Typically, the clock escapement movement speed regulating device is installed in a fixed location , location change does not occur . 1795 , Louis Breguet Swiss watch masters , has invented a fascinating special escapement speed regulator – Tourbillon . In French “Tourbillon”, the ” swirl “” Cyclone, ” as meaning that with the “revolving speed escapement body ” of the machine watch . In the Napoleonic era , the French also used the term to represent the Earth’s rotation and revolution . Mr. Breguet such ” rules can turn off gravity ” of the rotation speed escapement device associated with the celestial system and the universe , not only expressed on the Universe , Mr. Breguet respect for science , but also reveals the tourbillon invention Is by European scientists on the celestial system was inspired to explore .

Mr. Breguet Tourbillon was invented institutions is to correct the force of gravity on clocks mechanical errors. He will escape speed control system design in a rotating frame , so that balance swings in the cycle , it is also the axis around the second round of the 360- degree rotation . Heart around the second axle 360 ° rotating frame can change the location of balance . As the framework is constantly rotating , balance wheel and balance spring will be constantly changing position , thus overcoming the gravity of the balance wheel hairspring effects produced by potentiometer . This rotary escapement speed regulator effectively improve the accuracy of travel time clocks . Mr. Breguet named ” tourbillon “(Tourbillon). June 1801 , this great invention was patented in Paris, France.

At that time , the mechanical watch manufacturer Breguet artisans , to watch the dynamic play to an extreme degree the United States . Unique operation mode known as ” King of the watch . ” So far, in this circle of world-class craftsmen , tourbillon was known as ” tabbed ” the craft – the whole body together escapement speed and can turn . The tourbillon device before the invention of the original escapement is fixed position when the watch changes aside , escapement unchanged , resulting in the same escapement parts Shouli Bu errors . When the watch to a certain speed in the round , will the force of gravity on the tourbillon mechanical watch ” escapement ” minimize the impact to improve accuracy of travel time .

Tourbillon watch represents the highest level of technology and process

Tourbillon ’s structure is very sophisticated . To ensure Tourbillon running more smoothly , not only the dozens of parts from the tourbillon device can only be allowed in the weight within a few hundred milligrams (in theory the lighter the better ), and components for production Tourbillon Hardness Requirements are also very high , which is part of the process has increased the difficulties. Tourbillon operation as a high ornamental value , so that many parts can only be made by hand to achieve the extremely precise production standards . In addition , the precision tourbillon requested up to one micron , and can bear a very small error , if the product package is not very accurate, and watch all the effort will be brought division fell short of success.

ETA 7750 is another popular movement. Its predecessor is Valjoux 7750, Valjoux is a well known movement manufacturer and it is famous for the complicated chronograph movement all over the world. For example, Rolex Daytona is one hot brand series of Rolex and it is equipped with Valjoux 7750 movement. Valjoux 7750 was born in 1974 with 17 Jewels in beginning, later was changed to 25 Jewels, and it is acquired by ETA in the 80’s. Now, this name, “Valjoux”, is rarely used, maybe some movements manufactured before 80’s still use this name.

ETA 7750 came on July 1, 1974 and ETA is very proud of it. Now, it is commonly used by many famous watch brands in making complicated self winding chronograph watches. Standard 7750 is equipped with 17 Ruby Jewels, 42 hours power reserve and 28,800Bph. The ETA 7750 uses a sturdy and convenient semi-fine rate regulation device. The index is moved to adjust the daily rate of the watch. Attached to an eccentric screw, this action causes the regulator ring to rotate via an arm, adjusting the effective length of the balance spring.

Produced by Rolex since 2000, automatic integrated construction, 28,800 bph, 30.5mm diameter, 6.5mm height, 72 h power-reserve, column wheel design. Examples of watches that use this movement: Rolex Daytona produced since 2000.

Union 26

Produced by Union since 1997, automatic modular construction with Union base movement, 28,800 bph, 25.6mm diameter, 40 h power reserve, cam/lever design. Examples of watches that use this movement: Union chronographs.

Zenith 400 El Primero

Produced by Zenith since 1969, automatic integrated construction, 36,000 bph, 30mm diameter, 5.7mm height, 25 rubies, 55 h power reserve, column wheel design. Examples of watches that use this movement: all Zenith chronographs, Parmigiani, pre-2000 versions of the Rolex Daytona, Daniel Roth.

Lemania 1350

Produced by Noubelle Lemania since 1994, automatic integrated construction, available with flyback feature, 28,800 bph, 31mm diameter, 6.4mm height, 30 jewels, 45 h power reserve, cam/lever design. Examples of watches that use this movement: Breguet Type XX(with additional flyback feature), Ebel 1911 chronograph.

Lemania 5100

Produced by Nouvelle Lemania since 1974, automatic integrated construction with central minute counter, 28,800 bph, 31mm diameter, 8.25mm height, 17 jewels, 48 h power reserve, cam/lever design. Examples of watches that use this movement: Tutima Military, Sinn 142.

Patek Philippe 27-70 Q

Produced by Patek Philippe since 1986, handwind based on Lemania 2310, 18,000 bph, 27mm diameter, 7.2mm height, 24 rubies, 60 h power reserve, gyromax balance, column wheel design. Examples of watches that use this movement: all current Patek Philippe chronographs, as Lemania 2310 used by Breguet and Vacheron Constantin.

Workhorse ETA mechanical movements

In recent years there has been an increase in interest in mechanical watches. ETA supplies the overwhelming majority of mechanical watch movements found in Swiss watches.

