FAQ

Is Angular Momentum also running its own boutique?

The Angular Momentum TIME GALLERY

Founded in Bern in 1998, Angular Momentum is now a Swiss watch brand that has earned widespread fame on the international scene. It is distributed worldwide through around 18 countries and now confirms its success by opening a boutique - The TIME GALLERY - in the town where it was created. The address – Brunngasse 58 – is located at the heart of the historic city district near to the famous clock tower with its astrolabe, manufactured in 1405, just 600 years ago. This showcase, highlighting an undisputed reputation, also represents the bridgehead of anticipated growth in Switzerland and in Europe. The new boutique is spread over 150 square meters with a 27 meters long showcase presentation desk made out of black glass. It has a broad store front entirely in harmony with the brand’s approach. Functional and adaptable furniture provides a beautiful setting for presenting products by categories or themes. At the TIME GALLERY, the Angular Momentum art of presentation is expressed to the full. In its new “embassy”, Angular Momentum presents the entire range of its creations, creations intended for men as well as for women. The broad array of time pieces, accounting for a large proportion of sales, is complemented by the "Manupropria" jewelry collections in platinum, gold, silver or steel.

What is the special feature on the AXIS/VII World Time?

The AXIS/VII is a real World Time watch with a mechanical world time system, based on our Revolving-Disk-System, patent CH 686988. There are only a few mechanical world time systems existing in watch making. The most famous one is the Corbet system, which is used by Patek Philipp and Girard Perregaux. The world time system, based on our Revolving-Disk-System is the most simpel and efficient one in the world.

Is Angular Momentum also offering a jewelry collection?

In our design center we make jewelry design and we also manufacture all kind of jewelry and watches with precious stone settings on gold and platinum cases, but only on special demand. The jewelry collection runs under the name MANUPROPRIA Collection.

What is the meaning of Angular Momentum?

ANGULAR MOMENTUM is a concept taken from astrophysics that derives from the combination of a moment of inertia with an angular velocity. The term dates back to the German astronomer and physicist JOHANNES KEPLER (*1571), THE PIONEER in this field. Property characterizing the rotary inertia of an object or system of objects in motion about an AXIS that may or may not pass through the object or system. (learn more about AM click on ?portrait?)

Why did AM integrate the Revolving-Disk-Supporting-System to the Illum and AXIS watches?

On AM watches, the time can be red on the conventional analogue way through hour, minute and second hands. Additionally to the hour hand, the Revolving-Disk shows (little triangle above the Disk) the hour in a digital way.

What does the sign on the logo means?

The sign is the stylized hour disk with the one necessary minute hand.

When was the R.D.S. Technology invented?

In 1998 the Swiss patent CH 686988 was given for the Revolving-Disk-System.

How many times brighter is Super-LumiNova than Tritium?

Super-LumiNova reaches a up to 100 times higher brightness than Tritium.

more information: www.rctritec.com/w_sln2.html

What are the special features on the Illum/VI Chronograph?

The Chronograph's small counters are covered with Super-LumiNova. Therefore the Chronograph functions can also be used in the dark.

What are the special features on the Illum/V GMT World Timer?

The Illum/V GMT World timer can show 3 different world times at ones. One world time is shown by the Revolving-24 hour-Disk, the second by hands and dial, the third by hands and 24 hour bezel.

What is Super-LumiNova?

The luminous color, Super-LumiNova©, which is used for the time indication at the Illum, is a Swiss hi-tech product and is free of any radioactive substances. The principal of ist function is to compare with light storage or a light battery.

more information: www.rctritec.com/w_sln2.html

How does the Revolving-Disk-System work?

Since time began, continuous attempts have been made to revolutionize the tried and tested two-hand time indication system with new Innovations. Specifically speaking, by implementing the Revolving-Disk-System (R.D.S.) of Angular Momentum, this has been successfully achieved.
Abridged as R.D.S., this method is an alternative time reading system without hour hand and is printed with the number 1 to 12. Where the number 12 normally is, one reads the actual hour on the disk. (learn more about R.D.S. and click on ?Revolving-Diskl-System and see an animation?)

Why is the Illum watch called Illum?

