Horological Meandering - I would be interested to know ...

I would be interested to know ...

... how you, personally, would define "most complicated". Does it involve the number of parts at all? How do you go about defining a "complication"?

It is said that A.L. Breguet included every known horological complication in the Marie Antoinette pocket watch (Watch No. 160), but is there a watch today that could include all the currently known complications? It would be unwearable, I imagine, and perhaps better as a clock.

And while we are thinking about this topic, I have been pondering why manufactures persist in quoting the number of parts and number of jewels in their watch specifications. The days of this having much significance for the quality of the timepiece are long gone. In fact some watchmakers (F.P.Journe comes to mind) strive to simplify mechanisms and reduce the numbers of parts.

It all harks back to a time when more was consider better. There are unfortunately too many watches that follow that philosophy without much substance.

Andrew

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Worlds most complicated watch ?

By: J.W.B : January 11th, 2011-15:08

Am i right in saying this is the worlds most complicated wristwatch ? 'FRANCK MULLER Aeternitas Mega 4'

probably

By: ei8htohms : January 11th, 2011-16:50

It's massive size makes one still want to mention Lord Arran's Piguet/Muller/Gerber masterpiece however. _john

It seems that it is the Jaeger Lecoultre Hybris Mechanica à Grande Sonnerie.

By: amanico : January 11th, 2011-21:38

I wrote something about it, compared to the other Grandes Complications, including the Frank Muller Aeternitas Mega 4. It is here: jlc.watchprosite.com Best, Nicolas. This message has been edited by amanico on 2011-01-11 21:39:08

there's always room for debate on these things...

By: ei8htohms : January 12th, 2011-11:17

But I think it's a huge stretch to place that one top of watches that have split seconds chronographs, you know? _john

If I remember

By: aaronm : January 12th, 2011-19:12

JLC counts all sorts of additions to complications as additional things, so there's one increment for Grand Sonnerie, another for petite, another for the gongs, another for the ability to turn it on and off, etc... I don't remember a exhaustive count like...