Removing The Hairspring With Vincent Calabrese
Вставка
- Опубліковано 8 лют 2025
- We had the pleasure to visit independent watchmaker Vincent Calabrese a few days ago in his workshop near Lausanne. As always it was a great pleasure to speak with him and hear him talk about his last patented project the Calasys.
Even if he could be retired having sold his company to Blancpain fifteen years ago, a sale which included several very interesting patents, he never stopped working and maybe the Swatch Group could once again be interested in his latest patent. We are still at the proof of concept stage, but the innovation we uncover in today’s video report could potentially be a serious competitor to Nivarox, the famous hairspring producer.
Yes, with more than sixty years of experience, in his opinion, the major weak point of a mechanical watch is the hairspring and he tried to figure out how to replace an almost 400 years old invention and he found a very interesting and efficient way to do it.
Contrary to some who would have tried to change the entire escapement he decided to keep the good old swiss lever escapement and isolated the hairspring with another mechanism called Calasys.
This system contains mainly three parts where only one unique part, a little pinion stays on the balance. All other components, mainly a rack and a double spring, are fixed independently near by the balance but not on the balance, thus having zero influence on the gravity of the balance-wheel.
He will soon start to work on his third prototype and we have the feeling that he is definitely heading in the right direction as his system is neutralizing many inconvenients of a traditional flat hairspring. The next big question is: will the Calasys be easier to produce than a hairspring?
Enjoy our video and Viva Watchmaking!
Marc André & Team
Visit our website: www.watchestv....
Support us on Patreon for extra interactions and goodies: / thewatchestv
Dear Marc-André,
Thanks so much for this wonderful video report ! This is a more than an super birthday gift ! Vincent Calabrese
Many many thanks and a splendid birthday to you!!!! Always a pleasure to share such fantastic stories
I learned a lot from this video and enjoyed every second of it. It’s incredibly exciting to see evidence that there is still so much to explore and discover in watchmaking, especially those parts that may seem to already have been “figured out” and are “done.” It really *is* never “done”; there is always more. Thanks, you two, and Happy Birthday, Vincent!
@@vincent67239
Thank you Vincent Yu for your comment. I am deeply touched. I would like to take this opportunity to reply to all the other followers to thank them for their very nice appreciations of my work. I hope my story will encourage you, all of you, to live yours to the fullest. Full happiness is to be happy with one's own life, provided that it also brings happiness to others.
Happy Birthday Mr Calabrese. Realljy appreciate your work.
Thank You Marc Andre for your work 💪👍
Happy Birthday Monsieur Calabrase! Bravo! Genius!
Probably the most interesting watch maker I've seen
And different for sure!!!!
So simple yet so effective. Why way this not thought of before is incredible. Solves so many issues of the balance spring, being it even potentially cheaper to manufacture and easier to service and replace. Just amazing that a 79 old watchmaker, who as you said "never stops", came up with such a disruptive and innovative idea. Hope this will be brought to manufacture soon. Really hope so!
Indeed, simple and smart! And we also hope for the best for this really interesting development. Thanks for sharing your comment
Thank you! That was such an amazing interview, Vincent is hilarious. That was so real, so inspiring, and so authentic, this is what I wish was more represented in the watch "industry". 👍
Authentic and disruptive!
80 years old. Looking like 55. Full of passion for life and watches. Oh mon Dieu. How inspiring. Thank you Watches TV! 😊
Absolutely brilliant. I've never been so impressed by any watchmaker. A true genius.
That’s very nice of you, thanks for posting
Wise, those who tamed time. Even Mr Calabrese's narration is like a rotation of a mesmerizing tourbillon
Quite a character for sure 👍👍
The co-axial escapement, Spring Drive, Flexous one-piece oscillator, and now this! What a time to be alive. It’s looking like a boom in watchmaking innovation is beginning again!
Yes, still so much going on, it’s fantastic and inspiring
A 79 years old watch maker just proved Passion makes Creation, thanks a lot for this wonderful interview and sharing.
You are most welcome and you are especially totally right; passion is definitely the best fuel possible ;)
Wow thanks Marc for this video. It makes me very happy to hear about Vincent's latest work and his very interesting life story. He's one of my favorite watchmakers and it's an honor to own one of his pieces, the Analogica.
Excellent, super happy for you and thanks a lot for your comment!!! All the very best
Never would have guessed the guy is 79! Watchmaking must keep you young.
