A. Schild Caliber AS 1700

A. Schild caliber 1700 (aka AS1700 or AS 1700) is a vintage automatic watch movement. This Swiss made caliber is a true no-date 3-hander with 17 jewels. According to official tech sheets, the AS 1700 was produced since at least 1965.

As you can see from the list of vintage microbrand watch companies above, this movement was as ubiquitous then as an ETA or Sellita is today.

In A. Schild’s own words:

“This caliber of standard design includes an automatic winding device which is independent of the movement and has an oscillating weight with a heavy metal rim.” -A. Schild technical and practical communication for the use of the watch repairer, 1965, Ebauches SA Neuchatel (Switzerland)

AS 1700 VS 1701:

There is a similar calibre AS1701 with the main difference being that the 1701 has an instantaneous date (calendar) complication and the 1700 is a no-date.

You will find that the caliber number engraved under the balance wheel is AS (shield logo) 1700/01 as the mainplate is used for either version. The telltale sign is the datewheel and calendar components on the dial side.

Interesting Note:

A. Schild’s part number for the ratchet wheel is the same part number for the ETA 2824-2 and Sellita SW200-1 ratchet wheel: #415. This does mean they are interchangeable (similar in appearance, but untested), but it’s an interesting observation nonetheless.

Update to the interesting note: It appears that the AS1700 ratchet wheel has 50 teeth and the SW200-1 ratchet wheel has 63 teeth. Although A. Schild merged with eTA in the 1970s, maybe they should have used a different part number to avoid caliber (parts) confusion!

Additional Resources:

• More A. Schild watch movements