Microtor Technology by Universal Genève
Transcription
Microtor Technology by Universal Genève
UG Couv 2.4.2007 18:13 Page 1 Microtor Technology by Universal Genève UNIVERSAL GENEVE SA - SWITZERLAND www.universal.ch UG Couv_ARP 4.4.2007 14:36 Page 3 M icrotor 1955 Microtor UG 66 2006 Microtor UG 100 S elf-winding watches Universal Genève trademarks 1936, 1940, 1957 The first watch automatically wound by means of a central oscillating weight appeared in the latter half of the 18th century, in Le Locle. It stemmed from the ingenious work of watchmaker Abraham-Louis Perrelet (1729-1826), who had observed that the rotation of the oscillating weight generated sufficient energy to wind the mainspring. The first self-winding wristwatch was developed by Englishman John Harwood, who filed a patent for it in Switzerland in 1932. The oscillating weight, which was wound in one direction only, described a 130° arc of a circle. The disadvantage of this watch was that it could not be wound by hand. Ever since, this major technical innovation has been constantly perfected, driven by an ongoing quest for miniaturisation and precision. Universal Genève watchmakers were pioneers in the development of self-winding movements, particularly due to the integrated micro-oscillating weight that made them extremely thin and uniquely elegant. of the Manufacture presented a men’s self-winding wristwatch equipped with Calibre UG 138. The oscillating weight, located at the centre of the movement, made a partial revolution of 315° and was limited along its trajectory by two cylindrical buffer-springs placed on the edge of the mainplate. Calibre UG 138, displaying the hours, minutes and small seconds at 6 o’clock, measured 28.20mm in diameter and was 4.85mm thick. The balance oscillated at a frequency of 18,000 vibrations per hour. The first caliber was to be followed in the early 50s by two movements featuring the same technical characteristics : the 5.55mm thick Calibre UG 138.SS-SC with centre seconds; and the 6mm thick Calibre UG 138.C.C complete with date disc and small seconds at 6 o’clock, which drove the “Monodatic” model. Universal Genève assembly workshop 1940 In the late 1940s, at a time when Universal Genève was still known as Universal Watch Factory, Perret & Berthoud Ltd (a name linked to the names of its founders), the watchmakers 4 Calibre UG 138.SS-SC The chief assets of this calibre were the antimagnetic balance-spring and balance (the latter being of the bimetallic glucydur type with screws), as well as the balance-cock fitted with a fine-adjustment system and Incabloc shockabsorbers. For the version with a date display, since the date-jump could be adjusted in one direction only, the time could thus be set counterclockwise without making the date jump, which was not the case with previous Calibres. The 40hour power reserve was perfectly respectable at the time. The movement was equipped with 17 top-quality jewels. The setting-lever was connected to an arbor that need only be pressed in order to pull out the winding-stem. On November 8th 1952, the Universal Perret & Berthoud Watch Manufacture in Geneva filed patent n0 308028, published on September 1st 1955, for a self-winding device with double effect via a rotating oscillating weight, which was to serve as a model for the construction of the Microtor. The rotating oscillating weight transmitted its energy to the driving organ of the watch via a loose-wheel coupling clutch, characterised by an oscillating weight connected to an organ driving two cams - themselves connected but operating independently of each other. This system meant the watch could be automatically wound in both directions of the oscillating weight rotation. Patent n° 308028 In 1954, watch designer Gérald Genta created the famous Polerouter (Polarouter), which was to enjoy worldwide success. Equipped with Calibre UG 138 SS, this watch accompanied the crew of the SAS Scandinavian Airlines System 1954 - Polerouter 5 Company on the first ever flight from Europe to the United States via the polar circle. Building on its success, Universal changed its name to Manufacture des Montres Universal, Perret Frères SA in Carouge-Geneva, and opened its new operational centre on the Place d’Armes in Carouge, while keeping its historical premises on the Rue du Rhône as a showroom. Universal Genève showroom on the quaysides of the Rhône - Geneva M Mr Perret & Mr Amann (Director SAS Geneva) icrotor watches On May 27th 1955, Universal Genève filed patent n° 329805 with the Intellectual Property Bureau. Published on June 30th 1958, it protected an ultra-thin self-winding watch comprising a microoscillating weight with an off-centred rotation axis: the first Microtor Calibre UG 215 produced by Universal Genève was born. Universal Genève Headquarters - Carouge 6 Patent n° 329805 Calibre UG 215-2 This major technological innovation was made possible by the constant improvement of the quality of components supplied by the Swiss watch industry and by the gradual miniaturisation of these parts during the 1940s and 1950s. The technical solution lay in the perfect proportions of the frequency-reduction mechanisms of the automatic winding system. The micro-oscillating weight, pivoting in both directions and coupled to a large-diameter barrel, ensured a power reserve of almost 48 hours. 