So it seems, well for sure passion helps ;) Best to you
Thanks for this video! You are a true inspiration Vincent. As Italians, we are proud of you.
That’s super nice to hear 👍👍
Mon ami, c’est incroyable cette innovation que Vincent Calabrese a inventé !!!
Par contre je suis triste pour lui que l’industrie de la montre et Blancpain (hayek) n’ont pas utilisé tous ses brevets qui doivent être innovant
Car ce monsieur est à l’image de P.Dufour…. Seul dans son atelier jusqu’à la mort.
Le monde est peuplé d’âmes passionné et il faut les respecter
Merci Marc
Comme toujours une vidéo extra et une petite trouvaille merveilleuse en prime
😘😘😘
Très content que ca t’ait plu 👍👍👍 mille mercis amigo et à bientôt j’espère
Thanks Marc, I love when your videos take us into the making of the watches and specially when it contains big innovations such a this. Thanks for letting us be part of the watchmaking progress.
Always an immense pleasure being able to share these kind of stories with you, thanks
What a Wonderful Video Marc.
Calabrese is a living Legend., thanks for putting together his wonderful story and new updates.
You are most welcome and very happy that you enjoyed.
The guy is a living legend, thank you for sharing this man’s stunning work of art he has created through the years.
Most welcome and very happy you liked it 👍
When you replied on the last video, you should told me great ones are on the way, not "good" ones, as this this report prove it, this development is why I love horology, people that just keep moving forward and keep making watches exciting for us.Cheers Marc love the video 'Ω' .
Thanks so much, i really appreciate your comment, very happy to have satisfied you with this one 👍🙏
Tanti auguri Signor Calabrese!
Man! What a video! His utter contempt for the balance wheel though 😂👌🏼 that is the Italian fire of revolution this time creating something incredible! I hope the world will recognise his innovation for it really has me dropping my jaw apart from being stunned by his utter bluntness. I don't know why but in some light in his workshop with the watchmaker's magnifying lense monocle he looked a bit like Robert De Niro. Just wow. Thank you for this interview Marc-André 🙏🏼 I now have much greater appreciation for the master artisan V.C. is!
Super nice to read this comment and you're right about the De Niro thing ;) there's really something!!
Loved this one, Marc. What an amazing man. Thank you, as always, for shining a light on the incredible work of independent watchmakers all over the world.
Vincent Calabrese is about to change the watch game forever. The man is an absolute genius. I applaud his immense talent.
Thanks for this very respectful comment 👍
May God bless all the wonderful watchmakers in the world!
Very nicely said 🙏
Happy Birthday, Vincent!!!! Thanks, Marc for this great video. Don't forget that there are more stories of great but undervalued watchmakers.
😉😉 don’t worry and count on us 👍
Looking forward to seeing this implemented in a watch. I hope it´s going to work!
Well the proof of concept is there, but can it be mass produced… we’ll see! Thanks my friend
Merci M. Calabrese et bon anniversaire. Puissiez vous partager votre passion pendant encore de longues années!
C’est très gentil à vous, merci pour votre commentaire
Equally amazing to me is that the escape wheel and pallet are still incorporated, a design literally hundreds of years old , is still the mainstream of mechanical watch components. What a nod to history!
Vincent is one amazing guy. That hairspring is an annoyance and it’s great news that someone is choosing to upset the industry again. Revolution can be a good thing, yes? Viva Mr Calbrese and Viva la watchmaking. Thank you March and please keep us updated with this new development.🙏
We sure will, we love innovation especially when it’s smart, thanks
With evolution comes revolution. Vincent Calabrese is one ☝️ of the geniuses of mechanical ⚙️ watchmaking. An inspiration & role model for every horological enthusiast & new generation of watchmakers
That’s really nicely said, thanks a lot
Thanks Marc Andrea. Really great video with a very interesting venturous watchmaker. Getting rid of the hairspring would solve a lot of problems considering how fragile the hairspring is. He looks great at 79. Appears that watchmaking is better for longevity than running along the Genève Lake.
It indeed seems that it preserves pretty nicely ;) thanks a lot for the comment
We like to think of manufactures like Blancpain as places that bring us great design and watchmaking. Unfortunately watch manufactures are not only places where great watchmaking comes to fruition, but also places where new ideas go to die. Hoping that some of those shelved patents will one day see the light of day. Fantastic interview, thank you.
Many thanks for sharing your view 👍👍
Didn't know he was responsible for so much beyond the Golden Bridge. Fantastic video as always, thanks!
