Blancpain

Well John and I got into it a few days ago about whether continuous running minute counters on chronographs represent a simplified solution when compared to jumping minute counters (and here I am using the term to mean chrono minute counters that move as ... 

Hi Jeff, First off, I'm not sure we were discussing "whether continuous running minute counters on chronographs represent a simplified solution when compared to jumping minute counters". Wait, let me step back. First off, I'm not sure why you insist on in... 

There are a number of reasons to choose a vertical clutch design. First I am not going to dissect the original Seiko design. I am working on that task separately. However, there are several performance reasons to go with the vertical clutch design. 1. The... 

A vertical clutch has functional/performance merit. The fact that it is "a simpler way to manufacture a chronograph" (as John mentioned above) is an additional bonus. The key here is that something that is simpler to manufacture isn't always worse (as ill... 

Dr. Ludwig just needs 9 parts to achieve annual calendar function. I think it is a major breakthrough. It is much much cheaper and easier to build. However, it is certainly not inferior to other annual calendar watches which have higher standard of finish... 

Hi, Jeff, I've long been fascinated (and obssessed by) the often wide chasm between theory and practice; between how things are supposed to work and how they actually work. I'll let Suitbert, John, and others with bench experience and watchmaking schoolin... 

Hi Thomas, You raise some interesting questions and certainly a lot of food for thought. I'll take a stab at one or two at least. 1.) Regarding the pointy tooth problem in traditional chronographs, I personally don't have the experience to know how much o... 

just to illustrate some more "traditional" continuously running minute counter designs. More "classic" is hardly possible, I think - Gourdain stop watch/clock from the middle of 17 hundreds, 60 sec and 10 minute counter: Vacheron & Constantin grand comp, ...  

nt

Hi Suitbert, I shall shamelessly take advantage of you while you're in one of your wonderful mega-informative moods How many problems with a classic columnwheel chronograph could be solved by overcoming some of the underlying issues of the "control mecham... 

I have learnt leaps and bounds in this one thread than in any other horological fora on the Internet. Thank you all for your stimulating and thought provoking points and counter points. ThomasM's discussion on theory vs. reality was particularly interesti...