Hi Vince!  The #69 stamped into your bedplate is a serial number.
Unfortunately, there's nothing it can tell you.  I have an older 11"
mechanism right in front of me now and the orientation of the shafts is
as follows: (looking at the movement straight on, with pressure arm bar
pivoting on the right side):

-  Winding lever is at the 6 o'clock position, or at the *bottom*
of the mechanism.

-  Speed control is sticking out the right side.

-  On/Off lever is set up so that the actual rod is towards the right
side, but the movement (spring tension) is such that you'd have to push
it towards the back of the bedplate to activate it.

-  My speed control lever is on its own bracket, to the right side of the
main 'block' of the mechanism.

They undoubtedly made some variations on the theme of how they set up the
movement.  After 29 years in this business, I gleefully acknowledge that
I haven't seen it all!

A vertical mounted movement is always a more pleasing view of the box,
and it will direct the sound AT you, rather than UP.   Winding from the
top would be a bit 'strange', but, hey, it's your box!  Whatever turns
your crank!!!

Your idea to add some gears to make it wind from the front would be more
'traditional', but might require some modification of the movement.  I'm
not in favor or modifying anything original to please the aesthetics of a
piece.  _However,_ since you are making a new case, you might consider
that winding from the top might actually topple the piece as it is being
wound!  Winding from the front or side would be more stable.

Traditionally, vertical boxes had no 'sound chamber' as the table models
had.  The bedplate was screwed directly to the backboard.  If the
backboard is solid (no cracks) you'll get optimum sound.  The upright 19
5/8" Polyphons (and most of the other large coin-op disc boxes) had the
bedplates screwed directly into the backboards.

Over the years, the backboards usually developed dry-cracks which would
'let the sound out' the back.  However, after these cracks are repaired,
the sound (especially the bass) is as rich and full as new!

Spruce seemed to be the wood of choice, especially by Regina.  They used
it not only on their bottom soundboards, but some of the Style 50
serpentine cases were spruce, stained to look like mahogany.

Thorens did make a disc box called Edelweiss, mostly in smaller diameter
sizes.  There is very little literature available, unfortunately.  I've
seen a few 11-12" Edelweiss machines and they have all been rim drive,
not center drive (as I assume yours is).

A number of years back Reuge purchased Thorens.  They are still
manufacturing the 11" movements, though with modifications.  Which means
you can still get new discs, though you might have a registration problem
between the projections and the star wheels.  I have some customers who
have no problems, some who can't play the new discs on the older
machines.

If you need info on the Edelweiss machines, let me know and I'll put you
in touch with someone who will know more!

I hope some of this helps!  Enjoy!

Nancy Fratti
MusicBoxLady@Juno.com