Technology and Function
of the Mechanica M
2
78
79
Since the resulting torque
*
is supposed to remain as constant as
possible, some provisions must be made.
When fully wound, the Spring barrel
*
makes only 3.5 revolutions
within about seven days. If the mainspring
*
is fully wound and
allowed to completely release its tension, the impulse energy
released would vary greatly. In order to avoid this, the Spring barrel
of your Mechanica M2 is outfitted with so-called stopworks
*
. With
its stop wheels and blocking studs, it builds two banks. One bank
guarantees that the mainspring can’t be wound too far while the
other prohibits its tension from easing too strongly.
Impulse and Gear train
The impulse in conjunction with the Gear train
*
has the task of
providing the escapement
*
—and thus the balance
*
—with energy.
Additionally, the Gear train
*
moves the hands via the Dial train
*
.
Seconds wheel
70 teeth,
One revolution per minute
Fourth wheel
90 teeth,
0.13 revolutions per minute
Minute wheel
96 teeth,
One revolution per hour
Center wheel
112 teeth,
0.125 revolutions per hour
Spring barrel
128 teeth,
0.375 revolutions per day
Safety precaution:
The Spring barrel may
not be opened.
You could be injured
if the mainspring
jumps out.
Impulse
As already described in the section on the escapement
*
, the most
even impulse energy possible is needed to maintain the most even
oscillation possible. This energy is obtained from a mainspring
*
,
which exerts the most even impulse energy possible on the Spring
barrel
*
with its tension.
The varying impulse energy influences rate precision very strongly.
For this reason, the mainspring is only driven by the stopworks in the
middle of its tension. The diagram shows the course of the spring’s
energy of a fully wound Spring barrel. The beginning and the end, as
shown in the illustration, are not utilized. Thus, the power reserve is
clearly reduced but the mainspring is driven by a nearly linear energy
flow. The spring’s energy is thus nearly constant over the course of
seven days and builds the basis for optimal rate precision.
The Gear train
*
receives energy from the Spring barrel, which it passes
on to the escapement
*
and thus sets the balance to oscillating.
The Spring barrel may not be opened. The lubricated mainspring
is found inside and only needs maintenance about every five to
seven years. To complete this, please send us the mainspring. In our
workshops the mainspring will be examined, cleaned, and
re-lubricated. This ensures that it will once again reliably drive your
Mechanica M2 over the course of the following years.
Unwound
Wound
Winding limitation
Stopwork
Spring energy
Revolutions
