Two "newly patented" technologies from Rolex...

[TheVTCGuy]

Ok, now... Larry, and Padi, and the rest of you really really smart guys know a lot more about this stuff then me... so, I probably got some of it wrong, but this is what the watchmaker at my AD told me today.

1. Rolex recently patented a silicone hairspring, that will result in much greater accuracy because it: "bends in both directions" ?

2. Rolex also patended silicone screws for the bracelet. We all know that dirt getting in to the links of your metal bracelet can act like sand paper and wear it down, so Rolex is going to try using silicone screws that will not be as affected.


The second one made sense as fas as I can tell. Anyway, he said that's why he loved working with Rolex, they were always looking to improve on an already exceptional product.

[ersnyder]

Interesting, wonder why they didn't patent the green gold!!

[sleddog]

Good to know Paul!!
Rolex is always inovating new things...

[esm]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

1. Rolex recently patented a silicone hairspring, that will result in much greater accuracy because it: "bends in both directions" ?

will it be similar to Omega - they use the Silicon non-magnetic material, “Si 14″ silicon hairspring in thier 85xx movement...

[cdweller]

I'm pretty sure the hairspring is "parachrome"? And not sure about the bracelet silicone screws, but I probably wouldn't want something so bendy holding my bracelet together...

[TonyD]

Originally Posted by cdweller

I'm pretty sure the hairspring is "parachrome"? And not sure about the bracelet silicone screws, but I probably wouldn't want something so bendy holding my bracelet together...

Won't be a problem. Its just chemistry. For example Teflon is also very flexible. If you add 10% glass filling in the mold it comes out like stiff plastic. Add 20% and you can use is as bushings and it takes quite a bit of abuse.

I'm sure silicone has similar properties and they can add stuff to make it rigid, yet still retain the lubricant properties.

[Perdu]

Rolex, along with Omega and others developed the Silicon hairspring. For some reason Rolex didn't implement it.

[chris russell]

Originally Posted by Perdu

Rolex, along with Omega and others developed the Silicon hairspring. For some reason Rolex didn't implement it.

. It sure works well in my Milgauss. No daily deviation at all.

[Lion]

All I know is Rolex watches are iconic, been around for years and fun to wear...I also like the fact that they have mastered vertical integration in their business model which others are trying to copy!!!

[veidtadrian]

Thanks for the posts Paul..where did you get the info from??

Always enjoy your self deprecating humor...never like it when people take themselves too seriously!

[Speed]

Umm...Paul, are you sure Rolex used "Silicone?"

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

Ok, now... Larry, and Padi, and the rest of you really really smart guys know a lot more about this stuff then me... so, I probably got some of it wrong, but this is what the watchmaker at my AD told me today.

1. Rolex recently patented a silicone hairspring, that will result in much greater accuracy because it: "bends in both directions" ?

[C. Davidson]

Thanks for the post Paul. This is the first I've heard of these specific silicon applications by Rolex. You the man!

[cakim]

Thanks for the post Paul. Very interesting news. It is good o hear that Rolex are trying to find ways to improve the already excellent time pieces.

[ParisDakarBmw]

A spring that bends both ways might be a little hard to make. Maybe he meant a spring system that engages 2 springs back and forth to have 100 percent tension throughout the movement of that part

[Bdel]

I think the OP meant to use silicon, not silicone. silicon is an element (Si) , silicone is one of a family of flexible polymers

[Gagebuilder]

yeah, silicon, I agree.

Non-metallic and lighter ... means

not prone to magnets and kess prone to gravity.

Here's a long read about Patek developments

http://www.timezone.com/library/rdnotebook/200603208093

[ersnyder]

Originally Posted by Bdel

I think the OP meant to use silicon, not silicone. silicon is an element (Si) , silicone is one of a family of flexible polymers

Yeah, except that silicon is pretty brittle. It would surprise me that it could ever be made into a spring. But, I'm frequently surprised anyway!

[Rolexsd4000]

I cannot picture that its silicone Also screws for the bracelts? Maybe a coating on the screws and main spring?

[steubi1]

Hi Paul,

very interesting, thank you.

Silicone hairspring is not really new; Breguet has introduced it in 2007 already.

The advantage is of course no magnetism at all and no change in physical properties over time, i.e. the accuracy of a watch should be the same over a long time.

Disadvantage is that silicone is more sensible to shocks, it can break.

Sometimes you find misleading arguments in a patent to mislead competition. I guess "it bends in both directions" is a little bit of that kind...

Anyhow, technology of a 200 years old mechanism is still moving forward, and this is good...

Tom

[sheldonsmith]

This thread peaked my curiosity, so I downloaded the Patent Documents. Looks like Rolex is trying to get a grip on silicon and ceramic parts and escapements. These are in .pdf format, so right click and save them to your desktop

Silicon Hairspring

Toothed Gear

Escapement

Bracelet Links

For future reference, I'll also have them posted at www.minus4plus6.com/referencePDF.htm

-Sheldon

[Joey_V]

So is this an upgrade from the parachrom???

[padi56]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

Ok, now... Larry, and Padi, and the rest of you really really smart guys know a lot more about this stuff then me... so, I probably got some of it wrong, but this is what the watchmaker at my AD told me today.

1. Rolex recently patented a silicone hairspring, that will result in much greater accuracy because it: "bends in both directions" ?

2. Rolex also patended silicone screws for the bracelet. We all know that dirt getting in to the links of your metal bracelet can act like sand paper and wear it down, so Rolex is going to try using silicone screws that will not be as affected.


The second one made sense as fas as I can tell. Anyway, he said that's why he loved working with Rolex, they were always looking to improve on an already exceptional product.

Yes if I remember Rolex collaborated with Omega and Patek to develop a silicone hairspring,but Rolex wanted to stick to there normal Breguet overcoil type design. And you cannot do that with the silicon, hence the Parachrom which Rolex will continue to use.Now to change to the Silicon it would have meant many changes to the balance bridge/cock escapement etc.And any tiny problems with the silicon it would have to be replaced and again matched to the rest of the escapement.Although technical better on paper both silicon and the Parachrom have slight advantages over the Nivourax ones.IMHO the difference could only be measured by a machine on the wrist would doubt to the average wearer would find any real advantage.As for the silicon screws myself have not heard anything about them and would doubt if a silicon screw would be any advantage over steel.Over the years Rolex have acquired quite a few patents like the twin lock crown system, and the automatic winding system but Rolex did improve that one.All these technical so called advances all sound great on paper,but until they get over the main problem with mechanical watches which is gravity.Afraid we are talking about perhaps a second or two with over all accuracy. But lets be honest for any mechanical watch to be at or below COSC spec,is quite a feat of engineering no matter whats in the case.

Originally Posted by Joey_V

So is this an upgrade from the parachrom???

No its not a upgrade form the Parachrom Rolex are not yet fully self sufficent in the Parachrom ones yet. And at the moment Rolex will be sticking to the parachrom and no plans to use silicon for now.