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Valgrange expands the possibilities for modular installation
The Valgrange A07, which began production in 2005, is a "big 7750" with an enlarged baseplate and rotor from the Valjoux (ETA) 7750, and was intended to replace the Unitas 6497/6498 with an automatic movement. However, the true value of the Valgrange A07 is not necessarily in its ability to replace the original. Its true value lies in its high scalability, taking advantage of its large space and powerful torque.
Text by Masayuki Hirota and Yukiya Suzuki (this magazine)
[First published in the July 2010 issue of Kronos Japan. The content is current as of the time of publication.]
Caliber L698 / ETA Caliber A07.L21
This model has four retrograde displays: day of the week, date, seconds, and 24-hour counter. There is also a "Retrograde 3" with three retrograde displays.
Eight models will use the A07 as the base movement. Stainless steel (41mm diameter). Water resistant to 30m. Price: 609,000 yen. For inquiries, please contact the Swatch Group Japan Longines Division at 03-6254-7351.
Cal.Eterna6037
One of the best world timers currently available. Taking advantage of the Valgrange's large torque, it features a huge module (a cylindrical pinion with a heart cam placed over two discs).
The module is designed by the subsidiary Eterna. Automatic winding. Ti + black PVD (diameter 45mm). Water resistant to 10 bar. 1,365,000 yen. For inquiries, please contact Pelikan Japan at 03-3836-6541.
The Valgrange A07 series is a by-product of the ETA 7750. The biggest difference is size. The diameter has been expanded from approximately 30 mm (13.25 lignes) to 36.6 mm (16.5 lignes). It's unclear why ETA enlarged the 7750. However, insiders' speculation that it would replace the Unitas 6497/6498, which is similarly sized, is not far off the mark. Of course, the Unitas remains outstanding. However, its vibration frequency of 18,000 (or 21,600) bph is somewhat unsatisfactory for practical use. Furthermore, because it is manually wound, it is not well-suited to additional mechanisms (especially a full calendar). Adding a center second hand also required a new movement. It seems likely that the Valgrange A07 solved these weaknesses.
The biggest advantage is undoubtedly its size. With a diameter that's increased by more than 6mm, the Valgrange A07 is more scalable than the ETA 7750. One example is the Longines Master Collection Retrograde 4. Its large movement and high torque allow it to feature a retrograde day and date display, as well as a 24-hour and 60-second counter. Eterna's 6037 also features a complex module that requires a large display space and high torque.
As ETA cuts back on its ébauche supply, it remains to be seen how many manufacturers will be able to adopt the Valgrange A07. However, the A07 has much greater potential than the 7750. If ETA were to change its policy, the base movement for its modular watches would likely be the Valgrange A07, rather than the ETA 2892A2.
The trajectory of Dubois-Dépraz, a pioneer of modified motorcycle manufacturers
Modules have expanded the possibilities of general-purpose movements. Dubois-Dépraz can be considered a pioneer in this field. Since adopting modules in the Cal. 11/12 in 1969, the company has worked hard to improve power sources and reduce module resistance. This technology has now reached the point where it is possible to drive mechanisms so complex that it is hard to believe they are modular.
Chronomatic Cal.11/12
1969
By incorporating a swing pinion into the base fourth wheel, the entire chronograph mechanism was successfully modularized. In a sense, it is the ancestor of the ETA7750. Automatic winding (diameter 31mm, thickness 7.7mm). 17 jewels. 19,800 vph (Cal. 11 specs).
Chronograph Cal.2000
1983
The idea of connecting them has made it possible to achieve complete modularity that does not require a specific base movement. It is also characterized by its small torque cross, and even when the chronograph is activated, the oscillation angle only drops by a maximum of about 10°. However, in order to reduce the resistance of the gear train, the number of jewels is quite large.
Coaxial chronograph Cal.PDR40001
2003
A chronograph with a coaxial counter. The original idea came from Gérard Dubois, who was involved in the design of the Cal. 11/12. It was shelved at the time, but technological advances have allowed his idea to come to fruition in the form of a module. The power source and torque reduction know-how are typical of Dubois-Dépraz. Stainless steel + black PVD (46mm x 32mm). Price: 1,396,500 yen.
TNT Royal Retro
2009
This watch is a testament to Dubois-Dépraz's skill and expertise in achieving the incredible feat of relaying six torque-consuming retrograde movements every 10 seconds. The name "Royal Retro" comes from the nickname given to it by Dubois-Dépraz, who developed it. Automatic winding. Stainless steel + black PVDTi (diameter 47.5mm). Limited to 201 pieces. Price: 1,995,000 yen. For inquiries, please contact Osawa Shokai Group at 03-5775-3932.
A "module" is an additional mechanism added to a movement. Dubois-Dépraz was the pioneer of this concept, and the company first adopted modules in 1969. The Caliber 11/12 was not only an automatic chronograph, but it had a major impact in the future as it featured a chronograph module attached to the micro-rotor automatic winding base movement. Interestingly, this methodology was further developed by Valjoux (now ETA) in 1973 with the 7750. Valjoux purchased the patent from Dubois-Dépraz and used the same method to create the "semi-modular" 7750.
The 83 Caliber 2000 (commonly known as DD2000) further advanced the modularization methodology. Dubois-Dépraz was asked by Heuer to create a chronograph mechanism that could be used with both quartz and mechanical movements, and he decided to take power from the minute wheel that is found in all watches. The key to this was a simple vertical clutch. As a result, this movement could be successfully converted into a chronograph, regardless of the type of movement, without any modifications. This was truly the beginning of modularization.
An advanced version of this is the coaxial chronograph from 2003. The power source is the fourth wheel of the base movement. Power is branched via an intermediate wheel to the chronograph at 4 o'clock and the coaxial counter. The gear train is surprisingly complex, but it is also a "module." The "TNT Royal Retro" is also a module that draws power directly from the minute wheel.
Dubois-Dépraz's method of securing power without modifying the base movement, focusing on the minute wheel, has now become the standard in the watch industry.
