Automatic winding of the watch: advantages and disadvantages
Automatic
winding of the watch: advantages and disadvantages
Despite the appearance on
the market of quartz watches, the fashion for mechanical models is not on the
decline. Among the true admirers of watchmaking, these timepieces are
consistently in high demand.
The mechanism operates a
spun spring. While it is spinning, the clock "go", but as soon as it
returns to its original position, the movement of the mechanism will stop, the
hands will stop. To avoid this, owners need to wind the chronometer manually by
rotating the crown.
And so it was until 1777,
when the Swiss watchmaker somewhat complicated the design of mechanical
watches, adding to them a mechanism that can wind the clock from the movement
of the hand, that is, in the process of wearing. This option is called
automatic winding.
The mechanism, which in the
time developed Perelle, had not changed much. It's called a rotor. It is an
element in the form of a sector with a shifted center of gravity, fixed to the
Central axis. It has the ability to rotate freely in a circle with any movement
of the body. Even a weak movement of the hand will give it enough inertia to
start the spring.
But is a mechanical
automatic watch that good? What are their advantages and disadvantages? Let us
dwell on these aspects in more detail.
Main
advantage
First, let's look at the
main advantages of automatic models:
1) Often permanently will go without batteries and any
other power sources while you wear them on your hand.
2)
If
the model has a calendar, the date will always be up to date. The
owners of such watches know how difficult it is to "fast-forward the
date".
3) The plant of such models almost all the time remains
the maximum, which means that they will have a more accurate course.
4) The power reserve of most modern models reaches 72
hours, which means that even removing them at night, you can be sure that they
will continue to go.
5) There is no need for frequent twisting of the crown,
that is, inside the body will get less dust and moisture, as long as the thread
density will remain.
Owners of mechanical
skeleton watches can observe the fascinating movements of the rotor, getting
from what he saw an incredible pleasure.
Disadvantages
of automatic watches
But these models have a
number of drawbacks or even features that must be considered before you buy for
yourself such a watch.
1)
The
dimensions of the rotor are large enough and the weight is rather big, plus a
lot of space is needed for its free rotation. These features of the
mechanism led to an increase in the weight and size of the body. For men's
watches is not a problem, but the fair sex will need to make a choice between
models with automatic winding or neat elegant watch.
2)
Automatically
the watch will start only when worn on the hand. If you have several
models of chronometers and you are used to change them, those that day or two
will lie at home can stop. To solve this problem, special winders or boxes for
watches with the option of automatic winding will help. They will support the
movement of the rotor.
3)
The
efficiency of the automatic winding will be maximum only if the owner leads an
active lifestyle, that is, intensively moves his hand throughout the day. If
most of the time is spent at the office Desk, minor movements of the rotor will
not be able to compensate for the unwinding of the spring, and in order for the
clock not to stop, it will be necessary to tighten up the crown manually.
4)
The
rotor is one of the heaviest parts of this accessory. In
addition, it is located closer to the outer edge of the body. There is a high
probability that when the clock falls, the disk will fall off the axis, which
will come to a serious breakdown. In modern models, these elements make very
strong, but this probability can not be excluded.
5) For the production of the rotor, tungsten or gold is
used, that is, expensive metals, which affects the increase in the cost of the
model.
The last problem is solved
with the help of the online store "best Time". In our catalog you
will find many models of automatic watches, presented in an affordable price
range. Also this production can be found in one of our retail representations.
Need professional advice?
Contact our managers by phone or via the feedback form on the website.