Comments:
Have read the operational description...
…and arrived at a clear, concise conclusion – it’s the daftest idea I’ve probably ever come across for a mechanical watch!
Here’s the deal…the central seconds hand doesn’t move round the dial in the conventional manner.
Instead of a complete 360º revolution each minute, it moves only 90º – from 12 to 3.
Each time it does that, the sub-dial also jumps from 12-3, 3-6, 6-9, and 9-12.
So, in order to tell the time, to the second, you need to look at the sub-dial, multiply the position the hand is at (0, 1, 2, or 3) by 15, then add on where the second hand is.
In the image above, the time is 10:10:17.
Have I mentioned how daft this idiotic ‘complication’ is?
Needless to say, I’ll not be expecting a request to review the watch for Montre Exacte – which is probably just as well, for them.
Well, I can’t think of anything dafter...
…than a central seconds hand being used as a 90º retrograde, and a sub-dial that requires mathematics, all in order to convey what time it is.
Isn't that the point of a simple 3-hander? Hours, minutes, seconds – bang, job done!
Many thanks
Phil
A new Austrian watchmaker?
The other day one of my colleagues surprised me during dinner claiming to have met an Austrian watch maker. While I immediately assumed it meant an encounter with the Habrings, this turned out not to have been the case.
Instead she was speaking of Montre Exacte and their new Vierteluhr (from Waldviertel), with an in-house movement and a surprising complication - a jumping quarter minute counter.
From: http://montre-exacte.at/clock/205/0/39837
As far as I understood orders are being taken and there is lots of scope for personalisation (perhaps not in the ochs & junior variety but much more than usually). Here is a picture of a basic model but AFAIK, this is still a pre-production prototype.
From: https://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/ko_kr/about_us/success/case_study.cfm?Component=221530&ComponentTemplate=1481
Curious to learn more about it - perhaps some of our Austrian members / moderators have more details to share?
Instead she was speaking of Montre Exacte and their new Vierteluhr (from Waldviertel), with an in-house movement and a surprising complication - a jumping quarter minute counter.
From: http://montre-exacte.at/clock/205/0/39837
As far as I understood orders are being taken and there is lots of scope for personalisation (perhaps not in the ochs & junior variety but much more than usually). Here is a picture of a basic model but AFAIK, this is still a pre-production prototype.
From: https://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/ko_kr/about_us/success/case_study.cfm?Component=221530&ComponentTemplate=1481
Curious to learn more about it - perhaps some of our Austrian members / moderators have more details to share?
Not really excited by the design at very first sight but it is always interesting to see a new watch brand. Thank you my friend
Best wishes
Alkiro
Alkiro
Agreed on the design...
But not sure if this is close to the final product or just something to show how the movement should operate. As said, curious to find out more
You are right. We can wait for the final product to have a judgment
Best wishes
Alkiro
Alkiro
Hence my picture arrangement ;)
Agree fully with you on the relative merits of the two.
Corrected response posted for Phil - sorry for the trouble
Have read the operational description...
…and arrived at a clear, concise conclusion – it’s the daftest idea I’ve probably ever come across for a mechanical watch!
Here’s the deal…the central seconds hand doesn’t move round the dial in the conventional manner.
Instead of a complete 360º revolution each minute, it moves only 90º – from 12 to 3.
Each time it does that, the sub-dial also jumps from 12-3, 3-6, 6-9, and 9-12.
So, in order to tell the time, to the second, you need to look at the sub-dial, multiply the position the hand is at (0, 1, 2, or 3) by 15, then add on where the second hand is.
In the image above, the time is 10:10:17.
Have I mentioned how daft this idiotic ‘complication’ is?
Needless to say, I’ll not be expecting a request to review the watch for Montre Exacte – which is probably just as well, for them.
Well, I can’t think of anything dafter...
…than a central seconds hand being used as a 90º retrograde, and a sub-dial that requires mathematics, all in order to convey what time it is.
Isn't that the point of a simple 3-hander? Hours, minutes, seconds – bang, job done!
Many thanks
Phil
That quarter jumping thingy is a reference to the location of the manufacture...
which is the Austrian area of 'Waldviertel' ('forest quarter'), from which the mental jump (pun intended) to all this quarter stuff is a very small one.
Magnus
Magnus
Oh that language issue...
I will never understand why an Austrian firm would give themselves a French company name and then use watch designation which only work in Austria, not even in the entire German speaking area...
