The Swiss watchmaker Eterna Vaughan’s Big Date launches, with a new mechanical movement, caliber Eterna which is one of the thinnest in its class and allows the display of a great date.
In the field of horology, the term “big date” when the date is indicated by large numbers on two separate disks: one for units and one for the tens. The implementation of these two discs allows the use of larger numbers for better readability of the date. With automatic mechanical movement Eterna, an external drive displays the number of units for the days of the month while a smaller and slightly offset inward scrolls four digits required for the tens disc. This template is domed on both sides, which gives it the shape of lens. Both discs large date blend perfectly with the curved surface of the movement. They are not formed, as is usually the case, two flat discs horizontally stacked, but two convex rings rotating one beside the other.
Vaughan’s Big Date has a calendar fast date correction. At midnight he updates in less than a second. Unlike most traditional watch movements, the mechanism allows the manipulation of the watch and the calendar for 24 hours. Pulses for rotation of the tens wheel are transmitted directly from the disk units of the big date. To ensure the low height of the movement, the technicians have developed an Eterna date disc with ball bearings and integrated measurement. Manual correction of the date occurs, as usual, using the crown. A 360 ° rotation leads to correction of the date two days.
This new movement is inspired by Eterna caliber 1504 dating sixties. However, its designers have significantly modified the original. Ease of maintenance and longevity of the movement were optimized. 3030 caliber disassembled completely, thus offering the possibility to replace any part. The central components of manufacture use a photolithographic method. This allows developing with extreme precision, complex miniature elements, often providing vital functions of the watch movement. It provides nickel alloys or nickel-phosphorus virtually indestructible thanks to their extraordinary hardness. High technology rubs here artistic metal work, with a long tradition in watchmaking. Bridges of Eterna caliber 3030 are rhodium-plated and decorated with “beading” and “staircase”. The oscillating weight is decorated so like Côtes de Genève.
The shape of the lens movement, always rounded anthracite and polished Stainless steel case dial gives this Vaugham a sober and elegant look.