1958, for a self-winding movement with central seconds wheel and pinion, comprising a rotating oscillating weight integrated within the movement and featuring an axis off-set in relation to the movement. The micro-oscillating weight was positioned in the space left free by the barrel and balance, and turns in bearings carried exclusively by a bridge. The UG 215 family of Calibres comprised the same technical characteristics as the UG 138 Calibres, meaning a balance frequency of 18,000 vibrations per hour and a total diameter of 28mm, but now had 28 jewels. The Calibre UG 215 was a threehand movement with central seconds. The UG 215.1 version, which was 5.15mm thick, featured central hour, minute and seconds hands along with a date disc. Calibre UG 215.2 was endowed with the same functions as Calibre UG 215.1, but was 0.45mm slimmer, at 4.70mm. Calibre UG 215 displayed only the hour and minutes, measured 28mm in diameter and was 4.10mm thick. Its balance oscillated at 18,000 vibrations per hour. In 1958, Büren Watch Co SA (Von Büren Watch Co., which disappeared in the 1970s), a SwissGerman company extremely active in research and development of new calibres, filed patent n° 345849 for a micro-oscillating weight nicknamed Super-Slender, similar to the one devised by Universal Genève in 1955. Since the Geneva-based Manufacture had filed its patent just one month after that filed by Von Büren, the two companies had to reach an agreement in order to separately exploit this remarkable invention, which they would subsequently place at the disposal of the greatest names in Swiss watchmaking. In the 1950s, Universal Genève continued developing the Microtor-based technology and presented many new models that would ensure its international success and reputation. The Microtor technology was once again improved and on January 30th 1957, Universal Genève filed patent n° 330900, published on August 15th Patent n° 330900 The qualities and improvements embodied in this calibre compared with Calibre UG 138 comprise a simplification of the self-winding system, reduced thickness, including for the date disc version, and enhanced comfort on the wrist, since the wearer no longer felt the shocks induced by the oscillating weight; there was however no fine adjustment. Once again, Universal Genève was to present an invention that would represent a landmark in watchmaking history, since similar movements are still widely used in the construction of many self-winding Calibres. Patent n° 333993 was filed on December 29th 1956 and published on 7 December 31st 1958, for the creation of a watch model equipped with both a hand-wound and a self-winding system, and built in such a way that these two systems worked independently of each other. This new construction for a Microtor was characterised by a pinion fixed to the barrel-arbor by two discs, each fixed to one of the bases of the pinion, on the same plane as the latter, and by two superimposed wheels placed between these discs and each linked to one of the winding mechanisms. Each of these wheels is driven by the adjacent disc and carries at least one coupling organ designed to mesh with the pinion. These coupling organs rotate in the same direction. adjustment, since the balance-cock was equipped with a micrometrical adjustment screw, thereby providing enhanced precision and facilitating adjustment. Calibre UG 1-69 On March 26th 1956, under patent n° 336013, published on March 4th 1959, Universal Genève filed an additional patent n° 329805, covering a central wheel and pinion carrying the minute hand composed of a single pinion simultaneously meshing with two coaxial wheels, the first leading to the second that in turn transmits the movement to the balance. Calibre UG 68 (or UG 1-68), which was 4.10mm thick, drove central hour, minute and seconds hands. As the direct successor to Calibre UG 218, this movement had 28 jewels and a frequency of 18,000 vibrations per hour. While Calibre UG 69 (or UG 1-69) featured the same technical characteristics as Calibre UG 68, it was also equipped Patent n° 333993 Constantly in quest of perfection, watchmakers were soon to replace Calibre UG 215.2 by Calibre UG 218.2, measuring 28mm in diameter and 4.70mm thick, equipped with a date indication. This movement was to be used in assembling Polerouter Date watches. The main improvement featured in Calibre UG 218 compared with its predecessor, the UG 215, was the fine Golden Classique 69 8 with a date disc, taking the total movement thickness to 4.70mm, like its forerunner the UG 215. Nonetheless, the geometry of its micro-rotor had been transformed. Calibres UG 68 and UG 69 underwent many improvements during the actual production process, including a “stop oil” chemical treatment generally referred to as “epilame coating”. The latter modifies the surface tension of the part thus treated, thereby preventing oils from