TWO UNPUBLISHED FILMS AND ENRICHED TECHNICAL PAGES
In order to offer an ever more in-depth understanding of the mechanical principles of horology, several contents have recently been enriched on the online encyclopedia Horopedia.org. The pages devoted to the Swiss lever escapement and the regulating organ (balance-hairspring) have notably been completed. Furthermore, two new films are now available: a technical film dedicated to the industrial manufacturing of the mainspring and an institutional film dedicated to the Geneva Seal.
A film on the industrial manufacturing of the mainspring
The Horopedia team had the opportunity to visit the heart of a specialized manufacturing site in order to document the industrial manufacturing of the mainspring.
An essential component of the Barrel — itself the Motor organ (power source) of the watch — the Mainspring plays a fundamental role in the functioning of the Movement. It is a long steel Blade of rectangular cross-section, coiled in a spiral around the Barrel arbor, inside the drum. Its function is to store the energy needed to power the Movement, then release it gradually.
Through this film, discover the different production stages of this component and gain a clearer understanding of its role within the kinematic chain of the Movement.
A film on the Geneva Seal (Timelab Foundation)
Created in 1886 by the Republic and Canton of Geneva, the Geneva Seal is one of the oldest watchmaking certifications still in effect. It guarantees:
- the Geneva provenance of the Movement (assembled, adjusted and cased in the canton),
- the quality of execution and the finishing of the components,
- the chronometric and functional performance of the watch.
Over the decades, this label of excellence has managed to preserve its rigor while adapting to technological developments. The film looks back on its history, its certification criteria and its central role in the defense and promotion of Geneva’s Horologist (watchmaker) expertise.
Enriched technical pages
Several fundamental pages of the encyclopedia have also been enriched with new diagrams, illustrations and detailed explanations.
The Swiss lever escapement
A pillar of modern horology since the 19th century, the Swiss lever escapement has established itself as the standard due to its robustness, its precision and its industrial efficiency. Its complete operation is explained step by step, with details on angles, shocks, draw, and the interactions between its components, among other things.
The regulating organ (balance-hairspring)
The page dedicated to the regulating organ clarifies the central role of the oscillator in the precision of a mechanical watch. Composed of the balance and the hairspring, this assembly is commonly referred to as the term Balance-Hairspring (balance spring), which forms the heart of the Regulating organ.
The Hairspring (balance spring), due to the complexity of its manufacturing and its direct impact on the watch’s timekeeping, is considered one of the most sensitive components of the mechanical Movement. Its function is to constantly bring the oscillator (Balance or Pendulum) back to its midpoint, called the Dead point, that is, the position it occupies when it no longer receives energy.
The Balance, for its part, acts as the flywheel of the Movement. To ensure the best precision while limiting energy consumption, it should ideally have a high moment of Inertia for the lowest possible Mass.
The roles, interactions, and operating principles of these components are explained in more depth and illustrated on the corresponding pages.
With these new films and technical enhancements, Horopedia continues its mission: documenting, transmitting and making horological culture accessible to everyone.
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ABOUT HOROPEDIA
The Horopedia Foundation was created in February 2023 and was granted public interest status. The Foundation’s Council is composed of Philippe Dufour (Chairman), Dr Helmut Crott, and André Colard and Marc André Deschoux.
The Foundation manages Horopedia.org, the first online video encyclopedia on horology. The platform was launched in 2022 and quickly received unanimous support within the community.
To date, more than 100 multilingual documentary films on Museums, watchmaking schools, horological tools and components, and the mechanical principles behind their operation can be found on Horopedia.org. To strengthen its educational mission, the platform also incorporates visual teaching aids to facilitate a better understanding of the information provided. The site offers nearly 1000 pages with detailed definitions horological terms and historical anecdotes about significant horological inventions.
Horopedia.org meticulously covers all aspects of the fascinating watchmaking industry in French, English and German. It offers detailed definitions of tools and complications, 3D images of Movements, and in-depth video explanations on the production of components, their history and their functions in a watch. A dedicated section of the site lists horological institutions, including schools and Museums in Switzerland and around the world.
More recently, the Foundation unveiled its ambitious project: the House of Watchmaking Arts & Culture (MACH). More than a museum, MACH will be a vibrant space for exhibition, transmission and exchange around the art of watchmaking. Located in the heart of the Quartier des Banques, this house of 1,250 m² will span four floors, offering didactic, thematic and chronological exhibitions, complemented by a space dedicated to temporary exhibitions. Visitors will also be able to enjoy a shop, an auditorium and various interactive spaces designed to spark curiosity and encourage discovery. Open and lively, the MACH aims to become the crossroads of watchmaking in Geneva.
This page has been automatically translated from the French reference version using an artificial intelligence tool. Errors or inaccuracies may remain. If you notice any, especially if this is your native language, please do not hesitate to report them to us at info@horopedia.org. Your contribution helps us improve the quality of the encyclopedia.
Pending their translation, images and videos remain temporarily displayed in French.
Thank you for your understanding.