The Reason
An unusual, strongly constructed classical time piece with the brands own manufactured in-house calibre.
The Roma Power Reserve is manually wound, simultaneously winding two barrels. The 4 day power reserve hand is set at 14.00 on the dial. The calibre, including balance spring and escapement are also manufactured in-house.
The total thickness of the case 12.13mm, diameter 42mm. Made from stainless steel. Water resistant to 50 meters. Calibre MSE 111.00 Thickness: 5.35mm and diameter 30.40mm. Power Reserve 96 hours. Manual winding.
Please move the cursor across the image below, (or by finger on a smart phone), to rotate the watch.
The case back with sapphire crystal is held in place by 6 stainless steel screws.
Between the movement and the inner case is the movement ring.
The winding crown screws onto the threaded crown tube, more often found on sports watches rather than classically designed dress wristwatches.
The movement removed from the case.
1902 refers to the date Schwarz Etienne was founded.
The 4 hands removed from the watch and the stem returned to the movement, to allow the power to be let down before dismantling the movement.
Recto-verso of the dial. All indexes are added after the dial is engine turned, decorated and printed. The indexes have feet which traverse the dial and are then riveted manually.
The minute and hours hands are made from brass, faceted with a mirror finish and rhodium plated.
The movement (MSE 111.00) vibrates at a frequency 3 Hz (21'600 Alt/h).
The wheels are circular grained and red gold plated before the teeth are cut. The 2 steel ratchet wheels have a satin sun burst finish. All upper bridges on the case back side have hand beveled polished angles, the surfaces are finished with Geneva stripe decoration (Côtes de Genève).
All screws are beveled and polished flat.
The balance cock is held in place by two screws
The Swiss lever and its cock removed.
The escape wheel, fourth and third wheel cocks removed, the going train still in place.
The train partly removed and a close up of the bearing for the barrel arbour which has been jewelled.
The first barrel bridge removed, which also holds in place the train that transmits power between the 2 barrels.
The first barrel removed, followed by the second barrel bridge removed.
The underside of the of the calibre is finely sand blasted.
The wheels to the left are linked to the barrels, and transmit via a long rack which crosses the mainplate, the level of the power reserve.
The bridges which hold in place the power reserve mechanism and the motion work.
The setting and winding mechanism.
Summary
One of the elements that is not instantly apparent until the watch is dismantled is the strength of the overall construction. The case is solid and robust whilst remaining conventionally proportioned. The movement likewise, with large tenons (threaded tubes) positioning in place the bridges and the overall classical execution of the proportions of the calibre, large barrels, train and balance wheel. The finish is clean and consistent throughout the watch and collection.
Diverse images of the assembled watch.
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