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De Bethune new patented silicon balance...... (press release)
Basel 2006
PREMIERE MONDIALE
As logic follow up to his patent of 2004 for the De Bethune balance-wheel, which has been created in an extremely light metal in the inner part and extremely heavy at the external one in order to obtain the best inertia/mass ratio, De Bethune has invented the first balance-wheel in the world made of silicium and platinum, integrating a bimetallic component in order to compensate the effects of variation of the balance-spring due to temperature.
His ?X? form and the elastic qualities of silicium are formed to receive a bimetallic blade acting into the balance-wheel in order to obtain the best possible compensation.
This project has been possible through the ?integration? of a group of researches at the highest level, mathematicians and physicians. The indepth knowledge of the horological ?savoir-faire? has been necessary to regulate and assemble the components. The pivoting system of the balance-wheel has been entirely remade with the application of a columns? system to be able to assemble the balance-wheel bridge on the same principle of the column block of a precision mould.
A double-schock absorber is keeping on place the titanium bridge of the system.
The silicium balance-spring is attached to the De Bethune plane terminal curve in order to allow isochronic oscillations.
These two components, the balance-wheel and the balance-spring in silicium are made by ?proton beam writing?, a proceeding executed in the total empty space at ? 273? Celsius inside a cyclotron.
De Bethune has blended, in these ?milestones of horology?, the modern technologies with the great tradition of watchmaking, opening the way to a new generation of mechanical movements which will be, in few months, very closed to the precision of the first quartz movements.
"X" Titanium/Platinum balance
"X" Titanium/Platinum balance
New silicon balance with bimetallic elements
Basel 2006
New Patents:
THE SILICIUM BALANCE-SPRING AND THE LIGHTEST SILICIUM BALANCE-WHEEL
IN THE WORLD
The research and development team of De Bethune, under the most experienced guidance of the ?watchmaker of genius?, Denis Flageollet has also developing new balance wheels and balance springs.
This work has been done following the fundamental principle of our brand: the unceasing research of better performances and reliability of mechanical conservation of time.
The greatest progress in contemporary mechanical horology consist in reducing the disadvantages of last decades, by simplifying conception and using new tech better suited to the watch making craft.
Since Breguet discovered that the ?terminal curve? was of capital importance for the quality of balance spring performance and the improvements made by Phillips and then by Guillaume, it seemed important to us to improve the oscillating systems through a scientific and technological approach.
Starting with significant reduction of the De Bethune oscillating spring balance of approx 20% using titanium in the central part of it, and increasing his inertia by outside weights made in platinum an ideal ratio inertia-mass was obtained.
While doing this we were already on our following step: the invention and the execution of the silicium balance wheel, it took to us two more years before being able to execute it in pure crystalline silicium (110 type wafer which has superior mechanical properties).
- The best technology today for producing them is the ?proton beam writing? (by protons accelerated by a cyclotron in total empty space at -273? C)
- Weight of our central element: 0,0043 grams
- We have now achieved the highest inertia-mass ratio for the balance wheel
The revolutionary De Bethune patented balance spring with terminal curve that allows his isochronic oscillations (equipping since 2004 our calibres) has been improved significantly by the adoption of the new silicium one.
Our IOS ( isocronic oscillating system) has been completed by ?triple parachute titanium bridge? absorbing the shocks of the ensemble.
