Independents

Curtis for David Lou
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More info for consideration....

Hi all,

A few bits of info to add to the murky waters...

The first bit is a LINK to an article I posted a couple of years ago written by Anthony Randall regarding Journe's Resonance. For a frame of reference regarding Anthony Randall - he majored in physics at university in England. He then took the BHI's correspondence course, followed by 18 months at the watchmaking school in La Chaux des Fonds (this all took place in the 1960's). He did some restoration work with George Daniels, taught watchmaking in England and then became an independent restorer and maker of precision timepieces. His specialty area is in precision timekeepers (although he is seemingly authoratively knowledgeable on all aspects of horology!).

Regarding the direction of oscillation of Journe's Resonance balances - From Journe's website, "When both balances are in motion, they reach a state of "sympathy" throught the effect of resonance and began to beat naturally in the opposite direction." And, that is how I remember seeing them, but my memory may be faulty.

Breguet's pocket "resonance" watches (two that are known) both had balances oscillating in opposite directions. He also separated the two balances with a thin steel shield to help remove air coupling from the equation and the apparent results were that resonance was in fact taking place, even with the balance shielded from eachother. He separated his pendulum clocks (two that are known) in a similar fashion, with similar results.

Janvier, Breguet, Journe, Daniels and Randall seem to share the same opinion that resonance is transmitted through the frame or plates, as it were. Granted, only Randall has "proper" physics training, but horological experience and practice shouldn't be undervalued. Regarding Breguet, Daniels writes, "He realised that the same phenomena must occur in a balance wheel system where the motion would be transmitted to the plate of the watch by the couple of the balance and spring at the limit of arc of vibration. If two systems were employed working in contra direction, then the movment of the plate would be equalised and cancelled. In the event of one system gaining or losing relative to the other the induced movement of the plate would act favourably to reduce the vibration." The Art of Breguet, George Daniels.

As far as I know, Journe has never vacuum tested his Resonance, but I do know that a "respected" manufacture of complicated movements vacuum tested Journe's Resonance to quench his own curiosity. He said that resonance did take place.

Anyway, the above will hopefully be helpful and if not, at least it is interesting bits of trivia!

Cheers,

Curtis

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