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Hi since there is a recent influx of new members, or dormant ones getting active
, thought the following facts will be good for everyone to know/refresh. The mods may consider to make it sticky. These facts were lifted from Issue 12 of REVOLUTION:
"THINGS ABOUT ROLEX YOU DIDN'T KNOW BUT SHOULD!"
Fact Number 1
ROLEX was first to implement free-sprung balances across its entire range of Oyster watches. Free-sprung balances are regulated by adjusting the inertia of the balance. The other system for regulating watches uses a regulator to adjust the torque of the hairspring. It is easier to implement, but not as reliable. Free-sprung balances also require a high degree of precision and uniformity in balance and the hairspring.
Fact Number 2
ROLEX was the first to experiment with silicium as a material for escapement components. Prototype escapement wheels and pallets were created at the IMT for ROLEX out of silicium. While interested in silicium, ROLEX feels that the traditional materials, with correct lubrication, offer superior performance as they create less friction. However, it continues to conduct extensive research on alternative materials, including silicium and artificial diamond for many applications in watchmaking, and continues to study these techniques.
Fact Number 3
ROLEX's proprietary balance wheel uses special Microstella nuts that are easy to adjust and set on the inner rim of the balance to reduce aerodynamic turbulence.
Fact Number 4
Back when ROLEX used the Zenith El Primero chronograph movement for their Daytona watches, movements were detuned from 36,000vph to 28,800vph. ROLEX found that reducing vibrational speed and using a balance with greater inertia led to better long-term accuracy and stability.
Fact Number 5
ROLEX's Parachrom hairspring is the only metallic spring totally impervious to the force of magnetism. It is also ten times more resistant to shock than traditional hairsprings made from Invar.
Fact Number 6
We have reason to believe that in the near future, all ROLEX watches will use Parachrom hairsprings. ROLEX is the only large commercial watch brand with this level of independence from Nivarox, which supplies the majority of hairsprings in the Swiss watch industry.
Fact Number 7
ROLEX was the first to produce a modern GMT watch (the GMT-Master II), where date was synchronized both forwards and backwards to local time. This way, if you ended up in a time zone earlier than yours and had crossed the international date line, your date would turn back as the hands pass the midnight threshold.
Fact Number 8
The vertical clutch in ROLEX's in-house chronograph calibers is the only vertical clutch that can be totally disassembled for service. In all other vertical clutch chronographs, the clutch mechanism is simply overlooked during service and must be fully replaced if it is not functioning.
Fact Number 9
ROLEX's Yacht-Master II Chronograph is the first regatta chronograph where the duration of the countdown can be programmed. This is because there is no standardization of countdown for boat races around the world.
Fact Number 10
If the countdown on the Yacht-Master II is started late, pushing the reset pusher will cause the minute countdown hand to leap to the nearest minute before. If the countdown is started early, the minute countdown hand will be repositioned to the minute after. This function allows boat captains to instantly synchronized their watches with the race's official countdown.
Fact Number 11
ROLEX's Everose rose gold is the only rose gold that will maintain its color even after exposure to chlorinated water. The stability of its color comes from additional of platinum to its composition. Traditionally, rose gold comprises of 75% gold, 21% copper and 4% zinc. But when exposed to pool water or even some tap water, chlorine ions dissolve the copper atoms, leaving only gold on the surface. ROLEX's Everose consists of 76% gold, 22% copper and 2% platinum. The platinum stabilizes the copper atoms, preventing chlorine from affecting them.
Fact Number 12
ROLEX watches feature the only widely industrialized movements where date can be adjusted regardless of the position of the watch's hour hands. In almost all other watches, when the hands are between 9am to 3am, adjusting the date can result in serious damage to the watch. Not so for a ROLEX - a further example of ROLEX's dedication to useful innovation.
, thought the following facts will be good for everyone to know/refresh. The mods may consider to make it sticky. These facts were lifted from Issue 12 of REVOLUTION: "THINGS ABOUT ROLEX YOU DIDN'T KNOW BUT SHOULD!"
Fact Number 1
ROLEX was first to implement free-sprung balances across its entire range of Oyster watches. Free-sprung balances are regulated by adjusting the inertia of the balance. The other system for regulating watches uses a regulator to adjust the torque of the hairspring. It is easier to implement, but not as reliable. Free-sprung balances also require a high degree of precision and uniformity in balance and the hairspring.
Fact Number 2
ROLEX was the first to experiment with silicium as a material for escapement components. Prototype escapement wheels and pallets were created at the IMT for ROLEX out of silicium. While interested in silicium, ROLEX feels that the traditional materials, with correct lubrication, offer superior performance as they create less friction. However, it continues to conduct extensive research on alternative materials, including silicium and artificial diamond for many applications in watchmaking, and continues to study these techniques.
Fact Number 3
ROLEX's proprietary balance wheel uses special Microstella nuts that are easy to adjust and set on the inner rim of the balance to reduce aerodynamic turbulence.
Fact Number 4
Back when ROLEX used the Zenith El Primero chronograph movement for their Daytona watches, movements were detuned from 36,000vph to 28,800vph. ROLEX found that reducing vibrational speed and using a balance with greater inertia led to better long-term accuracy and stability.
Fact Number 5
ROLEX's Parachrom hairspring is the only metallic spring totally impervious to the force of magnetism. It is also ten times more resistant to shock than traditional hairsprings made from Invar.
Fact Number 6
We have reason to believe that in the near future, all ROLEX watches will use Parachrom hairsprings. ROLEX is the only large commercial watch brand with this level of independence from Nivarox, which supplies the majority of hairsprings in the Swiss watch industry.
Fact Number 7
ROLEX was the first to produce a modern GMT watch (the GMT-Master II), where date was synchronized both forwards and backwards to local time. This way, if you ended up in a time zone earlier than yours and had crossed the international date line, your date would turn back as the hands pass the midnight threshold.
Fact Number 8
The vertical clutch in ROLEX's in-house chronograph calibers is the only vertical clutch that can be totally disassembled for service. In all other vertical clutch chronographs, the clutch mechanism is simply overlooked during service and must be fully replaced if it is not functioning.
Fact Number 9
ROLEX's Yacht-Master II Chronograph is the first regatta chronograph where the duration of the countdown can be programmed. This is because there is no standardization of countdown for boat races around the world.
Fact Number 10
If the countdown on the Yacht-Master II is started late, pushing the reset pusher will cause the minute countdown hand to leap to the nearest minute before. If the countdown is started early, the minute countdown hand will be repositioned to the minute after. This function allows boat captains to instantly synchronized their watches with the race's official countdown.
Fact Number 11
ROLEX's Everose rose gold is the only rose gold that will maintain its color even after exposure to chlorinated water. The stability of its color comes from additional of platinum to its composition. Traditionally, rose gold comprises of 75% gold, 21% copper and 4% zinc. But when exposed to pool water or even some tap water, chlorine ions dissolve the copper atoms, leaving only gold on the surface. ROLEX's Everose consists of 76% gold, 22% copper and 2% platinum. The platinum stabilizes the copper atoms, preventing chlorine from affecting them.
Fact Number 12
ROLEX watches feature the only widely industrialized movements where date can be adjusted regardless of the position of the watch's hour hands. In almost all other watches, when the hands are between 9am to 3am, adjusting the date can result in serious damage to the watch. Not so for a ROLEX - a further example of ROLEX's dedication to useful innovation.
. unless i work as a lifestyle reporter or smething then may be got chance la..
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