====== Kif ======
**Kif** is a common [[shock protection]] system used in mechanical watches. It is manufactured by the [[Parechoc]] company, and these terms are often used to describe the shock protection system itself.

Kif was developed in the 1930's. It prevents a watch [[balance staff]] from breaking by allowing it to move slightly, both laterally and vertically, using a spring-mounted jewel setting. Kif can be recognized by the golden 3-leaf or 4-leaf clover shaped spring clip around a ruby at the top of the balance.

Kif is also the name of the company that produces these shock absorption systems. It is related to [[Rolex]], which favors Kif shock protection to this day.

Kif makes both removable and hinged anti-shock mechanisms 

  * Removable
    * Duobil - Bowtie shape with four tabs
    * Minifix - Round shape with two inward tabs
    * Kif-1, Kif 370, or Trior - "Three leaf clover" - Designed for [[plate]]s - Used by [[A. Schild]], [[Enicar]], [[ETA]], [[Felsa]], [[FHF]], [[Landeron]], [[LeCoultre]], [[Lemania]], [[Patek Philippe]], [[Peseux]], [[Ricoh]], [[Unitas]], [[Valjoux]]
    * Kif-2, Kif-A, or Flector - "Four leaf clover" - Raised mount above a hole - Used by [[A. Schild]], [[Enicar]], [[ETA]], [[Felsa]], [[FHF]], [[Landeron]], [[LeCoultre]], [[Lemania]], [[Longines]], [[Omega]], [[Patek Philippe]], [[Peseux]], [[Rolex]], [[Valjoux]]
    * Kif-7 - Round shape with four inward tabs - Used by [[ETA]], [[FHF]], [[Unitas]]
  * Hinged
    * Kif-3 or Elastor - "Lyre" shape - Designed for insertion into a hole or above a hole - Used by [[A. Schild]], [[Büren]], [[ESA]], [[ETA]], [[FHF]], [[IWC]], [[Landeron]], [[LeCoultre]], [[Lemania]], [[Longines]], [[Omega]]], [[Patek Philippe]], [[Peseux]], [[Rolex]], [[Unitas]], [[Valjoux]]
    * Kif-4 or Satellor - "Mushroom" shape - Raised mount above a hole - Used by [[A. Schild]], [[ETA]], [[Felsa]], [[FHF]], [[LeCoultre]], [[Peseux]], [[Unitas]], [[Valjoux]]
    * Kif-5 - [[Incabloc]] shaped (with alternate complex spring shape) - Used by [[A. Schild]], [[ETA]], [[FHF]], [[Peseux]], [[Unitas]], [[Valjoux]]
    * Kif-6 or Ultraflex - Twin lobe shape - Designed for stepped [[bridge]]s and [[plate]]s or above a hole - Used by [[A. Schild]], [[Büren]], [[Enicar]], [[ESA]], [[ETA]], [[Eterna]], [[Felsa]], [[FHF]], [[Landeron]], [[LeCoultre]], [[Lemania]], [[Longines]], [[Minerva]], [[Peseux]], [[Unitas]], [[Valjoux]]
    * Duofix - Wide U shape - Designed for insertion into a hole - Designed for [[Rolex]], replaced by [[Paraflex]]

===== See Also =====
  * [[Parechoc]]
  * [[Incabloc]]

===== External Links =====
  * [[http://great-british-watch.co.uk/watch-anti-shock-settings/|Watch Anti-Shock Settings]]


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