chronometre standard?

the calibre 970 family in auto or manual wind is a special reverso movement that has the SPYR gear train that has a more rounded profile of the wheel teeth giving optimal torque efficiency-better than the standard NIHS profile.the flat balance spring is made in collaboration with A LANGE AND SOHNE and is laser welded .the variable inertia glucydur balance wheel(no regulator just poising weights) also has a moment of inertia of 14mg/cm2 as against a calibre 899 of 3.8mg/cm2,this balance wheel sits on a bridge as against a cock for greater stability for the larger diameter balance wheel whizzing around at 28800 vph(4hz) and power reserve of 48hrs.

the master tourbillon with the calbre 978 auto in 2009 won 1st prize in the chronometre timing competition from the geneva observatory.

second prize went to the reverso gyrotorbillon 2!!

so as you can see for the calibre 976 in manual form in the grand reverso is a 'little beauty' and should not be judged by looks alone and is in the chronometre class and in my humble opinion would be even better with a silicon escapement and and balance spring.

yes i do own reverso's- with a calibre 976 and 859(822 with chronograph) and with 875. i do not like automatics.manual wind rules!!

hope this of interest

regards paul

822 versus 976

By: edwyun : October 5th, 2012-14:31

Can some explain to me the technical differences or improvements between the 822 and 976 movements? For example, the 822 is a well known movement but it's difficult to find information on the 976. Is one better than the other - ruggedness, accuracy, etc? ...

Still, I prefer the 822, which is much nicer to see.

By: amanico : October 5th, 2012-23:15

And I tested a 822 for a long time, I did notice it was pretty accurate. I don't think the 976, which is much less decorated, does better. In terms of resistance, I don't see one being more resistant than another. Yes, the 976 has all what you said, but a...

I agree about the 822's looks...

By: edwyun : October 6th, 2012-07:37

... it does look prettier than the 976 with the 3/4 plate. I thought the 822 circa 1993 was derived from a much older JLC movement?

More info

By: respo : October 8th, 2012-08:04

Here is a link to Jerome's fine article upon the launch of the 976, which has some interesting details on the caliber: amp;fi=2&pi=2946981&ti=491116&s = And a scan from the same article: I can't resist adding a scan of the 822 for comparison's...

I agree with you the 822 is prettier to look at than the 976.

By: Ruckdee : October 8th, 2012-18:19

Comparing my 976... ...with my 843 which is understandably based on the 822... With that said, I have to add that my Grande Reverso 976 is the most accurate mechanical watch I have ever owned at only +0.5 or +1 second a day, surpassing all of the more exp...

Gorgeous photos of those two movements, Ruckdee

By: respo : October 8th, 2012-18:31

You must be very happy with both of your Reversos. The performance of your 976 is impressive. Without a doubt, two excellent movements by JLC. Best, respo

My flash bounce trick works again ;)

By: Ruckdee : October 8th, 2012-18:58

There was no elaborated lighting work involved at all. One was flash bounce off the ceiling and another the wall. I had to take multiple repeats though to get the angle right but it was more labor than skill. Thanks for looking. Ruckdee

These 2 pics say it all. Thanks for posting them.

By: amanico : October 8th, 2012-22:48

I think accuracy is sometimes difficult

By: Ed. W : October 8th, 2012-23:35

I had a Reverso squadra with the 977 movement (based on 975 just like the 976) and it was fast maybe 6 seconds a day. Maybe the hand wound version would be more stable since its power is more predictable. The 829 in my Reverso Gran Sport chrono then again...

You are right. Thank you for sharing your experience.

By: Ruckdee : October 9th, 2012-00:39

With more real life samples like yours and mine, I'm sure the picture will be even more complete. Ruckdee

chronometre standard?

By: golden hands : October 9th, 2012-15:32

Thanks for your very interesting input, Paul.

By: amanico : October 9th, 2012-23:14

Of course you are right. The 976 should not be judged on its look. But it would have been even better if JLC would have spend a bit more of time in the decoration, the finish on this movement, don't you think? Thanks, once again, for your very interesting...

decoration!!

By: golden hands : October 11th, 2012-13:21

hi nicolas the decoration so called on the plates-perlage,geneva stripes etc is their for a purpose of trapping some of the microscopic dust particules. depending on what other decoration/pleaseing to the eye is used will not inprove its performance- the ...

You can be nicely decorated and very accurate, though...

By: amanico : October 11th, 2012-13:52

Cal 162: Or Cal 171: Or... Cal 170? 3 great Chronometer movements whch gather beauty and accuracy... To elaborate my point. I could also mention the Cal 488, which is also a nice Chronometre movement, housed in the JLC Mark 11. But I agree with you, beaut...

1940-50'production

By: golden hands : October 11th, 2012-15:41

hi nicolas nice photo' of some rare calibres from the 40-50's-cal 170 for instance one of those very good tourbillions i was talking about-so good that only 26 were ever made for this pocket watch calibre. i was on about todays production-calibres of yest...

Today, watch makers are more after profits, rentabilty than after the product itself.

By: amanico : October 11th, 2012-22:00

Thry don't take the time to do these masterpeices anymore. I am not sure I understand your question, but if your point is to ask if I like sapphire case back, I am not a big fan of them. I prefer to play with my solid case back when I want to have an eye ...

Many thanks for your input. I learn something new every day here. [nt]

By: Ruckdee : October 10th, 2012-18:34

Comparing my 976...

By: edwyun : October 9th, 2012-06:42

Thanks. Your real world experience with these watches definitely helps.