The How And Why Of Patents, Including The World’s Most Famous Watchmaking Patent Granted For Abraham-Louis Breguet’s Tourbillon

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Patented inventions are present in every aspect of human life. Electric lighting glows in our rooms due to patents held by Thomas Edison and Joseph Swan; plastic is omnipresent thanks to patents registered by Leo Baekeland; and even ballpoint pens would not be on every desk if Laszlo Biro hadn’t patented them. Elizabeth Doerr takes a look at patents in the watch industry, including the most famous of all: Abraham-Louis Breguet’s patent for the tourbillon.

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Micro laser sintering

Focus On Technology: 3D Printing, What Is It Really? Part Deux – Reprise

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In the second of Joshua Munchow’s duo of articles concerning 3D printing, he focuses on Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), which utilizes a high-powered laser to heat a powdered material and sinter it into a solid structure. This is the process most likely to change the watchmaking industry as it is able to print with metals and ceramics. 

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3D printed tourbillon model by Nicholas Manousos

Focus On Technology: 3D Printing, What Is It Really? – Reprise

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Joshua went to the theater and saw a typical raunchy comedy called ‘Neighbors.’ Much to his surprise, he saw something he cannot remember seeing in a popular movie: a 3D scanner and 3D printer being used by the main characters (and it’s funny).

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The 10 Most Accurate Moon Phase Wristwatches Today (Plus Honorable Mention)

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If you have followed Joshua Munchow’s writing over the last five years, you will know that he genuinely loves the moon phase complication. Here he looks at the most accurate moon phase watches in existence. And their precision is out of this world!

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Rolex Daytona Reference 116500LN

The Golden Age Of Rolex Movements Part IV: Patents And Predictions For The Future of Rolex Watchmaking

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Rolex has been described as a blue-chip brand built on blue-collar movements. That’s true no longer: recent developments at the patent office suggest that the future of Rolex watchmaking may yield dramatic breaks with its conservative past. Atomic oscillators, advanced mechanical escapements, and new complications could remodel Rolex in the image of avant-garde independent and boutique brands as Tim Mosso reports.

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Ruby slippers: movement detail showing ruby bearings on constant torque chain of the Romain Gauthier Logical One

In Focus: Romain Gauthier’s Breathtaking Patented Ruby Link Chain From Logical One – Reprise

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Here at Quill & Pad we are quite smitten by Romain Gauthier’s award-winning Logical One. But one thing that often gets glossed over somewhat is the subject of one of this watch’s four patents: the incredible high-precision chain made of synthetic ruby links. Combined with the snail cam, it is this element that provides the ingenious movement with constant force.

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Zenith Defy Inventor

Zenith Defy Inventor: Experimental Compliant Tech Goes Into Serial Watch Production

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Zenith’s Defy Inventor includes successful implementation of Zenith’s futuristic compliant component which offers insensitivity to temperature, gravity, and magnetic fields as well as no need for lubrication. It may even help change how mechanical watches are viewed and made. This is some futuristic stuff!

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TAG Heuer Autavia Isograph

TAG Heuer Autavia Isograph: Carbon-Composite High-Tech Hairspring For All

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Joshua Munchow thinks that TAG Heuer’s move to separate the Autavia into its own collction and have it be fully supported by Caliber 5 with its Isograph carbon-composite hairspring is a definitive step to creating a new, solid base for the brand to build on.

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No longer a prototype, the production version of Naissance d’Une Montre, Le Garde Temps on display at SIHH 2016

The Schmidt List: Signature Movement Screws – Reprise

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The components of a mechanical watch movement are little more than a series of springs and wheels held together by plates and/or bridges. No matter the configuration, complication or finish, the ensemble is secured by the humble movement screw. So it’s a pleasant surprise that several watchmakers have boldly ventured beyond the thread and the slot to reimagine the movement screw.

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“crossbar/cutthroat razor” click on the Philippe Dufour Simplicity

The Schmidt List: Top 5 Funky Clicks – Reprise

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The click spring is one of the smaller components of a mechanical watch, but it is of enormous importance. Ever wondered why the crown doesn’t retaliate furiously and unwind every time you crank it? Without the click spring, a wound mainspring would immediately – and explosively – uncoil like a raging viper in a hat box.

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