Magnus
Magnus
Have read the operational description
NB - my post came up scrambled on the site.
the correct answer is below.
NB: I posted the Response above on Behalf of Phil (PJS) -Not my words but Phil's expertise
..
Expertise?
I believe you're confusing me with someone who knows their arse from their elbow.
Must be some other Phil that you're thinking about...
This message has been edited by PJ S on 2016-08-26 09:04:48
Must be some other Phil that you're thinking about...
too funny. I just did want to take any credit this is all above my pay grade. LOL. [nt]
No message body
Well, I cant think of anything dafter...
than a central seconds hand being used as a 90 degree retrograde, and a sub-dial that requires mathematics, all in order to convey what time it is.
Isn't that the point of a simple 3-hander? Hours, minutes, seconds - bang, job done!
Where it's from...
Telling time by the second is not a real concern - a quarter minute is adequate 
And the retrograde seconds hand tells you it's running
And the retrograde seconds hand tells you it's running
If we’re not going to worry about time to the second, then all we need is a two-hander and...
…an open heart dial to view the balance wheel in motion – if we’re worried about whether the watch is running or not.
The fact that the watch runs at a slow 18k vph, with a central seconds hand, means it’ll look as jittery as hell – there’s a reason that beat-rate is used on sub-dial seconds designs.
And with a slow speed, the power reserve should be well in excess of 40 odd hours – this is what ETA has done with the modified 2836 that is the Powermatic (as fitted to Tissot/Certina/Hamilton), achieving an 80 hour PR.
For me, I see a gimmicky watch, which brings nothing useful to the table – even though the movement is rather pleasant to look at.
The fact that the watch runs at a slow 18k vph, with a central seconds hand, means it’ll look as jittery as hell – there’s a reason that beat-rate is used on sub-dial seconds designs.
And with a slow speed, the power reserve should be well in excess of 40 odd hours – this is what ETA has done with the modified 2836 that is the Powermatic (as fitted to Tissot/Certina/Hamilton), achieving an 80 hour PR.
For me, I see a gimmicky watch, which brings nothing useful to the table – even though the movement is rather pleasant to look at.
ME ViertelUhr: What I have seen so far is the (empty) case & a escapement wheel cock...
which was in late June 2016 when, according to Montre Exacte, the 'ViertelUhr' watch was only 2 weeks to presentation...
The 'Vierteluhr' (quarter watch) is meant as a homage to the 4 quarters which constitute the brand's homeland of the Austrian province of Lower Austria which is historically divided into four quarters (the “Wine quarter”, of the “Forest quarter”, the “Cider quarter” or of the “Industrial quarter”).
The seconds indication is rather unconventional: instead of a complete 360º revolution each minute, it moves retrogradely only one quarter of the dial scale, i.e. 90º, and then jumps back. At the same time the sub-dial at 3 o'clock also jumps from 12-3, 3-6, 6-9, and 9-12 and so on.
The technical implementation seems to be quite tricky as well as the odds of finding suitable suppliers in Austria. the initial presentation of the ME ViertelUhr was originally scheduled for 2013, I am still waiting...
So, as Phil said, in order to tell the time, to the second, you need to look at the sub-dial, multiply the position the hand is at (0, 1, 2, or 3) by 15, then add on where the second hand is. In the image above, the time is 10:10:17.
If I understand correctly, there are different versions available for all 'quarters', i.e. you have the seconds hand covering a different quarter of the dial.
ME mentioned it produces about 80% of all parts in-house. The watch so far is estimated to cost well below € 5000, which I think is quite a feat given the claims given the standards they want to achieve in terms of finishing.
As for the background, founder Christian Umscheid has a considerable track record of working with Audemars Piguet. He is a particular expert in refinishing AP Royal Oak cases. So if your RO needed special care it is well likely that it passed through Mr Umscheid's hands.
Hope this helps.
Magnus
More than helps!
I was already happy with your previous comments but this one answers all of the questions - including the history of the founder. Thank you so much for the clarifications!
'Cider Quarter', you say...?
...sod the watch, tell me more!
And don't scrimp on the details.
Still think the watch is daft, but maybe if Christian plies me with enough cider, I'll start to come around to his way of thinking.
And don't scrimp on the details.
Still think the watch is daft, but maybe if Christian plies me with enough cider, I'll start to come around to his way of thinking.
Maybe we need to make a Purist trip to the place :)
Even if we return without watches, one does not go hungry or thirsty in that place