One of the main features of the Illum watch line is the use of the luminous substance Super-LumiNova. Illum comes from illumination.
Therefor also we have the slogan: ?Angular Illuminates the Special Momentum?

Who is designing your watches?

All our products are designed by our own Design Center in Bern, Switzerland.

When was Angular Momentum founded?

Angular Momentum was founded as a trade Mark in 1999.

Do you still produce the PIONEERS R.D.S. Collection?

The four models of the PIONEERS Collection where limited on only a few thousand pieces.
Soon we will follow up with a new R.D.S. Technology model with the name is PERCEPTION.

Does Angular Momentum belongs to one of the big companies like LVM, Richmond, or SWATCH Group?

No, Angular Momentum is owned by the B&D Branding & Design Ltd., which is an independent Company.

Where can I buy an Angular Momentum Time Piece

You can buy your Angular Momentum Time Piece in 18 countries of the world or directly from Angular Momentum in Switzerland. Under Distribution on our web site you will find the contact address of the distributor, agent or retailer in your country

Watch Maker Terms

Alarm?

a device that sounds a signal at a pre-set time. A subdial is used to set the alarm, a hammer is used to produce a sound at a pre-set time.

Alarm?

a device that sounds a signal at a pre-set time. A subdial is used to set the alarm, a hammer is used to produce a sound at a pre-set time.

Altimeter?

a device that determines altitude by responding to changes in barometric pressure.

a.m.?

ante meridian (before noon). From the latin ante - before, medius - middle,†diem - day.

Analog Display?

The time display is shown by hands and a dial, he opposite to digital display.

Anchor?

moving side to side the anchor allows the final wheel (escape wheel)†to rotate one cog at a time. This process produces the ticking sound of a mechanical watch.

Anti-magnetic watches?

watches that are not affected by magnetic fields

Anti-reflection?

film on the crystal to eliminate light reflection.† Improves readability.

Aperture?

a small opening in the dial that displays certain information such as date, day, month or moonphase.

Arabic numerals?

- 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 0

Arctic Circle?

this line is located 23.5_ south of the North Pole.

Armored crystal?

an armored crystal is not some kind of specially treated plastic. It is an otherwise plain, plastic crystal, meant to be installed by compressing it to fit into a groove in the face of the watch case, as opposed to cementing it in place. They are installed by squeezing their outer diameter enough to fit inside the groove. Tools that do this apply pressure from all around the edge at one time, raising the center of the crystal while they reduce the outer diameter of the crystal. What distinguishes an armored crystal from common snap crystals is a ring of metal at the base, meant to hold the crystal even more tenaciously in place.

Assembling?

the process of fitting together the components of a movement.† Formerly done entirely by hand but now mainly automated.

Asthomometer?

dial on a chronograph for measuring the rate of respiration.

ATM?

the water pressure rating of a watch. ATM means atmosphere and is equal to 10 meters of depth. (1 meter = 3 feet), 1 ATM = 10 meters, 5 ATM = 50 meters

Automatic watch?

a watch that has the mainspring wound by the movement of the wearer's wrist rather than winding a stem. Also referred to as a "self-winding" watch. A weight (the rotor) is turned by the motion of the wrist thus winding the mainspring. The energy generated by the movement of the rotor is transferred into the mechanical energy of a spring and then to the watch movement. If an automatic watch winds down most of them can by wound by hand or shaken to get it started again. The system was invented for pocket watches in Switzerland in the 18th Century by Abraham-Louis Perrelet. This system was successfully adapted to the wristwatch in 1923 by John Harwood, an English watchmaker

Auto Repeat Countdown Timer?

a countdown timer that resets itself as soon as a preset time has elapsed.† It repeats the countdown continuously until a button is pressed to stop the function.

Balance?

The heart of a mechanical watch movement. The mainspring provides the energy. The hairspring, coupled to the balance, makes it swing to and fro, dividing time into equal parts.† Each to and fro movement of the balance is called an oscillation.† One oscillation is composed of 2 vibrations.

Balance Spring?

also called "hair spring". A very fine spring in a mechanical watch that returns the balance wheel back to a neutral position.

