richardj4456
2
1185 and clutch chronographs
It is true that there are a couple of movements on the market that are similar in design to the Blancpain 1185. One is the Omega 33XX series of chronograph movements. Those are made by F. Piquet, just like the Blancpain 1185, but there are several notable differences. Both are column-wheel chronos with clutch engagement, but the Omega is larger, thicker, and has a larger balance wheel. It also has a beat rate of 4 Hz, I believe the Blancpain is 3 Hz. Also, the Omega has a different register layout, with the small seconds at 9 instead of 6 as on the Blancpain, and a free sprung balance (not sure if the Blancpain has that).
A closer cousin might be the new Jaeger-LeCoultre chronographs. They have the same register layout, etc as the Blancpains. But, those watches do have a longer power reserve (65-72 hours) which might indicate double barrels. Jaeger is also well known for its own proprietary automatic winding system.
There might be others on the market that I don't know about. Rolex has their own design, but I don't know much about it. And keep in mind, the Blancpain is certainly not the first clutch operated chronograph. In the late 60s or early 70s Seiko sold a clutch operated column-wheel chronograph. Besides, similarities in technology are common in any field, most all watches have anchor escapements, just like almost any car has a piston engine. The Blancpains are beautiful, no doubt, but lots of companies use that same technology, both before and after the 1185.
Mike
Letters from le Brassus & the 1185 calibre
keep in mind that the magazine is bought and paid for by Blancpain
Could they be suggesting, for example....
Interesting to provoke a little debate read the responses to this,
it happens all the time
