Results for Silicon Hairspring

Who Invented the Hairspring?

Twenty twenty-five marks the 350th anniversary of the hairspring – it’s hard to believe the spiral ticking away in tens of millions of mechanical watches is already over three centuries old. The hairspring’s history is marked by revelations, disputes, and technical advancements, driven forward by creative horological minds, making the story of the hairspring a fascinating one. But behind all of that lies the question: who invented the hairspring? There are two familiar contenders for the title and it’ll take a deep dive into history to figure out who deserves credit. The motivation Prior to the invention of the hairspring, most timekeepers were clocks. Watches existed, but were essentially miniature clocks that still relied on some sort of gravity pendulum, making such early watches wildly inaccurate. So the hairspring was born of necessity, the need to transform clunky, stationary clocks into relatively precise portable timekeepers. By the mid 17th century, Dutch mathematician and physicist Christiaan Huygens (1629-1695) had already demonstrated a swinging pendulum could indeed serve as a reliable base unit of time measurement for a mechanical timekeeper. He designed his own cycloidal pendulum clocks equipped with oscillating bobs that were only dependent on gravitational acceleration and the cord’s length, making them true isochronous timekeepers. The first such clock was built in 1657 with the help of clockmaker Salomon Coster. “Isochronous” refers to an o...

New Release: MB&F; LM Perpetual EVO Silicon Valley

Stephen Silver Fine Jewelry, Silicon Valley’s leading timepiece salon has partnered with MB&F; to release an exclusive edition of the Legacy Machine Perpetual EVO.

New Release: Louis Moinet Astronef Techno Unique Piece Featuring Two Flying Tourbillons and a Eye-Catching Iridescent High-Tech Silicon Wafer Dial

The ever-changing colors of the silicon wafer dial on the Louis Moinet Astronef Techno are not caused by light reflections but by iridescence. This is the phenomenon of a surface changing color as the angle of view or the angle of illumination changes. But there is much more to this unique piece watch than a stunning dial.

Is Silicon Here to Stay in (Rolex) Watch Movements? – Reprise

Hairsprings are miniscule. Generally no more than one centimeter in overall diameter when coiled, they are roughly 50 microns thick and 150 microns wide. Tiny they may be, but insignificant they are not. In fact, they are so significant that Rolex refers to them as “the guardians of time.” But what do silicon hairsprings bring to the table? Watchmaker Ashton Tracy explains why he went from skeptic to fan.

The Ulysse Nardin Blast Free Wheel Marquetry is the ultimate tribute to silicon

Ulysse Nardin do not always get the credit they are due as a watch manufacture. I bet most of you watching this video were not aware that Ulysse Nardin is an independently owned, vertically integrated manufacture – among the rare few who are able to build their watches fully in house. While certainly versed in … ContinuedThe post The Ulysse Nardin Blast Free Wheel Marquetry is the ultimate tribute to silicon appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

HANDS-ON: The TAG Heuer Connected generation 3 is the Swiss and Silicon Valley doing what they do best, together

Certain expertise has always been found in specific parts of the world, creating hubs of creativity and technical innovation. So what would happen if you put the watchmaking nous of La Chaux-de-Fonds and the tech capability of Silicon Valley together into a watch? You get the TAG Heuer Connected watch, generation 3. The first generation … ContinuedThe post HANDS-ON: The TAG Heuer Connected generation 3 is the Swiss and Silicon Valley doing what they do best, together appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

The 2020 TAG Heuer Connected Watch Generation Three is the marriage of Switzerland and Silicon Valley that had to happen

The latest generation of the TAG Heuer Connected Watch has just been released and it represents a major and - practically everyone would agree - welcome departure from the tech and mindset of the previous two generations. Simply because it is now powered by Google Wear OS, which allows the Swiss to do what they do … ContinuedThe post The 2020 TAG Heuer Connected Watch Generation Three is the marriage of Switzerland and Silicon Valley that had to happen appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

Introducing the Swatch Flymagic with Titanium-Based Nivachron Hairspring

Swatch Watches unveils the Swatch Flymagic featuring the Swatch Group’s latest innovation in watchmaking: the titanium-based Nivachron hairspring.

Video: The Birth Of Silicon (The watch that changed the world)

The realization of the groundbreaking watch that the Freak was destined to be necessitated the use of materials never before used in watchmaking. And thus was born the age of silicon in horology. But who was it that proposed this space age material for use in a watch?

Event Report: Stephen Silver State of Independence Silicon Valley

About two months ago, I wrote about the state of wrist affairs in Watches of the Silicon Valley. In the article, we confirmed the unsurprising SV stereotypes with the array of Apple watches and Fitbits. Just go up to the city and you will see the sad state of Union Square watch boutiques. Look down in the peninsula and you won't even see a sensible retailer. Or so I thought.

