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Horological Meandering

Strictly speaking,

 

A tourbillon is not a complication. It is simply a mechanism for improving the functioning of the watch (specifically, ensuring a low level of positional variation in timekeeping).

For the same reasons, a constant-force escapement is not a complication. Neither is an automatic winding mechanism. Nor a multiple winding barrels arrangement.

One could make an argument about a deadbeat seconds mechanism. This changes the way the watch displays time. But it does not really provide any extra information, so it's probably not a complication either, in the strictest sense of the term.

To answer your question, I would nominate an instantaneous perpetual calendar, adjustable forwards and backwards across midnight, as a good candidate.


Cheers
Tony P

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What are the 3 most complicated of Watchmaking, I hear Split Second, and Minute Repeater

 
By: parkavenue740 : April 7th, 2009-18:56
Other than the Split Second chronograph, and the Minute Repeater I hear consistantly, what is the 3rd most difficult complication? Is it the Tourbillion? The Tourbillion is seemingly common but I would guess it is the 3rd most complicated? Any Comments?

How does one define " most complictated " ??

 
By: tic-toc : April 7th, 2009-19:20
.... i would greatly appreciate your comprehensive explanation, are there set rules as to what is considered " most complicated " ?? As i dont know much about watches, nor watch making, so, i look forward to your comments. Wouldnt combing a perpetual cale... 

Strictly speaking,

 
By: tony p : April 7th, 2009-20:46
A tourbillon is not a complication. It is simply a mechanism for improving the functioning of the watch (specifically, ensuring a low level of positional variation in timekeeping). For the same reasons, a constant-force escapement is not a complication. N... 

To answer by example...

 
By: pplater : April 7th, 2009-22:56
Three complications? 1. Whatever complications prevented the mythical Harry Winston Opus 3 from being realised; 2. Whatever complication has prevented the Vyskocil V-30/45-01-A from being produced before now; and 3. Whatever complication it is that has pr... 

Traditionally, top five are ...

 
By: Toodlepip : April 8th, 2009-06:39
minute repeater, split second, tourbillion, perpetual calendar and moonphase (presumably because moon phase does not equate to an even number of days). A "Grand Complication" is usually required to have at least three of these. Hope this helps. Toodlepip!

I beg to differ: the most complicated thing is to keep it simple and pure...

 
By: Ornatus-Mundi : April 8th, 2009-23:43
as this requires immense intellectual synthesis efforts to implement a given mechanism with as few parts as possible (see Ludwig Oechslin's MIH or even Ochs und Junior Annual Calenders). In other words: - 'complicated watches': watchmaking complication - ...