Our K1 automatic is the foundation that we built our future movement development upon. It’s a marvel of Swiss watchmaking that emphasizes performance with state-of-the-art engineering and materials from the best suppliers in the industry. Seven years in development, the modular K1 debuted in 2015 and is now on its 10th version with complications including a power reserve and big date. Every HORAGE movement is designed and engineered at our Biel/Bienne facility, and the K1 automatic is no exception.
K1 AUTOMATIC
In fact, it was our first and established the core component tool kit that allows us to develop new movements based on prior knowledge and techniques from seven years of K1 engineering. This movement is our own through and through, from initial design and engineering to full assembly that starts at terminage zero. It stands out from the crowd in many ways, from efficiency and reliability to function and modularity to beauty and price, and represents our development of technologies, tools and know-how to be a true performance watchmaker.
Longevity
Mechanical watches are powered by a mainspring, independent of batteries and electronic intervention. Therefore, they need to be wound periodically to keep time. The power reserve refers to the amount of time a fully wound mainspring can run the movement. The longer the reserve, the less time you need to worry about winding. Sometimes watches are left unworn for periods of time, like during a weekend excursion where a particular watch might be inappropriate. The K1 has a power reserve of 65 hours, so it will continue to run even after a full two days on the shelf. The beat rate is a bit calmer than the norm at 25,200 beats/hour or 3.5Hz (compared to 28,800 beats/hour or 4Hz). This helps extend the reserve beyond a more common standard of around 40 hours. You can worry less about winding and more about enjoying your watch, and just let the winding rotor take care of things after a day or two off of your wrist. Another key element that adds to performance.
Chronometer
We regulate all of our movements in-house to at least chronometer level accuracy of -4/+6 seconds per day which is the same regulation required by COSC.
COSC is an acronym for Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres (Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute) and is a non-profit organization that ensures Swiss movements are accurate to within -4/+6 seconds per day. Movements are uncased and go through a stringent 15-day testing process in five different positions and three different temperatures. Only 3% of all Swiss mechanical movements are COSC certified (known as chronometers) and the K1 allows HORAGE to join this exclusive club through the Autark 10 Year piece. This further demonstrates the watchmaking and engineering prowess of our small team.
Silicon Escapement Technology
Conventional movements use a steel escapement wheel, pallet and forks, which are certainly adequate and proven, but no match for modern silicon counterparts.
We engineered in-house silicon escapement technology to further increase both efficiency and accuracy. Silicon is stronger and lighter than steel, antimagnetic, corrosion resistant and highly efficient. It’s also more stable during temperature fluctuations and doesn’t even require lubrication. This greatly reduces wear on the movement, improves reliability and can even lengthen maintenance intervals. Silicon parts for mechanical watches have only been around since 2001, so it remains uncommon for Swiss watches. You can be rest assured that any of our watches with the K1 movement are state-of-the-art and will provide a lifetime of reliability.
Jewel Count
Our K1 movement has 22 jewels, which are used when pressure between the pin of a gear and the resting plate exists and the surface pressure can be calculated. Depending on the pressure and other factors, a decision is made if a jewel is needed.
Many believe that the higher the jewel count, the better, but in fact a lower jewel count can demonstrate that engineers have taken time to optimize a movement’s performance. Jewels are simply bearings that reduce friction and wear due to durability and low friction surfaces. Prior to more modern technology, watchmakers used natural rubies for watch jewels, but those have been replaced by synthetic (lab grown) rubies or sapphires. These are much easier to work with. A movement with 17 jewels is considered a “fully jeweled” watch, meaning every friction point has a jewel. Cap jewels are used by high-end watchmakers to add shock resistance (with a spring at each end, for example) and are usually stacked with a pivot jewel. This can bring a fully jeweled movement from 17 to 21 or more, but provide secondary benefits to the core functions.
When complications are added to a movement, more jewels will be needed to accommodate the additional components. With K1, 22 jewels have proven to be the perfect count for optimal performance. Of course, it’s a fully jeweled movement.
Modularity
The K1 was designed to be modular from the start, meaning multiple complications can be included without the changing the movement size/profile with the addition of an external module.
This allows for an ultra-low profile that results in thin, cuff-friendly watch cases. Many competitors simply rely on top-modules for comparable movements/complications that add bulk. It’s advantageous to add complications laterally within the base movement than vertically with a separate module that then feeds off of the base movement’s power supply.
The K1 has 18 configurable variations that provide plenty of options within our collection without altering the watch’s dimensions or efficiency. As a performance watchmaker, we combined modularity with a silicon escapement, exacting tolerances and COSC accuracy, and only use the best suppliers in the industry for a movement that’s like a super car on the wrist.
Specs
- 3,5Hz frequency / 25.200 beats per hour
- Dimensions 25.6mm x 4.95mm
- Functions
Big Date
Small Date
Power reserve indicator
Small Second
Center Second - Silicon anchor and escape wheel
- 65 hour power reserve
- Tungsten uni-directional rotor
- (-4 / +6 seconds) Chronometer level accuracy
- 22 Jewels