The pursuit of constant force in a mechanical movement is as old as watchmaking, with many old solutions like the chain and fusee having been turned into new expressions of artisanal skill. But at the cutting edge true constant force escapements have emerged thanks to new materials.
Slowly but surely, mechanical timepieces have seen their power reserves lengthen, especially in the last decade. Once considered a special feature but now increasingly common, longer autonomy is a simple but exceptionally convenient feature.
Vacheron Constantin introduced its long anticipated in-house chronograph movement at SIHH 2015, inside the the Harmony Chronograph Cal. 3300, a limited edition to mark the brand's 260th anniversary.
Introduced for the first time in rose gold at Baselworld 2015, the Patek Philippe Ref. 5270R is another addition to the firm's lineage of perpetual calendar-chronographs.
Just introduced at Baselworld 2015, the Breguet Tradition Chronographe Indépendant 7077 is equipped with movement that features a novel and genuinely interesting construction, including a chronograph that essentially powers itself.