A Look at Omega's Silicon Balance spring

My fascination with watches extends far beyond the aesthetic "wow" factor, but penetrates deep into the bowels of the movement.  Every component is an entire system unto itself, crafted to its own unique perfection, receiving feedback and giving feedback in a complex transfer and stabilization of energy.  A timepiece is better than the sum of its parts providing extreme, efficiency, competency and accuracy in time display; however, as the saying goes: " A chain is only as strong as its weakest link."
A watch with a weakness in any  component will confound the movement, thus the quest for optimum materials for watch components  is one of the branches of research at the forefront of watch innovations. 

Omega has used its technology to develop a unique material for its balance spring: Silicon.
  A balance spring is one of the most important components for the accuracy of a time piece.  The Balance Spring , for example the  flat spiral or Bregeuet over-coil (extremely visible and elevated in MB&F Legacy Machine No.1 Watch-see inset),  is attached to the balance wheel and controls the rate at which the wheels turn, effecting the rate at which the hands on the dial turn. On the balance spring, a regulator adjusts and regulates the speed maintaining time tracking precision.
  The Balance Spring is extremely sensitive to shocks (fast jagged motions and abrupt stops-such as during a game of tennis or if inadvertently dropped) as well as to magnetic fields.  If the balance spring is exposed to these factors, it may sustain damage or displacement causing the efficiency of the timepiece to dramatically decrease.
Since the balance spring is critical for precision, much attention has focused on increasing the resilience of this component.
Omega has increased the Balance Spring's shock absorbency and stability as well as eradicating the effects of any magnetic field by crafting the Balance Spring in silicon.   See video below

Mexico City Hosts 5th Annual Salon Internacional de la Alta Relojeria (SIAR) 2011

Harry Winston Opus Eleven

The 5th Annual Salon Internacional de la Alta Relojeria (SIAR) starts today at the Four Seasons Hotel in Mexico City's and runs to October 6th. SIAR 2011 attracts fine watch affeciendos  from Latin America, and all over the world.  45 watch companies participating in this show.Exciting conferences by renowned watch brands cover subjects such as Bell & Ross Clock & Military History; Girard-Perregaux explores its 220 years of watchmaking; Baume & Mercier unveils a brand new chapter in its watchmaking legacy; Cartier unveils a new type of complication: the Astroregulateur; Franc Vila enlightens the crowd with a look at nanotechnology in today's luxury and many more.

Ladoire Mr Race

The Fondation Salon de la Haute Horlogerie is presenting an intriguing historically-themed exhibition "Mechanical horology from its origins to the present day." The exhibition traces mechanical time measurement all the way back to the thirteenth when  weight-driven clocks  tracked the time to "Grande Complications" wristwatches. The presentation is accompanied by 60 historic timepieces on loan from the Fondation Salon de la Haute Horlogerie partner brands and Swiss Museums. In addition the FHH will display a current watch for each of its partner brands.  

Listed below are the brands partaking in this exhibition.

Hautlence HL 2.2

Hublot MP-02 Key of Time Watch

• A. Lange & Söhne
• Audemars Piguet
• Baume & Mercier
• Bell & Ross
• Bulgari
• Cartier
• Chopard
• Christophe Claret
• Concord
• Corum
• Cvstos
• Cyrus
• De Bethune
• De Grisogono
• DeWitt
• Ellicott
• Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie
• Franc Vila
• Franck Muller
• Girard-Perregaux
• Giuliano Mazzuoli
• Graham
• Greubel Forsey
• Harry Winston
• Hautlence
• HD3
• Hermès
• Hublot
• Jaeger-LeCoultre
• Jean Dunand
• Ladoire
• Maîtres du Temps
• Maximilian Büsser & Friends
• Montblanc
• Parmigiani
• Perrelet
• Piaget
• Pierre DeRoche
• Pierre Kunz 
• Richard Mille
• Roger Dubuis
• Romain Jerome
• Tag Heuer
• Ulysse Nardin
• Urwerk
• Vacheron Constantin
• Vulcain
• Zenith

Breitling Releases a New Look for its Colt Collection

Colt Chronograph II

The Breitling Colt is synonymous with high functionality and extreme durability.  A timepiece capable of withstanding the  harsh rigors of extreme atmospheric conditions. The new COLT CHRONOGRAPH II, COLT 44 and COLT 33 (for women)  have a slightly more rugged angular and less cluttered looking bezel than its predecessors. The bezel is accentuated by a polished and satin brushed finish, directing the wearers attention to the dial. The indentations on the outer edges of the dial extends to the case providing a new sportier look to the model.  In addition, the Arabic Numerals on all three new models have a new rounder font, which was designed especially for this collection and exudes a futuristic appeal to the dial.  

Colt 44

The Colt Chronograph II does not have the signature  Breitling wings, probably to utilize the space for the sub dials; however, I think, this gives the dial a slightly more generic look. The stark white sub dials are well placed providing maximum read-out potential in less than optimum conditions.

The Colt 44 has a high efficiency water resistance able to withstand depths of 500 meters (1650 feet) made possible by a screw-locked crown and extra thick glare-proof (both sides)  sapphire crystal.  

Colt 33

The Colt 33 is the 33mm Ladies Version distinctive by its sporty elegance. The entire case is polished and the upper bezel surface is satin brushed.  The dial is available is many elegant shades exquisitely  marked ,beneath the 12 'o'clock, by the Breitling logo.  The Colt 33 is also available with a gemset bezel.  The Colt 33, like the men's Colt 44, has a water resistance of 500 meters (1650 ft) - quite a unique feature for a Ladies Watch.

All three models are powered by a SuperQuartz™ movement Certified as a Chronometer -  meaning the movement has passed the battery of  rigorous standardized  tests conducted by Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute or COSC.  Click here to learn more about the Chronometer (not to be confused with the original navigation Chronometers used by sea vessels centuries ago to determine longitude - however if you are interested , click here to learn more about the navigational type of chronometer)

In 2000, the SuperQuartz™ was unveiled by Breitling in its new Grenchen state of the art headquarters ,equipped for manufacturing chronometers in optimal conditions. The SuperQuartz™ , is a movements ten times that of a standard quartz, and was the only electronic movement able to meet the requirements of the COSC.