Comments:
This message has been edited by amerix on 2013-02-06 11:37:55
Helo amerix,
Provocative question:
Were they ever necessary? Most definitely yes. Broken balance staff pivots were exceedingly common before shock protection became the norm.
Has something changed? Not really; we're sportier and more active than ever and we're still mostly using steel pivots in synthetic ruby bearings.
Therefore: Yes, we need some kind of shock protection, whether it be Kif, Incabloc or something else.
_john
Do we really need Incabloc or KIF these days?
Or can they be safely left out of a movement's design?
Your shockingly inquisitive,
amerix
This message has been edited by amerix on 2013-02-06 11:37:55
hmm...
Helo amerix,
Provocative question:
Were they ever necessary? Most definitely yes. Broken balance staff pivots were exceedingly common before shock protection became the norm.
Has something changed? Not really; we're sportier and more active than ever and we're still mostly using steel pivots in synthetic ruby bearings.
Therefore: Yes, we need some kind of shock protection, whether it be Kif, Incabloc or something else.
_john
Yes...
Anti-shock is no longer a subject of discussion these days, but only because the Incablock and KIF solutions work.
If we left them out we would again be having problems.
Just imagine the size of those balance wheel pivots... 0.08mm in general.
Very hard to make and easy to break.
Don
If we left them out we would again be having problems.
Just imagine the size of those balance wheel pivots... 0.08mm in general.
Very hard to make and easy to break.
Don
Thanks John and Don for your responses
When starting a thread I always end up at the bottom of the frying pan and not safely (!) above where the vapor and aroma can develop into an enjoyable discussion.
This message has been edited by amerix on 2013-02-07 10:54:56 This message has been edited by amerix on 2013-02-07 10:57:48
Nothing at all against shock-absorving techniques! A-L Breguet tried this with his "parachute", now a famous remake from the firm that took over his name.
Watches for military officers made in the Soviet Union - deservedly or not - were known for their robustness, if at the expense of the time-keeping quality. Some of these movements or the license to make them were acquired from Jaeger-Leoultre, according to my info.
Seiko may have found its own solution without resort to Incabloc and Kif. If so, I am not familiar with it but would like to know.
I own a Chronomètre from Jean-Baptiste Viot using a Peseux 260. It was offered as an option with Incabloc. As far as I know, I am the only one who rejected that "option" - and JB was delighted!
Of course I would never attempt a sports activity with that or any fine watch not devised for that specific purpose.
The entire purpose of this thread was to reflect upon "how much and where" - as well as what can be done by an Independent without trying to re-invent the wheel or having access to LIGA and the latest metal alloys, carbon or silicon.
Regards,
amerix
Seiko uses Diashock system...
"The 7S26 uses Seiko's patented Diashock shock protection [3] on the balance
pivots, has a soft, plastic spacer ring [4] closely integrated with the movement
and a relatively low mass rotor [5] that is unlikely to bend or break even with
very severe shocks" http://www.thepurists.com/watch/features/8ohms/7s26/ BTW, thanks! HAGWE! ^_^
pivots, has a soft, plastic spacer ring [4] closely integrated with the movement
and a relatively low mass rotor [5] that is unlikely to bend or break even with
very severe shocks" http://www.thepurists.com/watch/features/8ohms/7s26/ BTW, thanks! HAGWE! ^_^
A wonderful article
that deserves careful study (give me another hour or two!) not only for Diashock. The judicious use of plastics makes a lot of sense in this context.
Thanks very much!
amerix
This message has been edited by amerix on 2013-02-08 03:29:47
KIF, Diashock, Incablock, etc
are all very important in preventing broken balance staffs yes.
Especially with the increasing wrist activity and shock that the watches are exposed to.