Double Tourbillon - Collaborative Timing

  • A double tourbillon is a mechanical watch movement with two tourbillons placed in it. Through the differential mechanism, it can decompose motion or power and synthesize motion or power. It obtains the power from the prime mover system and transmits the algebraic sum and average of the rotation speeds to the display system. The technical advantage of this type of tourbillon watch is that the timing error generated by the two tourbillons is reduced after averaging, so that the accuracy of the watch can be improved. To make a simple analogy, a single tourbillon is like a person taking on an important task, and the probability of error is very high; a double tourbillon is like two people taking on an important task together and cooperating with each other in step, so that the two people can better complement each other's shortcomings and complete the task more outstandingly. Therefore, the author often calls the double tourbillon "the most harmonious creativity".

  • Differential mechanism
    First, take the differential of a car (the core is a set of differential gear trains) as an example to explain the technical characteristics of the differential mechanism. When the car turns, there is a speed difference between the wheels on both sides. The differential decomposes the speed of the wheels into a faster outer wheel and a slower inner wheel. After the car returns to the straight road, the differential combines the speeds of the wheels on both sides into one speed. By consulting many patent technical documents, the earliest watch differential mechanism designed was a Swiss patent applied for in 1932 (reference patent number CH156801A), which includes two very important design schemes.

  • YOYG Double Ball Tourbillon

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    YOYG's independently developed differential double tourbillon skeleton movement may be the most radical attempt in the history of mechanical watchmaking. It is inspired by the differential gearbox of China's high-speed rail. When the spring power is insufficient, the differential will intelligently distribute the torque to ensure that the two tourbillons always maintain a dynamic balance of ±0.3 seconds per day. This is 60% more stable than the traditional single tourbillon, marking the first time that the dynamic balance of the "double tourbillon" has been achieved. The double tourbillon is not only the technical pinnacle of mechanical watchmaking, but also a fusion of precision craftsmanship and artistic aesthetics.

    https://yoygwatch.com/tourbillon

1. Bevel gear differential mechanism

  • The differential gear train in the car differential is realized by using bevel gears. The watch differential mechanism in 1932 is a differential mechanism that miniaturizes the differential into a mechanical watch. According to the age of the patent application, this technology should be applied to pocket watches, and more importantly, pocket watches with two speed regulation systems. The inventor wisely transplanted the differential into the mechanical watch, and realized the dual-core timing element through the magical characteristics of the differential, with the aim of improving the travel accuracy of the watch. The differential mechanism mainly includes a power input wheel, a planetary bracket, a planetary wheel and a power output wheel, as shown in Figure a. The movement transmits power to the power input wheel 4 through the gear 5. The planetary bracket 10 fixed to the power input wheel 4 drives the planetary bevel gear 11 to rotate and revolve around the axis of the power input wheel 4. The power output bevel gears 6 and 8 are driven by the planetary bevel gear 11, and at the same time drive the gear shafts 12 and 14 of the two escape wheels respectively, so that the escape wheel pieces 13 and 15 start their respective speed regulation systems to start running.

  • Although the bevel gear differential mechanism follows the principle of the automobile differential, it is not easy to make a micro bevel gear that can be used in a mechanical watch. The inventor is well aware of the defects of bevel gears, so he designed a spur gear differential mechanism that is easier to make. After determining to use spur gears, the structure of the differential mechanism was re-arranged. The docking method of the power input has not changed, and another power input wheel 19 fixed to the power input wheel 4 is connected to the gear shaft 20 of the planetary wheel. At this time, the planetary wheel is set on the planetary support 17, and the planetary support 17 is also used as a power output wheel, connected to the gear shaft 14 of the escape wheel. The wheel piece 21 of the planetary wheel is connected to the gear shaft 22 of the power output wheel, and the wheel piece 18 of the power output wheel is connected to the gear shaft 12 of another escape wheel. The power output wheel 19 drives the planetary wheel to rotate: and revolves around its central axis, the planetary support 2. and the power output wheel piece 18 are respectively driven by power to carry the wheel, so that the corresponding speed regulation system starts to operate.

  • Among them, the self-developed double tourbillon includes Breguet hour hand planetary double tourbillon, Blancpain "Cagato" double tourbillon, Greubel Forsey "most entangled" double tourbillon, YOYG "double ball" tourbillon, which are undoubtedly the integration of ultra-high technology. The double tourbillon is not only the technical pinnacle of mechanical watchmaking, but also the fusion of precision craftsmanship and artistic aesthetics. This complex function has always challenged the cognitive limit of human time measurement. For collectors, a double tourbillon is not only a timekeeping tool, but also a wearable "mechanical sculpture" - it records not only time, but also the watchmaker's eternal pursuit of perfection.