Lesson 1Typical operating frequencies (21,600–28,800–36,000 vph) and how frequency affects regulation, amplitude, and acceptable tolerancesLooks at common frequencies like 21,600, 28,800, and 36,000 vph, explaining how beat rate impacts amplitude, steadiness, wear, oil needs, and timing limits in top movements.
Beat rate, vph, and seconds per beatFrequency impact on amplitude stabilityHigh-beat wear and lubrication demandsTiming tolerances by frequency classChoosing regulation targets by use caseLesson 2Automatic winding systems: rotor types, reversing wheels, reduction gears, slipping clutch mechanisms and failure modes to inspectCovers automatic winding setups, rotor styles, reversers, gear reductions, and slip clutches, focusing on power flow, efficiency, noise, and common faults to check during teardown and tests.
Unidirectional vs. bidirectional rotor systemsReversing wheel designs and wear signaturesReduction gear trains and backlash controlSlipping bridle and mainspring protectionNoise, play, and rotor bearing diagnosticsLesson 3Power reserve design: single barrel vs. twin-barrel systems, typical reserves (40–72+ hours) and signs of barrel wearDiscusses power reserve setups in single or twin barrels, usual ranges, torque patterns, and how barrel wear, slip, and oil state affect amplitude, rate steadiness, and service timing.
Single vs. twin-barrel torque deliverySeries vs. parallel barrel configurationsPower reserve length and rate stabilityBarrel wall, arbor, and bridle wear signsTesting effective power reserve post-serviceLesson 4Materials and finishes: alloys, shock protection (Incabloc/KIF), hairspring materials (Nivarox, silicon) and how they influence service choicesLooks at movement materials and finishes, like bridges, plates, shock systems, and hairsprings such as Nivarox and silicon, and how they shape durability, anti-magnetism, and service plans.
Mainplate and bridge alloy characteristicsIncabloc, KIF, and other shock systemsNivarox vs. silicon hairspring behaviorDecorative finishes and cleaning limitsCorrosion, tarnish, and surface protectionLesson 5Escapement types and behavior in luxury movements: Swiss lever, free-sprung balances, silicon escapements, Co-Axial and other proprietary systemsCovers escapement types in luxury movements, like Swiss lever, free-sprung balances, silicon parts, and Co-Axial or special systems, stressing behaviour, oil needs, and regulation for service.
Geometry of the Swiss lever escapementFree-sprung balances vs. index regulatorsSilicon escape wheels and palletsCo-Axial escapement design and serviceBrand-specific proprietary escapement traitsLesson 6Identifying common high-end chronometer movement architectures and their implications for service decisionsReviews typical top chronometer movement designs, like three-quarter plate, full bridge, and modular setups, and how design affects access, stability, and service planning.
Three-quarter plate vs. open bridge layoutsAutomatic module and calendar stack designsIntegrated vs. modular chronograph layoutsService access and disassembly strategyStability, rigidity, and shock behaviorLesson 7Typical recommended service intervals for high-end automatic movements and factors that shorten intervals (wear, moisture, shock, lubrication breakdown)Explores service times for top automatics, how wear, damp, shocks, dirt, and old oil cut them short, and balancing maker advice with real use for maintenance planning.
Factory vs. real-world service interval guidelinesEffects of moisture, dust, and temperature swingsShock, magnetism, and daily wear impactLubricant aging, oxidation, and contaminationSymptoms indicating shortened service intervalLesson 8Chronometer certification criteria (COSC): testing procedures, acceptable daily rates and positional variance expectationsExplains COSC chronometer rules, test methods, temperature and position checks, daily rate limits, and spreads, guiding regulation goals and post-service checks.
COSC testing stages and measurement toolsRate limits and average daily deviationPositional variance and isochronism targetsTemperature influence in COSC testingInterpreting COSC data for regulationLesson 9Common wear points in high-end movements: barrel arbor, mainspring fatigue, pallet stones, escape wheel teeth and jewel wear patternsSpots common wear areas in top movements, like barrel arbors, mainsprings, pallet stones, escape wheels, and jewels, teaching how to recognise signs of misuse, bad oil, or dirt.
Barrel arbor and barrel wall wearMainspring fatigue and set diagnosisPallet stone wear and shellac issuesEscape wheel tooth and pivot damageJewel ovalization and track patterns
