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616 power reserve

Posted: July 28th, 2023, 1:28 am
by Hypnogagia
I’m rebuilding a few Nomolas (Cortebert 616) and I was wondering what I could expect for how many hours it should last. I’ve got several ETA 6497/8 that go for the 36 hours (or a little more) that they are spec’d for, and the Omega 960’s and 830’s seem to go for 50-55 hours. On the other hand most of my pre-1940’s watches are around 30-33.

Anyone timed how long they usually get out of a full wind on a 616?

Re: 616 power reserve

Posted: July 28th, 2023, 2:13 am
by Belkin12
616 movements I serviced had 30-35 hots power reserve.


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Re: 616 power reserve

Posted: July 28th, 2023, 3:06 am
by Denis
With new mainspring, serviced, 37h.. New mainspring is not bad idea, price is not expensive..

Re: 616 power reserve

Posted: July 28th, 2023, 3:10 am
by Hypnogagia
Thanks much guys! I’m thinking I’ll try to keep the original mainsprings going as long as they’ll hold 30, but I should probably pick up spares. The 616s I have were from Egypt and have had a lot of use, so who knows how long the current mainsprings will last. On the good side, they have strong amplitude on the balance.

Re: 616 power reserve

Posted: July 28th, 2023, 5:18 am
by Yoda
Hypnogagia wrote: July 28th, 2023, 3:10 am Thanks much guys! I’m thinking I’ll try to keep the original mainsprings going as long as they’ll hold 30, but I should probably pick up spares. The 616s I have were from Egypt and have had a lot of use, so who knows how long the current mainsprings will last. On the good side, they have strong amplitude on the balance.
Mind that when you replace an old brown or blue mainspring with a white alloy one, you will need to choose one a strength or two lower.

A broken mainspring can cause damage to the movement parts and I would replace an old one.

Re: 616 power reserve

Posted: July 28th, 2023, 5:45 am
by Yoda
Hypnogagia wrote: July 28th, 2023, 1:28 am I’m rebuilding a few Nomolas (Cortebert 616) and I was wondering what I could expect for how many hours it should last. I’ve got several ETA 6497/8 that go for the 36 hours (or a little more) that they are spec’d for, and the Omega 960’s and 830’s seem to go for 50-55 hours. On the other hand most of my pre-1940’s watches are around 30-33.

Anyone timed how long they usually get out of a full wind on a 616?
I have had a few running for 42-44 hours with a new mainspring which was two strengths weaker and an inch longer.

Re: 616 power reserve

Posted: July 28th, 2023, 6:26 am
by Philip1944
The best 616 I have has a 37hr reserve.
Two others which have not been serviced for a while and do not have new mainsprings are achieving 32 and 35hrs.
My three 6497-1 movements achieve 49, 46 and 42 hours.