Blog | Techné Instruments

What is so special about this new calibre?

monday 02 january 2012 at 11h14

Categories : Novelties

We are very enthusiastic about this new calibre VK63 because it uses a novelty energy-efficient construction not seen for the last 15 years.

In 1983, Seiko released the first analog quartz chronograph, which became a collector's item. The Swiss went to the drawing board and. Makers ETA, Ronda and ISA all focused on affordable versions, but leCoultre and Frédéric Piguet developed expensive state-of-the-art hybrid mechanical chronographs with twin quartz tuning forks and step-motors.

Dubbed "mecaquartz" the expensive leCoultre 630 and Piguet 1270 lost the interest of the industry as mechanical watches came back in fashion.

However, Seiko Instruments decided to develop and produce an energy-efficient mechanism using the same principles. The engineers limited to 2 the amount of 4 or 5 step motors usually found in chronographs, and allowed to use the pressure of the finger for reset. Showing 1/5th of a second, this
“stopwatch on a diet” runs one year longer than similar products, which means 1/3 less battery change.

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