Thursday, December 29, 2011

How The Chronograph Works

!#8# How The Chronograph Works

A chronograph is an electronic instrument that has one or more hands that can be stopped on command for the explicit purpose of measuring elapsed time. You may have never heard of a chronograph, but you certainly know what stopwatches are. They are one in the same. Today they come in two basic forms, mechanical and digital.

Mechanical chronograph, just like with wristwatches, operate on a spring mechanism and must be manually wound. The controls usually consist of two or three pushbuttons. Pressing the buttons starts and stops the time tracking mechanism, displayed by second and minute hands, which can be reset to a starting position by pushing an additional button.

For most purposes, mechanical chronographs are accurate enough, though anyone desiring a high degree of accuracy will use a digital stopwatch. An example of someone that would need the digital version would be a track and field athlete or any number of other athletic endeavors where time is measured by the split second. These precision timepieces have the capability of displaying tenths, hundredths, even thousandths of seconds, and using the same extremely accurate and reliable oscillator found in quartz watches. Digital chronographs are without a doubt the most popular form of the chronograph today. As technology has improved in, so to has the accuracy of the timepiece.

The first chronograph like instrument was developed in 1720 by an Englishman named Graham, who is today referred to as 'the Father of the Chronograph'. He basically and then it a clock that could be quickly started and stopped and was accurate to within 1/16 of a second. Although by today's standards that is horribly inaccurate, it was a fantastic achievement at that time.

The first actual chronograph was made about a century later by a Frenchman named Rieussec. His clock had dots on it to measure the elapsed time, and was the first to bear the name 'chronograph'. His invention used a pen to mark onto the dial itself an arc whose length could be used to measure how long the mechanism had operated for. It was a very intricate mechanism that proved to be quite accurate and reliable.

The Greek roots of the word 'chronograph' suggest that it actually means 'time writing', and since Rieussec's invention was the only one to involve writing it is the only real chronograph. Chronographs today are all called stopwatches because I believe if you were to ask anyone in about a chronograph, they would have no idea what you're talking about. Although it is technically a misnomer, many people still refer to stopwatches as chronographs, and the names are for nearly all intents and purposes interchangeable.

It is commonplace now to see wristwatches that have a chronograph built right into the face of it. Analog wristwatches that have a built in mechanical stopwatch are simply referred to as chronographs, and usually carry a heftier price tag due to their complexity. They are however quite reliable and come in handy if you have a need for such a thing.


How The Chronograph Works

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Saturday, December 3, 2011

What Is an Anti-Magnetic Swiss Watch?

!±8± What Is an Anti-Magnetic Swiss Watch?

Ever had that experience where for some weird reason, your watch just stopped working? Well you might see this in sci-fi movies where unidentified flying objects (UFO) near the area cause clocks and watches to stop. UFO's or not the reason for this is magnetism. For this reason Swiss watch companies developed Anti-magnetic watches.

Its history dates back to 1846 where experiments done to create anti-magnetic watches were first recorded. It was Vacheron Constatin, a premier watch-making company who had first done the study and experimentation. However it was only decades later until it was actualized. They were able to develop a watch that can endure magnetic fields because they used non-magnetic metals. They used the metal Palladium for their balance wheel, balance spring and lever shaft making these watches still able to function even within or after high magnetism.

Charles Edouard Guillame was the one who discovered Invar and Elinvar, nope they are not islands, but nickel based alloys that are able to withstand magnetic fields allowing a watch to remain accurate. Other alloy-based materials also include Glucydur and Nivarox which were widely used by watchmakers in the 1950's.

Aside from using alloys, another method of producing non-magnetic watches is by using a highly conductive material to house the movement inside a case.

As mentioned earlier it was Vacheron Constantin that first developed these watches; in 1915 they introduced the first anti-magnetic pocket watch. It was then followed by Tissot's non-magnetic wristwatch in 1920, and then the first anti-magnetic chronograph by Vacheron Constantin in 1954. The company Jaeger Lecoultre improved the chronograph's design and improved its resistance by doubling-up the case.

Today an international standard which is the ISO 764 dictates that this type of watch should be able to sustain itself from direct current magnetic field exposure of 4,800 Ampere per meter. It also states that it should maintain its accuracy to give or take 30 seconds/day as calculated before the test for it pass as a magnetic-resistant watch. An additional soft-iron clasp is also used to cover the movement to ensure that magnetic fields are not formed inside the watch.

This additional features has driven Swiss watch brands to produce their own watches for better time-telling performance despite other disturbing factors. Other companies that also developed their line of this type of watches include Omega, Patek Philippe and IWC.

This type of watches are best for those who are frequently exposed to high magnetic fields such as scientists, engineers and other professions that are vulnerable to it. The Milgauss model in particular produced their 6541 model for those working in strong magnetic fields in the medical, nuclear and aircraft fields. Nowadays diving watches are also required to be made like this and among other specifications.

