The FHF 59.21 is a manual-winding mechanical movement produced by Fabrique d’Horlogerie de Fontainemelon (FHF). It is a variant within the FHF 59 series, a line of compact, two-hand calibers designed for ladies’ wristwatches and slim dress watches during the mid-20th century.

The “.21” suffix indicates a refined or modified version of the base FHF 59 caliber, typically involving subtle structural adjustments for improved casing compatibility or production efficiency, without altering core mechanical performance.

Technical Specifications

• Winding Type: Manual

• Size: 6¾ x 8 ligne (approx. 15.3 mm x 18.1 mm)

• Height: Approx. 3.0 mm

• Jewels: 17

• Frequency: 21,600 vibrations per hour (vph)

• Power Reserve: ~42 hours

• Functions: Hours and minutes (no seconds hand)

Design Features

The FHF 59.21 was engineered to meet the demands of compact and elegant watch designs, with features including:

• Slim two-hand layout, allowing use in low-profile cases

• Shock protection, such as Incabloc (in later versions)

• Reliable manual winding mechanism with efficient energy transmission

• Clean bridge and gear train design, simplifying service and assembly

This caliber was built for durability and aesthetic simplicity, making it ideal for watches aimed at the fashion-conscious buyer.

Use in Watchmaking

The FHF 59.21 was commonly used in:

• Ladies’ Swiss-made mechanical watches

• Slim rectangular and oval watches from the 1950s–1970s

• Gold and gold-plated dress watches

• Private-label and export watches, especially for European and North American markets

Watchmaker's Perspective

From a servicing point of view, the FHF 59.21 is:

• Reliable and easy to maintain, even in older examples

• Mechanically interchangeable with parts from other FHF 59-series movements

• Ideal for vintage restoration, especially in delicate cases

• A good representative of mid-century watchmaking craftsmanship

Conclusion

The FHF 59.21 is a refined, compact mechanical movement that showcases FHF’s legacy of creating reliable and efficient watch calibers for slim, elegant timepieces. While it may not include advanced complications, it excels in mechanical reliability, simplicity, and serviceability. Today, it remains a trusted movement in vintage restoration work and a symbol of Switzerland’s mastery in producing high-quality small-format mechanical calibers.