Just a revolution - Zenith Defy Lab

[Delgetti]

Today Zenith introduced a completly new kind of escapement consisting of only two high tech silicium parts.

http://www.zenith-watches.com/campaign/defy-lab/index.html

Here are two additional links (sorry, main article in german language, but some good pics):

https://www.luxify.de/weltpremiere-zenith-defy-lab/

https://player.vimeo.com/video/233528319

I didn't really make up my mind right now about that thing. On the one hand it's fantastic brain work and unbelievable performance for a mechanical watch. On the other hand...well...I don't know how to put it. With all this high tech computer-developed material and manufacturing it feels a little bit cold, without emotion and craftsmanship. What do you think?

[Chopin]

Very interesting to be honest. I'm usually old school but as long as it's mechanic and not digital then it's fine in my book.

It sure does look weird and all but it also looks pretty fascinating. Zenith sure doesn't waste time...

[jdm]

There should be a patent about this, which would allow to understand it better. But I suspect the secretive Swiss do not allow online access or even search.

[Delgetti]

Now on hodinkee with an explanation of the function:

 

https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/zenith-defy-lab-oscillator-introducing

[Chopin]

The only thing that I don't like is the fact that the watch is skeleton and you can see that chaotic shaking all day long. It would mess with my eyes if I stared at it long enough...

[clockboy]

This could be a very interesting development for watch movement manufacturing. Zeneth suggests an accuracy of ± 0.5 seconds over 48 hours which is very impressive. However the issue I would have thought is the rate it runs. It has a staggering frequency of 108,000 vph. With this frequency will wear be an issue also how stable is it, can it take normal knocks & shocks watches do endure. I guess time will tell. 
 

[jdm]

51 minutes ago, Chopin said:

The only thing that I don't like is the fact that the watch is skeleton and you can see that chaotic shaking all day long. It would mess with my eyes if I stared at it long enough...

I don't like that either but if you look at the trend in contemporary Swiss haute horologerie most design are very bold and show off whatever they can invent in place of a dial. And I think this mov.t seen from the other side only shows wheels and not its main feature, so it was a kind of forced choice.

[ro63rto]

TheWatches.TV has a video out too

[Geo]

What an incredible piece of innovation!  

It's quite inspiring to think that there are people capable and willing to think laterally and not be constrained by old tradition.  I'm sure that if some of the great horologists from the past were able to witness this, they too would be mire than slightly impressed.

I love it!