You’re very welcome
What an inspiration. Thank you for once again informing us about the wonders of human creativity in such a measured and interesting manner. Thank you
Very nice of you, we’re very thankful
Thank you Marc and team for this outstanding video. What an amazing talent and strong character Vincent is. Happy birthday Mr Calabrese.
Thanks, that was very nice of you
Man this video is pure quality, in this video a truelly and passionate person is revealed. Great channel and viva watch making! Cheers
Thanks and really happy you liked it 🙏🙏
Great stuff. Have to appreciate these incredible creatives and their work
Totally get you 👍
Great video AGAIN! 👍👍👍👍👍You can tell this is one of those genius ideas because it almost seems obvious now that someone has done it. Lovely!
Absolutely, kind of these eureka moments
An inspirational and exciting story! Thanks so much for sharing this!
Most welcome and very happy you enjoyed it
grazie Marc.... bellissima recensione di un nostro caro connazionale.
Era un piacere da fare, grazie a lei 🙏🙏
this is incredible. Vincent is a genius and I would love to own one of this pieces in the future.
What a genius! I had no idea his work was used by Breguet and Bell and Ross. Thanks for such an informative and entertaining video 👍
Glad you liked it, thanks so much for this and the best to you
@@watchestv-com than you! This channel's content is by far the best watch content in YT, without a doubt. Congratulations to all the team and keep it up 👍
Fantastic video - one of your best! I have read Calabrese's book, he is quite a character. Thank you so much for bringing Calabrese to the youtube audience. Please, if you have more footage - mage a longer cut - every word is worth it!
Very happy you enjoyed it, thanks so much
You summed it up really nicely, I can't wait to see this hit production watches. I'm actually a big fan of FCs new silicon thing, I know its a little heretical but I quite like the simplicity of it, this if it were in my budget, I'd like as well. Watchmaking for being several hundred years old is always innovating, I love that about it. Great interview.
Thank you, happy you like it! )
Looks very promising. Let’s hope he can persuade a major manufacturer to produce it. It took George Daniels decades to get to the point where Omega were on-board.
Very true, didn’t happen overnight. Thanks for your comment
Incredible ! thanks Marc-André
Most welcome and thanks
Interesting video, and watchmaker. Very cool idea and proof, hope it makes it to production.
Time will tell 🤞🤞🤞 but we also hope for soon
Brilliant watchmaker and video, thanks!
That’s nice to hear, thanks so much
Oh my goodness. Pure genius.
Thank you very much, for this great interview. I have been wanting to learn more about the Calasys. 👍👍
Happy to have brought it to you, thanks
Thank you for this! This was so eye opening! One of the most interesting videos you have ever done.
Thanks a lot, much appreciated
Incroyable histoire !! Bravo 👏🏻
Merci beaucoup
Great content, very much enjoyed, many thanks.
Always a pleasure and thanks a lot
Superbe entrevue. Merci!
Toujours un plaisir 🙏🙏
Thanks Marc Andre 👍.
Welcome, always a pleasure
Wonderfull video and many thanks for italian subtitle. Good night
I hope they are not too bad 😉
So much to learn wow magnificent!
Thanks, happy about this, we feel purposeful 👍✌️
Calabrese è un grande! Complimentiiiii
Totalmente vero 👍👍
Removing the hairspring? Mon deux! Preposterous! This can't be! I still have hair to pull out! 😉😄
This is amazing.
😂😂 quite something right!
I think that Mr. Calabrese has a great sense of humour!
He sure has 😉
Simply amazing.
Magnifique! Un vrai génie!
Hahaha, exactement et quelqu’un de très authentique
”Je n'aimais pas ce métier, j'en ai fait un art.” Quelle inspiration... j'adore.
L'invention est également fascinante. Et comme souvent pour les grandes inventions, on se demande pourquoi personne n'y a pensé plus tôt?
Je me demande quand même comment régler l'avance et le retard avec un tel système...
Merci beaucoup pour ce commentaire et votre question finale est très pertinente en effet.
peut etre en ajoutant un systeme pour contraindre plus ou moins les 2 ressorts? peut etre une sorte de fer à cheval qui viendrait serrer plus ou moins (pour rester symetrique)
Magnifique! Un génie!
Pure love!
Great 🙏🙏🙏
i was imagine Mr. Vincent meet Mr. Max MB&F to make Masterpiece of Beautiful Watch . . . . Viva Creative Watch Making.-
Could be interesting
fascinating.
