Leave it to a very ordinary watch to showcase some cool new technology. This is really interesting because most watch brands would just go nuts with a wildly designed watch and marketing to tell the world about even the slightest movement improvement. This is actually quite a cool thing from Eterna. You should also know that Eterna actually started the major watch movement maker ETA before it was later acquired by the Swatch Group.
Here, the new technology is placed in the demure Eterna men's Madison watch. The new technology is called the Eterna Spherodrive and is a new type of mainspring barrel. That is the part of the mechanical watch the holds the mainspring, which is where all the power comes from. The mainspring is wound manually or via an automatic rotor. As the spring unwinds in a regulated manner, the power it released is used to power a mechanical watch. Every true mechanical watch that is out there uses some manner of main spring. As you can imagine, a mainspring is the heart of a watch's ability to be accurate. Sure there are many other things affecting accuracy, but it starts with consistency in the mainspring. The Spherodrive is a new type of mainspring barrel and has some interesting improvements. Here are some words directly from Eterna that sum up in general what the Spherodrive seeks to improve:
This invention is as efficient as its concept is simple. It provides the mechanical watch’s core element – its energy reservoir – with a straightforward, lubricant- free and ultra-efficient method of mounting. This eliminates virtually all the drawbacks watchmakers have had to contend with for decades.
The bearing mounting is not only a technical innovation; it also significantly improves the quality of a mechanical watch. The bearing is virtually maintenance-free since it is not subject to friction, but instead exhibits a rolling motion that requires no lubrication. The watch’s extended service intervals and service life, reliability and long-term accuracy will clearly be of major interest to consumers – quite apart from the fact that they will be wearing what is currently the most cutting-edge technology on their wrists.
To accomplish the above, you've noticed that the Spherodrive uses special types of ball bearings (zirconium oxide) that require no lubricant, it further features two, not one row of ball bearings. Also the "arbor" which is the features that holds the main spring barrel in place is richly advanced in the Spherodrive to be more stable, strong, and a better frictionless connecting point for the main spring barrel. You can see the two diagrams from Eterna. One that shows the traditional type of mainspring barrel assembly, and one that features the how the Spherodrive works. Older mainspring barrels did not utilize ball bearings, but just oil and the arbor - the new system changes all that. Further, the new movement changes the style in which the winding stem is connected to the mainspring barrel, effectively removing the connection so that the two connect only when necessary.
The first movement to house the new technology is the Eterna in-house calibre 3505. It is a manually wound movement with 56 hours of power reserve. While the new calibre 3505 movement is simple, it is a starting point for what will be a base for future Eterna movements that will expand on the Spherodrive technology. Adding of course further complications and soon an automatic movement I am sure. There is a lot more to this tech than I am able to understand and properly explain, but I think you get the gist of it. A really nice piece of useful technology and improvement in mechanical watches that is simple and not expensive. The best part is that Eterna makes a nice window into movement where the mainspring with the Spherodrive technology peeks through the dial. Spherodrive watches will be available at select Eterna dealers starting in the Fall of 2009.
See Eterna watches on eBay here.
See Eterna watches on Amazon here.
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Is there any indication how the new ball-bearing system would affect the price? It is my understanding that the rubies are fairly cheap. I would think a precision-made ball bearing w/ 2 rows of ceramic balls would be significantly more expensive. Certainly, the lower cost of maintenance would benefit the ball-bearing arrangement in the long run.
Regardless of impact to cost, I am impressed with their new solution. It reminds me of the precision enabled by the bearings used in hard drives.
Hi Brian,
Thanks for the thoughtful comment on the mechanics. I am not sure about price. Of course it will be more, but how much is unclear. Eterna tends to offer a good value as it is targeted toward people who know watches, and thus know watch prices well. You’d be surprised at how much more industrialized such ceramic ball bearings are becoming – so that should keep prices from being too high.
This is a brand that doesn’t get the attention they deserve. Thanks for bringing it out to the forefront. I have an older Kontiki and I have to say it’s one of my best built watches.
Ariel –
What a cool movement, and interesting that it can come out of a smaller company. Is Eterna an independent company or owned by a conglomerate? Any ideas about how they could incorporate this into an automatic piece?
This reminds me of a lot of what Sinn has been working on, in terms of durability and low-maintainability. Any idea how this may compare to what Sinn has with their Diapal technology?
Thanks,
Noah
Hi Noah,
Eterna is their own company. They currently manufacture the Porsche Design watches as well. I don’t see any reason why this new Spherodrive tech would not be suitable for an automatic movement. Also true about being similar in conception to the Diapal tech, same type of motivation. Talk to you soon.
Hi Charles,
No problem, I like Eterna too. I hope that their recent re-entry into the US will fuel better marketing campaigns by them. Take care.