These new discoveries sure improved the quality and utility of Swiss watches, making them all the more likable among those who want sophistication and impressive function in a watch.


What Is an Anti-Magnetic Swiss Watch?

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Thursday, November 17, 2011

Eight Men's Watches For Collectors

!±8± Eight Men's Watches For Collectors

A handsome watch is a timeless treasure. Watches were originally made for women. Around World War I, they became hugely popular among men, and they've been that way ever since. Classic, confident and bold, men's watches come in a wide variety of designs. Are you a watch hound? Check out these eight watches for collectors.

Invicta Reserve Men's Speedway Swiss Chronograph Automatic Stainless Steel Watch

Classic and refined are two things Invicta excels at. This Speedway from the Reserve collection is no exception! Featuring the very elite Swiss Dubois Depraz movement with rarely seen 57 jewels, specially modified to fit the 47mm case, offering long lasting beautifully crafted style.

The round black or silver-tone 316L stainless steel case comes with a tachymeter etched into the bezel. The two-tone option displays a silver-tone case. The screw on numbered limited edition exhibition case back is an incredible feature!

Make this solid masterpiece and collector's dream one to call your own today!

Invicta Reserve Men's or Midsize Excursion Swiss Chronograph Bracelet Watch

From Invicta's esteemed Reserve collection, this handsome offering showcases the best in enduring craftsmanship and classic style! Featuring the sleek gunmetal finish and highlighting stunning diamond accents, begin the journey that will last a lifetime with your very own Invicta Excursion.

This creation features a stainless steel case which comes in your choice of 18K gold-plated or gunmetal ionic-plated. A screw down crown with function pushers and stainless steel back complete the case design. A flame fusion crystal safeguards the round platinum mother-of-pearl dial.

Renato Men's T-Rex Swiss Chronograph Watch w/Interchangeable Strap Set

A groundbreaking combination of precision craftsmanship and modern style from Renato. An interchangeable strap set with a sapphire crystal and diamond accents makes this limited edition timepiece the perfect gift.

Renato begins this memorable design with a round silver-tone brushed stainless steel case featuring a polished silver-tone bezel. A scratch resistant sapphire crystal safeguards the round stamped lacquer dial which comes in your choice of black, blue, purple or silver-tone. Renato includes a carbon fiber style inner dial for a sleek look and handsome pave diamond Arabic numerals appear at 12:00 and 8:00.

Invicta Men's Subaqua Noma IV Limited Edition Automatic Stainless Steel Watch 

Your timepiece collection will never be the same.

The silver-tone stainless steel case makes itself know with a unidirectional rotating bezel. This bezel utilizes a raised polished diver's scale and four barrels. Anti-reflective coating sleekly protects the piece's Flame Fusion crystal. An exhibition case back reveals this timepiece's Swiss Valjoux ETA 7750 Automatic Chronograph movement. Surrounding the outer dial is a tachymeter scale, useful for calculating speed over a measured distance.

Invicta Men's Lupah Revolution Swiss Chronograph Leather Strap Watch

Take your watch collection to the next level with your purchase of this Invicta Lupah Revolution. he rounded rectangular rose-tone 316L stainless steel case houses a rose-tone bezel while boasting a length of 62mm x 47mm W. The domed magnified crystal contains a triple layer of anti-reflective coating.

Stuhrling Original Men's Brumalia Mechanical Skeletonized Leather Strap Watch

Enduring craftsmanship and an unforgettable design distinguish this collectible Stuhrling Original Brumalia collection timepiece! The watch showcases a round ionic-plated stainless steel case and bezel in your choice of black, blue or brown. The exhibition back offers an insider's view into the intricate symphony of moving rotors, gears, and springs which power this mechanical timepiece.

The sizable genuine leather strap, which comes in your choice of black, blue or brown, attaches comfortably with a buckle clasp. Discover this exciting Stuhrling Original creation today!

Philip Men's Admiral Swiss Automatic Chronograph Stainless Steel Watch

A handsome, sophisticated addition to your collection! This Swiss made edition of the Admiral from Philip begins with a round silver-tone stainless steel case topped by a unidirectional rotating bezel. An exhibition case back allows you to obverse the prestigious Swiss Valjoux 7750 automatic movement at the core of this watch.

Stuhrling Original Men's Saturnalia Automatic Leather Strap Watch

This innovative and highly collectible timepiece has a round case in stainless steel. This handsome watch is available in silver or rose tone, your choice. Topping it all off: a dual coin-edge bezel. A translucent back allows a striking view of the auto movement. This is widely believed to be the most fantastic feature of this timepiece. The display features rich, Arabic numerals, which are featured at the hour positions. Not to be outdone, there is a unique open heart presented above the 6 position, which provides another view of the inner workings of the piece.

With all eight choices being first-rate classics, you're likely going to encounter some trouble narrowing your selection down to one. How about you just do your watch collection a big favor and introduce a few new additions to the gang?


Eight Men's Watches For Collectors

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