Rolex patents new accuracy measurement process

[chro.nic]

Instead of a microphone listening to the ticks, a camera will be used to take pictures of the second hand and analyze the rate!

https://coron.et/new-1minute-reads/r...ing-new-patent

.nic

[thegrandseirolexguy]

Thanks for sharing this article. It is an interesting read.


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[KatGirl]

Interesting! Thanks for sharing.

Kat


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[chrissimons]

Great, thanks for the sharing !

[77T]

Thanks nic - that advancement has some good news in it because the entire gear train is now "in play" to allow a watchmaker to make the appropriate adjustment.

Before, with only a timegrapher result, the watchmaker only knew the rate of the escapement via audible detection. If there is slack or lash in the gear train it isn't accounted for.

Now, with this patented apparatus, the entire movement operation as a system is considered.

The only thing I can't figure out is if detecting amplitude, i.e. the degree of the balance wheel's swing, can be done visually. I think only audible sensing could measure that.


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[simontyler019]

This is pretty cool! A patent like this is great because it’s taking a much more holistic approach to accuracy, and I really think it’s awesome that Rolex is doing it. Listening to ticks is fine, but using a camera to measure the second hand, that feels like a step forward. But I’m slightly wondering what they’ll come up with to measure the amplitude visually, which seems like a tough problem. Overall, however, it sounds like it might have a big impact on how they tweak their movements.

[Cassian739]

Very interesting, thanks for sharing!

[Dirt]

So it begs the question.
What are they trying to achieve?
Are they looking for excessive wear in the train?
If so, does it matter that much?
Really?
How much wear is acceptable anyway if any significant wear occurs at all?

[Easy E]

Originally Posted by 77T

Thanks nic - that advancement has some good news in it because the entire gear train is now "in play" to allow a watchmaker to make the appropriate adjustment.

Before, with only a timegrapher result, the watchmaker only knew the rate of the escapement via audible detection. If there is slack or lash in the gear train it isn't accounted for.

Now, with this patented apparatus, the entire movement operation as a system is considered.

The only thing I can't figure out is if detecting amplitude, i.e. the degree of the balance wheel's swing, can be done visually. I think only audible sensing could measure that.


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Good point. I’m going to bet no. However, and I may be super wrong on this (and I can own that), but I think the timegrapher amplitude is calculated not measured. You have to manually input a lift angle to get an amplitude output, but if you enter the wrong LA you can manipulate the AMP output. I’m not sure how you get to AMP with a visual input of the second hand.

[worldofoyster]

Thanks for sharing

[Keiko1811]

informative. Thanks for sharing.

[georgekart]

Wasn't there an app that did that already?

[77T]

Originally Posted by Easy E

Good point. I’m going to bet no. However, and I may be super wrong on this (and I can own that), but I think the timegrapher amplitude is calculated not measured. You have to manually input a lift angle to get an amplitude output, but if you enter the wrong LA you can manipulate the AMP output. I’m not sure how you get to AMP with a visual input of the second hand.

Yes it has always been calculated:

* credit: https://wahawatches.com/watch-talk-w...%200.007%20sec.

For example: The lift angle is 52°, the beat rate of the watch is 28,800, and the time between the first and the third noise is 0.007 sec.
(3600 x 52) = 187,200
(0.007 x 3.14 x 28,800) = 633

The calculated amplitude:
187,200/633 = 296°

And a tourbillon was even more fun


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[brandrea]

Does this help to improve the test results for 32xx movements?

Asking for a friend

[cascadez71]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Does this help to improve the test results for 32xx movements?

Asking for a friend

Funny man. I know I could care less about timegrapher measurements if a watch maintained COSC on my wrist between services.

If this videographer measurement system is reliable and used, it will 100% be a cost saving measure. I bet cameras and screens are much cheaper than Witschi timegraphers these days.

[WatchGuy1966]

nice, thanks for sharing