The minutes hammer and the hours hammer
The gong for the minutes and the gong for the hours
4 . S T A T E - O F - W I N D I N D I C A T O R
The mainspring, visible in its barrel through the back of the watch,
shows if your watch needs winding.
5 . M I N U T E - R E P E A T E R
The minute-repeater strikes the hours, quarters (15mins) and minutes
on demand. Two hammers each strike a corresponding gong to
produce two different notes for the hours and minutes. The two gongs,
consisting of tuned rods coiled twice around the movement, are known
as “cathedral gongs”.
One hammer strikes deep notes for the hours.
The other hammer strikes high notes for the minutes.
The hammers strike a high and a deep note in quick succession
for each quarter.
Example: the chiming sequence at 05:18
The hours hammer strikes five deep notes; both hammers then
produce a double strike (high note, deep note) for the quarter;
finally, the minutes gong strikes three times to indicate the number
of minutes since the quarter.
To activate the minute-repeater, push the repeater slide down carefully
until it stops, and then release it immediately. It is important to
push the slide the full length of its travel so as to wind the repeating
mechanism fully. An all-or-nothing device prevents the repeater
chiming unless it is fully wound.
Warning!
Do not set the time while the minute-repeater
is chiming. Doing so will damage your watch.
When your watch is fully wound, the mainspring appears
tight around the center of the barrel.
As the spring unwinds, it comes against the rim of the barrel,
indicating that the power reserve is low.
Hours
Quarters
Minutes
6