creeping, ensuring lasting lubrication of the gearwheels and thus reducing the frequency of movement overhauls (technical note n° 76 dated 07/12/1967). These two Calibres also featured Golden Shadow Over 250 variations of the Golden Shadow were created to highlight its extreme slenderness, including the gold-plated Gilt Shadow or the steel White Shadow. The saga of Shadow watches equipped with Calibres 66 and 67, and of their subsequent technical developments, was to last from the mid-1960s through to the early 1990s. The ultra-thin self-winding Microtor Calibre UG 66 displayed the hours and minutes only, and featured a diameter of 28mm and an exceptionally diminutive thickness of 2.50mm. Its balance oscillated at 19,800 vibrations per hour. Polerouter Sub an excellent 55-hour power reserve. There was also a Polerouter Sub with two crowns equipped with Calibre 68, but with no date display. For reasons related to rationalising production of the balance-cock, the UG 1-68 and 1-69 versions had no fine adjustment but were still fitted with the mobile balance-spring stud-holder (source : catalogue of old UG Calibres). At the 1966 Basel Show, Universal Genève presented a new range of refined and elegant watches named Golden Shadow, all driven by the world’s thinnest self-winding Microtor movement. It was to enjoy considerable popularity. Calibre UG 1-66 Among the other particularly important features were the self-compensating monometallic balance and spring operating at 19,800 vibrations/hour and equipped with a system designed to absorb shocks to the balance pivots, referred to at the time in French as “super-choc Incabloc”. 9 The self-winding system consisted of a ball-bearing device for the oscillating weight and of a reverser with three ball-bearing devices (technical note n° 26) that reduced friction, thereby improving the winding of the Calibre. The line of UG 66 Calibres developed steadily throughout the 1960s and comprised different variations such as Calibre UG 1-67 displaying the hours, minutes and date and measuring 3.10mm in all. Calibre UG 2-66 On February 2nd 1963, the Geneva-based Manufacture filed patent n° 388195, published on August 14th 1964, covering the development of a bidirectional oscillating weight thanks to a reverse system composed of a plate pivoting in the frame of the watch and carrying two pivoting intermediate wheels mounted on ball-bearing devices. Calibre UG 1-67 In the 1970s, Universal Genève watchmakers continued to fine-tune the line of ball-bearing mounted micro-rotor movements and presented two new Calibres, UG 71 and UG 72, which were used in the Polerouter III watch lines. Calibre UG 66 became UG 1-66 after the addition of a coupling clutch doing away with the rotation of the winding wheel and pinion when the watch was wound by hand, and thus avoiding wear of the lower winding wheel (technical note n° 75 dated 17/10/1967). Calibres UG 1-66 and 1-67 became UG 2-66 and 2-67 respectively, after the classic pin-type method of securing the balance-spring stud was replaced by a new cementing system (technical note n° 104). Patent n° 388195 Calibre UG 2-67 10 These two Calibres shared the same characteristics as the family of UG 66 Calibres, albeit with a smaller overall diameter of 27mm instead of 28mm, and a new type of balance guaranteeing an oscillation frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour (as did UG 215-9, UG 215-97 and UG 218-9). The construction principle of Calibre UG 71 was nonetheless reminiscent of that of the UG 69 Calibre and did not stem directly from the UG 66 Calibres. Calibre UG 71 featured centre seconds T he renewal of the Microtor Calibre UG 71 At the 2006 edition of the Basel Show (now named Baselworld) and after two years of intensive research and development, Universal Genève sprung a surprise by presenting a 111/2 lignes Microtor Calibre UG 100 movement stemming from an entirely new conception, in keeping with the traditions of the great Swiss Watch Manufactures. Calibre UG 72 Calibre UG 100 and a date display and was 3.90mm thick, whereas Calibre UG 72 also showed the days of the week on a second counter, increasing the total movement thickness to 4.60mm. In developing this new Calibre, one of the main issues was to resolve the tough question of the (central) deadbeat seconds display which, on the previous Calibres and especially the UG 66 movements, was derived from a small seconds display at 3 o’clock via a complication plate. The movement construction thus needed to be entirely redesigned and the position of the going train had to be modified in order to put the seconds back in the centre by means of a gear system involving two third wheels. The construction principle consisting of the two third wheels first of all made up for gearing play and also alleviated the jerking motion resulting by the seconds wheel. This solution also had the advantage of avoiding the use of a friction spring, such as is generally present in the construction of most Calibres. The absence of a friction spring prevents any risk of slowing down the gear trains and thus improves the rate of