In the final installment of the series, Kalle Slaap from Chronoglide in the Netherlands focuses on the relentless pursuit of accuracy through innovations like the fusee-and-chain, which ensures a constant power supply to the gear train. He explains the “rocket science” behind temperature-compensated balance wheels, showcasing John Harrison’s 18th-century invention of the bimetallic strip to counteract the thermal expansion of balance springs. Kalle also details the specialized detent escapement used in marine chronometers and Harrison’s early development of the roller bearing to minimize friction. The session concludes by demonstrating how these historical breakthroughs remain the foundation for high-precision timekeeping in both marine instruments and modern mechanical watches.
