Technique → Movement

JEWELS, CONTRA-PINIONS & SHOCK ABSORBERS

Jewels are used as pivot bearings for the various moving parts of a movement. They enable these parts to pivot freely (usually between the mainplate and a bridge) by optimizing friction coefficients and reducing pivot wear. Once made of natural rubies, watch jewels are now typically made from synthetic corundum.

Shock absorbers are amortising devices placed at pivot points in the movement to minimize the risk of pivot breakage during an impact. Shock absorbers are primarily used for the balance wheel bearings. This is because the balance wheel has a high inertia (weight) and pivot diameters that are often less than 0.15mm.