The Parachrome...What It Is, And What It Isn't...

[Tools]

It seems that the Parachrome Bleu hairspring has generated enough ink and paper to clear a forest and render a herd of Octopi extinct.

But, is it really deserved.......

Personally I think it is over-hyped. Probably to show that Rolex isn't really the tortoise folks think it is and to generate some enthusiasm.. Also, to counter some of Omega's over hyped Co-ax modified ETA ink.

Here is what I see:

The 3186 has a new designation, not because of the Parachrom, but because parts were modified internally; so certain parts cannot be interchanged with the earlier 3185

The DSSD press kit information states that the DeepSea is equipped with the usual 3135, Parachrome equipped movement, and not a different number.

The new Day-Date II has a a movement fitted with the new Rolex in-house Paraflex shock system, the Parachrom, and perhaps other enhancements to fit into the latest 41mm case. More has been done than just a hairspring

This tells me that just the change to the Parachrom is not enough of a change, even by Rolex standards, to get a different movement number..

It also might mean that the 3135 assembly line is ratcheting up to incorporate the Parachrom....It seems like it might be a direct replacement for the Nivarox spring that Rolex knows will be tightening their distribution network. I just can't imagine Rolex operating one 3135 assembly line for the Paracharm hairspring and a separate one for the Nivarox hairspring.

The Parachrom is an advancement because Rolex was able to use their own methods and different materials to obtain their own patent....But, it is still just a hairspring - it just doesn't do anything differently.

What do you think..??

[Wolfgang427]

I agree, especially with "over-hyped" part.

[mfer]

Dude, it's blue. It has to be better!

[marshallr47]

I'm with you Larry. The Parachrom spring is an improvement, don't get me wrong. But it doesn't deserve the "hype" that it's getting.

[marshallr47]

Originally Posted by mfer

Dude, it's blue. It has to be better!

[JJ Irani]

Not sure what it isn't....but it sure as hell looks beautiful!!

[casadecamporolex]

Tools, I couldn't agree with you more.
You have an ability to make logic and sense on this issue that is uncanny.

It is for this, and other reasons, that I find this site so damn appealing.
No where else in my universe can I find these topics discussed and I thank you and everyone else for their participation.

Hey JJ....love that picture!!!!

[Jimbits76]

parachrome hairsping??????????

WTH are you lot talking about????????

J

[Mr Sandman]

Anybody know if it would be in a M series SD ?

[Tools]

Originally Posted by Mr Sandman

Anybody know if it would be in a M series SD ?

I'll bet that Rolex will simply start putting this hairspring in their movements the same way they started putting the 3186 in the EXP II.

Since there is no real way of telling unless you physically see it, it's going to be a while before the word is out...

[frostie]

It is overhyped just like every move that rolex is making

When you are the king of the market you can do whatever you want and every single move you make is a hype since everybodys attention is on you

[frostie]

Originally Posted by Mr Sandman

Anybody know if it would be in a M series SD ?

Nope the SD's did not receive this update

[Porsche]

I could be wrong, but wasn't it also meant to be less affected by magnetic fields? Not something you need to scream from the rooftop, methinks they're just clawing at any adantage they can find...?

[buz-lh]

Larry, you may have just undone the wiggle testers. Of course it's better, Rolex did it, right?

[Lol-x]

The parachrom hairspring is no small miracle of micro-engineering. It cost who knows how many millions of dollars to develop and perfect.

The parachrom hairspring provides evidence why Rolex is not just a luxury object that derives it's value from marketing and branding, but indeed also from an intimidating level of reliability and technical excellence.

The parachrom yields among it's attributes:
(a) greater resistance to temperature change and therefore more accuracy;
(b) less reaction to magnetic influences, so again more accuracy and reliability;
(c) greater suppleness so it is 10 times more shock resistant than Invar (the material otherwise used to manufacture hairsprings)

Originally Posted by Wei Koh in Revolution Magazine (watch magazine) No. 12 p.286

WHAT IS PARACHROM? What exactly is Parachrom and how is it made? Its base material consists of 85 percent niobium and 15 percent zirconium. These materials are also used to create heat shields in nuclear power plants, so their melting point is supremely high. To merge the two materials, Rolex utilizes electron bombardment inside a high vacuum condition, which creates an environment of 2,300 degrees Celsius. It is remarkable to witness these two materials becoming one. They are fed vertically through an arc-melting ring, and while they appear as solid metal below the melting point, they transform into a ring of fire at the point at which they combine. To ensure that the two materials are perfectly combined, this fusion takes place three times, with the bar of Parachrom rotated at each pass. The end result is a bar of Parachrom 30 centimeters long that can be used to create 10,000 hairsprings.

The processes after this reduce the thinness of the metal to the diameter of a strand of human hair. During these operations, the 30-cm bar of Parachrom comes to occupy a length of two kilometers. It is rolled, heat-treated to temper it, and then wire drawn. In the first pass through a wire die, it is pulled with a force of 100 kilograms. After this, an additional element, oxygen, is introduced to the alloy. By passing the wire through a furnace, the Parachrom is encouraged to absorb oxygen through its surface. Oxygen changes the thermal coefficient of the material, allowing it to react in the desired manner when the balance wheel’s inertia changes.

