Certina Caliber 23-36: A Reliable Manual-Wind Movement with Modernization Potential

The Certina Caliber 23-36 represents an evolution in the brand’s line of manual-winding movements, expanding upon the architecture and reliability of the earlier 23-30 series. Designed in the mid-20th century, this caliber served as a versatile platform for elegant yet sturdy wristwatches. Though still mechanical and manually wound, the 23-36 introduced mechanical refinements that made it easier to service and regulate—reflecting the maturing Swiss watch industry’s attention to user experience and watchmaker convenience.

This caliber is part of the 23-series, one of Certina’s most widely used movement families before the transition to full automation and quartz.

Technical Specifications

This caliber features no date complication, making it ideal for dress watches that favor symmetry and mechanical simplicity.

Movement Design and Enhancements

The Caliber 23-36 remains true to the architecture of its predecessor, the 23-30, but includes slight improvements in bridge layout, escapement geometry, and sometimes jewel setting methods.

Notable Features:

• Manual-winding barrel with improved torque consistency and mainspring durability

• Refined bridge construction, aiding visual alignment during servicing

• Hardened steel components in the keyless works to reduce wear

• Shock-protected balance wheel assembly

• Small seconds display, giving the watch a traditional Swiss character

The design emphasizes functional minimalism: the fewer moving parts needed, the fewer failure points over time. This mindset was especially helpful for mass-market Swiss brands trying to balance quality and production cost.

Watch Applications

The 23-36 was used in a variety of men’s dress and everyday watches. It was chosen for models that needed to be slim, dependable, and stylish, especially in the 1960s and early 1970s.

Common characteristics of watches housing the 23-36 include:

• Case sizes from 33 mm to 36 mm, perfectly proportioned for the era

• Simple, clean dials with baton or Arabic numerals

• Slim steel or gold-plated cases

• Acrylic crystals and manual-wind crowns

• Watch casebacks either snap-on or screw-down depending on the model

Many watches with this movement were unsigned at the crown and had subtle branding—fitting for conservative, professional buyers.

Watchmaker Notes

The 23-36 remains popular among vintage restorers due to its stable gear train, compact size, and service-friendly layout.

Servicing Tips:

• Lubricate the gear train pivots with Moebius 9010, and use 9501 grease on the winding and setting mechanisms

• Inspect the mainspring barrel and arbor, as older samples may show fatigue or sticking

• Clean the small seconds train carefully, as buildup here can impair function

• Use a timing machine to check balance amplitude post-cleaning; a healthy amplitude (270°–300°) indicates good spring torque and pivot condition

• Replacement parts can still be found or substituted from other Certina 23-series movements

Even after decades, the 23-36 often requires minimal restoration to return to excellent working order.

Collector Appeal

While modest in fame, the Certina 23-36 has quietly earned respect for being a dependable, well-made movement with a vintage soul. Its appeal lies in:

• Mechanical purity—manual wind with no complications

• Ease of maintenance

• Classic mid-century design

• Use in affordable vintage models that still carry Swiss credibility

Collectors appreciate it for its simple elegance and Certina’s commitment to longevity in watch design.

Conclusion

The Certina Caliber 23-36 is a polished example of mid-century Swiss watch engineering—refined, serviceable, and made to last. For vintage enthusiasts who value function over flair, it offers a reliable foundation inside some of Certina’s most tastefully understated watches. Its balance of quality and simplicity ensures that it remains relevant, even today, in the eyes of watch collectors and restorers alike.