![]() ![]() Even as far back as the 18th century the great watchmaker, Breguet, recognised this fundamental problem when he said ‘Show me the perfect lubricant and I will show you the perfect watch!’ ”. It’s a centuries old barrier to progress. “Once you’ve optimised the mechanics of a watch, you still have to address the deterioration of lubricant oils. “The potential is quite staggering and it’s actually about lubrication rather than mechanics.” explains Roger Smith. The ultimate goal could be a mechanical timepiece that never needs servicing and will always keep time through the use of these next-generation materials. ![]() ![]() The researchers are working with Roger Smith to investigate whether nano-coatings can reduce, or potentially replace, the use of traditional oil-based lubricants in mechanical watches by applying virtually frictionless nano-coatings directly to mechanical watch parts. The panel was hosted by Sophie Bushwick, Technical Editor of Scientific American and Roger was joined by Dr Samuel Rowley-Neale and Dr Michael Down, research associates at the Faculty of Science and Engineering at Manchester Metropolitan University, which has developed an international reputation for its leading-edge work in the science of nano-materials. Roger Smith on stage announcing groundbreaking research into the use of nano-coatings to improve the performance of mechanical watches. The announcement was made at a special panel hosted by the UK Department for International Trade as part of their ‘Designing Our Future’ showcase in New York City. Smith OBE, has announced groundbreaking research into the use of nano-coatings to improve the performance of mechanical watches. Great Britain’s leading independent watchmaker, Dr Roger W. The function which has always stumped watchmakers is the travelling date-hand, since this travels and sits over key date information for several days at a time thus compromising the dial’s legibility.Īfter several years of drawings and experimentation I came up with my new Travelling Aperture, which I believe is the first time this complication has been created.“This application of quantum mechanics to classical physics could create the ‘perfect’ watch that never loses time or needs servicing” New York City, 4th April 2019 ![]() Anyone can create a carbuncle! The real challenge was achieving this complexity whilst concealing it within a deceptively simply aesthetic - and preserving the primary purpose of a watch - to tell the time in an instant. So, with the Series 4, the complexity wasn’t really the quest. George absolutely hated watches which looked like an Enigma machine, and needed an Alan Turing to work out the time! As we curate a new British watchmaking tradition, I believe that elegant simplicity must be our design creed. Something George Daniels drummed into me as a young man were his ultimate principles of watch design - clarity and simplicity. It is certainly the most complicated, but that wasn’t really the challenge. “The Series 4 represents my ultimate challenge and is, in many respects my ultimate watch. ![]()
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