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International Conference on Chronometry - September 2013

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July 2013


The very essence of a watch is to provide one or more pieces of information on the wrist that are generally associated with the passage of time. Providing this information in a legible way within the limited confines of a wristwatch can present a challenge. Subtle mechanisms have been designed to produce this information and it is not easy to adjust and correct these in a practical and elegant way. The theme of this year’s congress will be the fundamental aspects of function, ergonomics and display.

The speakers will cover topics ranging from new or reinterpreted functions to innovative displays and original mechanisms. The congress will also consider what measures are required to develop these precious products, both in terms of quality control and working methods. Some of the lectures will address the opportunities that academia can offer to micro technology and watchmaking.

Two guest lectures will broaden our perspective. The first will present CERN and the universe of particles, while the second will examine the role played by women in the world of watchmaking.

This event will also be an occasion to attend the awards ceremony of the 4th SSC Competition of Setting that is addressed to all watchmaking apprentices of Swiss schools. This competition gives, every year, the opportunity to approximately 90 participants to measure themselves against the ISO 3159 standard, under the impartial inspection of COSC. The name of the three laureates will be revealed during the Congress.

This time, one the guests of the Congress is not part of the watchmaking world : Yann Lambiel will be present on stage to brighten up the end of the first day of conferences.

International Conference on Chronometry Watch and movement functions – Ergonomics, functionality and display

25 - 26 september 2013

Auditorium Stravinski, Montreux

Program on 25 september

  • 9h25-10h10 CERN – Universe of Particles, History, Mysteries and Challenges, Bernard Pellequer, CERN
  • 10h10-10h35 Instantaneous perpetual calendar with indications in apertures : from reality to virtual, Ludovic Punzi, David Chabloz, Patek Philippe SA
  • 11h10-11h35 Master Grande Tradition Grande Complication - Caliber 945, Sandra Koelemeijer Chollet, Jean-Claude Meylan, Jaeger-LeCoultre
  • 11h35-12h00 Instant-Lab: EPFL’s new research laboratory in micromechanical and horological design, Simon Henein, EPFL
  • 14h00-14h25 Ideal winding rotor ; QED – A semi-empirical theory of cyclotest winding speed, Olivier Laesser, Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier SA
  • 14h25-14h50 The development of SPRING DRIVE Minute Repeater, Masatoshi Moteki, Seiko Epson Corporation
  • 15h25-15h50 The sun, a place of choice on a dial, Jean-Pierre Horvath, Veni Vidi Vici
  • 15h50-16h25 How can CSEM support innovations in watchmaking, Mario El-Khoury, CSEM SA
  • 16h25-16h35 Conferring of the Gold Medal
  • 17h30-18h30 Yann Lambiel show
  • from 20h00 Gala evening at the Montreux Palace

Program on 26 september

  • 9h05-9h45 Female pioneers in watchmaking – know the past to understand the present, Stéphanie Lachat, Université de Genève
  • 9h45-10h10 GMT with rotating globe and terrestrial universal time, Stephen Forsey, Patrick Graells, Greubel Forsey SA
  • 10h10-10h35 Breitling Emergency II : First wristwatch with a dual frequency locator beacon, Laurent Coste, Enzo Fullin, Jean-Paul Girardin, Breitling SA
  • 11h10-11h35 GyroTracker, a new platform for characterizing the regulating organ of mechanical watches, Dominique Solignac, Christophe Yamahata, Cristian Ciressan, Jean-Philippe Robert, VeoSwiss Technologies Sàrl
  • 11h35-12h00 Functional analysis: a powerful tool for the design of watch products?, Jacques Jacot, EPFL
  • 14h00-14h25 Magnetism and watches, Ives Soldati, Johannes Mayr, Witschi Electronic SA
  • 14h25-14h50 Development of a solar GPS Watch, Katsuyuki Honda, Seiko Epson Corporation
  • 14h50-15h05 SSC Competition awards ceremony
  • 15h40-16h05 Initial calibration requirement for chronometric measurements, Emmanuel Baudet, Nicolas Roland, TAG Heuer SA
  • 16h05-16h30 Rolex Oyster Perpetual Sky-Dweller – New watch with annual calendar, second time zone and innovative setting system, Christian Fleury, Baptiste Schwob, Rolex SA

Source: Société Suisse de Chronométrie