Kong's 2010 post introduces the groundbreaking TAG Heuer Pendulum Concept, a purely mechanical movement that eliminates the traditional hairspring in favor of a magnetic 'virtual spring.' This article explores the innovative engineering behind this concept, which was developed to celebrate TAG Heuer's 150th anniversary and address inherent isochronal issues in conventional regulation systems. Kong highlights the brand's ambitious quest to redefine fundamental watchmaking principles, building on their earlier work with belt-driven mechanical transmissions.
TAG Heuer continues in its quest to rethink out of
the box with another 'under the nose reinvention', after substituting
the
traditional pinion and gear transmission with a belt-driven mechanical
transmission (which many thought it could not be achieved when it was
announced
in 2004, and started shipping last November)Â with "the first mechanical
movement without hairspring".
To celebrate its 150th
anniversary this year, TAG Heuer announced a rework of the
regulation system which was nearly unchanged since the creation of the
Galileo-inspired hairspring by Christiaan Huygens in 1675, and a
material improvement (Invar and Elinvar) reducing thermal sensitivity by
Charles-Edouard Guillaume, winning him the Nobel Prize for Physics in
1920.
Though this regulation system with the hairspring/spiral
and balance wheel is still being used till today, it is understood to
have inherent isochronal issues.
The alternative 6-Hz (43,200
VPH) regulation system of the TAG Heuer
Pendulum Concept intends to
tackle the typical regulation system challenges by removing the
hairspring which is the lynchpin of every movements and also the
controlling component which most watch companies have yet to be able to
manufacture.
Instead of the hairspring, the replacement is with a
'virtual spring' derived from magnets. A flash of the Seiko's
Tri-synchro regulator (for more information, please click
here) with electromagnetic braking is inevitable.Â
However, upon watching the video, the TAG Heuer Pendulum Concept is
without any electronics!Â
The schematic of the Pendulum Concept Regulation unit
Extracted from the press material :
" ...The complete
device forms a harmonic oscillator. The magnetic field, generated by
means of 4 high-performance magnets and controlled in 3D through complex
geometric calculations, provides the linear restoring torque necessary
for the alternative oscillations of the balance wheel. The oscillating
period of the TAG Heuer Pendulum Concept is resistant to changes from
perturbing forces, which is what makes it an exceptionally good
timekeeping device. The movement built with this revolutionary
oscillator is fully mechanical and does not contain any electronics or
driven actuators..."
The above statements are closely related to the topic of 'Q factor' of
oscillator.Â
A well written article by  Velociphile
, touched on the 'Q-factor' and also about increased accuracy of
high beat escapements on isochronism improvement , is a good read and
relevant to the above concept.
The issue facing the Pendulum
concept which TAG Heuer admitted is the magnet is sensitive to
temperature. The company will continue their R&D work with
Integrated Actuators Laboratory, part of the Microtechnics Institute of
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL), hopefully to
discover the magnetic equivalent of invar-elinvar.
This project
will take the combined efforts of material scientists, engineers and
watchmakers ....and I am eager to see TAG Heuer finalizing the
alternative regulating system in the coming years.
For now, here
are some pictures and videos of the prototype TAG
Heuer Pendulum Concept Watch.
Enjoy!
Kong
A
filmlet illustrating the alternative regulating system. Please allow
like 7 to 10 seconds to load.
Diameter was not in the specification, however TAG Heuer replied the
diameter is 47mm.
Â
Â
The magnetic 'balance' at rest. The small second at 4 o'clock
location.
The steel case design remains faithful to the GRAND
CARRERA with polished angled edges .... and curved facetted horns.
Have a look on the movement
side ....
A pretty sizeable manual movement with diameter at
40.00 mm and height of 6.30mm.Â
High frequency of 6 Hz or 43,200 VPH. The power
reserve is 30 hours, and hopefully the production piece may have a power
reserve indicator to alert owner.
Rubber straps with folding clasp.
Wrist-shots ...
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This message has been edited by Kong on 2010-06-06 11:27:15
Key Points from the Discussion
The Pendulum Concept, while innovative, faces challenges with magnet temperature sensitivity, similar to how strong magnetic fields could affect Seiko's Spring Drive, despite the latter's electronic regulation.
The Pendulum Concept is a purely mechanical alternative to the hairspring, distinguishing it from the Spring Drive's electromechanical regulation, which utilizes an integrated circuit.
The removal of the hairspring is a significant breakthrough, as few companies can manufacture this critical component, making the Pendulum Concept a potential alternative if major suppliers like Nivarox reduce supply.
The Pendulum Concept's inventiveness is comparable to Seiko's Spring Drive and Dr. George Daniels' Co-Axial escapement, representing a significant advancement in horological engineering.
The size of the prototype, with a 40mm movement, makes achieving a smaller case diameter (e.g., 44mm or less) a challenge, as noted by the author's personal wrist experience.
The concept's potential for improved accuracy over traditional hairspring escapements is a key question for its future development and adoption.
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The Discussion
DA
darma
May 31, 2010
like the watch but..
i don't like the size. 48mm diameter is huge and if it goes into production it would put me off buying such a piece. It is possible the finished product will have a smaller case at all? thanks darren
KO
Kong
Jun 6, 2010
Thanks for the inputs ....
Hi Darren Hopefully it was not my small wrist that blow the watch out of proportion. Must get a more macho wrist next round Likewise I felt it would be nicer if it can be kept at 44mm, however, the movement diameter is already at 40mm. Kong
VM
VMM
May 31, 2010
Great report. Thank you. [nt]
Would love to see this "thing" working properly, and being reliable soon. Vte This message has been edited by VMM on 2010-05-31 01:38:00
KO
Kong
Jun 6, 2010
I think ...
many will have more faith with TAG Heuer after they started delivery of V4 last November, which many doubted would happen. We shall see, what the material scientists/engineers could do in next few years. Kong
AU
AuHavrePro
May 31, 2010
Excellent
report, thank you for such detailed photographs! I like the watch very much but I also think it's too large, it might be a necessity for this movement though.
KO
Kong
Jun 6, 2010
Same thoughts too...
Hi Amvox Thanks for viewing. It would be challenging to reduce from current 47mm as the movement itself is at 40mm. Kong
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