Precision Engineering and H. Moser & Cie Present their Paramagnetic Hairspring

Neuhausen am Rheinfall, November 22nd, 2016
In a world where everything goes faster, stronger, further, the constraints facing watches are increasingly high: resistance to shocks and magnetic fields, while ensuring accuracy and a power reserve. Together with sister company H. Moser & Cie., Precision Engineering AG rises to this challenge and launches a new alloy, PE5000. Shock resistant and paramagnetic, this material will be integrated for the first time in a very special edition, the Venturer Small Seconds XL, in a limited edition of 10 pieces. H. Moser Owners may acquire these watches and take part in a series of tests to confirm the chronometric performance of this escapement of the future.
An alloy of niobium and titanium, PE5000 has highly valuable characteristics for the regulating organs of mechanical watches. As a paramagnetic material, it is extremely resilient and has such remarkable elastic properties that a hairspring made from this alloy is not affected by impacts. This is an invaluable asset for the oscillator of a mechanical watch, constantly in motion and subject to significant constraints.

The alloy of niobium and titanium has a great affinity for oxygen, which results in the challenge of greater wear on tooling; however, the manufacturing processes overall are similar to those for producing traditional hairsprings, in all steps taken to shape the material. As a producer of regulating organs, Precision Engineering has the expertise needed for this new technology.
 
PE5000 represents a very interesting alternative to silicon, which is also non-magnetic and shock resistant, with the disadvantage of not allowing any adjustments. Niobium-titanium, in contrast, can be adjusted by the watchmaker to optimise the watch’s performance if necessary. Precision Engineering joins the few manufacturers capable of producing paramagnetic escapements, a major advantage in the Swiss watch industry. With a new label, synonymous with quality and precision: Precinergy.
 
The first client for Precision Engineering, H. Moser & Cie. has the premiere of their niobium-titanium hairsprings. The Manufacture also joined Precision Engineering in watch movement tests in a zero gravity environment to test the properties of PE5000. For the first series of watches with this paramagnetic hairspring, H. Moser & Cie. chose the Venturer Small Seconds XL. The bezel, refined and elegant, opens onto the convex dial, enhanced by the curved sapphire crystal. And to add to this unique series, a new dial is introduced just for this exclusive watch: a deep blue fumé. Blue, a colour synonymous with quality in traditional watchmaking, is also used in the balance bridge and balance wheel, thanks to a special finish that gives a depth to the escapement.
 

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS – VENTURER SMALL SECONDS XL PARAMAGNETIC
Reference 2327-0206, white gold model, blue fumé dial, midnight blue alligator strap
 
Case
18-carat white gold, three-part
Diameter: 43.0 mm, height: 12.6 mm
Curved sapphire crystal
See-through sapphire crystal case-back
Crown adorned with an “M”
 
Dial
Blue fumé with sunburst pattern
Applique indices and leaf-shaped hands
 
Movement
In-house hand-wound small seconds calibre HMC 327
Diameter: 32.0 mm or 14 ¼ lignes, height: 4.5 mm
Frequency: 18’000 vib/h
29 jewels
Power reserve: minimum 3 days
Hacking seconds
Moser teeth for all wheels and pinions
An original Precision Engineering Paramagnetic Hairspring® with a stabilised Breguet overcoil
 
Functions
Hour, minute and small seconds     
Power reserve indicator on movement side
 
Strap
Hand-stitched midnight-blue alligator leather
18-carat solid white gold pin buckle engraved with Moser logo