Bar (Spring Bar)?

a thin metal rod fixed between the horns for attaching the wristlet.

Barrel?

The cylindrical box containing the mainspring of a watch. The toothed rim of the barrel drives the train.

Battery?

the energy needed to drive a quartz watch.

Battery Reserve Indicator?

EOL - end of life. Indicates pending battery failure.One method of warning is to see the seconds hand jumping 2 seconds at a time. see Power Reserve Indicator

Bevel?

cut down sharp edges

Bezel?

the ring around the crystal on the top portion of a watch. Usually made of metals such as gold, gold-plate, platinum or stainless steel. Holds the glass or crystal in place.

Bi-directional Rotating Bezel?

a bezel that can be moved either clockwise or counter-clockwise. Used to make mathematical calculations or keeping track of elapsed time.

Blued Screws?

screws that are "blued" by either heat or chemicals for decorative purposes.

Bombe?

French for "convex" and refers to rounded or domed shape.

Bracelet?

a metal link watch band

Braille Watch?

Crystal can be lifted. The numerals protrude allowing the time to be told be feel for the visually impaired. Also known as a Tact watch (tactile)

Bridge?

fixed to the main plate to form the frame of a watch movement. The other parts are mounted inside the frame.

Bubble Back?

term given to the case back of the first style automatic watches by Rolex due to it's bubble-shaped screwed case back.

Bumper Wind?

automatic watches with winding weights (rotors) that were restricted to turning 270 degrees. The weights then "bumped" off the bumper springs at either end.

Butterfly Clasp?

2 ends of the buckle on a bracelet fold over into the centre. On a deployant clasp (see deployant) one end folds over the full length.

Calendar watches?

have subdials or pointers indicating the month, date and sometimes day of the week.

Simple Calendar - shows the Date of the month only

Day-Date Calendar - shows the Date and the Day of the week

Complete Calendar - shows the Date, Day of the week and the Month

Calibre?

the size or style of a watch movement. Cal. = short form.

Cannon Pinion?

the tube fitting on the center wheel pivot that carries the minutes hand.

Carat?

1 carat = 1/24 of fine gold. 18 carat gold contains 18/24 fine gold or 75% gold content.

Case?

the container that protects the watch movement. It also gives the watch an attractive appearance. Cases come in many shapes, round, square, oval, rectangular. A case is called "shaped" when it is not round. Cases can be made of different metals including stainless steel, gold, titanium, silver and platinum.

Caseback?

the underside of a watch that lies against the skin. Some casebacks are made of crystal allowing you to view the watch movement.

Chamfering?

bevelling the edges of bridges, screws.

Chevreau?

in a watch band means that it is made from kid leather.

Chronograph?

watches with a built-in stopwatch function. There are 2 independent time systems. One indicates the time of day and the other measures intervals of time. Subdials are used to keep track of seconds and of elapsed minutes and hours. Counters can be started and stopped as desired.

Chronometer?

an instrument for measuring time very accurately. For a Swiss watch to be called a chronometer it must meet very high standards set by the C.O.S.C. (Controle Officiel Suisse des Chronometres). The requirements are 15 days and nights at 5 different positions and temperature changes.

The Organization of Swiss Watch Manufacturers definition as of 1951: "A Chronometer is a precision watch which is regulated in various positions and at different temperatures and has received a certificate to that effect".

Co-axial?

the hour and minute hands move around the same axis.

Coin Watch?

a coin is used as the case.

Complication?

functions in addition to telling the time of day. Examples of a complication are a chronograph, a power reserve indicator, an alarm and a phase of the moon indicator.

Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) ?

see Greenwich Mean Time

C.O.S.C. ?

Controle Officiel Suisse des Chronometres. The official Swiss Chronometer testing institute that verifies a watch's accuracy.

Cotes de Geneve?

a regular wave pattern obtained by engine-turning and polishing.

Countdown?

time remaining in a predefined period.

Cousu Main?

hand sewn. Found on well-made watch straps

Crown?

also called a stem. A knob on the outside of the watch case used to wind the mainspring in mechanical watches. Also used to set the time, when pulled out, and for setting a watch calendar (if fitted). A screw down crown is used to make the watch more water resistant and to help keep out dust.

