360,000 vph movement. TAG Heuer is known for its chronograph watches and racing tradition, and at BaselWorld 2011 it did not disappoint with a new chronograph watch, capable of measuring intervals of time to a precision of 1/100th of a second. This is not the first time TAG Heuer has released a chronograph capable of measuring up to 1/100th of a second. We already saw the Tag Heuer SLR Calibre S 1/100th of a Second Chronograph three years ago.
Previous 1/100th per second accuracy was achieve through a combination of mechanical and quartz technology. The Heuer Carrera Mikrograph 1/100th of second chronograph is a purely mechanical wonder. The fastest beat 36,000 vibration per hour mechanical movements only beat 10 times per second, which would only allow for 1/10th of a second accuracy.
In order to achieve 1/100th accuracy in a purely mechanical watch two movements were used. A standard 28,800 vibration per hour movement with a 42 hour power reserve is used to measure hours, minutes and seconds. This is a self winding movement. A second movement, running at a incredibly fast 360,000 vibrations per hour is used for the chronograph. Understandably, this only has a 90 minute power reserve. This second movement needs to be manually wound in order to charge. The two movements are integrated into one watch. This is truly a amazing horological creation. This chronograph is more than a chronograph. It is a true complication watch.
The dial. Displaying the 1/100th of a second measurement prevision is done using two counters on sub-dials and the central second hand. Chronograph minutes are displayed by the counter at 3 o’clock while, chronograph seconds, by the counter at 6 o’clock. The blue central hand display the 1/100th second reading. These three hands are powered by the manual winding 360,000 vibrations per hour movement.
The watch also has a power reserve percentage indicator at 12 o’clock. The last sub-dial at the 9 o'clock displays the continuous seconds. Date is displayed at a window at the 6 o'clock. These functions are connected to the 28,800 vibration per hour movement.
The watch has a 43mm case diameter, with the was manufactured in rose gold. Production of the watch is limited to 150 pieces.
No TAG. We did notice, that the TAG branding was dropped from this watch. It looks like higher end creations will be sold under the Heuer brand and this may indicate a fork in the road for the company. In any event, the company has brought something truly interesting and innovative out this year at BaselWorld 2011. Salute!
About TAG Heuer. TAG Heuer is a Swiss watch company founded by Edouard Heuer who founded a watchmaking company in 1860. TAG Heuer concentrates on chronographs with some less expensive models in each line lacking chronograph features. The lines include Formula One, Aquaracer, Link, Carrera, Monaco, and others.
No comments:
Post a Comment