Calibre 1520 and Calibre 1530

[Marrk]

I believe it was Larry who recently posted a link to an article on James Bond's watches. In the article, there was a discussion of the two calibres that came in the ref. 5513 — the cal. 1520 and 1530. The author stated that these were remarkably reliable and accurate calibres, and that the difference between the two was that the 1520 was cheaper because it had fewer jewels.

Can anyone elaborate on this? How many jewels in each? If jewels are bearings, which bearings are not jeweled in the 1520? Do any TRF experts perceive that there is an appreciable difference in this case between more jewels and fewer jewels.

Thanks.

[CVerKuilen]

Let me make a few references tomorrow and I'll get back to you. It shouldn't be much at all.

[Spark]

Hi,
I am no expert and am only posting information gleaned from reference material
I don't actually think the 1520 had less jewels than the 1530 period, they both actually come with different jewel numbers at different times.
From information I have read the 1520 came in 17 jewel and 26 jewel variants and the 1530 came in 17, 25 and 26 jewel variants.
The 17 jewel variant is for US watches during the 60's when apparently the US government put tariffs on watches based on the amount of jewels in the movement so Rolex removed the jewels to the autowinding mechanism so making it less of a tax burden, but this was done to both 1520 and 1530 for the US market.
European watches all came with the 25/26 jewel variants or at least would have done if it wasn't Rolex making them.
I expect some European watches got the 17 jewel movement when they ran low on the others.
The rarest is the 1530 25 jewel movement I believe.