Finally, the wire goes through its last drawing when it is reduced to 100 microns in diameter, resulting in a length of three kilometers. The wire is then flattened using high-pressure rolling, reducing it to 50 microns in thickness and 150 microns in height. It is cut into sections 20 cm in length, which are placed inside a mold to provide the coiled shape of the hairspring, and then handrolled in the traditional technique. Remarkably, for all the work done by the massive and intimidating drawing and rolling machines, the operation to create the hairspring’s form is conducted by the human hand. Once the springs are separated, they are given a final heat treatment to relieve stress and ensure that they stay permanently in shape. The blue color of the springs is not due to flame bluing, but added during an electro-chemical process, which stabilizes the properties of the hairspring by adding a layer of oxide — essentially oxygen ions bonded to the exterior of the spring. After which, the hairsprings are given their signature Breguet overcoil, where the exterior of the spring is bent across the top of the entire spiral to aid concentric breathing, before being fixed to the collet and stud.

The strictest levels of precision are observed throughout the entire manufacturing of the hairspring — an embodiment of Rolex’s philosophy of ensuring that quality is optimized right from the very start of production. Says Rolex’s technical director Jacques Baur, “During hairspring manufacturing, precision is of incredible importance. A variation between 44.9 and 45.1 microns represents a difference of four minutes in error per day. At Rolex, our philosophy is always to focus on quality right from the beginning.”

Also the entire article on Rolex can be seen at:
http://www.horomundi.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3577

So having regard to all this I don't think it is a beat up, but don't go by what I say, I'm probably wrong as usual

[Lol-x]

On reflection, I do get just as good performance from many other Rolex watches that don't have the Parachrom hairspring, so does that mean it isn't worth paying any extra, or worthy of anything other than saying 'yeah cool' next!

[mickeydainish]

very interesting read.... Thanx guys. :-)

[Jocke]

I saw a video from a microscope where they show the difference of the parachrome
spring and a regular Rolex spring in a "earthquake" situation. I can tell you there is
a serious difference even if you never will shake your watch like that.

So it´s not just a hype IMHO.

Jocke

[Jedi]

The parachrome by Rolex and Spiromax by Patek were developed under a secret joint venture between the two aforementioned companies and a materials science specialist whose name escapes me. Both companies were seeking new technologies in escapement and balance design.

The result among others were the parachrome and PP's silicon based material. Each company decided which one's they wanted and went their separate ways. Philippe Stern, President of PP, revealed this in an interview.

[ROLEX MAN]

Thank-you for the interesting info, I think it is overrated, its like porsche adding 20kw to it's performace, looks good on paper, but do you really need it??

[Jedi]

Anything that helps a mechanical watch to resist shock = better precision & rate performance, plus anti-magnetic properties are also a plus in this phone and gadget reliant world we live in.

[Trurolexer]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Not sure what it isn't....but it sure as hell looks beautiful!!

MAN!!! Look so BEAUTIFUL!!!
But agree about over-hyped thing...

[tudorman8276]

....NOT rust!!!! Looks like blued steel like that of a gun, which in FACT will rust!!

Stan.

[ral]

Mechanical watches have been around for more than 200 years... so I do not think we can expect leaps and bounds in its design. Improve resistance to shock and magnetism is important... but I would not chuck and older Rolex to get its newer blue spring brother. Rolex's reputation for accuracy, reliability and durability existed long before the PB hairspring. But it is nice to see that small improvements are still being made over time.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by ral

Mechanical watches have been around for more than 200 years... so I do not think we can expect leaps and bounds in its design. Improve resistance to shock and magnetism is important... but I would not chuck and older Rolex to get its newer blue spring brother. Rolex's reputation for accuracy, reliability and durability existed long before the PB hairspring. But it is nice to see that small improvements are still being made over time.

Exactly my point........

[explodingtaco]

Make a new movement with a "new and improved" spring that can fit into a slim Patek and last 10 days and then you will have bragging rights with no one questioning if your new design is over hyped.

[DSJ]

All I can say is that if I was looking at buying an Explorer II or 16710 GMT Master, had a choice between the two movements, and the one with the 3185 was significantly less money, I would save my money.

[Leighton]

Originally Posted by Jocke

I saw a video from a microscope where they show the difference of the parachrome
spring and a regular Rolex spring in a "earthquake" situation. I can tell you there is
a serious difference even if you never will shake your watch like that.

Jocke

In the earthquake yesterday, I did not notice any change in the accuracy of my GMT II-c. If anything it gained .0008 seconds after the quake.

[Z-Sub]

Material wise, it's more advanced technology
Functionally speaking, it's hardly any different.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by Leighton

In the earthquake yesterday, I did not notice any change in the accuracy of my GMT II-c. If anything it gained .0008 seconds after the quake.

After the earthquake, I ran in to check the Rolex box and determine accuracy deviation....All 11 of them had stopped completely....

Should I send them to the RSC...