Crystal?

a transparent cover that protects the watch face. Crystals are made of glass, plastic or synthetic sapphire. Non-reflective coating on some crystals prevents glare.

Plastic Crystals

(acrylic) soft and flexible so they resist small impacts.†Surface scratches can be buffed out.

Mineral Crystals

heat-hardened glass about 10 times harder than plastic. Extremely scratch resistant but must be replaced if they do scratch.

Sapphire Crystals

2 - 3 times harder than mineral glass and virtually scratchproof. Theyn are quite brittle so are more likely to crack or shatter than mineral. Replacement cost is substantially higher than for mineral crystals.

Cyclops?

a small lens on the crystal to magnify the date.

Damascening?

decorating metal with inlaid threads of gold or silver. The inlay forms an intricate pattern on a contrasting background, or, producing a watered effect in forging on metal objects.

Date Display?

display of date on the dial of a watch.

Day/Date watch?

a watch that indicates the day of the week as well as the date.

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME?

adopted around the time of World War l. The purpose is to be able to utilize more of the daylight hours in the spring and summer for daytime activities. It was also seen as a fuel saving measure. Daylight Savings Time is usually 1 hour ahead of Standard Time from April to October.

Demi-hunter Case?

has a lid over the dial with an opening in the centre so the time can be read without having to open the lid.

Deployant Buckle?

a buckle that fastens to the watch strap and opens and fastens using hinged extenders. Invented by Louis Cartier in 1910. A deployant buckle is easier to put on and remove than a strap. Deployant comes from the verb "deployer" which means to unfold. Sometimes mistakenly referred to as a "deployment" clasp.

Depth Alarm?

alarm on a diver's watch that sounds when the wearer exceeds a pre-set depth. Alarm stops when the diver ascends above the pre-set depth.

Dial?

the face of the watch showing the hours, minutes and sometimes seconds.

Digital Display?

time is shown by using digits (numbers) instead of hands and a dial.

Direct Drive?

the seconds hand advances in intervals rather than a smooth, sweeping motion.

Display Back?

a caseback that is transparent so that the movement may be viewed.

Divers Watch?

a watch that is specially constructed for underwater diving.

Rattrapante) also Split Seconds?

2 seconds hands on a chronograph. When a button is pushed, the 2 hands start together and move in unison. When the button is pushed a second time one of the hands stops to allow the time to be noted and the other seconds hand continues to time the event, thus “splitting” the hands. A third push of the button makes the seconds hand that was stopped “catch up” to the hand that is still moving and once again the 2 hands move in unison.†

Dual-time-zone?

a watch that measures local time as well as time in another time zone. The additional time may come from a twin dial, extra hand or a subdial. Sometimes the additional time is expressed in military fashion, on a 24-hour, rather than 12-hour, basis.

Ebauche

a base watch movement. A set of loose parts made up of the main plate, the bridges, the train, the winding and setting mechanism and the regulator. It does not include the timing system, the escapement or the mainspring.

Ecomax?

a low-battery warning system. The second hand is caused to jump at 2, 3 or 4 second intervals before the battery dies. This gives you time to replace the battery while the watch is still keeping time.

Engine Turning?

decorative engraving

Equation of Time?

the difference between clock time and time defined by the position of the sun.

Equator?

this line of latitude located half way between the North and South pole.

It is 24,901.55 miles (40,075.16 kilometers) long. The equator divides the planet into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

Escapement?

the most important part of the watch. Converts the energy of the mainspring into equal units of time. The escapement allows the power stored in the mainspring to be released in a controlled manner. The regularity is controlled by the balance and it's spring. The escapement controls the rotation of the wheels and thus the motion of the hands. It is fitted at the end of the gear-train and is designed to interrupt the movement of the wheels at regular intervals.

Escape Wheel?

in a lever escapement this is the last gear in the gear train.

ETA?

leading manufacturer in Switzerland for movements used in many Swiss watch brands.

Etablisseur?

French term for a factory that assembles watches without producing the components.

Fine Time Adjustment?

lever to adjust the daily time accurately.

