Mechanical Watches

Understanding The Concept Of Mechanical Watches

What is the first thing you look at when choosing your watch? Do you check the design? How about the actual functionality? Certainly, what works for some people will not work for everyone, so you will have to do your homework. Mechanical watches represent an actual innovation, but they are also associated with style and tradition. So, what should you know about them?

Every mechanical element in a watch might look boring, but when taken altogether, these elements create an actual harmony. The mechanical watch is made of toothed wheels, springs, levers, pinions, screws and many other parts. When you check them out, they inevitably make you think about the minuscule workshop of an old fashioned watchmaker. You got mechanical elements that spin, oscillate and balance, all to make the indicator to display the perfect time. Whether you are fascinated by these watches or you want to buy one, the more you know, the better.

It is worth noting that the main spring is the source of energy for the entire mechanism. Based on how tensed this spring is, mechanical watches might be automatic or with a manual spin. When it comes to manual watches, the spring is tensed by the wearer while spinning the small key on one side. On the other hand, automatic watches are different. The spring is tensed by a small disc, which is known as a rotor. It rotates due to its weight, as well as the inertia. As you move your hand, the rotor inside spins and “charges” the main spring of the watch.

This principle of arm watches was invented somewhere around 1770. Back then, people could only use pocket watches because wristwatches did not exist. Later on, in 1920, the British watchmaker John Harwood patented this system in his own watches. They were not too successful though. His watches had a moderate popularity, which dropped little by little. Things changed in 1930 though. Rolex has turned this idea into an outstanding commercial success by launching the Perpetual models. These days, the Perpetual name is still used to sell automatic watches.