👍👍 thanks
Splendid
Thank you
From the animation I see two very thin straight springs that are constantly bent and unbent at a critical point. Wouldn't that introduce metal fatigue on the miniscule areas where the springs meet the plate, ultimately snapping the springs? Hairspring is an imperfect solution, though the way it coils, it distributes the stress of bending across its entire length.
That's a good point but I think that using some of the compliant mechanics principles this could actually be part of the solution. Thanks for sharing your views on it
Hi Marc how are you doing? I was wondering if you can go in depth with a dial maker on how to produce high quality Lacquer dial and they show the process from a simple sheet of brass or silver to finished product? Thank you!
All right l, we hear you ;) 👍
@@watchestv-com thank you very much. simply there is no video made on this at all. seems like a secret that nobody wants to share. please help. thank you
Fantastic! A significantly simpler design. it would be interesting to know the long term effect of the rubbing between the 2 springs and the lever in between. Would this add wear and tear in the long term? I assume the contact points could be made of Ruby jewels.
This is a good point and we will do a little follow up on it soon
Viva innovation!!!
That’s right 👍👍👍
Bravo à ce génie !!
Merci pour vincent
WOW
👍🙏
I had no idea Robert De Niro was also a watchmaker. 😊
😂😂😂 so you like our scoop ;)
Lubrication? As I understand it George Daniels was motivated to reduce friction in the escapement because of the way loss of lubricant over time changed the timekeeping accuracy. Having a rack and pinion permanently engaged with the balance wheel seems to be the polar opposite of that philosophy. 😕
But there’s no lubrification needed here either, so you don’t have this issue
@@watchestv-com I'm missing something obviously. As the teeth of a rack and pinion gear engage and disengage there's a sliding action. Isn't there?
do you have any information on greubel forsey nano movement ?
They are still working on it and it seems we should hear things later this year…
@@watchestv-com as always , thank you so much for the reply
What a CHAD
👍👍
nice, but it definitely has more wear
We’ll see 😉 but so far so good
The integrated hairspring in the Zenith Defy Lab is superior to this
But it simply didn’t work 😉 as a concept, yes, as an industrial solution, no
Bad ass!
Haha, disruptive for sure
👍❤️
Thanks 🙏
😍😍😍
🙏🙏🙏
I'm gonna have to watch this a few times I'm still confused 🤔
79?!
Crazy right, still so much passion and energy!!!!
@@watchestv-com that and he looks about 25 years younger!
Voila qui je suis....
Love this ending 👍👍
Bad guy. A genius that knows it's a genius. Annoying. He reminds me of Beethoven. It is said that Beethoven once got up in the middle of one of his concerts and said: No, I don't play for such pigs. Then he just left. I admire people like him.
Thanks for sharing and the analogy 👍👍
Nice gimmick but very questionable.
The entire watchmaking relies on controlling and minimizinf the friction: "give me the perfect oil and I will produce the perfect watch".
Yet here we have an invention that generates a lot of friction and significant sliding surfaces at the interface between the spring and the spoke that drives the balance.
I could not stop smiling when he said: I finally made a prototype that can work in every position... obviosly, the gear that actuate the balance it is not compensated for gravity - the springs may work fine in flat position but as soon as you chang to another position one of them needs to work extra to compensate for gravity.
I think it is silly - perhaps 2022 materials science can patch and partially solve the issues but I can tell the concept is destined to fail.
But you don’t have oil on a hairspring, same as here and also no oil on the rack. But thanks a lot for sharing this very interesting comment 👍👍
@@watchestv-com thanks for ur reply but I think I was misunderstood.
My remark was referring to the sliding contact point of the twin springs - this is not only a contact under constant pressure but also a sliding one - the concept is poor and destined to fail
As an example, the entire point (and the reason why it is an improvement) of the Daniels coaxial escapement is to replace sliding contacts that require good lubrication and consume power in friction.
Dommage, voir énervant c'est en anglais . Heureusement les horloger garde leur langue
Mais c’est en français ;)
the hairspring is absurd and stupid ….
And there you go!!
The new non-hairspring regulator is amazing, but the MOST AMAZING part is Vincent Calabrese made a carousel watch just to piss all the experts off.
Then Blancpain takes it to another level by making a Tourbillon Carrousel watch (2322-3631-55b) to insult all the experts to open their eyes and look for the difference between tourbillon & carrousel.
Thanks for the comment and you’re absolutely right ;)