Tuesday, November 24, 2009

How Does A Mechanical Watch Operate?

By John P Stevens

Watches are of different types depending upon their style, and the system through which they operate. With the passage of time, and innovation in technology, new types are being invented every day, but despite of new variety, the old ones have their own importance, like that of a mechanical wristwatch.

This type of watch works on a non-electric mechanism to keep track of every minute that passes by. The point of wonder is that if it does not run by electric means, what ensures that it continues its purpose of creation. Such watches are driven by a spring, which must be winded up at certain intervals; this mechanism launches energy, which is consumed in the watch wheel movement while it revolves and unwinds.

A mechanical watch works with the help of a spring, which must be winded up after certain period. This winduped spring stores energy in it which helps the watch to function and that stored energy in spring is consumed.

Even though, modern quartz watches are generally more appropriate and accurate for measuring time, mechanical watches are usually more expensive. The reason why they are purchased, and are much appreciated is not their time keeping ability, but their attributes about their aesthetic aspect, and their quality to be worn as a jewellery piece.

All mechanical watches must have the following components. For serving the purpose of supplying power to the watch, a mainspring is used to conserve mechanical energy. The watch also contains a gear train, which is often referred to as a running train. This serves two purposes; the first one is to broadcast the force of the mainspring to the balance wheel, and the second to increase the swings of the balance wheel to ensure proper work of occupying seconds, minutes, and hours units.

Mechanical watches have a spring to conserve energy, which has been supplied through a key. They contain a gear train to transfer the spring energy to the wheel, and to increase the time of the wheel to swing here and forth, so that it always takes same time interval for seconds, minutes, and hours.

An escapement mechanism also serves two purposes; firstly, it ensures that the balance wheel continues to vibrate by providing it with a drive or an impulse at each swing, and secondly, it grant access to the clock gear to progress with a specified amount with each swing. This mechanism is responsible for generating the ticking sound in a mechanical watch.

The most important part of the watch, which we see is the dial for displaying time. The dial has hands and digits just like an ordinary clock, to help read time. If the mechanical watches are kept with care, and the key is turned regularly, they can serve for years.

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