In the watch function, flyback and retrograde are often put together, and the industry often uses "flyback/retrograde" to express this function directly.
But in fact, although flyback and retrograde look similar in function, their internal mechanical structure and working principle are completely different. Putting it together, it's just because the two are similar in shape but not in shape. Many people are often stupid and confused between the two, so I will give you a popular science today.
What is "Retrograde"?
"Retrograde" refers to a way in which the hands of a watch operate. It is different from the traditional circular hand. The hands of the "Retrograde" style go one way. When the indicator scale is full, the pointer will instantly return to the starting point , And then repeat the new process. To put it simply,
just walks once and does not turn in a circle. It is a time travel method that is different from the traditional circular movement of the pointer. After the pointer runs full, it will instantly jump back to the starting point in the reverse direction and restart a new round of travel time. The principle of
retrograde watch:
1. The vortex bounce cam and the return wheel lever control the retrograde minute hand or the second hand in the clockwise direction, while the return wheel lever advances clockwise in the counterclockwise direction. The retrograde second or minute hand on the dial moves towards the bottom of the sector scale.
2. Gear shedding after time is over. When the bounce cam travels to the apex of the vortex shape, and when the return wheel rod reaches the bottom of the gear, the volute bounce cam will fall off with the return wheel rod. At this time, the retrograde second or minute hand on the dial has reached the bottom end of the sector scale.
3. After the rebound of the retrograde action occurs, the hairspring next to the return wheel lever will exert a reaction force to instantly bounce the return wheel lever and the bounce cam back to the original position. At this time, the retrograde seconds or minute hands on the dial will return to the origin, and then the first step of mechanical operation will be performed.
But if you don't figure out what scientific terms such as "vortex bouncing cam" and "retractor lever" are, you will probably be confused when facing this passage for anyone. In short, about the principle of retrograde, it is enough to remember one point. In the retrograde watch, the most important thing is a bounce cam, which looks like a Roman hat when viewed sideways. It is because of its existence that the gods on the dial can instantly return to their positions. However, although the principle is easy to understand, it is not easy to implement it perfectly. Who invented
retrograde?
As early as 1794, Mr. Breguet, who has the title of "Father of Modern Watchmaking", produced pocket watches with retrograde calendar pointers. Retrograde pointers appeared as a display function. In 1892, E. Koehn designed a more complicated retrograde second hand and applied for a patent.
Since then, whether it is the hour, minute, second, calendar, date, and month, they all begin to appear in the form of retrograde hands. In the 1990s, various retrograde pointers began to appear on the dial. Independent watch master Paul Gerber began to make 60-second retrograde pointer watches. In addition to 60-second retrograde, there was 30-second retrograde, and even 30-second double retrograde. Two 30-second retrograde pointers jointly completed 1 minute. Operation. The performance of
retrograde on the dial
To see if a watch has retrograde function, the most obvious feature is the fan-shaped display area on the dial. If you see the scale of the fan, the arc is less than 180 degrees, typically at 120- Between 150 degrees, and the axis of the pointer is generally made on the edge of the dial, then it is very likely that the retrograde function is displayed on the dial. In addition to
, there are calendars, monthly calendars, hours, minutes, seconds, and moon phases, which are relatively rare retrogrades. Moon phases retrogrades are also relatively rare. What's even more powerful is to design multiple retrogrades in one movement. It is the double retrograde of the second hand.
What is "Flyback"?
Flyback, English Flyback, literally translated as "fly back". In fact, this is also a lifelike expression of the pointer.
is different from retrograde, the flyback function is dedicated to the description of a certain type of chronograph. Flyback chronograph means that by pressing the button, all chronograph hands will immediately return to zero and immediately start the next chronograph. If you still don’t understand it, it’s more intuitive to say: the user must reset the pointer to zero after stopping the timekeeping function, and then the next timekeeping operation can be performed again. And the flyback timing function can save thisFor these complicated steps, after the timing function is activated, just press the flyback button, all the timing hands will automatically return to zero and the next timing will start without interruption. The flyback/retrograde function of
always brings irresistible charm to those who love to play with watches. The momentary swing of the pointer seems to stimulate people's excitement and increase the sense of pleasure. For such "playthings", some are based on flyback/retrograde functions, and some appear as additional functions, and the prices are naturally high and low. Watch friends who are interested in
should choose what they can afford. After all, these functions can't really "turn back time", what they do is to let you experience the fun and fun the watch gives.
