Inside the Mechanisms: The Engineering of Watches
Watches are works of art filled with complex mechanisms. Especially mechanical watches, with their inner movements, almost tell a story. So, how do these movements work, and what does the mechanism considered the heart of a watch mean? Let's find out.
What is a mechanical movement?
A mechanical movement is the system that allows the components of the watch to work together in measuring time. These types of watches use a spring that operates through compression, instead of a battery. The spring stores energy when it is wound, and the energy released as it unwinds powers the watch's movement.
At the core of mechanical watches are the balance wheel and gear trains. These gears regulate the energy from the spring and create a mechanism that displays the correct time on the dial. In short, in a mechanical watch, energy is released from the spring, transmitted through the gears, and finally transferred to the hands that show the seconds, minutes, and hours.
Types of Mechanical Watches
Mechanical watches are mainly divided into two types: manual (hand-wound) and automatic (self-winding).
In manual watches, you must turn the winding crown at regular intervals to power your watch. In other words, you need to wind the watch by hand to store energy in the spring and compress it.
Automatic watches, on the other hand, work through the movement of the user's wrist. In these watches, the movement of your wrist while wearing the watch rotates a rotor that powers the internal mechanism. This rotor winds the spring, allowing the watch to continue running without manual winding.
A Mechanical Marvel: The Tourbillon
Many mechanical watches feature tiny and delicate mechanisms. One such mechanism is the tourbillon, a complex system designed to improve the accuracy of the watch. The tourbillon minimizes the effects of gravity on the watch's movement. In particular, this special mechanism that rotates the unit at the heart of the watch is considered aesthetically impressive and valuable.
Conclusion
In conclusion, mechanical watches are engineering wonders with complex inner workings. Each gear, spring, and rotor operates in perfect harmony to power the watch. Every mechanical watch carries a unique story within it, and this story is revealed with every tick of the watch.