Finished?

a watch is said to be finished when the movement has been fitted with a dial, hands, and case.

Five-Minute Repeater?

strikes the hours and five minute intervals past the hour. (see Repeater)

Flange?

the ring that separates the crystal from the dial.

Fly-back hand?

in a chronograph there is an additional seconds hand that moves with the seconds hand and can be stopped independently and then made to catch up ("fly-back") with the other constantly moving seconds hand.

Flyback Chronograph?

(retour en vol) A chronograph that can be stopped, reset and restarted with a single push of one button. In a regular chronograph it would take 3 pushes of 2 different buttons to stop, start and restart. Push the top button to start. Push the bottom button to reset, Push the top button a second time to restart. A flyback chronograph allows restart timing immediately without the delay of several pushes. One push of the bottom button accomplishes all of the 3 above functions.

Fob?

Pocket watches were usually carried inside a vest pocket. To make it easer to withdraw the watch a chain was attached to the watch. The fob was an object attached to the chain making it easier to grasp something to withdraw the watch. The fob was decorative, as well as functional, as the fob would hang outside of the pocket.

Foudroyante?

a small dial on a chronograph that is marked 0 - 8. The small hand on the dial completes a sweep every second. This allows you to read the elapsed time to 1/8 of a second.

French Revolutionary Time?

the day was divided into 10 decimal hours. Each hour was divided into 100 minutes and each minute into 100 seconds. Clocks were constructed with decimal faces. Time was reckoned from Paris, which is about nine minutes, twenty-one seconds ahead of GMT. “1” was used as the origin so midnight was ten o'clock. Decimal time originated in 1793 and was abandoned after only two years.

Frequency?

the number of vibrations per hour.

Full Rotor?

Automatic watches with winding weights (rotors) that travelled 360 degrees in both directions. Generally more desirable than bumper winds.

Gasket?

most water-resistant watches are equipped with gaskets to seal the case-back, crystal and crown from water infiltration. Gaskets should be checked every couple of years to maintain water resistance.

Gear train?

the system of gears that transmits power from the mainspring to the escapement.

Geneve stripes?

see Cotes de Geneve.

Glucydur?

an anti-magnetic alloy that expands very little when exposed to heat. This quality makes glucydur useful in making balances.

G.M.T. ?

see Greenwich Mean time.

Goldplating?

an electro deposited layer of gold. The thickness is measured in microns.

Grand Sonnerie?

a watch that strikes the hours and quarter hours when a button is pushed.

Greenwich Mean Time?

the standard for timekeeping that was introduced in England in 1880 and used as the basis for calculating standard time throughout the world. It reflects the mean solar time along the Earth's prime meridian. The prime meridian is 0_ longitude). The prime meridian runs through the Greenwich Observatory outside of London, England.

Guilloche?

surface decoration. An even pattern is cut, usually on the dial.

Hacking?

a feature that stops the seconds hand when the stem is pulled out as far as it will go. This allows you to set the exact time to a time signal or other accurate time device. When the time signal reaches the exact same second that you have set on your watch push in the stem to start your watch. This is not a common feature on older watches.

Hairspring?

also called the balance spring. A small spring that is attached to the balance wheel.

Hand?

the indicator that moves over the dial to point at the hour, minute or second. Watches generally have three hands to show the hours, minutes and seconds. Hands can have very different shapes: pear, Breguet, sword, skeleton, baton, arrow, etc.

Helium Escape Valve?

prior to surfacing from great depths in a pressurized enclosure, such as a diving bell, toxic gases that have been formed in the enclosure are removed and helium is mixed into the air. The helium molecules are lighter than air and can therefore penetrate the watch. When the pressurized enclosure surfaces and is depressurized the helium rushes out of the watch so quickly that the glass on the watch pops out as well. The watch was built to withstand external pressure, not internal pressure.The glass popping out can be avoided by opening the Helium Escape Valve on the watch during resurfacing, which allows the helium to escape but prevents water from entering the watch.

Hesalite?

a brand name for a type of acrylic. Omega chose hesalite for the crystal on their Moon Watch because of its resistance to shocks and extreme temperatures.

Horns (Lugs)?

Projections on