Retrograde Watches: What They Do & How they Work

One of the more interesting complications in timekeeping is the retrograde. This video shows some different examples and an explanaiton of how they work.

[@Hardjoe888]

Love the sharing & the endeavour of the pursuit of knowledge! Well done Bill, love the DIY ‘learning tools’. Wonderful commitment. U take care. 😜

[@watchartsci]

Hey Ardi, thanks man! I get to have a lot of fun too. Take care, Bill

[@johnstyron6543]

Wonderful presentation (and group of watches I may add!!)! Thank you Bill!!

[@watchartsci]

Thanks John! Take care, Bill

[@johnallen8146]

Bravo Bill!! Thank you so much for taking the time to create such a clever model to illustrate how a retrograde works; much appreciated.😊

[@watchartsci]

You are very welcome John. Take care, Bill

[@GAlvarado]

Great explanation thank you very much!

[@manciclon]

Thank you for this lesson👏📽🔬⌚️

[@watchartsci]

You're quite welcome Bogdan! Take care, Bill

[@etebol]

👌Thank you!

[@watchartsci]

My pleasure Ed. Take care, Bill

[@steveh2027]

Wonderful illustration!

[@watchartsci]

Thanks Steve. Take care, Bill

[@Javi_C]

Always great learning more about watches Dr.! Thank you!

[@watchartsci]

My pleasure, Javi! Take care, Bill

[@harmanwadhwa]

Great Video, Thanks for sharing.

[@watchartsci]

Thanks Harman! Had lots of fun with the contraption too! Take care, Bill

[@williamrizzo1285]

Great explanation Bill, well done. 👏 The demonstration model worked perfectly. I might add that it would have been nice if you used a modern silicone band instead of the outdated rubber. 😅😂

[@watchartsci]

I would have William, but the silicon band was too brittle.😉 Take care, Bill

[@williamrizzo1285]

@@watchartsci well played 🙏

[@BWV478]

That was amazing, thanks!

[@watchartsci]

My pleasure, BWV! Take care, Bill

[@Lexcoaster]

That snail cam looks like the Fibonacci spiral. 😃

[@watchartsci]

It may well be, Lex. Those were my thoughts as well, but I wasn't sure. Take care, Bill

[@user-km1cf1gs8x]

The Mrs. asked me why the DR had two 6’s on the Hours Retrograde !?!?
Now …. I can’t stop seeing it .
But I could surely live with that one 😉
1st. Full Day of Summer with a Full Moon to boot 🌕
Enjoyed the working Model … 🐌

[@xpdchief7698]

Thanks for the video Bill. Your visuals are second to none. A very simple and effective demonstration. I have a Bulgari/Gerald Genta Octo Bi-Retrograde (minutes and date) and a Reservior Tiefenmesser (minute retrograde). I love them both, although the date retrograde on the Bulgari is a month long event if you want to watch it work.
Best regards, Brian

[@watchartsci]

Glad it was helpful, Brian! Elegance is always in simplicity ... and can be reproduced using popsicle sticks and cardboard! Take care, Bill.

[@kumarshashank5595]

I have a Jean Richard with retrograde seconds and absolutely love it! This was a great illustration of what goes on inside.
I did a slow motion video of the seconds hands once and the reset back to 0 was very “bouncy”. Does a retrograde mechanism require extra components (jewels, lubricants etc.) to prevent wear and tear?

[@watchartsci]

I would think so Kumar, but my Harry Winston Bi-Retrograde seems to be doing fine with its retrograde 30-second retrograde. Take care, Bill

[@Lexcoaster]

Didn't Kari Voutilainen invent a mechanism to ease the forces exerted on a retrograde? 🤔

[@watchartsci]

@@Lexcoaster He may have. You have a link on that? I couldn't find anything on that.

[@Yamayamauchiman]

I just had an idea for a retrograde. One that makes a full spin around every minute. So instead going from 60 to 1 retrograde, it goes along every number in 359° backward spins. So every hour you get 60 retrograde movements.
Maybe I'm just a goof.

[@watchartsci]

It's your idea; so it's your project Yamayamuchiman! Take care, Bill