Gerald Charles Unveils Its Most Complex Timepiece, The Masterlink Perpetual Calendar

Gerald Charles, the independent Swiss watchmaking Maison founded by the great Mr. Gérald Charles Genta, unveils its most complicated watch since its reestablishment less than a decade ago. The Masterlink Perpetual Calendar, developed entirely in-house, marks a new chapter for the young and ambitious Maison as it continues to expand its repertoire of poetic complications.

In keeping with Gerald Charles’s “No Compromise” watchmaking philosophy, established by Mr. Genta more than a quarter of a century ago, the Masterlink Perpetual Calendar introduces an in-house, asymmetrical, automatic perpetual calendar calibre with a three-counter display.

Glossary

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Glossary
Balance spring or hairspring

Balance spring or hairspring

The balance spring, often referred to as the hairspring, is an essential part of a mechanical watch movement that contributes to its timekeeping precision. This delicate, coiled metal spring is connected to the balance wheel, which oscillates within the watch's movement.

The hairspring, or balance spring, is usually made of metal alloys like Nivarox, which consists of iron, nickel, chromium, titanium, and other elements. Nivarox is popular due to its resistance to temperature variations, magnetic fields, and corrosion. Some watch manufacturers have also developed silicon hairsprings for their high-end models, offering improved resistance to temperature changes, magnetic fields, and wear.

The main role of the balance spring is to supply a counterbalancing force that keeps the balance wheel oscillating at a steady pace. The balance wheel's back-and-forth motion causes the balance spring to expand and contract, enabling the wheel to sustain a stable oscillation. The accuracy of the watch's timekeeping depends on the balance spring's precise and consistent performance.