The creation of a single movement is a symphony of precision. Watchmakers, often working with tools and techniques honed over generations, assemble hundreds of tiny components, some no thicker than a human hair. They must ensure that the mainspring delivers energy consistently, that the gear train transmits this power efficiently, and that the balance wheel—the heart of the watch—oscillates at a perfectly stable frequency, often 28,800 vibrations per hour. This "tick-tock" is the pulse of the watch, a mesmerizing dance of physics that turns the abstract concept of time into a measurable, mechanical reality.
High-end manufactures distinguish themselves through the finishing of these movements, a practice known as établissage and finissage. Bridges and plates are adorned with Côtes de Genève, a wave-like pattern that catches the light. Screw heads are polished to a mirror shine. Beveled edges are hand-chamfered to a perfect 45-degree angle.
