Silicone Revolution: Silicone spring in watchmaking and beyond

Why are watchmakers switching to silicon springs?

Let's examine silicone and how the world's best watchmakers use it in their most innovative movements.

With all the electronic devices that surround us every day; It's no secret that with cell phones, tablets, monitors, televisions, airport security screenings and more, we are exposed to increasingly higher levels of EMF (electromagnetic frequencies). This is probably the worst thing to happen to mechanical watches as we know them since the Quartz crisis. Fortunately, luxury watchmakers are using a space-age material to combat these forces.

Saatçiler neden silikon zembere geçiyor?

Let's examine silicone and how the world's best watchmakers use it in their most innovative movements.

With all the electronic devices that surround us every day; It's no secret that with cell phones, tablets, monitors, televisions, airport security screenings and more, we are exposed to increasingly higher levels of EMF (electromagnetic frequencies). This is probably the worst thing to happen to mechanical watches as we know them since the Quartz crisis. Fortunately, luxury watchmakers are using a space-age material to combat these forces.

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A Revolutionary New Material

Silicon (also known as silicon) has found a new place in watchmaking and has gradually gained momentum over the last decade or so. This material has incredible resistance to impact and is insensitive to magnetic effects. Watchmakers see the value in incorporating this versatile material, which is lighter but harder than steel, into their engineering. It increases stability, performance, sensitivity and resistance to magnetic effects and thermal fluctuations. In addition, it can maintain its shape forever and never needs oiling.

The most common use of silicon in a watch mechanism is the mainspring. The whole formed by these two parts is called oscillator. The mainspring is one of the smallest parts in a watch, but it is also one of the most critical in maintaining the precision of the watch.

The oscillations in the mechanism depend on the mainspring to maintain its accuracy. The less the mainspring is affected by external factors such as shock and electromagnetic effects, the more sensitive the mechanism becomes.

Omega Si14 Mainspring

Mainsprings are traditionally composed of a variety of materials, and now, with the advent of the computer and advanced industrial technology, silicone mainsprings can be produced flawlessly computer-generated, just like Omega's Si14 mainsprings, which are three times thinner than a human hair. Click on the video to take a look at Omega's Si14 mainsprings.

Rolex Syloxi & Parachrom

Is Rolex Switching from Blue Parachrom to Syloxi Silicone-Based Mainsprings?

Rolex was late to the game when it came to using silicone in its movements, but has taken cautious steps towards using this material with its new Syloxi mainsprings. Blue Parachrom, or as they call it Parachrom Bleu, is a patented, paramagnetic and shock-resistant mainspring that uses niobium-zirconium and oxygen alloys.

The main difference is not only in the material used in the production of the two different mainsprings, but also in the way the Syloxi mainsprings are attached to the balance shaft and balance bridge. In addition to having improved geometry of the mainspring itself, the new silicone-based Syloxi mainspring has a more flexible central area that does not require the use of adhesives to connect to the balance shaft. By bracing itself against the balance bridge, it remains perfectly level, which improves its alignment with the balance bridge. The less rocking of the mainspring during movement, the more energy can be retained within the oscillator.

The silicone Syloxi mainspring is a newer, more restrained innovation for Rolex and is produced entirely in-house. It has only ever been introduced in one line of women's watches. This seemed like a safe bet for a brand like Rolex to try new technology in a way that wouldn't require updating all of its calibers and watches. This is probably an indication that they are trying to comparatively test two different mainspring types to see which one will be the way of the future for Rolex.

Patek Philippe Oscillomax

Patek Philippe Silinvar

The inventor of the wristwatch introduced the use of silicon in balance wheels and mainsprings in 2006. They collaborated with Rolex and Swatch Group (Omega, Breguet) to develop silicone mainsprings. The results were Silinvar® and oxidized Silinvar®, giving rise to silicone-based components such as the Pulsomax escapement, GyromaxSi balance and Spiromax mainspring. With the exception of a few high-complication watches, Patek Philippe will replace all its mainsprings with new silicone Silinvar® mainsprings. This trio was called Oscillomax. Every time you see this on a Patek Philippe watch, you know you are fully equipped with the latest and best silicone components. For now, advanced research departments are exploring more and more ways to exploit the advantages of silicon. Click on the video to watch Patek Philippe's Oscillomax in action.

Ulysse Nardin Silicone Flying Anchor Escape

Ulysse Nardin Flying Silicone Anchor Escapement

Ulysse Nardin was the first watchmaker to use silicon springs in his watches. The 2001 Edition of their iconic watch, the Ulysse Nardin Freak, was the first watch to use this new revolutionary material in the escapement wheel. Click on the video to see how Ulysse Nardin uses silicone.

Girard-Perregaux Constant Escapement

Girard-Perregaux Constant Escapement