Dr. Tabby's insightful post delves into the Bernhard Lederer Central Impulse Chronometer, a horological marvel featuring a George Daniels Double Impulse Escapement. He meticulously explains Lederer's unique application of dual remontoirs, contrasting it with Daniels' and Frodsham's approaches. This exploration highlights Lederer's contribution to precision chronometry and the aesthetic appeal of complex mechanics.
Bernhard Lederer makes complications for brands you thought did everything "in-house". Now, he's made only the second ever wristwatch with a George Daniels Double Impulse Escapement!!! This is the perfection of Breguet's Natural Escapement.
Here we have a double wheel escapement, each wheel alternately directly impulses (lubrication free) while the other wheel locks and then vice versa. Each wheel has its own geartrain and its own mainspring--this independence is what allows it all to work and is Daniels' innovation on Breguet's design.
Daniels used this escapement in several wristwatches such as the Space Traveller, and it was first used in a wristwatch recently by Charles Frodsham
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Bernhard Lederer takes a much more florid approach in his design, with Swiss finishing and dual remontoirs, one for each geartrain. Now, the use of a remontoir here is interesting because it has a different role than in most watches. Usually, the idea is to keep the output even to improve chronometry, as you know. But this double impulse escapement doesn't need it for that! Why? Assuming Lederer's watch is like the Charles Frodsham, this is an amazingly detached escapement. That means the lift angle is very, very low (14 degrees versus high 30s for the co-axial and 50s for the lever). The result is that changes in power have little effect on this escapement. I am indebted (actually, I just copied and pasted, total plagiarism) to a watchmaking friend for this discussion.
So, if that's the case, why use remontoirs here? They are super fancy!!! But, there is also another reason. They are an important and fancy way to keep the power equal between the two wheels of the escapement! Now, the way Daniels and Frodsham do this is with carefully matched mainsprings with their power limited to the isometric heart of their power. This is a far simpler method which matches Daniels' and Frodsham's goals of a very reliable, daily wear gentleman's chronometre. Here, Lederer contributes with a more elaborate solution. In chronometry or power reserve, there is no advantage, but it is beautiful and horologically satisfying. George Daniels would be very happy, I think. Wouldn't you agree?
The watch is 44mm wide and 12mm thick, limited to 50 pieces and 128k SwFr.
Please read more here:
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