Rudis Sylva Harmonious Oscillator

Rudis Sylva "The Harmonious Oscillator: a watchmaking revolution

The Harmonious Oscillator , features a system with two mechanically interlinked balances driven by a single escapement. This technical innovation goes against watchmaking theories, which have always ruled out stress on the balances.

With its innovative technicality, this design can boast a more accurate setting capacity than a conventional Tourbillon, thanks in particular to the asymmetric deployment of the balance springs in all positions, hence the name "Harmonious Oscillator". This world first with two toothed balances exhibits a resonance effect from the first oscillations.

Mika Rissanen, a watchmaker specialising in grand complications working for the Rudis Sylva brand, is the brains behind this patented invention. The technical specifications are as follows:

·        Two complete toothed balances are interlinked. This combination ensures the same amplitude. The symmetry and energy of the balance springs are constantly opposed, enabling instantaneous average correction in the vertical position, which eliminates the effect of gravity.

·        Frequency: 21,600 vibrations/hour (3 Hz)

·        The cage turns 360 degrees in 60 seconds

·        Cage diameter: 17.40 mm

·        2 flat balance springs, asymmetric deployment

·        2 specifically shaped toothed balances made from special material

·        1 escapement with 1 lever positioned at 90 degrees

·        Manual winding mechanism

·        Power reserve: around 70 hours

Why is the Harmonious Oscillator more accurate than all existing Tourbillons?

As a general rule, provided that it is in a totally stable situation, a Tourbillon takes a minute to compensate for the effects of gravity when in the vertical position.

The Harmonious Oscillator, by virtue of the interconnection of the balances and the asymmetric deployment of the balance-springs, enables instantaneous correction.

So it is never influenced by the Earth's gravity.

The Harmonious Oscillator provides accuracy far superior to conventional Tourbillons or Karrusels.

This mechanism is close to perfection in terms of setting. The tests performed on various measurement devices give exceptional results, especially for amplitude, in all positions or after 24 hours in the vertical position.

The measured of amplitude deltas are also excellent (difference in degrees amplitude upon position changes).

A number of Master Watchmakers, upon discovering this watchmaking revolution, have declared that there had not been such an important invention since Abraham Breguet's Tourbillon in 1801.

Data sheet

Model reference RS 10

Case 18 ct pink or white gold

Width 44 mm

Height 14.3 mm

Case finish vertical satin finish

Bezel finish polished

Horn finish welded, polished and micro-blasted

Inter-horn distance 23 mm

Case-back pink or white gold, screw-down

Engraving by hand

Decoration hand-engraved sun dial with grand feu enamel

Origin of sun dial watchmaker's farmhouse from 1750, Les Bois

Strap real alligator, large scales with tassel

Buckle 18 ct pink or white gold ardillon

Crown pink or white gold with machine engraved logo

Brand logo 3 fir trees on 3 mountains

Logo symbolism settling of the Jura by clearing, around 1350

Dial grained, opaline or matt black

Hour & minute indicator ring sunray decoration

Seconds indicator ring bevel

Centre of hands hand guilloche work

Hand guilloche work pattern progressive circular pyramids

Hands hand decorated

Hand decoration drawing on the 2 faces, bevelling on the flanks

Movement Harmonious Oscillator

Dimensions Hgh. 7,78 mm / diam. 39,55 mm

Winding manual, 49 crown revolutions

Power reserve approx. 70 hours

Manufacture made by Rudis Sylva

Purchases from third parties 7 parts: escapement, stones, spring, incabloc

Indicators hour, minute, seconds

Main plate machining on machine with bed plate, 175 operations

Precision control 100 % of components

Harmonious Oscillator system unique worldwide, patent no. 575/09

Balances toothed, connected, providing same amplitude

Escapement just 1 with 1 pallet fork positioned at 90 degrees

Frequency 21,600 vibrations/hour (3 Hz)

Cage rotation 360 degrees in 60 seconds

Cage diameter 17.40 mm

Balance-springs 2, flat, asymmetric deployment

Balance-spring symmetry and energy constantly opposed,

Vertical gravity correction instantaneous, eliminating the effect of gravity

Movement finishes Haute Horlogerie finishing

Main plate bevelling, pyramid guilloche work

Hand-decorated bridges bevelling, circular graining, drawing

Gear train circular graining, diamond-polished corners

Screws machine threading with controlled undercut

Barrel drums snailed

Titanium cage bridge bevelling 28 inward corners, drawing, 30 hours' work

Bevelling

The bevelling and dashed lines are done entirely by hand. The authenticity of hand bevelling can be seen in the cleanness of the inward and outward corners, which no machine can reproduce with such precision. This finish consists of eliminating the edges between the surface and flanks of the piece, forming a 45-degree chamfer (bezel) which will then be polished. This operation deburrs "machine-processed" components which, besides their unaesthetic nature, could adversely affect the operation of the movement. Polishing also limits corrosion. This finishing process requires great meticulousness and offers the finest aesthetics.

The cage bridge of the regulator, made from titanium, a stronger material than steel, is extremely complicated to make. The part comprises 28 inward corners which means this highly visible bridge constitutes evident proof of the perfection of the work undertaken by Rudis Sylva.

Hand guilloche work

On the hour and minute indicating dial, as well as the main plate, you can check out the art of hand guilloche work, performed by Georges Brodbeck in his Saignelégier workshop. The guilloche craftsman has made a subtle play by decorating the dial with tapering trapezoids. This decoration is achieved by linear and rotational movement of the piece.

The engraving

In the 19th Century, the engravers from our mountains had multiple fields of activity: medals, stamps, bank notes, prints, image reproduction, jewellery and watchmaking.

2 centuries later, the development of mechanical, chemical or laser engraving industrial techniques has completely altered the engraver's daily work. Only extremely haute horlogerie pieces are now entitled to the craftsman's touch.

The La Chaux-de-Fonds craftsmen Sylvain Bettex and Bertrand Degiorgi have applied their finest work to the hidden face of the timekeeper. Purists will appreciate the chisel work, which cuts to the heart of the flawless lettering with regular bevelling and perfect symmetry, revealing moreover a polished cut completely free from burrs.

This chisel modelling outstrips the "handicraft" of any machine work, and further distinguishes a watch born out of regional talents.

The enamelling

Tucked away in a farm in the peaceful hamlet of Les Barrières, Sophie Cattin Morales practices the art of enamelling in her timeless workshop. As a child she lived on the Les Rosées-Dessous farm that houses the "Ultima Forsan" sun dial dating from 1750. So it was an obvious step to call on her talent to enhance the reproduction of the fresco on the back of the Rudis Sylva watch.

Like a farmer-watchmaker of yesteryear, Sophie, leaning over her window sill, works the enamel bathed in natural light. With her mastery of the traditional technique, she transforms the pieces of raw enamel, grinding them in an agate mortar until the desired grain is obtained. Then she washes them to eliminate any foreign bodies, before finally undertaking the enamelling itself. The enamels are applied using a brush in the champlevés in the gold piece.

Dried out, and then fired in a kiln at around 840 degrees, the enamelled half-moon is then stoned to obtain a flat surface, and then put back in the kiln to undergo a final operation, known as glazing. After the enamel surface has been glazed to give it a shine, it undergoes a final polish. Making the colours eternal, unalterable by light: this is the power and privilege of the art of enamelling.

Retail price : CHF 230'000.-

Press Release