The Raul Pages Regulateur a Detente RP1 and Its Escapement

The detent escapement is a grail of chronometry that has not often been fitted into wristwatches, primarily as a result of inherent weaknesses – however as with each drawback, there’s a answer to be discovered someplace. So after we realized that impartial watchmaker Raúl Pagès was releasing a detent escapement wristwatch with regulator show, it was solely a matter of days earlier than we drove the snowy winding highway to his workshop… And it was properly well worth the drive. We take a better have a look at the brand new Raúl Pagès Régulateur à Détente RP1, and principally, to its fascinating detent escapement.

In the event you comply with the impartial watchmaking scene, you might be in all probability acquainted with Raúl Pagès. After graduating as a watchmaker, Pagès specialised in restoration and watch complication design. He began his profession in 2006 working at Parmigiani Fleurier, in its famed restoration workshop. There, he labored on the restoration of horological masterpieces belonging to probably the most prestigious collections on the planet. Among the many marvels he was entrusted with, he found animal automata. Fascinated by these astounding objects, he quickly determined to create his personal tortoise automata (2012). Due to a mechanism much like a watch motion, the masterfully crafted metallic tortoise slowly crawls on demand. If it took over one yr to finish this intricate robotic reptile, it additional fueled his love for the craft. It wasn’t lengthy earlier than he began dreaming of the following step… creating his personal wristwatch.

In 2016, Pagès introduced a restricted sequence of 10 items, the Soberly Onyx, a chic white gold three-hander fitted with an onyx dial. Standing out for its distinctive hand-finish, its hand-wound motion is predicated on a Cyma ébauche. The grasp watchmaker subsequently began the event of his personal motion… We drove the winding snowy highway to his workshop in Les Brenets to satisfy the impartial watchmaker and try his excellent creation, the Régulateur à Détente RP1.

The detent escapement, and Raúl Pagès’ answer to its weaknesses

The detent escapement is usually thought-about a grail of chronometry. It is among the most correct sorts of escapements. Created some 250 years in the past, it was principally utilized in marine chronometers and some pocket watches. It has not often been tailored into wristwatches. It’s notably environment friendly as it’s a direct impulse escapement, which significantly reduces friction in comparison with the Swiss lever escapement (the escapement that’s utilized in 99% of mechanical watches). Moreover, the stability wheel swings in an undisturbed means throughout most of its cycle (coup perdu escapement), besides the transient impulse interval given as soon as per cycle, which has a constructive impact on isochronism. 

Nonetheless, the detent escapement has historically two weaknesses. First, it’s not self-starting so that you usually want to present your watch a swing to get it began. Secondly, it’s susceptible to shocks. Impacts can inadvertently elevate the detent and subsequently launch the locking pallet stone from the escapement. The undesirable launch of the escape wheel can injury the motion and even cease it. That is why it has been principally confined to marine chronometers and pocket watches, and has not often been seen in wristwatches, timepieces which are notoriously extra subjected to shocks.

Above: The Raúl Pagès pivoted detent escapement with the detent locking the escape wheel (1) and the beak of the detent engaged within the security curler notch to launch the escape wheel (2).

The Raúl Pagès Régulateur à Détente RP1 depends on a pivoted detent escapement, because the detent is pivoted a couple of pivot axis. It’s returned to the remaining place by a spiral-shaped return spring. One in every of its most important particularities is that it’s fitted with a security gadget. Its detent has a particular form and is terminated by a beak. This beak engages with a cut-out in a security curler mounted on the stability wheel shaft. Due to this association, the detent is lifted (and the escape wheel is launched) solely when the beak of the detent penetrates on this notch. In every other place, within the occasion of a shock, the beak would relaxation on the curler and would forestall the escape wheel from being inadvertently launched. This answer is predicated on a patent from Emile James (issued on 5 March 1891) and an identical system has been carried out as an illustration by City Jurgensen for its calibre P8, within the reference 1140C. 

The excellent motion powering the Raúl Pagès Régulateur à Détente RP1 is a big (33.6mm x 5.6mm) hand-wound motion. It’s nearly totally manufactured by Pagès utilizing conventional strategies. Its manufacturing is extraordinarily delicate and difficult, as an illustration, the detent spring measures solely 0.02mm and is formed by hand.

The big variable inertia stability wheel runs at 18,000 vibrations/hour so the seconds hand solely advances 2.5 occasions each second – which is half the speed of a Swiss lever motion utilizing the identical frequency. The facility reserve is given for 47 hours. Seen by the exhibition caseback, it’s immaculately completed with giant and fantastically polished bevels and jewel sinks, in addition to a effective sober gray grené end. The ratchet and crown wheels function an authentic matt end with polished enamel. The skeletonized cock is mirror polished and options a number of V-shaped angles. The stability wheel and the escapement are a feast for the eyes… and for the ears too, with the attribute sound of the detente escapement.

And simply in case you have been questioning if the detent escapement is basically proof against shocks, have a look at the video under:

The Raúl Pagès Régulateur à Détente RP1

This stunning calibre is introduced in a chic 38.5mm x 10.2mm spherical metal case with screwed-in lugs. It’s properly completed with polished surfaces for the highest of the lugs, the bezel and the caseback, whereas the center case is satin-brushed. 

As for the dial, Raúl Pagès opted for a régulateur show as a nod to the precision watchmaking custom. Like for yesteryear precision clocks, every indication is separate, the minute indication taking centerstage. The sand-blasted dial has a lovely sense of depth. The hours are indicated on a raised hour ring; the minute hand follows a cantilevered chapter ring on the perimeter of the dial; the small seconds are indicated by a hand revolving over a light-blue recessed sub-dial. The rounded polished arms are made by hand too.

The watch comes with two leather-based straps, one in black and one in beige with gentle blue stitching. Each is fitted with a quick-release spring bar. The engraved pin buckle is in stainless-steel. 

Manufacturing isn’t restricted, however the watchmaker can solely produce about 4 or 5 watches a yr. At CHF 85,000 excl. taxes, the Raúl Pagès Régulateur à détente RP1 is definitely out of attain for a lot of, however what an interesting watch… 

For extra info, please go to pageswatches.com.