cazalea[Seiko Moderator]
17087
Background information and hints
Aug 30, 2014,06:54 AM
Here are a few diagrams I've modified to help explain what's going on inside a conventional or Spring Drive watch movement.
Please lodge any formal complaints about their accuracy with Don in the WatchTech forum ...
I'd say that any basic watch has:
POWER section (mainspring)
GEAR TRAIN to drive the various
TIME INDICATORS (hands rotating above a dial, etc.)
TIMEKEEPING section to keep the hands from turning too quickly when the mainspring unwinds
SETTING and WINDING mechanisms (some have AUTOMATIC WINDING)
A Spring Drive watch is the same in all respects to a normal mechanical except in the
TIMEKEEPING section.This illustration clarifies what I mean.
How does it work?
A mainspring-driven generator makes electricity. Voltage applied to a quartz crystal makes it oscillate at an extremely precise and reliable frequency. A speed detector measures how fast the generator is spinning. A logic circuit compares the quartz signal and the generator speed signal and is able to determine if the generator is turning too fast. If so, it diverts a bit of power to a magnetic brake, which repels (slows without touching) the generator wheel, thus the hands turn more slowly. Repeat 8 times/second.
This approach consumes less power than an escapement, so a spring drive watch will run another 12+ hours on the same mainspring. It is more accurate. It is less susceptible to change over time. The second hand moves smoothly rather than in tiny steps. It is not fully mechanical but it has no battery, capacitor, or wearing parts.
CAN YOU DESCRIBE THIS IN 25 WORDS OR LESS, SO ANY SALESPERSON CAN EXPLAIN IT TO A CUSTOMER IN THE STORE?
Have fun!
Cazalea
This message has been edited by cazalea on 2014-08-30 08:03:33 This message has been edited by cazalea on 2014-09-01 07:00:56