OPENING UP SILICON TECHNOLOGY

The next chapter in Swiss performance watchmaking.

The K3 is HORAGE’s 5th in-house developed and manufactured movement and yet our brand is just 15 years old. This is unique in the modern watchmaking world. Within a fragment of time our team have conquered the toughest challenges in horology.
K3 brings the highest level of modern watchmaking technology to a new audience.

What’s in a name?

There is a long-standing tradition at HORAGE to pre-fix our movement descriptions with the letter K. In the early years of our company, we were warned by seasoned industry professionals that developing a new movement was an almost impossible task for a start-up. One that would take decades and bring an extremely high risk of failure.  

Turning back the clock

In 1924 the British climber George Mallory was last seen alive 240 metres below the summit of Everest. Why did he risk his life climbing the world’s highest peak?

“Because it’s there.”

K2 might only be the second highest mountain on planet earth, but it is even more difficult to conquer. Until very recently a staggering 25% of climbers failed in their attempt to reach the summit. So, the “K” theme felt fitting for us, without of course wishing to belittle the achievements of the mountaineering community!

Silicon: because we can

At HORAGE we will never let time stand still or blindly accept the status quo
without asking: WHY? Our team has proven again and again that they can
achieve what others tell us is ‘impossible’. Why build another new movement?
Because we believe, that like us, the watch buying community deserves better and is not satisfied with what huge swathes of the industry currently offers. Because we believe that modern technology should be accessible to all watch brands, not just those within the ownership of the ‘big five’.

What is better?

Better is longer performance, 96hr PR, 2.5 x more PR than the 38hr norm.
Better is modern materials like silicon – hoarded by the big players until now.
Better is slimmer – we achieve the dream of sub 10mm thick watches.
Better is more reliable with enhanced longevity and less frequent servicing.
As a modern watch making company HORAGE isn’t bound by convention. Just because we build a ‘traditional’ product, that doesn’t mean we blindly follow the pack – conveniently relying on designs and technologies, which are way past their
“sell-by” date. 

Some things just bug us

The VW Beetle was the automotive icon of the 20th century and in the 1930’s it was a technological masterpiece. But every story comes to an end and after 65 years of production it was finally retired in 2003, well past its prime. Would you buy a ‘premium’ new car fitted with a 70-year-old engine design? Yet this is completely normal in our world of mechanical watches. Outdated, legacy platforms are still in common use. Could it be that the bottom line is a greater priority than embracing change and modern materials? Could it be that innovation and competition are stifled by the cynical antics of playground bullies? We can embrace ‘tradition’ in the context of craftmanship, but this doesn’t mean we can’t pose hard questions or must accept certain ‘rules’ just because “we always did it like that.”  Tradition and technology are not mutually incompatible – with a fresh mindset we can bring them both together for the best of both worlds.

HORAGE is true and honest modern Swiss performance watchmaking.

What’s new with the K3?

A primary objective in developing the new K3 movement is to enable a wider audience to enjoy our passion: performance watchmaking. We believe this shouldn’t be the exclusive domain of the high-end luxury world. The K3 calibre will allow for an innovative, Swiss Made timepiece to go to market at the price point of 2500 CHF +

K3EP it simple stupid!

The K3 calibre is an automatic centre rotor movement making full use of the latest manufacturing capabilities. Developed and manufactured in Biel/Bienne, the city that is the beating heart of the Swiss watchmaking industry. Whilst we’ve been razor sharp focussed in designing the movement to be produced efficiently, the K3 is packed full of a full suite of modern horological technology. Don’t for a minute think that the K3 is basic in timekeeping ability! It offers COSC certified accuracy of -4 / +6 Sec per day.

Si2 inside

We live in the digital age – the age of silicon. Since the 1950’s the semi-conductor has transformed the world around us at astonishing speed. Yet the use of this material in the mechanical watchmaking world has not been entirely straightforward. Until now only certain brands within the remit of their umbrella owners had full access to these materials. For independents any aspiration to embrace the latest technology came with the need to navigate a daunting international legal minefield. Consequently, most smaller brands steered well clear of using silicon. They accepted the sour aftertaste which came with using decades old movements. Watchmaking became a designing and marketing industry with only the biggest and smallest brands making their own movements. What a sad state of affairs.

HORAGE has always been convinced that silicon offers clear and undisputed technical benefits to the watchmaker. Every calibre we have created has been built around these.

What are they?

Firstly weight: a silicon component is lighter than its metallic equivalent. This means that less energy is required to move it. Less energy means longer run times between windings.

Secondly friction: a constant challenge of the horologist. Reducing friction in key areas has a host of benefits to both the maker and user of a timepiece. Less friction means less wear and less servicing. If materials require less lubrication the intervals between services are further reduced. Lastly a reduction in friction leads to an overall decrease in stress applied to individual components throughout the movement. Less stress means less failures and greater longevity.

Thirdly reactivity: unlike a ferrous metal part, components made of silicon cannot corrode and are less affected by any changes in temperature.

Lastly magnetism: Arguably the most important to the user. We are surrounded by magnets – kitchen appliances, entertainment systems, microwaves and induction cookers, washing machines and dishwashers, e- bikes and scooters, electric cars – the list could be much longer. Everywhere we turn devices contain motors, solenoids and magnets. The distortions caused by gravity have been largely eliminated from mechanical watches thanks to tourbillions and the move from pockets to wrists. But life without magnets would be unthinkable. Each and every one of them can distort and influence the accuracy of a mechanical timepiece relying exclusively on ferrous materials.

Which parts are silicon?

The K3 calibre features a silicon escapement comprising of pallet fork and balance wheel. In addition, the escapement hairspring is also made of this high-tech material.

To summarise: silicon components offer greater efficiency, higher reliability and anti-magnetic properties that keep the watch accurate day to day and in the most demanding of environments.

The HORAGE K3 calibre brings technology which was previously only available to certain brands and offers it not only to customers with a smaller budget, but also to other independent brands looking for a modern, Swiss made movement.

Modularity

Like the K2 before it the K3 movement will allow for a variety of different versions. In its stripped back form, the K3 is a pure time telling tool with 3 centre hands for hour, minute and seconds. Other variants can include small seconds, date and power reserve indication (on reverse of movement).

Features: 3 hands, Hour, Minute, Centre Seconds, Small Seconds, Date, Power Reserve Indicator (on reverse), Automatic Winding.

Regulation: Screw balance regulating system, COSC Certified -4/+6 Sec per day.

Movement Dimensions: 30 x 4.2mm

Technology: Silicon Escapement & Silicon Hair Spring

Frequency: 3.5 Hz

Power Reserve: 96hr / 4 days

Rotor:Centre Mass Brass automatic

Jewel Count:26 Jewels (standard version, 3 hands)