Spot the Watch: Watches of the Silicon Valley

Spot the Watch goes to to Silicon Valley. We spy on the watches on the wrists of the tech geeks to tell the tale of Pebbles, Apples, JLCs and Seagulls.

New Richard Mille RM 011 in Silicon Nitride and on Jason Statham’s Wrist

Richard Mille has always been one of the more pioneering watchmakers of our generation. One would assume that his last creation with full sapphire case might have been a little hard to top but last week, he announced his mainstay RM 011 flyback chronograph in silicon nitride, a material commonly associated with automobiles and not […]

Silicon Is Sexy! Ulysse Nardin Skeleton Tourbillon Manufacture

Let there be no mistake; Although the title might made you think otherwise, this article has nothing to do with the material silicone, which is perhaps best known to “enhance” the beauty of the fairer sex in many different shapes and forms. Instead it is about silicon, without the “e”, a chemical element that achieved […]

The Business of Watches Podcast: Tag Heuer CEO Antoine Pin On Carbon Hairspring Setbacks, Pricing, Tariffs, And Formula One

Industry veteran Antoine Pin says he doesn't regret being cautious about production with the relaunched Formula 1 collection.

Orient Star’s Manual-Wind Moon Phase is Slick and Silicon

The Orient Star M45 F8 Mechanical Moon Phase Hand Winding is the brand’s first manual-wind moon phase, and also the first in years with a solid dial, making it a refreshing change of pace from the brand’s usual fare that leans towards open-worked and occasionally over-designed styling. Initial Thoughts Excepting the vintage inspired Diver 1964, the M45 F8 moon phase is the most attractive watch in the Orient catalog to my eye. Most of the brand’s designs are too busy for my tastes, so these entries are a welcome departure that will certainly appeal to enthusiasts with more classical tastes. The moon phase disk itself, with mother-of-pearl inlay, is a highlight. And the absence of a seconds hand is a pleasant surprise, though the moon phase sub-dial feels naked without the traditional co-axial small seconds hand. Since the small seconds version of this calibre is not compatible with the moon phase module, Orient could have moved the Orient Star logo onto the sub-dial for more visual balance. Most importantly, this is a manually wound watch – with a competent movement – in a price segment where such things are hard to find. Looking at Japanese watches in particular, manual wind options from Grand Seiko and Credor are significantly more expensive, while Seiko, Orient, and Citizen dropped their entry-level manual watches years ago. Pleiades About two years ago, Orient Star reorganised its catalog by launching M Collections, a family of watches each named after astron...

First Look – Girard-Perregaux Launches the Calibre GP4800, its Next-Gen, In-House Movement with a Silicon Escapement

Girard-Perregaux has an extensive track record in watchmaking and is one of the most enduring integrated manufactures of the Swiss watch industry. In the 1980s, at a time when the quartz crisis had crippled mechanical watchmaking, the brand was among the first to champion the renaissance of traditional movements. Today, Girard-Perregaux announces the launch of […]

Happenings: The Horological Society Of New York To Hold Classes In Silicon Valley

These next classes will be hosted by Chopard and ISSIMI.

Happenings: The Horological Society Of New York To Hold Classes In Dallas And Silicon Valley

This next round of classes will be hosted by Jack Mason, Chopard, and ISSIMI.

First Look – The Louis Moinet Astronef Techno has a Sci-Fi Silicon Wafer Dial and Two Tourbis

Since 2013, Louis Moinet has made sure to captivate enthusiasts with each new release. Known for its audacious design and technical prowess, Louis Moinet never fails to intrigue. In 2021, the unveiling of the Astronef, born from a collaboration between Louis Moinet, Concepto (a movement maker specializing in tourbillons), and designer Fabrice Gonet, showcased twin […]

Is Stephen Silver transforming Silicon Valley into the next luxury landmark?

Geneva Watch Days 2023: Ulysse Nardin’s Blast Free Wheel Marquetry harnesses the power of silicon

Introducing: Ferdinand Berthoud's New Chronomètre FB3 SPC Has A Fascinating Hairspring (Live Pics)

Holy helical horology!

Happenings: The Horological Society Of New York To Hold Classes In Silicon Valley and Boston

These next rounds of classes will be hosted by Chopard, ISSIMI, and The Escapement Club.

Talking Watches: With Jimmy O. Yang, Comedian, Writer, And 'Silicon Valley' Star

From vintage Rolex to G-Shock.

In-Depth: The Silicon-Powered Speed Of The Frederique Constant Slimline Monolithic Manufacture - 40Hz

A major technical breakthrough at a wrist-friendly size.