Thread: What prevents a Rolex from being overwound?
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Old 5 March 2009, 10:43 AM   #8
Alcan
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Almost all automatic winding watches are designed to prevent over-winding. The mainspring is not attached to the barrel, but rides on indents on the inside of it. When the spring is fully wound, the spring slips inside the barrel. A Rolex mainspring and barrel are depicted below. Others are similar.

Btw, the 'slipping mainspring device' was patented by Adrien Philippe, founder of Patek Philippe, in 1863.

P.S. A quick search pulled up these 8 results from here.

http://rolexforums.com/showthread.ph...ght=mainspring

http://rolexforums.com/showthread.ph...ght=mainspring

http://rolexforums.com/showthread.ph...ght=mainspring

http://rolexforums.com/showthread.ph...ght=mainspring

http://rolexforums.com/showthread.ph...ght=mainspring

http://rolexforums.com/showthread.ph...ght=mainspring

http://rolexforums.com/showthread.ph...ght=mainspring

http://rolexforums.com/showthread.ph...ght=mainspring

http://rolexforums.com/showthread.ph...ght=mainspring
Attached Images
File Type: jpg rolex.mainspring & barrel.jpg (38.5 KB, 273 views)
File Type: jpg Mainspring clutch 1.jpg (30.5 KB, 273 views)
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I don't want to get technical, but according to chemistry alcohol IS a solution!
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