The MST 963 by Meyer & Stüdeli is a pallet lever movement of the Solothurn factury, whose
more expensive watches were released under the brand name "Roamer".
The MST 963 has got a pillar construction, which means, that the plates and bridges
are separated only by pillars. This construction allowes much cheaper movements, compared to the
massively constructed movements, but at least in theory, the fitting accurancy is not always
perfect.
movement without escapement
The three leg ring balance turns in two shock protection bearings, probably Trishock. The
hairspring stud is moveable and the effective length of the hairspring can only be regulated
directly at the hairspring key. The scale on the balance cock is hence useless.
train works
The gears are arranged in a traditional way: The center second is directly driven and is located
above the minute wheel, which is driven by the mainspring barrel.
main plate
All gears are equipped with synthetic rubis, lever- and escapement-bearing even contain cap
jewels on the dial side.
A speciality is the mainspring barrel bearing on the movement side: It consists of a detachable
bushing, which is secured by a screw and thus allows to release the mainspring barrel without
dissection of the whole movement.
dial side view without date mechanism
On the dial side, there's the click mechanism - that's typical for movements with a cheaper
rocking bar winding mechanism. But unlike cheap rocking bar movements, it is very well constructed
here with a double-geared click.
rocking bar winding mechanism
The rocking bar winding mechanism (at "3") without cap.
dial side view
The MST 963 has got a rather simple date indication mechanism, whose moveable click (at "10") allows
semi-fast correction of the date by turning the time back and forth a few hours.
Technical data
Manufacturer
MST
Caliber
963
Number of jewels
17
Escapement
Anchor with pallets
Balance
Nickel
Shock protection(s)
???
Balance cock direction
clockwise
Hairspring stud
moveable
Regulator type
Hairspring key
Movement construction
Fork Escapement wheel, Fourth wheel, Third wheel, Mainspring barrel Center wheel
Bridge shape
Winding mechanism
Rocking bar
Features
SCD,QG,RDR
Functions
Hour, minute, second, day
Beats per hour
18000
Size
111/2''' (measured: 25,6 mm)
Factsheet
Test Results
The specimen shown here came in much used and dirty condition into the lab and was
dissected completely and cleaned afterwards. The movement got the same treatment: It was
disassabled, cleaned and oiled.
According to the condition of the dial, at least once water got into the watch, but did not
really harm the movement.
Timegrapher Protocol
Although it was a bit difficult to adjust, on the timegrapher, the MST 963 specimen showed
very good results: A maximum overall deviation of 25 seconds is very good for a movement, which
as used (and abused) for several decades!
