The different types of watch movements

Watchmaking is a fascinating area, where each watch is based on its central mechanism: the watch. This mechanism operates the watch, guaranteeing its precision and longevity. Understand the various Watch movements is crucial for any amateur, especially for those interested in vintage watches. In this article, we will explore the main Watch movements, emphasizing automatic movements Like the bumper, the micro-rotor and the classic rotor.

Manual winding watch movements

THE manual movements, also called movements to manual reassembly, represent the most classic form of watchmaking mechanics. These Watch movements require the watch to be raised by hand. The reassembly is generally done by turning the crown. This allows the main spring to be stretched, which provides the energy necessary for the proper functioning of the watch. Watches at manual reassembly are prized by fans of vintage watches. They are appreciated for their simplicity and their direct link with traditional watchmaking crafts. Even today, several brands continue to produce these watches. Watches at manual movement embody a certain authenticity and exceptional know-how in the watchmaking field.

Automatic movements

THE automatic movements, or automatic reassembly movements, are an evolution of manual movements. These Watch movements Use the energy of the wrist movements to reassemble the main spring. This eliminates the need to go up the watch manually. A rotor, a half-moon-shaped metal part, turns freely and automatically rises the spring to each movement of the wrist. There are several types of automatic movements, each with specific characteristics. Here are three most common variants.

a) The Bumper movement

THE Bumper movement is one of the first types of automatic movements, used mainly in the 1920s and 1930s. This movement is distinguished by a rotor which does not completely run 360 degrees. Instead, the rotor oscillates and bounces against springs, creating a feeling of "bump". Watches equipped with this type of movement are sought after by collectors, because they represent an important step in the history of automatic movements. The Bumper movements were gradually abandoned for their difficulty in going back up.

b) The micro-rotor movement

THE micro-rotor movement is an invention that appeared in the 1950s. In a conventional automatic watch, the rotor is a metal part in the shape of a semicircle which turns with the movements of the wrist and goes up the watch. This rotor is generally placed above the other pieces of the movement, which takes up space.

THE micro-rotor Works in the same way, but it is much smaller and is integrated directly into the movement, at the same level as the other parts. This makes the watches more thin and lighter, while keeping the automatic reassembly mechanism.

Watches with a micro-rotor are appreciated because they are more elegant and technical. The finer and more sophisticated design often attracts collectors

c) The classic rotor movement

THE Classic rotor movement is today the most common of automatic movements. The rotor is placed above the movement to turn 360 degrees. These rotations go up the main spring to each movement of the wrist. This type of movement is popular for its reliability and its ability to offer effective reassembly. It equips many modern watches, affordable models with high watchmaking creations. Large houses work with materials heavier than steel, such as gold, to improve its rotation.

Quartz movements

THE quartz movements represent a major advance in watchmaking, introduced in the 1960s. Unlike the Watch movements Mechanics, they use the energy of a battery to vibrate a quartz crystal. This vibration, at a precise frequency, allows an extremely reliable time measurement. Quartz offers exceptional precision at a lower cost and requires less maintenance than automatic movements or the movements manuals. Furthermore, the quartz movements, thanks to their simple and compact design, allow you to create particularly fine watches. This is why they are found to be chilled in prestigious watchmaking houses like Cartier, which uses them for models with extra-plat design.

These characteristics have made a popular choice for modern watches, although enthusiasts of mechanical watches often favor the charm of Watch movements traditional.

Conclusion

Understand the different Watch movements is essential for any collector or lover of vintage watches. THE manual movements, automatic and quartz each have their advantages and have a unique charm. THE automatic movements, with their variants such as the bumper, the micro-rotor and the classic rotor, testify to the technical evolution and the ingenuity of the watchmaking. By exploring these mechanisms, we develop a greater appreciation for art and science that hide behind each watch.

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