The FHF 60.21 is a manual-winding mechanical movement manufactured by Fabrique d’Horlogerie de Fontainemelon (FHF), a renowned Swiss ébauche maker. It belongs to the FHF 60 series, a line of compact calibers developed primarily for ladies’ wristwatches and slim time-only dress watches produced during the mid-20th century.

The “.21” suffix indicates a specific variant of the base FHF 60 caliber, featuring minor design or technical modifications to better suit certain case designs or production requirements.

Technical Specifications

• Type: Manual winding

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

• Height: About 3.0 mm

• Jewels: 17

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

• Power Reserve: Approximately 42 hours

• Functions: Hours and minutes only (two-hand configuration)

Design and Features

The FHF 60.21 was designed to combine compactness with reliable timekeeping:

• Slim, minimalist two-hand layout ideal for elegant cases

• Shock protection (typically Incabloc) for enhanced durability

• Clean, straightforward gear train and bridge construction

• Efficient manual winding and setting mechanisms

Its architecture facilitates ease of servicing and lends itself well to thin, rectangular or oval watch cases.

Applications in Watchmaking

This caliber found wide use in:

• Ladies’ mechanical wristwatches

• Slim dress watches with classic shapes such as rectangular or tonneau cases

• Private-label and export-market timepieces aimed at Europe and North America

• Gold, gold-plated, and stainless-steel models focused on elegance and minimalism

Watchmaker’s Perspective

The FHF 60.21 is regarded as:

• Robust and reliable, suitable for long-term use

• Easily serviceable due to its simple construction

• Compatible with other FHF 60-series parts for repairs

• A popular movement for vintage restorations of small-format watches

Conclusion

The FHF 60.21 exemplifies mid-20th-century Swiss mechanical watchmaking excellence in a compact form. Built for durability, accuracy, and slimness, it powered many elegant wristwatches during a peak era of Swiss horology. Today, it remains a sought-after movement for collectors and watchmakers restoring vintage ladies’ watches and slim dress timepieces.