Thank you for reminding me of Seiko.

Jul 11, 2011,11:01 AM
 

Yes, those watches are very beautiful and pure. I have admired several of the Seiko offerings throughout my history in fine watches.

As you might know, the distribution of Grand Seiko is very limited in the United States. However, I have family in Arizona, which has one of the only authorized dealers of those watches in the country. I sincerely look forward to holding one in my hands for the first time when I visit.

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Center seconds hand or sub-seconds hand?

 
 By: BluNotte : July 8th, 2011-00:13
Hello all, I trust you all had a great week, and now look forward to the weekend! Recently i have been gaining a very passionate interest in center seconds hand watches, particularly those of the manual winding nature, and even better if they come with a ... 

You alreadty know the answer... Duometre à Q.L.

 
 By: amanico : July 8th, 2011-00:24
Double hacking seconds. The central and the foudroyante. Unique. Best, Nicolas.

Ahh yes!

 
 By: BluNotte : July 8th, 2011-17:17
How could i have forgotten that mon ami?! But another look at it, and i remember that there is no platinum, nor SS! Just the golds! But yes, it is INDEED very unique! Maybe i should have a closer look at this! Merci for the suggestion! Stephen

You didn't say you needed one in platinum, in your question. :)

 
 By: amanico : July 8th, 2011-22:49
The Duometre à Chronographe has a central hacking second, too, and has a platinum case. Best, Nicolas.

Yes indeed i didnt say that!

 
 By: BluNotte : July 10th, 2011-18:25
Of course, how could i forget the Original duometre! But the thing is, i'm really trying to find a simple, time ONLY hand wound that hopefully is in a more affordable daily package such as SS. Thank you though, for reminding me to never stray too far from... 

to the hacking...

 
 By: aaronm : July 8th, 2011-07:19
I have always assumed it was based on reading accuracy. It is quite difficult to read the average sub-second dial with any degree of accuracy, so someone who wanted to set their watch with sub-second (timing, not dial ) accuracy via hacking would probably... 

Yup indeed

 
 By: BluNotte : July 8th, 2011-17:19
I know that center seconds hand watches are definitely more legible and accurate too, as they often have each "second" between the indexes divided into even more markings. Cheers Stephen

If you can accept vintage and indirect center seconds...

 
 By: dshao1 : July 8th, 2011-08:12
How about a VC Chronometre Royale with cal 1008/BS? Best Regards, Dan

Wow!

 
 By: BluNotte : July 8th, 2011-17:22
Hi there Dan, Just browsed the internet for some shots of the watch you suggested, it is such a treasure! Didn't know that VC had such gorgeous pieces in their past! Simple, puristic, it is a beauty to behold! Let me do a little snooping, the indirect cen... 

Hi Stephen, I knew nothing but the best would be of interest to you, :-)

 
 By: dshao1 : July 9th, 2011-01:29
These CRs were considered one of the best of the 1950s era, which IMO makes it one of the best of ANY era. VC's manual wind Chronometre Royale is based on the JLC 478/BS. VC cal 1008/BS is the center-seconds version and the BS stands for "Balancier Stop",...  

Hi, dshao, does BS stands for Balancier stop, or for Breguet Spiral?

 
 By: amanico : July 9th, 2011-01:54
I say that because on the JLC movement, which was used by VC for their Chronometre royal, the SB meant: Spiral Breguet. It would be interesting to know... Best, Nicolas. This message has been edited by amanico on 2011-07-09 02:01:38

Hi Nicholas, for me - this is a conundrum

 
 By: dshao1 : July 9th, 2011-02:36
I've always thought it was Balance Stop / Balancier Stop, as I've read this in numerous articles and posts about this movement and CR. Some of these articles have been written by our mutual friends Alex G. and WHL - whose expertise on all things VC I defe... 

I'm in doubt, my friend...

 
 By: amanico : July 9th, 2011-05:05
Sure about nothing, here. Just a deduction from what I know about the JLC movement. Not necessarily the same meaning for VC. I will have to dig out. Best! Nicolas.

Thanks for the detailed info!

 
 By: BluNotte : July 10th, 2011-18:29
Hi there Dan, I come into work Monday and get all these beautiful photos, you made my day! It is interesting to know about this rather unknown watch to me, as i didn't look into vintages prior to my search for a center seconds watch, of which there are ma... 

not so sure

 
 By: amerix : July 8th, 2011-11:32
but the statement : " According to someone, it is far more difficult to create a movement with a sub-seconds hand rather than a center seconds." Appears to be wrong, I suspect the exact opposite! Putting all the time-telling functions on a single axis, th... 

It is even better to hear from you again my Mein Freund!

 
 By: BluNotte : July 8th, 2011-17:34
Amery! I trust that all is well on your side! See, that is what i thought as well! But the person insisted it to be so! Maybe now he will read this and re-think! I know about those counter-clockwise crown operations! And boy do i hate them! It's kinda lik... 

