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Best of Balance Wheels
In this "Best of" series, let's be entertained by some of the industry's boldest and wackiest balance wheels. Please help me add in more examples. Cheers!
In George Daniels Watchmaking book, he mentioned that larger balance wheels are often more precise - he did mention other esoteric factors which are hard to understand. This opened my eyes to notice the often overlooked aspect of a mechanism - The Balance Wheel.
Antoine Martin Slow Runner
Measuring a whopping 4.2cm in diameter (an ETA 2824's Balance Wheel measures 0.8 cm), this beats slowly (7,200 vibrations per hour). Gorgeous innit?
Credit: Monochrome
Kari Voultilainen Ving8
Credit:theeclecticum
Credit: Deployant
Wow, look at the oversized balance wheels, perfectly finished, on these unobtainium Ving8 pieces. I could not find the measurements of these through my search, but they sure look really huge.
Omega Calibre 3861 (used on the new Moonwatch)
Credit: theelecticum
Is it just my eyes, or is the balance wheel really large in the Omega moonwatch of 2021?
Patek Philippe Oscillomax on 5550P
Credit: QuillandPad
In 2011, Patek Philippe experimented with the 5550P Perpetual Calender, launching 300 examples of this unique piece, with a different looking Silicon balance spring. Beautiful innit?
Jaeger Lecoultre Gyrolab
Credit: QuillandPad
On a more affordable spectrum, there was once the Gyrolab balance wheel used for the Geophysic True Second range, which is shaped like 2 anchors. It was developed to reduce the effect of air resistance on the balance wheel. Not sure if it works, but it is pretty mesmerizing to watch.
Greubel Forsey Balancier
Credit: Forbes
The balance spring is really big (12.66mm). It is so perfectly crafted. Wow, this has got to be gifted to the best employees of heaven.
De Bethune
Credit: De Bethune
Last I've checked, De Bethune produces some of the industry's most beautiful balance wheels (and the bridges that hold them in place). I cannot isolate any single model, because every DB I've held came with a seductive balance wheel. Ouch!
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Best of Balance Wheels
In this "Best of" series, let's be entertained by some of the industry's boldest and wackiest balance wheels. Please help me add in more examples. Cheers! In George Daniels Watchmaking book, he mentioned that larger balance wheels are often more precise -...
Uh oh, it’s a lot to cover
I can try, slowly. Yes it is a very good idea. Some concepts he covered which may make good topics: 1) Fusee and Chain mechanism for constant force 2) Tourbillon carriages 3) Hardening Steel 4) Different types of escapements such as the Cylinder Escapemen...
I just love the Antoine Martin Slow Runner
and I want to own one. The only bad thing is there was some problem with this movement.
Yes Jocke
Stunning movement. I watched the youtube video to admire it more than a few times. I heard the accuracy may be less, on this piece when worn vs laying it stationary.
Great selection. Let me add the Haldimann
Favorite balance wheel in my small collection for sure, Best Andreas ...
It is so mesmerizing
Have u heard of other pieces with unusual balance wheels? I’m still thinking…
There're trade offs between big and slow versus small and fast
Here's the first part of a great two-part article looking at watch performance from the small and fast side of things: watchesbysjx.com And here is a great timekeeper that goes the other way: ...
Very technical article and very good
I will have to read it 3-4 times to process the jist of it. Amazing piece there too. That's why I'm drawn to horology - it is a very esoteric topic with many solutions.
Gorgeous MB&F
These are pretty hard to purchase. I tried to purchase one, but they are gone. It is so beautiful, even when I barely have the funds, I’d stretch it for this piece.
Thank you! I love it.
Out of interest, when you say "hard to purchase" are you referring to the LM101 in general or the palladium one specifically? I know the palladium version is limited but I didn't think the LM101 was hard to get in general, if that is the case.
They are very hard to get here
They have an AD in Sydney, The Hourglass. Sometimes they have stock for the independents like De Bethune, but for MB&F and FPJ, the demand has surpassed their supply. The LM101 is one of the pieces in my “grail” list.
No kidding. I had no idea!
I am really happy to hear that for Max and the team at MB&F. I can tell you from first hand expereince that the watch, the service and the people at MB&F are a clear cut above the industry. It is good that they are finally getting the recognition ...
Love open heart watches
To me being able to see an open balance is a lot like a tourbillon without the associated headache. ...
