Audemars Piguet

These images are posted here with permission of the owner, Alex83, who has the watch for sale on this site. My question involves the use of jeweled roller bearings on the rotor, which I've never encountered before and find quite interesting. Obviously oth...  

Until recently with the release of the 32xx caliber and the 41xx in-house chronograph movements which use ceramic ball bearings on the rotor, the 31xx, 15xx, 10xx caliber series dating back to the 1950s use a ruby jewel bushing on their rotors. Photo cred...  

My sample size is not large (I have owned two watches with that movement), but there does not seem to be any shock absorption built into the design. (Most automatic rotors do have some shock absorption.) Perhaps coincidentally, one of my two watches with ... 

Even with movements as robust as the Rolex 31xx and 15xx line. But it takes a lot to damage it; just think they're used on Sea-Dwellers, GMT-Master, Subs, and Explorers and were made in the millions of units over decades. It's an inherent weakness in usin... 

It would be way too expensive to use natural jewels.

I have a vintage AP with the same, absolutely gorgeous, movement. When I bought it one of the ruby rollers was missing and AP replaced it during service. This was cutting edge at the time.

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There are four roller jewels that support the rotor out towards the periphery. They are hidden under the rotor ring. John

on a Vacheron movement as described earlier Good observation Fred, of a relatively rare feature that's implemented in different ways. In this case the rotor (indeed the whole movement) is large and "flexy" which is not a very good thing in a watch movemen...  

But to be serious, great thanks for furnishing this photo. This just points out how little I still know. But… being a teacher, I actually enjoy learning. So… Again, thanks!

Here's the watch with no arrows ...  

...reference? m

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