tee530
427
interesting detail
You're right, at some point ALS appears to have switched the metals of the idler gear and the central sweep-seconds gear.
No idea why this would be. Assuming that the gears are made of steel and brass, there might be an argument for different metals preventing some sort of contact corrosion or having lower friction (as in brass wheels driving steel pinions in the watch train). Beyond this, perhaps ALS found the complex idler gear (stacked design, with a tensioning spring buried inside it) easier to fabricate and finish when made out of brass rather than steel (or vice-versa)?
Tom
How Richard Got His Sweep Back
I read something interesting about the construction of caliber L041.2, the Richard Lange movement and Lange's only center sweep second watch. I knew it was an indirect center seconds, and assumed that a friction spring was present to eliminate jitter in t...
Yes and it is one of the reasons why the production of the Richard Lange is very limited.
And to illustrate your post: Fx...
Thanks, Fx...
...for the photo. I am noticing now the two holes cut into the top bridge that show both interfaces of the "idler gear" as the article calls it. I assume that with a loupe one can see the stacked gearing that Lange engineered there. Tom
ecco la qua! video of Richard Lange central seconds hand sweep
Hello ALS forum fellows -- I am reviving this thread once again! My photography skills are pretty bad, but I can make an OK high speed video... Here is about two minutes of the center sweep seconds hand of my Richard Lange (YouTube, click here). I made th...
Some additional ...
info/thougts/pictures for those who are interested: "Let me start with a quotation: “ CEO Fabian Krone explains the objective with the Richard Lange was to on an industrial scale what Philippe Dufour does on an artisanal scale. Want proof of Lange´s Dufou...
Superb quotes
Guten Tag, Thanks for bringing this back, it deals with virtually one of my most beloved Lange, and as of this moment since i am focussing on central seconds hand watches, this adds more to the emotion. Just to share if i may of my beauty and precious. Ts...
RL Sweep seconds hand design
Thanks for re-posting this part of the 2009 article. The design solution for the RL sweep seconds hand seems highly regarded. Can anyone comment on how this indirect center seconds hand design compares to other designs from the other top houses PP, JLC, A...
Knew about the special system, but didn't know the story...
Thanks for sharing the story about the seconds system employed in the Richard Lange timepiece. Certainly a great display of how Lange is willing to go through great lengths to get the finest and most accurate timepiece imaginable.
Photo of the idler gear
Here's a closeup of the center-second bridge of the Richard Lange (photo credit to Zuckerfabrik Fotodesign). The yellow gear in the center turns the sweep seconds hand. To its right is the silver-colored idler gear. (Not shown is the extended fourth wheel...
I did not know that,
thank you very much for increasing my enjoyment of my beloved watch! The center second bridge is one of my favorite features but it is great to know what lies beneath. Best Andreas...
Idler gear: silver or yellow?!
Hello. If I may re-activate this fine post, I would like to pose a question / make an observation. In most photos of the RL movement, the so-called "Idler" gear on the center-seconds bridge is silver in color. Look at Tom/te530's close-up photo in this th...
interesting detail
You're right, at some point ALS appears to have switched the metals of the idler gear and the central sweep-seconds gear. No idea why this would be. Assuming that the gears are made of steel and brass, there might be an argument for different metals preve...
RL Sweep seconds hand design
MY RL finished in spring of 2011, has the center gear in silver color
good to know ...
that I am not going insane! Thanks for sharing your knowledge! I would love to learn more about this movement, especially the sweep seconds bridge and the balance. -pay