Technical Description of The Springfield 153 Watch
Britney Reyes
March 25, 2019
English 21007 Section D2
Spring 2019
Mr. Collins
Table of Contents
Pages
Introduction
Discuss Innovator 2
Relevant History 2
History behind the The Springfield 153 Watch 2-3
Body Paragraphs
Mechanical and Quartz Watches
What is a mechanical watch
What is the differences between a mechanical watch and a quartz watch
Manual and Automatic Watches 3-4
What is a manual watch
What is an automatic watch
The difference and similarities between a manual watch and an automatic watch
Watch Components 4-5
Crown
Lugs
Case
Dial
Crystal
Hands
Sub-Seconds Dial or Small Seconds
Strap
Movement
Movement Components 5-6
Balance Wheel
Pallet Fork
Escape Wheel
Gear Train
Jewels/Jewel Settings
Regulator
Balance Bridge or Balance Cock
Bridges
Barrel/Mainspring
Winding Wheel
Conclusion
Works Cited
Introduction
Watches are a small device, worn around a person’s wrist, and its purpose is to to tell the time of the day. The inventor of a portable watch that can be worn is known as the father of modern clocks is Peter Henlein. Peter Henlein was a very well known German locksmith. He was able to create a small spring for the clock instead of using weights (“Peter Henlein- The First Watches”). Henlein’s first clock was made in 1510. Henlein’s designs are the foundation of modern watches. Henlein’s portable watches were oval shaped (“Peter Henlein”).
There are different types of watches which all have a different amount of value. There are both mechanical or quartz watches. There is also automatic or manual watches.Taking track of time has been important throughout history. Knowing the time goes back to knowing when to take out the crop. Today, taking track of time has to do more with getting to places on time. Watches date back to the 1570s but were first worn in 1813 by the Queen of Naples. Watches at that time were more popular for women but later became popular for the men in the military. During World War I, men had to carry lots of equipment while keeping track of time. Telling the time has always been a significant part of life throughout history and today (“History of Watches | Development of Wristwatches”). Watches are a significant piece of technology that makes people’s lives easier.
The history behind the Springfield 153 which has original movements and vintage hands has to do with being an American made wristwatch. The name behind what the wristwatch is called comes from where the company is located. Many watches were sold and eventually the company was bought by Hamilton in 1927. Hamilton continued making more watches under the sme Illinois name. The same name was kept although the category is no longer there (“The Springfield 153 (46mm)”).
The image is taken from vorticwatches.com
Mechanical and Quartz Watches
Two basic types of watches are mechanical or quartz. The Springfield 153 watch is a mechanical watch which are costly and are commonly passed down through generations. Mechanical watches are wound and it’s what causes the movement between the gears, hence, its lack of batteries. Escapement occurs when the energy is going out slowly so that the hands turn. Mechanical and quartz watches have their differences and similarities. A mechanical watch movement is caused by all the pieces within it. Unlike the quartz watch which has a small battery which is powers it. The motion between the mechanical and quartz watch are different. The mechanical watch second hand continues to move but the quartz second hand moves once every second (“Watch Movements | Differences Between Mechanical & Quartz”).
Manual and Automatic Watches
The Springfield 153 watch is a manual watch. A manual watch is where the crown has to be moved in order for the watch to have its movements within it. The energy caused as a result to the movement of the crown causes for all of the gears to move and so the watch would be telling time. Depending on watch the winding can go from the movement occurring for one day to five days or more. For the Springfield 153 watch it lasts for 36 hours. However, there are also automatic watches which don’t have to be wounded to cause the movement (Wolfe). The way that an automatic works has a difference which consists of the component called a rotor. The rotor is what causes for the movement in the watch to occur making it rotate. Depending on whether watch is used daily or once in a while winding does have to occur. Most times as long as it’s used a lot no winding is necessary (“Watch Movements | Differences Between Mechanical & Quartz”).
The images shows the watch components and are taken from vorticwatches.com
Watch Components
There are nine main components within making a mechanical watch: the crown, the lugs, the case, the dial, the crystal, the hands, the sub-section dial or small seconds, the strap, and the movement (Wolfe).
A)The Crown- The crown is the small knob that is on top of the 3 O’clock part of the watch. The crown is what winds the watch.
B)The Lugs- The lugs is what holds both of the straps that goes around the wrist.
C)The Case- The case is a ring which holds the glass or crystal in place.
D)The Dial- The dial is the piece of the watch which consists of numbers to which the hands point to.
E)The Crystal- The glass which lets you see the time inside.
F)The Hands- The hands are what point to the numbers so that you can tell the time.
G)The Sub-Section Dial or Small Hands- The sub-section dial lets you know how many seconds passed and it’s on top of the 6 O’clock part of the watch.
H)The Strap- The strap is what goes around your wrist.
The Movement- The movement is what allows the mechanisms to work so the hands constant move to tell the time (Wolfe). More explanation of the movement is in the next section.
The image shows the movement components of a watch and is taken from vorticwatches.com
Movement Components
The movement components are the pieces within the watch which allow for the watch to have power. There are ten main pieces within the movement components: the balance wheel, the pallet fork, the escape wheel, the gear train, the jewels, the regulator, the balance bridge, the bridges, the barrel and mainspring, and the winding wheel (Wolfe).
A)Balance Wheel- The balance wheel is a piece which is balanced, rotates, and is on top of a spring.
B)Pallet Fork- The pallet fork is a small piece that at a point turns back and forth constantly, it flicks the jewel on the balance wheel, and connects to the gear train and the balance wheel.
C)Escape Wheel- The escape wheel is the last part of the gear train in which after the pallet fork moves it rotates one time.
D)Gear Train- The gear train is what connects the barrel to the escapement which has to do with the hour.
E)Jewels- The jewels is what the gears spin around.
F)Regulator- The regulator is on top of the the balance bridge and is part of where to make changes of the time. It is also attached to the spring.
G)Balance Bridge – The balance bridge is what holds the jewels piece and the balance wheel.
H)Bridges- The bridges has pieces which looks over the main plate.
I)Barrel and Mainspring – The barrel is what holds the mainspring which is connected to the gear and is what has the power.
J)Winding Wheel- The winding wheel is the part that connects to the mainspring and moves when wound (Wolfe).
Conclusion
In conclusion, telling the time dates back to ancient times. Watches were worn more by women and later man wore in during the wars. The inventor of a portable watch that can be worn is known as the father of modern clocks is Peter Henlein. There are both mechanical or quartz watches. There is also automatic or manual watches. There are many components that go within understanding a watch such as the differences between an mechanical and a quartz watch. Also, knowing the difference between automatic and manual watch and understanding the movement and the basic components with a watch. The Springfield 153 watch is both a mechanical and manual watch. It is American made and is known for using vintage piece to make the watch.
Works Cited
Henlein.”, “Peter. “Peter Henlein.” The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th Ed, Encyclopedia.com,
2019,www.encyclopedia.com/science/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/pete
R-henlein.
“History of Watches | Development of Wristwatches.” Govberg Jewelers, Govberg Jewelers, 25
Feb. 2016, www.govbergwatches.com/blog/history-of-horology/.
“Peter Henlein – The First Watches.” History of Clock – Early Mechanical Clocks,
www.historyofwatch.com/clock-inventors/peter-henlein/.
“The Springfield 153 (46mm).” Vortic Watch Co,
vorticwatches.com/collections/watches/products/the-springfield-153-46mm
“Watch Movements | Differences Between Mechanical & Quartz.” Wixon Jewelers,
www.wixonjewelers.com/education/swiss-watches/watch-movements/.
Wolfe, Tyler. “EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WATCHES.”
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