Silicone hairspring in vintage watches

[htbilgic]

Hi everyone,

I was reading about the developments in watchmaking, specifically about silicone hairsprings in recent Omega and Rolex movements. Do you think Rolex will start producing silicone hairsprings for their older watches as well? It makes sense as Rolex is apparently buying their traditional hairsprings from Swatch Group. They may want to completely break Swatch's monopoly on hairspring parts.

Also, it would be awesome to have a silicone hairspring in my 5513 :)

[SearChart]

They would have to be specifically designed for older movements due to bph differences and completely different balance wheels and I don't think they will.

[htbilgic]

Thanks SearChart!

I won't hold my breath about this technology coming to vintage watches, then.

Originally Posted by SearChart

They would have to be specifically designed for older movements due to bph differences and completely different balance wheels and I don't think they will.

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by htbilgic

Thanks SearChart!

I won't hold my breath about this technology coming to vintage watches, then.

Neither will I

I understand your question completely though, and it would be somewhat of an improvement to an old movement, but it's just too labour intensive for Rolex to even care.
I mean, they won't even repair a stretched bracelet but either leave it as it is or recommend a new one.

[htbilgic]

Good point regarding Rolex.

Originally Posted by SearChart

Neither will I

I understand your question completely though, and it would be somewhat of an improvement to an old movement, but it's just too labour intensive for Rolex to even care.
I mean, they won't even repair a stretched bracelet but either leave it as it is or recommend a new one.

[MikeMc]

Rolex produces their own hair springs. The research for silicon hair springs was funded by Rolex, Patek Philippe and the Swatch group. The three companies all have the rights to produce silicon hair springs. Whether they will put them into older watches, who knows? The policy is usually to keep it as original as possible.


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