Laboratory tests

A multitude of tests are performed in the laboratory on prototypes, components, assembled movements and complete watches such as shocks, magnetism, power reserve, torque, anechoic chamber for sound as well as ageing tests for longevity. A few of these tests are shown below.

The individual responsible for the lab started his career as a watchmaker and studied for 6 years including a period in design construction of watches. He then spent 7 years in after-sales service before passing 2 years restoring antique marine chronometers. He has held this role in the laboratory for 6 years.

Friction tests

The machine below is used to test the aging on the canon-pinion clutch as well as other friction clutch assemblies on an assembled mvt. It will reproduce in 5 days the wear a watch traditionally experiences over 5 years.

Instantaneous Jumps Filmed

The camera below takes up to 16000 frames per second, allowing jumps from instantanious mechanisms, escapements, chronograph functions etc to be viewed in slow motion and analysed.

Measuring the micro-couple of the individual components assemblies to verify they are aligned with the original calculations and designs.

Testing the setting mechanism

The machine below is used to repeatedly activate the setting mechanism pulling the crown into setting then return to winding position.

Repeated impact tests, 25-550G acceleration, with 15000 impacts to test the movements inside a working case.

Pendulum shock test, simulating a drop of one metre onto a wooden surface.

Magnetism. To deliberately disturb then analyse the function of the watch by creating a magnetic field.

Simulator for testing automatics. To verify the speed and efficientcy of the automatics mechanism.

Anechoic chamber for sound testing

Example, the rotor can be driven by a silent jet of air (see last image below showing the pipe) and the sound recorded and compared with different material ball races and types of lubrications.

Heat tests

Components are places in the oven to measure the effects different temperatures have on function. (-20 until +70 degrees of test range, the low temperatures are executed elsewhere).

The lab also checks the calculated torques of the screws so that specific torque screw drivers are validated for specific screws that are assembled in the production line.