Zenith reveals ‘most precise mechanical watch ever made’ thanks to new oscillator
Oscillator is being marketed as a ‘major innovation in the watch industry since the 1675 invention of the balance and hairspring’
Zenith is rewriting the rules of the humble oscillator. The often-overlooked watch brand housed within the LVMH watch division is expected to create quite a reputation for itself with a brand-new oscillator made using a monolithic component of monocrystalline silicone. That’s a huge change from the 30-or-so components used for a regular oscillator.
It is being marketed by the brand as a “major innovation in the watch industry since the 1675 invention of the balance and hairspring principle by scientist Christiaan Huygens” which, at first glance, might appear to be marketing hype.
The technical specifications, revealed at Manufacture Zenith in Le Locle, tell a different story.
Here are a few details that were revealed on September 14:
• The oscillator is barely 0.5mm tick: sleek is its middle name.
• It has no sprung balance: the new oscillator forms a monolithic whole made of monocrystalline silicon, a material that is finer than human hair, and replaces the sprung balance.
• It doesn’t need oil: there’s no need for lubrication as there is no friction caused by the new oscillator. This saves owners having to bring their watches into the store for lubrication.
• It boasts 15 Hertz or 108,000 vibrations per hour: the frequency at which the oscillator beats. This is three times higher than the traditional, historical El Primero movement. It comes with an amplitude of +/- 6 degrees and a power reserve of almost 60 hours.