Independents

Geneva, May 29th, 2013 : Since its inception in 1997, URWERK have made their mark in the world of haute horlogerie with innovative displays and indications, in particular their signature satellite complications. In parallel with this, the watchmaking team...  

Would have to actively power the rate detector versus have it get it's power in a similar fashion as the SEIKO spring drive?

Hello I do not know much about the Seiko Spring Drive but for EMC, power for the mechanical movment comes from the double barrel. The monitoring of the balance wheel is powered by a hand-cranked generator (you can see it on diagram "concept box"). We are ... 

The Seiko Springdrive is similar to the Urwerk in only one aspect: the monitoring of the speed against a baseline frequency. However, it does not use a classical balance wheel, and the adjustments are made simultaneously and automatically by 4 magnets tha... 

Energy and using a generator to convert it to electrical in order to power the sensor.

Of course Ronald, you are right. However, there are again other issues: 1. The Springdrive has - in total - a very low power consumption, and only needs a few nano volts to start up - basically only a single swing of the rotor. 2. There are already hundre... 

Every few days?

Hi Ronald, The baseline oscillator and sensor needs be online continuously in order to give readings on call.....The checking will take more 'juice' each time. A battery does not need to supply so much, and can be small, but you will need some electrical ... 

of an almost insanely accurate internal reference provided by an oscillator-calculator is that, if the dream is ever to come true, the watch would still have to be set to a satellite standard or what we prefer to call "atomic" time - by hand - because the... 

But in a tradeoff between having an external battery versus internally powered, which does a PuristS prefer? I think the electrical components leaves a bad taste in most mechanophile's mouth. No problem for me but I am the exception. I could take this wat... 

is another concept. Based on the ETA 205.911, also known if somewhat misleadingly as the AutoQuartz, it uses kinetic energy for driving a generator that delivers electricty to a capacitor. Fully changed, it has a power reserve of 100 days - although I exp... 

When launching the EMC, the very first congratulations message received at URWERK came from Mr Dufour himself. We felt honored to aknowledge his kind words. He was, is and remains the godfather of most independent watchmakers. Thank you Mr Dufour for your... 

I don't care to have the electronic part at all.

I love this idea of monitoring the mechanical escapement. It is a logical extension of the ability to fine tune the watches rate. Instead of waiting for a day to see the effect, you can measure it instantly. It will be interesting to see how Urwerk can pr...