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These are snap shots from my bench in Switzerland of the famous FP1185 column wheel sliding hammer tri-compax automatic chronograph. As you can tell I like to put up pictures of mechanical complicated movements that are not just popular or unique in execution, but ones I can share a bit of history about.
Frederic Piguet manufacture is a source for many watch company's to obtain the necessary complications and extreme luxury movements needed for there very high end pieces. This particular chronograph is not a module, but a complete column wheel chronograph. This chronograph design has been around for more than 20 years. It is reserved in it's highest finish (with solid gold oscillating weight) for some of the best of the best watches in the world. It also comes in split second versions that are in the $20,000-$80,000 range usually. For the money I can say from experience that the quality in the movement is on par with the best of the best. The unique part of this chronograph is its sliding hammers you can see on my desk, and that the heart cams on the minute and hours runners. They are of a special design the lets the wheels stay
engaged at all times even when the chronograph is not running at all. This amazing design is done through vertical clutch mechanisms. This wonderful and absolute perfect design can hold the heart cams, but not inflict amplitude of
the balance wheel drift through back lash. This means when you engage your chronograph to the start position you will see almost no jump of the seconds register upon engagement. Simply amazing. A smooth transition with no timing loss at all. This is because your chronograph is really running at all times. Don't try that with other tri compax chronographs please. You will need an overhaul quite fast.
This movement can be worn on my wrist any day of the week with great pride. Just ask any real watchmaker if he likes the 1185 and see what you get back at you. As you know by now I like to compare mechanical movements in these luxury timepieces to cars and car engines so everyone can relate in simplicity. I know most of the complex micro mechanics I explain is a foreign language to most, but if you are so inclined to know just a bit you will find it is incredibly addictive and fascinating.
Lets call this FP1185 tri compax a Porsche 911 carrera 4 with every bolt and part examined at Porsche racing team headquarters for durability and upgraded for a week long race through Africa's desert.
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