ETA 2824

One workhorse of the ETA mechanical line is the ETA 2824-2, The 2824 is an automatic winding, twenty-five (25) jewel movement, available in four executions or grades: Standard, Elaborated (improved), Top and Chronometer. The ETA 2824 movement is used in many famous watches, including Rolex, Omega, even some replica watches use this movement. For example, view our Audemars Piguet Swiss replica watches and Bell&Ross Swiss replica watches collection.

ETA 2892

The ETA 2892 is however, widely considered the more upscale of the basic ETA movements, and it certainly a newer design dating to the 1970s where as the 2824 traces its roots back to the 1950s.

The 2892 (2892-A2) seems to have been given priority by making it more efficient. Its oscillating weight is better engineered with a larger support for the ball bearing races, which gives it better shock protection. It is almost always finished nicely with perlage and Geneva stripes. This movement is used by many high-end brands. Often, high-end brands like IWC, Girard Perregaux and Frank Muller will assemble the movements in house and replace some of the critical parts from the escapement to the mainspring to gain tighter tolerances. ETA uses the 2892 as the tractor for other movements like the 2893 with a second time-zone hand and the 2894 chronograph.

Valjoux 7750

The Valjoux 7750 is a widely used chronograph (stop watch) movement operated by cams integrated into the movement. The movement is an automatic winding, twenty-five (25) jewel movement, which can be fitted with a variety of features including the triple date (day, date, month and moon phase) or a variety of two and three register models with totalizers or counters for minutes, seconds and hours. It is available in three executions or grades: Elaborated, Top and Chronometer.

Watches equipped with a quartz mechanism have their own advantages over mechanical watches. Let us stop at every advantage in particular:

1, Accuracy: Quartz watches provide more accurate timekeeping than mechanical ones. Their remarkable accuracy is reached through faster and steadier oscillations of a quartz crystal. As a rule, a quartz watch will gain or lose less than 10 seconds per month. In comparison, a mechanical watch is usually off by a few minutes per month.

2, No Winding: You will not have to wind a quartz watch. The only thing you will have to do when owning a quartz watch is to change the battery. A silver oxide battery lasts for two-three years. A quartz watch equipped with a long-life lithium battery will not require a battery-change for about a decade.

3, Light/Motion Powered: You will also come across a relatively new type of quartz watches with no need for battery replacement. The batteries of such watches get recharged by light, or by the motion of its owner’s arm.

Light enters a light-powered watch through its dial and is converted into electricity with help of a special solar cell found beneath the dial. As for motion-powered quartz watches, they are provided with a tiny rotor spinning is response to an arm’s motion and producing electricity.

4, Little Care: Quartz mechanisms are composed of fewer parts and are not subject to much stress. There is no need for lubricating and cleaning as in case of mechanical watches. Sometimes, however, dirt may cover the gears of an analog quartz watch, thus deteriorating its accuracy. In this case, it is necessary to have the quartz movement cleaned.

Compared with quartz watches, mechanical watches also have their advantages:

1, Reliability: The mechanical watch has a history attached to its name and make. Though, this can be true of a quartz, the battery is a slip. Battery lift is not predictalbe. A mechanical watch can withstand extreme temperatures, unlike a quartz watch.

2, Replacement parts: Replacement parts for mechanical watches are available, you just need to make sure that they are original. But when it comes to age-old quartz watches, the batteries would have become obsolete, which means, that old quartz watches are just matter of memories.

3, Mechanical watches can last longer: Apparently, mechanical watches can last longer, provided they are taken care of and serviced well. Also, if in good condition, a mechanical watch has a lot of resale value, it is an asset. A quartz watch on the other hand features electronic circuitry that has a limited lifespan.

Conclusion: For just accuracy, go for a quartz, for quality, class, precision and historic value, go for a mechanical watch !

For example, mechanical watches break time into eight parts per second. A pallet arm clicks off a regulating gear every 1/8th of a second. The other major movement is the quartz, which relies on the peizoelectric qualities of its crystal base.

The following is a brief introduction to these two most well-known movements.

Mechanical watch movements

There are two types of mechanical watches: manual and self-winding (or automatic).

With a manual watch, the wearer turns the crown to wind the mechanism.

An automatic watch requires no winding by the wearer. Instead, movement is activated by a rotor which turns with regular movements and turns of the wearer’s wrist.

Mechanical movement begins with a pre-wound spring. The watch’s hands and other parts are moved by the regulated release of this spring which slowly discharges its energy under a mechanized control. The mechanism that controls the release of this energy has been engineered in a variety of ways which have been patented throughout history.

The sheer delicacy of this engineering is what makes mechanical watches at once both fragile and valuable. Since 1657, mechanical watch designers have calibrated these frail mechanisms specific to each watch model, considering temperature changes, day to day wear, demand for slimmer cases and the placement of gems and other embellishments.

Quartz watch movements

Quartz movements are activated by a quartz crystal that vibrates at a consistent pace when it is compressed – approximately 33,000 times per second. This naturally occurring quality of quartz makes it an excellent timekeeping component. This kind of movement is much cheaper to produce than the delicate human-engineered mechanical movement.

The accuracy of quartz movements is governed by the quality or purity of the quartz and its shape and cut. From this basis, digital readouts are built around seconds, minutes and hours, to give us the LCD display that is now so common. Quartz movement was discovered in the late 1960s.