The Reason
The Tortue de Joux shows how a simple calibre can be taken and changed into a watch which takes on a new life, being transformed in shape and form.
The example below is based on an UT6497 calibre, the form of the movement is altered to a tourneau shape and skeletonized. The vibrations per hour of the balance is 18000, which associates with early calibers predominantly pre- 1950's.
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![Movement bridge side](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58bb0536893fc04255997b40/1610722889148-761K5VT74XVKJ96116DF/IMG_1444.jpg)
Movement bridge side
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![Dial side](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58bb0536893fc04255997b40/1611148722029-9GYNB80A2B6IDH04HP4R/IMG_1460.jpg)
Dial side
Please click on the images to enlarge them
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![Ratchet wheel](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58bb0536893fc04255997b40/1611148322798-C2B2ZNX71MCUI4HLPPOQ/IMG_1396.jpg)
Ratchet wheel
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![Upper crown wheel](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58bb0536893fc04255997b40/1611148333193-K6BH0WFPIM4KKTKHEZYO/IMG_1400.jpg)
Upper crown wheel
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![Hour wheel](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58bb0536893fc04255997b40/1611148342930-6SGIQI4QQBFBKUTZI8GI/IMG_1414.jpg)
Hour wheel
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![Plan view barrel](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58bb0536893fc04255997b40/1610722989412-E8AU6CYQ4LSKLORQL54S/IMG_1424.jpg)
Plan view barrel
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![Inclined view barrel](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58bb0536893fc04255997b40/1611148351789-U71IU79ZKGH082JFYWPM/IMG_1425.jpg)
Inclined view barrel
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![Ratchet click](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58bb0536893fc04255997b40/1611148362338-SZCU5CPF3GYZMPDK1B06/IMG_1482.jpg)
Ratchet click
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![Setting lever spring plate](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58bb0536893fc04255997b40/1611148371544-LVC29I3D57KXGCWDO46I/IMG_1422.jpg)
Setting lever spring plate
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![Setting lever and screw](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58bb0536893fc04255997b40/1611148383805-1XZ0YEN0HTXI8PVK0HTR/IMG_1489.jpg)
Setting lever and screw
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![Winding stem](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58bb0536893fc04255997b40/1611148393168-FYNNB890LPT5ZH2P7NOE/IMG_1514.jpg)
Winding stem
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![Winding pinion & sliding clutch](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58bb0536893fc04255997b40/1611148401992-47ZKH7AWPY6FL0TWMS9W/IMG_1500.jpg)
Winding pinion & sliding clutch
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![Train wheels](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58bb0536893fc04255997b40/1611148415422-G3YXP6BKOTCSS46VM1P2/IMG_1458.jpg)
Train wheels
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![Centre wheel](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58bb0536893fc04255997b40/1611148427587-BW7JYRPW9O49V9CDHDRN/IMG_1465.jpg)
Centre wheel
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![3rd wheel](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58bb0536893fc04255997b40/1611148440670-51W9FYABLBJ0P6X7C219/IMG_1435.jpg)
3rd wheel
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![4th wheel](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58bb0536893fc04255997b40/1611148453316-N7OEK74P1DPF3MQHZGJT/IMG_1428.jpg)
4th wheel
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![Canon pinion](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58bb0536893fc04255997b40/1611148462686-TUYUVB70DHHAM44OUW7G/IMG_1496.jpg)
Canon pinion
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![Escape wheel, anchor(pallets) and pallet bride](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58bb0536893fc04255997b40/1611148476732-S3Z47CLTZ6898AOSWP3F/IMG_1477.jpg)
Escape wheel, anchor(pallets) and pallet bride
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![Branding printed on sapphire, underside](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58bb0536893fc04255997b40/1611148495365-GD9N9CC6JBUL6HITY4CU/IMG_1433.jpg)
Branding printed on sapphire, underside
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![Upper side of balance bridge assembly](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58bb0536893fc04255997b40/1611148538964-3QFG3CDGJUNHCXWJIYUY/IMG_1452.jpg)
Upper side of balance bridge assembly
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![Underside of balance bridge](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58bb0536893fc04255997b40/1611148549105-TKFBK53WJR0AF2R9CLQC/IMG_1454.jpg)
Underside of balance bridge
Inclined view of bridge side of movement, the frequency of the balance is 18000 vibrations per hour.
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![Setting mechanism](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58bb0536893fc04255997b40/1610722833282-0XMZTPTAV84KPAOULP1Q/IMG_1304.jpg)
Setting mechanism
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![Beveled sapphire glass](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58bb0536893fc04255997b40/1610722812415-PI62LB61EISX6RVAUQRH/IMG_1307.jpg)
Beveled sapphire glass
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![Black lacquered hands](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58bb0536893fc04255997b40/1498414054926-Q72LDF66Z8AOL7453NFW/IMG_1322.jpg)
Black lacquered hands
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![17 jewels in total](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58bb0536893fc04255997b40/1610722795742-S3ZXX5VS3TXQUVCUSE0Q/IMG_1349.jpg)
17 jewels in total
All of the jewels are pushed (friction fitted) in the bridges.
Diverse views of the piece
To learn more click on www.claudemeylan.ch