Vacheron Constantin

Hi all,
I have just two questions about the automatic VC calibres number 24xx:
1 - do they have a free sprung balance or not? If not, which is the way to have a "micrometric" regulation?
2 - has the rotor ceramic ball bearings like the JLC autotractor calibres?
3 - will they mount this calibre in the whole VC collection like the Overseas?

The balance in the 24XX series of movements is not free-sprung. Do you want to know the particular brand name of the micrometric screw regulator?

Yes, the rotor is mounted on ceramic bearings.

While many collectors here have stated their desire to see the 24XX show up in the Overseas (at least the basic model), we shouldn't expect this outcome any time soon.

Bill

If you know the name of the regulation system, please let me know.

www.watchprosite.com

 

Best,

 

Jed

Can one tell, by looking, that this is not free sprung?

Best,

Jed

(Pic Borrowed)

Thank you for the answer, I read that discussion with much interest.
As regards the 2450 caliber, I guessed that it was not free sprung just because I didn't see screws or "weights" around the diameter of the balance, but wasn't sure. So I'd like to know how can I recognize a free sprung or a tradizoinal balance just looking at pictures of the escapement. Thank you.

A "free-sprung" balance does NOT have an adjustment mechanism on the balance wheel, aka, screw weights.  The famous Patek patented Gyromax is a free-sprung balance.

Examples are to be found with the free-sprung Vacheron caliber 1072/1 auto vs adjustable weights and swan-neck fine adjustment of the 1008BS manual:

Hope this helps

...but I don't speak English well, so for "weights around the balance wheel" I meant these semi-circular screws you can find in the Gyromax system:



or the screws used by Rolex in their Microstella system:



I know that a ot of calibres with traditional balance do have screws, too, but it is common only in high end watches. However, I still don't know how I understand wheter the balance is free-sprung or not from a pic. Who can help me?

I can help now that I understand your question!  A free-sprung balance does not have a central regulator pin and arm with it's "fast-slow" indicator.  Carlos Perez has a great article on the free-sprung balance over at TZ.

Getting arrows into the photo to show the micrometic regulation parts is beyond my limited technical capacity.  But when you see the two "arms" sticking out of from the end of the balance cock you are looking at the regulating components for the watch. The part "pointing" towards 1 o'clock in the picture, with the two gold dots, has the regulating pins pointing down and the balance spring runs between those two pins. The part "pointing" toward 11 o' clock contains the stud on which the spring is attached and the regulating screw, which can change the length of the spring and thus the rate of the watch.

A watch with such a system can be quickly corrected to change the rate. I hope that helps!

Bill

I think my problem is that I see so many movements with Swan's Neck Regulators that when I don't see it I falsely presume that the balance wheel is free sprung. 

Of course that's a regulating screw.  I feel a little silly.

Not that silly is always a bad thing.

Best,

Jed