Some initial thoughts of the design of the balance wheels, how they are coupled to make synchronization of the oscillators possible. What are the materials to be used. How do they behave and how they will finally land to design that is elegant and works.
Balance Wheels:
Designing a balance wheel for a resonance wristwatch involves several critical considerations to ensure precision, low air resistance, and the use of a special alloy for enhanced performance.
Material selection
Special Alloy: low-density, high-strength alloy with stability, minimal thermal expansion, and high fatigue resistance.
Design Geometry
Shape: smooth ring to reduce air resistance. The spokes should be thin and aerodynamic to minimize drag.
Weight Distribution: Ensure an even distribution of mass around the wheel to maintain balance. balance will be poised from underneath.
Polishing: Ensure the surface is highly polished to reduce friction and air resistance.
Early ideas of coupling:
A separate rigid rod to couple the stud holders to enable resonance to travel from wheel A to wheel B. Interesting will be the material selection and its ability to transfer vibrations needed to make sync possible.
Synchronization of Oscillators:
In a resonance watch, two balance wheels or oscillators are positioned close to each other. Coupling the stud holders ensures these oscillators can interact and synchronize. This interaction causes the oscillators to resonate at the same frequency, stabilizing their movements.
Coupling and pondering:
I´m still hesitating on the design whether to have it as a flat rod or cylindrical. Thought I might lean on future iterations of the design on a more flat piece of a resonating medium. What I find infinitely more interesting decision or a challenge is the choosing of the material of the coupling rod. Current ideas that i have had for material are silicon, invar, beryllium copper, Nivarox and titanium. Silicon would be my number 1 pick but probably have to forget about it for now since my financial realities don’t allow of manufacturing silicon parts... I find myself thinking of beryllium copper, titanium and nivarox. the two first would allow superior thermal stability but I don’t think I would sacrifice nothing by deciding Nivarox as the material for the coupling rod. It has good thermal compensation, antimagnetic properties and consistent elasticity. which are all essential for maintaining resonance.
How does the watch eventually look? How all this will come together?
To be continued,…
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