cazalea
[Seiko Moderator]
20798
A look at the movements
No cap jewels on the escape wheel, no "manual" adjustment
Escape wheel cap jewels and shock absorption, adjustment on balance (but lots of weights on heavy balance wheel)
As for why change it? I think of a comparison with fountain pens and ball point pens. Lots of reasons why a ball point MAY be better in various circumstances. Then along came the roller ball pen. Then the razor point, then the felt tip, Sharpie marker, etc etc.
I'll bet the newer version parts count is down by 30-40 and the reliability is better if not just equal. It certainly looks cleaner and more elegant to me, though you rarely can see a Reverso movement.
Those are my thoughts; yours may vary.
Cazalea
PS lousy photos from JLCs I have serviced
Jaeger-leCoultre cal 822
I have only recently discovered that JLC has revised the construction of its long established calibre 822 movement, still used in many of the new Reverso's. The triovis regulator has gone and the balance is now spring-free inertia with a revised balance c...
May I ask when did they change it?
Just wondering whether my TT 1931 bought in 2017 was with the new one or the older calibre...
Here are two shots from the 2013/2014 catalogue
The TT1931 was not on the 2015/2016 catalogue, so your watch must have been left on the shelf until your acquisition. The photos show the 21 jewel movement. Best, E. ...
Okay. Thanks for your response. I got it on order from Switzerland after waiting for 2 months.
It was apparently left with the company somewhere that they discovered in 2017 and fortunately I got it through my Boutique. Anyway its an impressive Reverso with a svelte case...
Shock protection
I’m going to tackle one of your questions first. Shock-proofing is most important when the rotating mass is high and the likelihood of shock is high. An example would be a large balance wheel on a slow-beat pocket watch. It’s quite common for balance whee...
A look at the movements
No cap jewels on the escape wheel, no "manual" adjustment Escape wheel cap jewels and shock absorption, adjustment on balance (but lots of weights on heavy balance wheel) As for why change it? I think of a comparison with fountain pens and ball point pens...
Possibly so
On the other hand, it is nice to clean and lube a movement, put it back together and not need to tweak things. In theory it won’t change once set when built, and a balance never goes in the cleaning machine (in my experience). Perhaps better, perhaps not ...
Hi Clive, I just received this answer from the Manufacture:
" The choice was made to update the calibre 822 with a free sprung balance wheel as they are considered far superior in chronometric performance than raquetterie. It enables better adjusting and better performance all together. As far as the removing of t...
Very good point and very interesting discussion!
It seems that the caliber name evolved as well, so the evolution was mentioned: 822, 822/2, 822A/2. Best, E.