Results for Silicon Hairspring

Is Silicon Here to Stay in (Rolex) Watch Movements? - Reprise

Hairsprings are miniscule. Generally no more than one centimeter in overall diameter when coiled, they are roughly 50 microns thick and 150 microns wide. Tiny they may be, but insignificant they are not. In fact, they are so significant that Rolex refers to them as “the guardians of time.” But what do silicon hairsprings bring to the table? Watchmaker Ashton Tracy explains why he went from skeptic to fan.

The Ulysse Nardin Blast Free Wheel Marquetry is the ultimate tribute to silicon

Ulysse Nardin do not always get the credit they are due as a watch manufacture. I bet most of you watching this video were not aware that Ulysse Nardin is an independently owned, vertically integrated manufacture – among the rare few who are able to build their watches fully in house. While certainly versed in … ContinuedThe post The Ulysse Nardin Blast Free Wheel Marquetry is the ultimate tribute to silicon appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

HANDS-ON: The TAG Heuer Connected generation 3 is the Swiss and Silicon Valley doing what they do best, together

Certain expertise has always been found in specific parts of the world, creating hubs of creativity and technical innovation. So what would happen if you put the watchmaking nous of La Chaux-de-Fonds and the tech capability of Silicon Valley together into a watch? You get the TAG Heuer Connected watch, generation 3. The first generation … ContinuedThe post HANDS-ON: The TAG Heuer Connected generation 3 is the Swiss and Silicon Valley doing what they do best, together appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

The 2020 TAG Heuer Connected Watch Generation Three is the marriage of Switzerland and Silicon Valley that had to happen

The latest generation of the TAG Heuer Connected Watch has just been released and it represents a major and - practically everyone would agree - welcome departure from the tech and mindset of the previous two generations. Simply because it is now powered by Google Wear OS, which allows the Swiss to do what they do … ContinuedThe post The 2020 TAG Heuer Connected Watch Generation Three is the marriage of Switzerland and Silicon Valley that had to happen appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

Introducing the Swatch Flymagic with Titanium-Based Nivachron Hairspring

Swatch Watches unveils the Swatch Flymagic featuring the Swatch Group’s latest innovation in watchmaking: the titanium-based Nivachron hairspring.

Video: The Birth Of Silicon (The watch that changed the world)

The realization of the groundbreaking watch that the Freak was destined to be necessitated the use of materials never before used in watchmaking. And thus was born the age of silicon in horology. But who was it that proposed this space age material for use in a watch?

Event Report: Stephen Silver State of Independence Silicon Valley

About two months ago, I wrote about the state of wrist affairs in Watches of the Silicon Valley. In the article, we confirmed the unsurprising SV stereotypes with the array of Apple watches and Fitbits. Just go up to the city and you will see the sad state of Union Square watch boutiques. Look down in the peninsula and you won't even see a sensible retailer. Or so I thought.

Spot the Watch: Watches of the Silicon Valley

Spot the Watch goes to to Silicon Valley. We spy on the watches on the wrists of the tech geeks to tell the tale of Pebbles, Apples, JLCs and Seagulls.

New Richard Mille RM 011 in Silicon Nitride and on Jason Statham’s Wrist

Richard Mille has always been one of the more pioneering watchmakers of our generation. One would assume that his last creation with full sapphire case might have been a little hard to top but last week, he announced his mainstay RM 011 flyback chronograph in silicon nitride, a material commonly associated with automobiles and not […]

Silicon Is Sexy! Ulysse Nardin Skeleton Tourbillon Manufacture

Let there be no mistake; Although the title might made you think otherwise, this article has nothing to do with the material silicone, which is perhaps best known to “enhance” the beauty of the fairer sex in many different shapes and forms. Instead it is about silicon, without the “e”, a chemical element that achieved […]

The Business of Watches Podcast: Tag Heuer CEO Antoine Pin On Carbon Hairspring Setbacks, Pricing, Tariffs, And Formula One

Industry veteran Antoine Pin says he doesn't regret being cautious about production with the relaunched Formula 1 collection.

Orient Star’s Manual-Wind Moon Phase is Slick and Silicon

The Orient Star M45 F8 Mechanical Moon Phase Hand Winding is the brand’s first manual-wind moon phase, and also the first in years with a solid dial, making it a refreshing change of pace from the brand’s usual fare that leans towards open-worked and occasionally over-designed styling. Initial Thoughts Excepting the vintage inspired Diver 1964, the M45 F8 moon phase is the most attractive watch in the Orient catalog to my eye. Most of the brand’s designs are too busy for my tastes, so these entries are a welcome departure that will certainly appeal to enthusiasts with more classical tastes. The moon phase disk itself, with mother-of-pearl inlay, is a highlight. And the absence of a seconds hand is a pleasant surprise, though the moon phase sub-dial feels naked without the traditional co-axial small seconds hand. Since the small seconds version of this calibre is not compatible with the moon phase module, Orient could have moved the Orient Star logo onto the sub-dial for more visual balance. Most importantly, this is a manually wound watch – with a competent movement – in a price segment where such things are hard to find. Looking at Japanese watches in particular, manual wind options from Grand Seiko and Credor are significantly more expensive, while Seiko, Orient, and Citizen dropped their entry-level manual watches years ago. Pleiades About two years ago, Orient Star reorganised its catalog by launching M Collections, a family of watches each named after astron...

