5 fascinating facts about watches

5 fascinating facts about watches

Few people know, but mechanical watches are still only three and a half centuries old, and quartz watches are even less than fifty years old. However, in this short period of time, the story of the clock has become overgrown with many facts and even myths.

1.     There is only one watch shape in the trend

The statement that only a certain shape (oval, square, rectangular, round) is now in fashion is a misconception. Whatever form you like, this is what you wear. If you have several types in your collection, that's fine. Change the shape of the watch when it is one and the same tired or just in the mood. Watches, especially mechanical ones, are something that will always be out of time and trends. Even the most stylish bow can be supplemented with a watch of any shape — they will easily fit into any image.

To make sure that you do not lose, choose models that are always successful: Santos de Cartier, Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, Corum Admiral's Cup or Tissot Precious Flower or with transformer cases. A watch with a round case and barrel-shaped base will always look good, but it is equipped with a 4-sided or 8-sided rim.

2.     The manufacturing mechanism is better than the universal one

To understand which mechanism is better or cooler, you first need to understand what is the difference between the first and the second. "Manufactured” means produced in your own company. Many world-famous companies have built manufactories and are proud of it, although a few years ago all watches were equipped with one of three universal mechanisms: ETA 2824-A2, ETA 2892 and ETA/Valjoux 7750 chronograph. Half a century ago, all the flaws in the Assembly of the universal mechanism were eliminated. The reliability of these watches has long been proven by millions of copies and long service life. Accessories with this mechanism can be repaired anywhere in the world, while the service does not require space money.

But watches with a manufacturing mechanism can only be repaired where they were purchased, perhaps only from the master who assembled them. The quality of the manufacturing mechanism has yet to be checked. The incredibly high cost of such watches, companies with their own manufacturing facilities justify the fact that customers purchase a unique accessory that will not be found anywhere else. However, only you can choose between what is better prestige or reliability.

3.     Quartz (electronic) watches are more accurate than mechanical ones

Electronic watches, as well as mechanical ones, have their disadvantages and advantages. If you are in doubt between which ones to choose, you should read the pros and cons of both options.

•        Mechanics

Pros: less dependent on temperature changes, full autonomy, reliability demonstrate the status. 

Cons: high price, need to constantly start, fragile "balance-spiral", very expensive repairs, need regular cleaning and lubrication of the mechanism (every 3-5).

•        Electronic

Pros: budget price, light weight, shock resistance, simplicity, the cost of repair is very low.

Cons: depend on the battery, at temperatures below 6° and above 40°C, they lose accuracy.

4.     A watch is a great investment tool

Consider the purchase of expensive watches in this context, you can only when you understand the art of watchmaking and trends at the expert level. Otherwise, you can run into scammers. There are watch houses that are always in demand on the secondary market: Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, Rolex and A. Lange & Sohne. In addition, you must have an entrepreneurial streak, be able to establish good relations with the owners of auction houses, potential buyers, and have an impressive amount of free funds.

When purchasing samples of even the rarest models, you should understand that even the most profitable copies, from the point of view of investment, do not yield a profit of more than 10% per year.

5.     The watch was created in Switzerland

Many people have this opinion only for the reason that today Switzerland remains the largest manufacturer of luxury watches. However, mechanical devices for measuring time were not invented by the Swiss.

The famous Italian scientist Galileo Galilei published a treatise “Mechanics”in 1595. In this scientific work, he described the law of oscillation of the pendulum. He proved that the oscillations of the pendulum depend on the amplitude. He also clearly demonstrated in the drawings that the pendulum can be not only a load on a long rod, but also a wheel with a spiral attached to it. The creation of the first hours of Galileo, prevented the passion for astronomy.

Instead, this breakthrough in science was made by the Dutchman Christian Huygens van Zijlichem from the Hague in 1657. All the parts for creating a watch mechanism were inexpensive, but at the same time very reliable, so they were suitable for mass production. It was Christian Huygens who came up with a mechanism that strongly resembles the modern one. The innovation of the Dutch invention was a balance spiral and an anchor (anchor), precisely metering the vibrations that were transmitted by the balance wheel to the mechanism. He described his experience in the treatise “Pendulum clock".

After the invention of Huygens, scientists from all over Europe were eager to improve the clock. British master Robert Hooke created a perfect node "balance-spiral" - almost independent of external influence, and Daniel Quair came up with a clock with a tutor serving hours and quarters of an hour. Thomas Tompio's contribution to the history of watches was the development of a cylindrical anchor stroke, which made it take up less space than a spindle stroke.

As for the Swiss, it is they who invented the wristwatch, in particular Abraham-Louis Breguet, who invented the automatic winding, tourbillon and interesting spiral with special end curls. It is for this reason that the world center of watchmaking has shifted from the Netherlands and Britain to Switzerland.