4 or 2 or 1
4 or 2 or 1 watch barrels
I'm talking about 4, 2 or 1 barrels. I've never seen 3 before, so if anyone has it I'd be happy to see it.
The barrel contains the power source (balance spring) that is essential for a mechanical watch.
In other words, this is not a blog about fragrances, but about watch movements.
A twin barrel “double barrel” is the barrel (which contains the mainspring that powers the watch). Outside of Japan, it is called a twin barrel.
In the 16th century, when hand-wound watches were the only type available, the barrel was invented to increase the efficiency and accuracy of powering the watch.
Even after Louis Breguet invented the automatic winding (perpetuel = perpetual) in 1787, wristwatches continued to evolve, and in 1954, Buren created the micro-rotor. To compensate for the weakness of the micro-rotor's power source, a double barrel, originally used in hand-wound watches, is used. The isolator mechanism used to compensate for this in minute repeaters, etc., is the most vulnerable part of mechanical watches to shocks such as falls. In particular, the axis called the balance wheel, which is the heart of the balance wheel and is the heart of the watch's accuracy, is very thin (as thin as a hair) and easily breaks. The shock-proof device protects this balance wheel from shocks. The structure is a "spring" attached to the ruby bearing that supports the balance wheel. When a strong shock is applied, this spring bends to absorb the shock and prevent the balance wheel from breaking.
Representative examples: Incabloc and Kifshock are famous and are used in most mechanical watches currently produced.
For example, it's the same idea as putting cushioning material (such as bubble wrap) between the box and the equipment when transporting precision equipment. (It's a humble watchmaker-like idea, but...)
And now, the all-important story of the incense box.
First, four.
Chopard LUC Quattro (Côtes de Genève pattern varies by part)
When it comes to nine-day watches, Patek Philippe and Chopard come to mind.
Although it is not clearly stated, the 2025 Patek Philippe also uses a quadruple barrel. Chopard expresses this in the LUC Quattro.
It was such an amazing invention that it stunned the watch industry.
However, there is one drawback: it is difficult to cure (with four hearts, it is difficult to know what is wrong and you have to wander around MRIs at various hospitals). And because it is so complex, it is just as difficult to manage as any large-scale system.
Next two
CZAPEK SXH1 (finished product with the movement being finished)
Now that I've explained the importance of the incense box, some of you may be thinking the following.
In the end, wouldn't it be better to line up a lot of barrels? However, this has its weaknesses.
Unless the isolator mechanism is used to control the movement and the following common phenomena encountered in watch repairs are avoided, the number of barrels will increase and the movement will break down more quickly.
1. Deterioration of the mainspring:
Prolonged or excessive use can cause the mainspring to become fatigued and its energy reserves to decrease, which can lead to a loss of precision or erratic movement of the watch.
2. Damage to the barrel:
The barrel is a gear, and impact or excessive friction can cause the teeth to chip or wear out, which can lead to malfunctions such as the watch not working.
3. Oil shortage:
The inside of the barrel is lubricated with oil, but if the oil becomes insufficient or deteriorates, friction in the barrel will increase and the movement may become less smooth.
But rest assured: the technology required to incorporate a double barrel into a movement is extremely complex, with a quadruple barrel and many other extremely precise mechanisms stacked on top of each other.
A long power reserve is not necessarily a good thing, and Philippe Dufour's watches, which pursue simplicity, are valuable in a sense, long-lasting and may not become boring. Personally, I like hand-wound watches with double barrels, which are less likely to break.
Representative examples include Lange & Söhne's Zeitwerk (Zeit means time), Czapek's Kedewerk SXH1 (7-day winding), Grand Seiko 9SA5 (80-hour power reserve), Breguet's Classic Twin Barrel, and Bvlgari's Octo (there are many other famous watches, so if you're interested, please check them out).
For this reason, when it comes to mechanical maintainability, two double barrels are the safest option, and the watchmaker can simply repair or stop one of the barrels and determine which one is causing the problem.
One last thing.
OMEGA Cal.321 (A legendary movement from OMEGA in the watch industry)
It is a typical mechanical watch. It has a simple structure and is very easy to repair.
Although I have just one example, I think that the Powermatic used by Omega (Swatch Group) and others is a modern, cost-effective and excellent movement.
The sad thing is that many watches with see-through backs have a cover on them for aesthetic reasons. You want to see how a mechanical watch works, right? I want to see! It's sad that cheap movements are covered without any decoration.
The last one I'd like to introduce is Philippe Dufour's Simplicity. Philippe Dufour has also made several double barrel watches, but the "Simplicity" is as simple as its name suggests, and designed to be repairable by any watchmaker. You can see this by taking the watch apart.
We answer the question of what makes a wristwatch attractive by basing it on its durability and beauty.
However, watches with one barrel and good cost performance are not bad either, and can be enjoyed to the fullest. The question is whether a watch is good for its appearance or its function...
I like to use the same watch for a while, and then when I buy the next watch, I let it rest, change to a new strap, and start using it again from the first watch.
If you are interested, please check out Audemars Piguet, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Blancpain, Breguet, Daniel Roth, Gerald Genta, and movement makers Lemania, Frederic Piguet, etc. Japanese brands Seiko, Citizen, Orient, and Minase are also interesting!
We can still have fun talking about mechanical watches! The ones that most people have. Apple watches ring during meetings, record you and get you yelled at by your boss, make you feel awkward because the person next to you has the same watch, and you have to fight with the pitch black dial on a date. Why not take a step into the next world? Depending on how you wear it, an Apple watch can also be a cool gadget. It's all about individuality. (It's just a good excuse.)
Yes. Watchmakers are enthusiasts. When I'm holding on to a strap on the train and there's someone next to me wearing a Breguet or Lange, I feel quietly and modestly happy. (Watchmakers are a fetish...)
Even if I were wearing a G-SHOCK at the time (as of the time of writing this blog, in 2025, even a watch worth 10,000 yen would be fun to wear! Collecting them is fun!)
I think fashion that is not stereotypical is fun. There are as many watch styles as there are fashions. There are many fun watches, including battery-operated, mechanical quartz, and tuning fork watches.
In my enthusiasm to talk about the appeal of wristwatches, I have strayed from the topic of barrels, but it is easy to understand if you think of mechanical power sources as basically four, two, or one! Welcome to the world of wristwatches.