Tick Talk[Vacheron Moderator]
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Geneva Stopworks
Oct 09, 2011,08:31 AM
What you are referring to is the Geneva Stopworks mechanism, which isn't uniquely V&C but is said to originate with the watchmakers in the Canton of Geneva, although it also appeared in movements of French manufacture. Attached to the barrel, it does indeed prevent over-winding of the spring. The nickname "Maltese Cross" was soon given to this mechanism because some variations resembled that religious icon. It was also a sign of the best quality timepieces until the free-sprung balance arguably surpassed its design efficiencies. Nevertheless, the mechanism is still used in other mechanical devices to provide intermittent rotation without allowing reverse motion.
Franco Cologni in his must-have reference book, Secrets of Vacheron Constantin, sets out the best description of events IMHO:
"As proof of its optimism, in 1880, when the
crisis was at its height, the firm created its celebrated logo: the Maltese
cross, distinguished by its four branches and eight points. Henceforth this would be the symbol that
would appear on the dials of all the firm’s watches. The cross design was registered with the
Office federal de la propriete industrielle in Berne in 1880, and two years
later in Italy and America. We do not
know who chose this logo, nor their reasons for doing so. Very probably it was inspired by a part of
this shape found in precision watches, the function of which was to limit the
tension on the spring in order to avoid it snapping. Thus it was a mark of quality. The fact that one of the firm’s agents in Paris had the Rue de Malte
as his address for a time may also have played its part, as may memories of the
wall clock created in 1790. But the
essential qualities of the symbol reside nevertheless in its nobility, the long
tradition attached to it, and its historical importance."
I have to agree that the combination of religious and political significance represented by the Maltese Cross was at least as important as its connection to a mechanical device...at the time European nobility were the most important customers for V&C and the focus of their marketing strategies.
Geneva Stopworks
Comments:
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Vacheron Constantin's Trademark Maltese Cross
By: BTWatchguy : October 8th, 2011-16:33
Hello All, I have encountered a question frequently about the Maltese Cross that represents Vacheron Conatantin. The answer to this powerful Trademark was born out of innovation. Manually winding pocket and wristwatches had one major downfall, the user co...
Very useful information
By: respo : October 9th, 2011-06:27
I did not realize (or I forgot) that VC came up with the mechanism to prevent overwinding the watch. That is very interesting to know. Also, a good reminder on how we may wind our timepieces. Thank you. Now, for me the maltese cross symbol is the most com...
Geneva Stopworks
By: Tick Talk : October 9th, 2011-08:31
What you are referring to is the Geneva Stopworks mechanism, which isn't uniquely V&C but is said to originate with the watchmakers in the Canton of Geneva, although it also appeared in movements of French manufacture. Attached to the barrel, it does inde...
Brain fart
By: Tick Talk : October 10th, 2011-08:17
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