Watches with Simple Complications

When we think of ‘complications,’ in watches, we tend to think in terms of ‘grand complications’ such as chronographs, perpetual calendars and a mix of several complications. However, complications begin just one step beyond time-only watches mechanisms and sometimeseven as part of time-only. This video looks at ‘Simple Complications’ that may be in the watch you wear.

[johnnyarsenault]

Like so many other things in life: the smallest of complications once looked in dept are much more complicated than thought of!
The easiest is the moon phase: (if I recollect ) are based on a 28.5 days (gear ratio)!
Early chronograph used an ordinary watch with chronograph module on top(still very complicated) & these have been almost replicated with Dubois-Depras module fitted on mostly 2892 movements. (Ease of repair in high volume)
Yet some watches movements are the hidden star(with no dial info. other than hour/minutes & seconds) : Moser, Jeager Lacoultre, etc.
The ingenious ideas to make innovations in the watch world are amazing!

[TimG--]

Well done Bill ! Saw my watch in there

Nice video mate🥃

[peteranders]

Great video. These complications never looked simple to me :) I especially enjoy a moon phase as well as a dual time/gmt. Looking forward to a future video with difficult complications.

[japd]

It is incredible how many things have been tried in the world of horology (materials, designs, complications, bracelets, colours, sizes, uses, technologies, ... ), almost anything you can imagine, someone has already tried it before.

[juniorjohnson]

Thanks Bill
I'd like to get a Real Moon Phase 29.53 days but find the mechanical watches expensive. I'm not interested in the quarts . Hope your having a great time at the watch show .

[mattilatvala]

I like my Revue Thommen Landmark Manaslu 1991 with 24 h compass. Point the hour hand to sun and the compass shows directions. In a fancy dress version of a 200m WR mountaineer watch this is cool.😎

[dominickcolasanto]

Great video Bill so interesting! The watch industry and its watchmakers never stop thinking of ways to improve or show differently time and other information in tiny mechanical packages in a way they are explorers working in a tiny world. Thank's Bill

[flippinzippo]

These info graphics are very very helpful.. for a guy like me

[apars]

I personally think that one simple complication that gets overlooked is the usage of dual barrels to extend the power reserve or give a liner curve, some have even built on that using a Maltese Cross. You can find some very good inhouse movements. Started writing the list list and this just started increasing ...

Christopher ward - SH21
Vaucher - VMF 3002
Chopard L.U.C - 9X.XX-L Series (Co-Axial barrels)
Eterna - 3510
Eberhard - 8 jours (modified peseux 7001)
H. Moser & Cie - HMC 341 / HMC 100 ( actually quite a few )
Bovet - ..
.
.
.

[andresfg]

I miss the Geophysic.. I so wish JLC implemented that movement or/and the Gyrolab balance in other watches. Cheers 🍻 Bill

[Nefville]

I think my favorite simple complication is center seconds.

[amarkarov]

Thank you for the interesting video. The definition of a Complications merits some analysis in general...as it cannot only be "any function in addition to telling time (displaying hours, minutes and seconds)... we will miss all the small (like gear trains, true second, jumping hour...) or grand (tourbillon, remontoire, fusee chain etc...) complications...while the watch still only tells us the time...So how can we properly define a Complication?

[davidjb]

Next episode on complex simplications - the fusée and chain 😏