Straumann double hairspring escapement H. Moser & Cie: Extraordinary technology in fascinatingly elegant watches
H. Moser & Cie is again revolutionizing the heart of the mechanical watch: this time, the escapement. The interchangeable Moser escapement module in all watches from H. Moser & Cie created a major sensation throughout the world at the time of its introduction. The use of traditional materials of the highest grade in conjunction with the simplest and most reliable interchangeability appealed to watchmakers and watch enthusiasts alike.
The balance springs, which in combination with the balance are responsible for the basic rate of the watch, are of course still manufactured from the self-compensating material Nivarox. This allows the so-called Breguet terminal curve to be bent in the second plane above the balance spring. When correctly dimensioned, this curve ensures that the balance spring does not become distorted as it oscillates, and the centre of gravity remains at the centre of the arbor, so that the gravitational force of the earth is unable to produce any errors.
Double hairspring escapement from Moser
Although theoretically correct, a minutely small residual error always remains in practice, because the terminal curve, which is very intricate to bend, does not actually possess a 100% ability to ensure that the centre of gravity remains at the centre of the arbor - a fact which naturally irritates the watchmaker/ inventors at Moser. Accordingly, they searched for a compensation process with which to equalize this gravitational error at its point of origin, rather than simply attempting to eliminate the effect of the error, as is the case with a tourbillon, for example. The result is the double hairspring escapement from Moser.
In this escapement, two balance springs of identical construction are arranged in such a way that the centres of gravity of the two springs move outwards on opposing symmetrical paths during oscillation. The cumulative centre of gravity of the two springs thus remains at the centre of the arbor at all times, and as such has no negative influence on the accuracy of the watch.
The prerequisite to manufacturing such a complicated escapement system, of course, is the ability to master the production of the balance springs down to the smallest detail. It is essential to be able to guarantee that both balance springs possess identical characteristic curves and attachments. H. Moser & Cie, working jointly with its associate company, Precision Engineering AG, has developed the Straumann Hairspring� on the basis of the formula drawn up by the original inventor of the Nivarox material, Prof. Dr. h.c. Reinhard Straumann. This has ensured that the material exhibits the necessary homogeneity and the appropriate mechanical properties. What is more, the balance springs are manufactured so consistently that they are even able to ensure uniform compensation for any elasticity in the presence of temperature fluctuations. In this way, the centre of gravity does not wander from the centre even in response to changes in temperature.
This revolutionary escapement was named the STRAUMANN DOUBLE HAIRSPRING escapement in tribute to Prof. Dr. h.c. Reinhard Straumann, who patented the material Nivarox and the associated manufacturing technologies in 1931. As befits Moser, this STRAUMANN DOUBLE HAIRSPRING escapement is also executed as an interchangeable module, which can be easily replaced by releasing only two screws. It naturally also includes an escape wheel and pallet fork in solid gold with the hardened functional surfaces for low-friction and wear-reduced operation that are typical of Moser.
The blocking lever incorporated in all watches in the collection from H. Moser & Cie also ensures that the escapement in this extraordinary escapement module can be removed with the barrel fully wound, but without the watch running down uncontrollably. Extraordinary technology in fascinatingly elegant watches is what makes the collection from H. Moser & Cie so special and authentic at one and the same time. We imagine that our founding father, Heinrich Moser, would have done precisely the same thing today.