Complications
These images are posted here with permission of the owner, Alex83, who has the watch for sale on this site. My question involves the use of jeweled roller bearings on the rotor, which I've never encountered before and find quite interesting. Obviously other methods proved better/more reliable over t
Until recently with the release of the 32xx caliber and the 41xx in-house chronograph movements which use ceramic ball bearings on the rotor, the 31xx, 15xx, 10xx caliber series dating back to the 1950s use a ruby jewel bushing on their rotors. Photo credit: Timezone There there is IWC which modified the ETA 2892-2 (calling it IWC cal. 37521) on their Ocean Bund ref. 3509 to use ruby bearings on the rotor instead of steel balls. (Note another version of the 37521 used steel ball bearings instead
I have a vintage AP with the same, absolutely gorgeous, movement. When I bought it one of the ruby rollers was missing and AP replaced it during service. This was cutting edge at the time.
There are four roller jewels that support the rotor out towards the periphery. They are hidden under the rotor ring. John
My sample size is not large (I have owned two watches with that movement), but there does not seem to be any shock absorption built into the design. (Most automatic rotors do have some shock absorption.) Perhaps coincidentally, one of my two watches with that movement had trouble with wear of its winding rotor pivot mechanism. I have read that some people have had similar issues with the Ap 2120/2121/Vacheron 1120 mentioned previously in this thread. Leaving that issue aside, it would be hard to
on a Vacheron movement as described earlier Good observation Fred, of a relatively rare feature that's implemented in different ways. In this case the rotor (indeed the whole movement) is large and "flexy" which is not a very good thing in a watch movement. The rotors are supposed to aid in stability of the rotor. Cazalea
But to be serious, great thanks for furnishing this photo. This just points out how little I still know. But… being a teacher, I actually enjoy learning. So… Again, thanks!
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