Marcus Hanke[PuristSPro Moderator]
11515
Unfortunately, I have lost my mail correspondence between 2007 and 2011 ...
Mar 29, 2018,06:59 AM
... so I have to use my leaky memory to compose a reply. I know that Ulysse Nardin created the so-called Dual Ulysse escapement in their 160 years anniversary timepiece by LIGA process in 2006. Back then, Nickel-Phosphor composition of complex shapes was industrially used at first by Mimotec, partner of Ulysse Nardin (eventually, this partnership led to the foundation of Sigatec, current leader in silicon development for the horology). A few years later, I asked Rolf Schnyder, president of Ulysse Nardin, why the Dual Ulysse escapement has never been adopted in any other watch, and he informed me that the Nickel phosphor had found to be a bit problematic in these escapement parts, due to higher mass and quicker wear. So UN decided to use the LIGA technology in other components that were not moving fast and where inertia and wear were not that important. Additionally, the DRIE process was developed to combine the advantages of silicon etching and the LIGA three-dimensional layer-based construction of complex shapes.
However, my state of knowledge in this field is at least five years old, and it is possible that more recent developments have changed things.
Marcus
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Hands On: Unico โ Inside Hublotโs Calibre HUB 1240
By: JToddH : November 28th, 2018-13:31
Following the success of the Big Bang, launched in 2005, Hublot set out on its next big challenge, to create an in-house movement following the same design philosophy of their iconic case. The result is the calibre 1240 โUnico,โ which demonstrates the bra...
Thank you for that great article!
By: Marcus Hanke : March 28th, 2018-02:08
Also the description of the LIGA process is very informative. I am glad you stated that the parts shown are not made for the Unico movement. When Ulysse Nardin started to employ the LIGA manufacturing, they soon realized that it was less than optimal for ...
Unfortunately, I have lost my mail correspondence between 2007 and 2011 ...
By: Marcus Hanke : March 29th, 2018-06:59
... so I have to use my leaky memory to compose a reply. I know that Ulysse Nardin created the so-called Dual Ulysse escapement in their 160 years anniversary timepiece by LIGA process in 2006. Back then, Nickel-Phosphor composition of complex shapes was ...
Thanks Marcus, I appreciate the feedback.
By: brandon1 : March 29th, 2018-13:52
Very possible indeed that modern advances have enabled this process to create components suited for fast-moving and sliding components, and this probably accounts for its use today among mainstream brands/watches. Thanks again, Brandon
I echo Marcus Hanke in thanks for this article
By: MTF : March 28th, 2018-02:58
I learned more about the process and it showed Hublot truly is at the forefront of technology. All this for a 'standard' workhorse movement. Regards, MTF
Quick set date feature
By: aerobang : March 29th, 2018-15:17
I notice the photo of the quick set date feature is not the unico 1240 but the unico 1280?
It's a 1240.
By: JToddH : March 29th, 2018-15:53
In fact, these photos were taken well before the 1280. ...