the movement. Polerouter The escapement system comprises a glucidur balance and an Anachron balance-spring made by Nivarox (Le Locle) and ensuring a frequency 11 of 28,800 vibrations/hour. Thanks to this system, and for the first time in its history, Universal Genève earned COSC chronometer certification for one of its Microtor movements. ball-bearing system, is crafted from sintered tungsten. The first ball-bearing system meshes with the reverser pinion and the second with the auxiliary reverser pinion. The balance-bridge is fitted with a balance-cock and enables fine adjustment by two screws and a jewelled Incabloc shock-absorbing system. Finally a micro-rotor with a diameter of just 12.30mm features a new geometrical shape entirely different from the design of the brand’s former Microtor Calibres, and which is also innovative in relation to the rare competing Calibres. This rotor is the smallest ever produced for a Microtor watch, 0.38mm less than the size of the rotors equipping Calibres UG 66 and UG 71. The bidirectional rotor, mounted on a double Calibre UG 100 comprises 30 top-quality monocrystalline jewels, meaning five more than Calibre UG 72. The Calibre Microtor UG 100 drives central hour, minute and seconds hands, as well as the date shown at 3 o’clock by means of a disc. Measuring a total 3.80mm thick and only 26.20mm in diameter, this new movement is the smallest Microtor Calibre equipped with similar functions ever produced by Universal Genève. Microtor UG 100 M icrotor UG 101 2007 Baselworld International Watch and Jewellery Show: Universal Genève, 1 year after the presentation of the Microtor UG 100 used in the assembling of a limited officially chronometer-certified gold edition of 100 watches (20 in yellow gold and 80 in pink gold), proudly introduce Calibre UG 101 adapted to series production criteria. Microtor UG 101 features the same technical characteristics of the Calibre UG 100 including a chronometer-quality escapement. The circular Côtes de Genève decorating and finely gilded engravings on the bridges are reminiscent of the movements produced by the Manufacture in the 1950s. Calibre UG 101 Microtor UG 101 13 Going-train bridge Barrel-bar Balance-cock Centre wheel and pinion Balance Barrel Micro-rotor Ball bearings Winding-stem Mainplate EXPLODED VIEW - CALIBRE UG 100 / UG 101 B ibliography Swiss Timepiece Makers 1775-1975, Kathleen H. Pritchard, Published for the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors, Inc. by Editions Antoine Simonin, rue des Saars 99, CH 2000 Neuchatel, 1997 edition Menschen – Uhren – Mein Leben, christine Glauser-Kocher und Hans Kocher, Eigenverlag, 1 Auflage 1997 Universal Genève 100 ans de tradition horlogère, Italo Bonifacio et Laura Rivolta, Sothis Editrice, 1994 edition “Liste de brevets déposés auprès du Bureau Fédéral de la propriété intellectuelle, Confédération Suisse” Brevet n°308028, Manufacture des montres Universal Perret & Berthoud SA, Genève (Suisse), dépôt 8.11.1952, enregistrement 30.6.1955, publication 1.9.1955 Brevet n° 329805, Manufacture des Montres Universal Perret Frères, Carouge (Genève), dépôt 27.5.1955, enregistrement 15.5.1958, publication 30.6.1958 Brevet n° 330900, Manufacture des Montres Universal Perret Frères, Carouge (Genève), dépôt 30.1.1957, enregistrement 30.6.1958, publication 15.8.1958 Brevet n° 333993, Manufacture des Montres Universal Perret Frères, Carouge (Genève), dépôt 29.11.1956, enregistrement 15.11.1958, publication 31.12.1958 Brevet n° 336004, Manufacture des Montres Universal Perret Frères, Carouge (Genève), dépôt 15.7.1957, enregistrement 31.1.1959, publication 14.3.1959 Brevet n° 336013, Manufacture des Montres Universal Perret Frères, Carouge (Genève), dépôt 26.3.1956, enregistrement 31.1.1959, publication 14.3.1959 Brevet n° 388195, Manufacture des Montres Universal Perret Frères, Carouge (Genève), dépôt 2.2.1963, enregistrement 15.2.1965, publication 15.6.1965 “Journal Suisse d’Horlogerie” La montre Suisse à remontage automatique, Calibre Microtor Manufacture des montres Universal Perret Frères Genève, par B. Humbert, XIII 2ème série, parution n°4, août 1961 La montre Suisse à remontage automatique, Calibre Super Slender Buren Watch Co., par B. Humbert, XIV 2ème série, parution n°5, octobre 1961 La montre automatique la plus mince du monde, Calibre, publicité Universal et Buren parution n°11-12, novembre - décembre 1957 Sommes-nous à la veille d’une révolution dans la construction des montres automatiques ? Par H.Kocher, directeur technique de Büren Watch Co A et F. Bandi, technicien chef de la manufacture des montres Universal à Genève, parution n° 9-10, septembre – octobre 1957 UNIVERSAL GENÈVE S.A. Geneva - Switzerland www.universal.ch Editorial commitee : Vincent Lapaire, Stéphanie Des Arts-Loup, Christian Müller, Christine Fery-Hammer, Franck Boisseau Graphic Design : Alexandre De la Riera & Eva Sandoval Text : Transcribe – A Propos Printed in Switzerland - April 2007 UG Couv_ARP 4.4.2007 14:36 Page 3 UG Couv 2.4.2007 18:13 Page 1 Microtor Technology by Universal Genève UNIVERSAL GENEVE SA - SWITZERLAND www.universal.ch