balance wheel.
Hi, Mike,
I don't know the exact context of the comments in the article, but just guessing, based upon your extracted comments and what I know AP is working on, the "new" AP escapement, based on the Robin escapement, is being tested in the cal. 3120.
In the Tradition of Excellence, Cabinet Piece No. 5, the escapement uses a dual hairspring design, ostensibly for two main reasons -
a) enough "power" to power the large balance for either extended power reserve periods (7, 10, more days) or to operate at very high beat rates (up to 44k, if I recall correctly)
b) to offset the natural effects of hairspring deformation on timekeeping - the two hairsprings are set 180 degrees opposed to each other, thereby offsetting exactly the deformations in the "breathing" of the hairspring. The need for exact spring characteristics is such that the two springs have to be cut from adjacent sections of the spring coil.
(again, all above from memory, and that has proven less than reliable in recent days)
The escapement has been in testing for over 7 years, and has proven extremely reliable, even under extreme conditions and with no external lubrication.
And even more impressively, the design, with modifications, look like it is suitable for series volume implementation. read: look for it in some future series produced calibres and references, more than the extremely limited Cabinet series.
Since you mentioned the cal. 3120, and the referenced article mentions the new escapement in the calibre, I guess it isn't a secret anymore that yes, the new escapement is being tested in the calibre 3120.
It will likely NOT be released in the calibre 3120 as it currently exists;
it will almost for sure NOT use the double hairspring design, for multiple reasons, not the least of which is a height clearance issue.
Hopefully this answers your questions, please feel free to ask if not (or the answer raises more questions than it answers.)
Cheers,
TM
information on the Cabinet #5 - click here
some more information on the new escapement - click here
ps: sweet watch!