I think you are right about center seconds being harder

 
 By: donizetti : July 8th, 2011-13:05
but I am surprised that someone claims the opposite - who ? In support of what you write, I read somewhere that the Patek considered the center seconds not just difficult, but as a complication, and had it done externally for a while. I will try to track ... 

That is interesting

 
 By: BluNotte : July 8th, 2011-17:37
Guten Tag Andreas, It would be nice if you can find that citation. Patek did a very good job in their vintage watches with the 27 SC movements, and yes i can see why they would elevate it to a position of being a complication, in it's own right! Tschuss S... 

I think you should investigate the Gerber dead seconds complication

 
 By: cazalea : July 8th, 2011-13:42
The Gerber model 41 lets you have dead seconds or sweep seconds by activating a button on the case at 2 o'clock. It's a central seconds system and a very unusual and fun complication. I would suggest that the location of second hands is driven by other th...  

Funny anecdote Cazalea

 
 By: Mostel : July 8th, 2011-16:34
It reminds us of the humble nature of most watchmakers.

Fully in agreement

 
 By: BluNotte : July 8th, 2011-17:41
Watchmakers are just about the most humble folks iv met in my life. Cheers Stephen

It is a nice timepiece

 
 By: BluNotte : July 8th, 2011-17:42
But unfortunately for me, an automatic! I am looking only for hand wounds! But great suggestion nonetheless! Thanks! Stephen

Just ask him for a hand-wind

 
 By: cazalea : July 8th, 2011-19:30
Since he makes the 3-rotor adaptor and some of his watches are manual wind, no doubt he could do the watch without it. And no doubt he would. Now if it has to be platinum, that's another matter! Cheers Cazalea

As easy as asking!

 
 By: BluNotte : July 8th, 2011-19:40
I had thought so, since he is an independent. Thanks for this, i shall see what i can do about it! Also, i don't mind this NOT being platinum! Cheers Stephen

It's not that automatic movements hack, it's that ETA automatics hack.

 
 By: mkvc : July 8th, 2011-19:18
Patek and F. Piguet automatic movements, among others, don't hack.

Ahh yes, thanks for pointing this out

 
 By: BluNotte : July 8th, 2011-19:39
Would you happen to know why is it then that at ETA, they seem to make all autos hack, but not their manuals? Is it that difficult? Or is there another reason behind it, technical or otherwise? Cheers Stephen

It all depends...

 
 By: patrick_y : July 8th, 2011-22:46
My preference depends on what type of watch it is... For an observation and military watches where accuracy readings are important, I would absolutely require a large second hand. I am actually surprised that vintage Panerais had their small second hands,... 

I think this reflects the people's thinking bro

 
 By: BluNotte : July 10th, 2011-18:34
As for the Italians, they were always as "serious" as their neighbours up north, and so for them "approximateness" is more than acceptable, as can be seen in their works even till today ( In Tokyo where both Germans and Italian things are well loved, you ... 

Excellent comparison...

 
 By: patrick_y : July 11th, 2011-09:02
I do find it odd that we compare German and Italian things. We love them both so much, yet we find them completely different in personalities. This is an interesting psychological condition in which we all contradict ourselves from time to time. I think t... 

Some help on the low end of the spectrum and some light reading ...

 
 By: Montrachet : July 9th, 2011-16:48
It is my understanding that it is "easier" on a manual wind watch to have "sub-seconds", in that the second hand is directly attached to the fourth wheel pinion. Indirectly driven second hands must be manufactured to the highest degree (ie. Richard Lange)...  

Great Flieger!

 
 By: BluNotte : July 10th, 2011-18:48
Hello there Mon! Thank you for sharing with me your watch! It is very beautiful and i read up on it, its not at all like the current regular offering from Stowa that uses an automatic movement, even though the design is exactly the same! How i wish i knew...  

Puh, Stephen, this hurts!

 
 By: anaesdoc : July 11th, 2011-04:50
I just started to overcome my GS anniversary edition disease that had befallen me (for the modest, almost affordable SS version), when reading your post with the lovely pics of this watch opened the old wound again. 35,8 mm would just be perfect for my wr... 

Entschuldigung Mein Freund!

 
 By: BluNotte : July 11th, 2011-17:46
Guten Tag! Did not mean for any of that! But it is a very wonderful piece as i will testify in a few months time, hopefully! Tschuss Stephen

Gerne, Stephen!

 
 By: anaesdoc : July 11th, 2011-22:47
Not your fault, obviously - but my pp (personal problem). Beste Grüsse, anaesdoc

Thank you for reminding me of Seiko.

 
 By: Montrachet : July 11th, 2011-11:01
Yes, those watches are very beautiful and pure. I have admired several of the Seiko offerings throughout my history in fine watches. As you might know, the distribution of Grand Seiko is very limited in the United States. However, I have family in Arizona... 

I know that you will not be disappointed

 
 By: BluNotte : July 11th, 2011-17:50
I only wish that you are able to compare all 3 versions of the watch, or if not at least the SS version. It is a beauty and gives more than it asks to be paid for. Cheers Stephen