First Look - Girard-Perregaux Launches the Calibre GP4800, its Next-Gen, In-House Movement with a Silicon Escapement

Girard-Perregaux has an extensive track record in watchmaking and is one of the most enduring integrated manufactures of the Swiss watch industry. In the 1980s, at a time when the quartz crisis had crippled mechanical watchmaking, the brand was among the first to champion the renaissance of traditional movements. Today, Girard-Perregaux announces the launch of […]

Happenings: The Horological Society Of New York To Hold Classes In Silicon Valley

These next classes will be hosted by Chopard and ISSIMI.

Happenings: The Horological Society Of New York To Hold Classes In Dallas And Silicon Valley

This next round of classes will be hosted by Jack Mason, Chopard, and ISSIMI.

First Look - The Louis Moinet Astronef Techno has a Sci-Fi Silicon Wafer Dial and Two Tourbis

Since 2013, Louis Moinet has made sure to captivate enthusiasts with each new release. Known for its audacious design and technical prowess, Louis Moinet never fails to intrigue. In 2021, the unveiling of the Astronef, born from a collaboration between Louis Moinet, Concepto (a movement maker specializing in tourbillons), and designer Fabrice Gonet, showcased twin […]

Is Stephen Silver transforming Silicon Valley into the next luxury landmark?

Geneva Watch Days 2023: Ulysse Nardin’s Blast Free Wheel Marquetry harnesses the power of silicon

Introducing: Ferdinand Berthoud's New Chronomètre FB3 SPC Has A Fascinating Hairspring (Live Pics)

Holy helical horology!

Happenings: The Horological Society Of New York To Hold Classes In Silicon Valley and Boston

These next rounds of classes will be hosted by Chopard, ISSIMI, and The Escapement Club.

Talking Watches: With Jimmy O. Yang, Comedian, Writer, And 'Silicon Valley' Star

From vintage Rolex to G-Shock.

In-Depth: The Silicon-Powered Speed Of The Frederique Constant Slimline Monolithic Manufacture - 40Hz

A major technical breakthrough at a wrist-friendly size.

Baselworld 2014: Rolex Might Just Have Come Up With the Best Thing We’ve Seen At Basel! (Syloxi Hairspring)

Introducing: Tag Heuer Announces High Tech "TH-Carbonspring" Harispring Via Limited Edition Monaco And Carrera Models

The result of over a decade of work at the TAG Heuer Lab, the "TH-Carbonspring" is a new oscillator that relies on carbon rather than silicon – and it will soon be available in a pair of limited edition models.

Introducing: G-SHOCK G-STEEL Fine Metallic Blends Cool Metal With Silicone Wearability

After a decade of development, G-Shock is unveiling its new 'Tough Silicone' in six new releases.

TAG Heuer debuts two chronographs with revolutionary carbon hairsprings, a technology they’ve been developing for almost a decade

Have TAG finally perfected carbon hairspring technology, and will this be a game changer - for them and the rest of the watch industry?The post TAG Heuer debuts two chronographs with revolutionary carbon hairsprings, a technology they’ve been developing for almost a decade appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

Hairsprings: Origins, Progress, and (Dare I Say) Exciting Future

The tiny, delicate, nearly impossible-to-create hairspring is the one of the biggest advances for modern scientific technology there is. Here Joshua Munchow takes a dive into the muscle of the beating heart of most mechanical watches: the hairspring.

My Top 5 Favorite Watches with Helical Hairsprings

Out of all the “traditional” styles of hairsprings, the helical hairspring is Joshua Munchow's favorite because it adds three-dimensionality to the watch. These oscillators are so rarely seen that if you are only aware of five watches with helical hairsprings you already know a significant portion of the modern watches using them. Here are Joshua's favorite five.

The Ulysse Nardin Freak - The Saga of a Scientific Timepiece Part III

An outlandish concept that originally sprang from the mind of Carole Forestier Kasapi, the Ulysse Nardin Freak of 2001 was perfected by Dr Ludwig Oechslin and then made reality thanks to the advent of silicon in watchmaking. Lightweight and magnetism resistant, silicon was used for the escape wheels but that was only the beginning of the story. [This story, the third and final instalment in the series, details the history of silicium, the proprietary Ulysse Nardin silicium hairspring, and the patented Grinder rotor. The Saga of a Scientific Timepiece Part I covers the origins of the Freak, from its conception to realisation, as well as its distinguishing characteristics, namely the inventive movement construction and unique escapement. Part II deals with the evolution of the unique, high-performance escapement.] Silicon, Silicium, Silinvar Now used interchangeably with silicon, silicium is actually French for “silicon”, but now it is also used as the trade name for the proprietary form of silicon used by Ulysse Nardin for movement components, namely silicon with a hard oxide outer layer that gives the material thermocompensating properties. Silicium was developed by Swiss scientific institute Centre Suisse d’Electronique et de Microtechnique (CSEM) in collaboration with Ulysse Nardin. Notably, the material is also known as Silinvar, which resulted from a separated but related CSEM project backed by a consortium made up of Rolex, Patek Philippe and Swatch Group. As a ...

Live from Baselworld 2019: TAG Heuer

TAG focuses on their new innovation this year – the carbon hairspring, with a whole collection using the innovative new material (for hairspring). Touted to be an alternative to silicon, the carbon hairspring is the world’s first. Developed in-house by TAG Heuer, it is currently only on TAG Heuer. First off the Autavia Isograph aRead More