tony p
567
In which case...
...the effective inertia of the tourbillon assembly being a function of the sum of the mass of its rotating components, it would appear that this configuration doesn't really solve the inertia problems of a "classic" tourby design.
In short, you can't have it both ways. If you want to improve ratekeeping by rotating the hairspring around (thereby cancelling out the deleterious effects of hairspring sag and lubricant pooling), you also have to rotate everything that hairspring is fixed to. The hairspring is fixed to the balance wheel, so you have to rotate the balance wheel. It's unavoidable.
Cheers
Tony P
Further Montblanc photos from SIHH 2010
Well well, Montblanc have certainly been turning WISs' eyes lately, haven't they? We all know the story. A legendary high-end pen manufacturer who have for the past few years been churning out, as an apparent revenue-generating sideline, a bewildering ran...
Awesome pics of the Villeret Vintage Chronographe Tony
Thanks for sharing your love for these 2010 novelties and specially this vintage model. To be seen in the flesh ABSOLUTLY. 58 ex : Very few numbers, it is a pity!! Cheers, patrickh
Mea culpa
I suspect the central bar of the "unfinished" Metamorphosis dial is in brass, not bronze. I've been wearing my Gefica too much. Cheers Tony P
Wonderful summary of the Montblanc offerings for SIHH 2010
Thank you Tony. Montblanc has moved upscale very quickly and successfully. I completely agree with your observations regarding Montblanc's approach. They have a great 3-tiered sales structure within the brand. The Timewalker and Star collection which prov...
Hi Mike, the finishing on the Villeret pieces is very good indeed.
However, I was so busy doing my photography, I didn't really get a chance to grab a loupe and inspect any of the movements fully. To answer your question completely, I would need to know how well Montblanc have finished the invisible parts of their moveme...
Great shots! Thanks Tony
I really enjoyed the shot of the Vintage Chrono. You really captured the dial beautifully. I am quite amazed that you were able to shoo the Metamorphosis for so long - I remembered when I was there I was allowed for less than 20 seconds before it was snat...
The movements are simply amazing. Love them all.
Bravo MONTBLANC! They are doing a GREAT job. Thanks for sharing. Vte
"weight of a car even if I'm hanging my sorry ..."
"After all, I still contribute to the loaded weight of a car even if I'm hanging my sorry ass out of its window." I have never read such an entertaining description of the "sprung weight" of a vehicle. Or a tourbillon. Thanks for making me burst out laugh...
Excellent, Tony, thanks very much for this ...
An entertaining and informative read supported by some great pictures of these watches. MB is certainly a brand to watch and, leveraged by my affection for Minerva, they are producing some very desirable pieces. Thanks again. Andrew
The outer attachment of the hairspring is attached to the tourbillon carriage. . .
. . . there is no cage in the conventional sense, but there is a carriage, located underneath the balance, which carries the lever, escape wheel, and the outer terminal of the hairspring. The hairspring does therefore rotate (along with the other escapeme...
In which case...
...the effective inertia of the tourbillon assembly being a function of the sum of the mass of its rotating components, it would appear that this configuration doesn't really solve the inertia problems of a "classic" tourby design. In short, you can't hav...
Hi Tony, most of the problematic inertial mass comes from the cage. . .
. . . in a classic tourbillon the entire balance is enclosed in a cage (which also acts as a carrier for the escape wheel and lever.) The pivots of the cage run in the upper bridge for the cage and in the plate of the movement. In the ExoTourbillon there ...
Thanks Jack, that does indeed clarify the situation!
Your explanation is the best, indeed the only credible one, I've read. Balance wheel rotates as well as oscillating, hence tourbillon advantages are preserved. Cage eliminated, hence inertia problems reduced. Bravo! Cheers Tony P
Well, it's just my take but. . .
. . . this was a point about which I asked during the press presentation and I think MB may not have realized it was one that needed to be clarified. I'm of course not in any position to say with any authority as to whether this particular tourbillon conf...
Hi Jack and Tony! Sorry I haven't jumped into the discussion
but since I didnot see the Exotourbillon in action I could not honestly deduce its mechanism of action. However please see the above new post which provides the forwarded information from the Montblanc Villeret technical department. They have just returne...