The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Helo,
I'm a long time lurker. It however only recently downed upon me that I could register here and exchange information with the more knowledgeable members that lurk here.

I am a student in my second year of engineering and English is obviously not my mother tongue but I hope it let's me express myself correctly.

I also will have to hand a project about something that interests me and has something to to with engineering chemistry and physics this year. Would someone happens to have any ideas about that? Especially if the watch mechanism would be a viable option and if one could make an original project out of it?

Sincerely,

Nyquist

Welcome to BreitlingSource!

There is certainly a lot of physics involved in a watchmaking, not sure about the chemistry angle - closest there is the make up of watch oil to ensure that it stays in place.

In terms of physics, aside from the springs and wheels that control the movement you have the 'shock absorber' systems (e.g. incabloc) and going beyond the movement you have the various aspects of case design to make watches shock and water resistant.

Finally, there are all of the new materials that are being investigated in watches to make them more stable, less susceptible to external factors etc.

Enjoy your time here!

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Hello and thank you for your replies.

I was wondering if anyone happened to have some info on that famous incabloc you happened to talk about Roffensian I wouldn't mind to have a blueprint of sorts I will do the research on my own, asking just in case someone happened to have something like that bookmarked. I don't think the chemistry angle is necessary at all.

I was also wondering if the gravity doesn't have quite an impact on the main spring of the watch as well.

Sincerely

Nyquist

Nothing specific on Incabloc, but the company that makes it (today) is called Incabloc S.A. There are other systems as well but Incabloc is the most common - most famous of the rest would be Kif (Rolex).

In terms of gravity, the impact isn't on the mainspring, it's on the balance (wheel and spring) and it definitely has an impact.

Welcome! What kind of engineering and for what class is this? A general "intro to engineering" course or a specific core engineering course?


Personally, I think there are tons of engineering projects to undertake. I'd be very interested in putting hard numbers behind debunking the "more jewels, better movement" myth. Roff wrote an article about that some time ago here.

www.breitlingsource.com/articles_roff_jewels.shtml

It'd be interesting to measure coefficients of friction between the various surfaces (jeweled, non-jeweled,lubricated, non-lubricated) and discuss the relative benefits of each combanation. With that information you can explain why jewels are used where they are used.

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“The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once.” - Albert Einstein

Welcome to BreitlingSource!

Along with the 'shock' mechanisms and properties, G-forces and their effects could be researched.

Or, one that has come up here, for an Electrical Engr., effects of electromagnetic fields on the timing mechanism (hairspring). How much shielding is required and what types/strengths of magnetic fields are a concern? (might require some actual testing unless you can find a specific study from a watch manufacturer).

Good luck in your studies.

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