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Horological Meandering

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Thank you for such an insightful post,

 

Its easy to take for granted the features on the watch. Eg "why can't I just have a 60m subdial counter?". It makes sense when you start putting yourself in the watchmaker's shoes, and start imagining the designs for yourself - which in this case, the thought process is brilliantly illustrated by Habring.

Indeed, most horizontal clutch chronographs we see have semi-instantaneous minute counters, with a ~30m recorder for the limitations mentioned. This is the simplest way to do it, as all it needs is a jumper and finger.

Occasionally we do get instantaneous jumping counters, as exemplified most famously by the Datograph and 5170. This adds some complexity with a ratchet arm and a more precise snail cam to facilitate the instant jump.

Then we get the continuous recording minutes counter such as the Doppel 3.1, VC Harmony Chrono and Omega 9300. This as per the illustrations above, requires a secondary clutch which also adds complexity.

As a general conclusion, the semi instantaneous counter as described is the simplest design relative to the other two, hence its ubiquity.

Regards,
skyeriding

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9 Comments view entire thread 

The Word From Habring—Repost w/diagrams...

 
By: halgedahl : July 16th, 2019-08:52
Hello fellow Purists! (And would some kind moderator please take down the original post? Thanks!) Last week I posted some feelings about the movement of the chrono minute hand—specifically my preference for the semi-instantaneous "jump" or some, rather th...  

Thank you for such an insightful post,

 
By: skyeriding : July 17th, 2019-02:44
Its easy to take for granted the features on the watch. Eg "why can't I just have a 60m subdial counter?". It makes sense when you start putting yourself in the watchmaker's shoes, and start imagining the designs for yourself - which in this case, the tho... 

Several Lemania movements have continuous chronograph minutes.

 
By: rdenney : July 17th, 2019-08:39
Particularly, in my experience, the 1340 and it’s derivatives. For example, the Ebel version with three subdials—their caliber 137—used an indirectly driven minutes counter with continuous motion. Their caliber 139 provides a central minutes counter. But ... 

Many thanks for this, Rick. One trick I've stumbled onto (I'm working on a MacbookPro) is to open the photo on the desktop (mine opens automatically in Preview)

 
By: halgedahl : July 17th, 2019-10:48
and pull down the Tools menu to Resize. Most of my photos are large (for detail) so I cut the size to 1/2, and then before exiting I take a screen shot of the photo (shft/cmnd/4), cropping it however I want (or leaving it as is - as soon as you release th... 

Here’s a picture

 
By: rdenney : July 18th, 2019-06:13
Of the Ebel 1911 BTR, caliber 139, with continuous central minutes. The minutes counter uses a three-pointed hand moving over a 120-degree dial scale. —Rick ...  

Thanks for sharing Rick,

 
By: skyeriding : July 19th, 2019-08:35
You're correct that there is no distinct mechanical "clutch" (such as a horizontal or vertical clutch), but instead I believe these work via a direct friction coupling (as a "crude" clutch, in a way), something like this in the following image of a Lemani...  

It never occurred to me that the minute counter reset hammer was on the dial side.

 
By: rdenney : July 19th, 2019-09:40
I’ve studied these movements with a loupe, but not the dial side and not with disassembly. But there is a reset hammer only for the chronograph seconds hand, plus its famous Delrin brake. Thank you for the explanation. —Rick

I could not agree more

 
By: NT931 : July 19th, 2019-08:48
The detailed technical discussions aside, what shines thru for me is Richard Habring’s generosity of time and spirit in answering this question. I have a Habring Erwin, and have communicated with Maria before, and the couple’s kindness and friendliness is...