Sep
Minute Repeater can date back to 1676. An English watchmaker Edward Barlow invented Rack Striking Mechanism. In 1680s, English watchmaker Daniel Quare improved repeater structure and applied for the patent. In 1700s, repeaters already could tell the time by making different sounds.
In the area of high-class watches, Minute Repeater represents the complex technique of high-class handmade watches, which is made up of many little parts and runs complicatedly. Minute Repeater has become the most valuable and popular watch in the world, because of its complex technique and a few quantities.
Minute Repeater can tell the difference among “hour”, “quarter” and “minute” by its different sounds, which is the perfect combination of acoustics and dynamics. There is a series of equipment that can make sounds to tell us the exact time. When the button is pressed, it can start the timing equipment making sounds by tapping the reed. Therefore, as long as you listen to it carefully, you can know the time whether you watch the dial or not, which is suit for the blind.
Minute Repeater first tells the hour and then the quarter and finally the minute. For example, if your watch gives off a deep gong, two dual sounds and seven treble single sounds, that means it is 1:37. Because 30 minutes belong to two quarters, the watch gives off just two dual sounds. The following seven treble single sounds represent the left 7 minutes.
Now I will introduction 2 kinds Minute Repeaters to you.
Vacheron Constantin Traditional Patrimony “Calibre 2755” has made a good model. Its new kind 2755-type movement is made up of 602 little parts. It can improve tone quality due to its linking watch case and 18K rose golden watch case. More importantly, its new minute repeater tapping equipment has a fantastic function of avoiding regular noise.
Audemars Piguet has launched a series of Jules Audemars Jumping Hour Minute Repeater. It is made up of 2907-type movement and 412 little parts, which is handmade. Besides the function of minute repeater, it has an interesting function. There is a time hopping window in 12-point scale. A number replaces the traditional hour hand, which changes one number every single hour.
