DonCorson[AHCI]
3358
RGM at the GTE 2012
Jan 22, 2012,13:03 PM
RGM at the GTE 2012
Roland Murphy came to the GTE with his 3rd US made in house calber. This calber is named the Caliber 20 to celebrate the 20th aniversary of the opening of his shop. We got to see this nicely finished form movement, the first complete watch will be seen later this year.
The movement includes a so-called motor barrel. This barrel was used in the best US made watches in the past and this is the only movement that I know of to use it today. In a motor barrel not only the barrel arbor is jeweled to the plate and bridge as is standard practice, but the arbor itself is jeweled to the barrel case. The barrel case carries the first gear in the gear train of a watch.
Let us think about this. The barrel arbor is turned to wind the mainspring. The energy stored in the mainspring then turns the barrel case to power the gear train. Thus in a normal barrel the winding surfaces are jeweled, but the first turning surfaces in the gear train are never jeweled. With a motor barrel the entire gear train is jeweled. Note the jewel in the ratchet wheel seen below.
Also new this year in the 801 Aircraft watch. This watch using the RGM
manufacture 801 movement is modeled on the aircraft clocks made jointly
by Elgin and Hamilton during WWII. It is a very welcome development to
see a pilot watch that is not like all the others.
The RGM Pennsylvania Tourbillon
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RGM at the GTE 2012
By: DonCorson : January 22nd, 2012-13:03
RGM at the GTE 2012 Roland Murphy came to the GTE with his 3rd US made in house calber. This calber is named the Caliber 20 to celebrate the 20th aniversary of the opening of his shop. We got to see this nicely finished form movement, the first complete w...
More about motor barrels
By: aaronm : January 22nd, 2012-19:10
In a traditional watch the mainspring is wound from by the central arbor and turns the watch mechanism from the outside of the barrel. In a motor-barrel design, everything is reversed, the watch is wound from the outside and drives from the arbor (it's mo...
Motor Barrel is Superior to a conventional barrel... more
By: R.Murphy : June 14th, 2012-10:58
With a Motor barrel the mainspring barrel is working more like a normal wheel between jewels when the watch is running. This make for a stable barrel, less friction, and less wear. Also part of the arbor is fixed to the barrel adding to the stability. Thi...
Motor barrel outside the US
By: randytg : February 11th, 2013-13:22
After reading about the motor barrel in the new Caliber 20 and the history behind it, I was surprised to discover that the French Manufacture Pequignet also uses this technique in their Calibre Royal in house movement. I was happy to find that this barrel...
Love the Cal 20
By: JDowning : January 22nd, 2012-20:13
I do not love all of their watches, but I do own a pre-in house pilot that I like a lot. This form movement with moon phase seems like it should be a real winner. I like that RGM is an "honest" watchmaker, meaning that they are fairly straight forward abo...
discovered something new
By: nitediver : January 23rd, 2012-13:25
...wasn't aware that there is this company out there manufacturing their own movements. The movements look great - cant judge on the finishing however from the pics. thanks for the interesting report, Stefan
As a proud owner of an RGM 130...
By: mcio2 : January 23rd, 2012-13:44
I can tell you that they not only make some fantastic watches but have great service as well. I really like most of their watches, and might have to pick up that new pilot watch.
An underappreciated maker in my view....
By: Darren : January 23rd, 2012-20:28
For a number of years RGM seems to have held the title of "best brand largely made in the United States", but IMHO of late they have taken their place among the finer brands anywhere on the planet. Their 801 movement is sublime, and these new movements lo...
Thank You, Don
By: big daddy : January 28th, 2012-22:04
Nice report and as an owner of a caliber 801, it is absolutely gorgeous and very well finished. Congratulations to Roland on his 20th anniversary!
..it's even better in teh flesh (metal)!
By: Pulli : June 14th, 2012-11:21
...the motor barel and the entire calibre is stunning. RGM has really thought it out well and the watch is going to be another stunner! ..made in the USA!
