then (I’m not sure about now), it seemed like most came unoiled (so they needed a service anyway) and 10-20% of them seemed to have defects and spare parts were not available. Before our watchmakers appeared and taught us the right way to shorten the seconds pivots, I was guilty of snipping the long seconds pivot and my experience is that the metal is softer that the Swiss versions. How that translates to durability over 10-15 years, I do not know.
Many here prefer these over vintage units, I would say it’s a toss up and depending on your luck and diligence when pulling the trigger.
ETA 649x -1 and -2
-1 variants are 18,000 and -2 variants 21,600. These are my favorite. If new, they seem to come oiled and pretty much ready to drop in for use. If used, these typically are lightly used and housed in modern day cases so less exposure to moisture. Undecorated Silver finished new units used to be $120 on eBay but a quick search puts them closer to $200 now after shipping etc. Decorated finished can push the prices north of $500. High beat -2 versions typically start north of $400. There are many modified variations out there, including central seconds, different bridge designs, power reserve and even chronograph modifications.