We still speak of Watches! the Chronograph 'Columns Wheel'

The "clock" is a fine watch for measurement of time, while the tool that allows the detection of the duration of an event is the "chronograph".

Fortunately, the abbreviated name is the same for both: "chrono"

Historical Note:
The definition of "chronograph" dates back to 1821-1822, years in which Rieussec invented a clock characterized by a rotary dial and a clock hand fixed that, by releasing a track inked, allowed the measurement of a interval of time.
From the greek "Cronos" (time) and "Grapho" (write) then derives the definition of "chronograph", still in use today.
About ten years later, the same Rieussec modified the mechanism: the dial is stationary while spinning the clock hand 

The modern chronographs:
The chronograph watch is therefore a need to detect the duration of an event, characterized by a further clock hand positioned on the main axis of the movement, can be started and stopped by means of two external buttons at the checkout.
The ability to activate the clock hand of time of detection, stop the itself, with the possibility to repeat the process as many times as necessary, and then conclude definitively, stopping it and reposition conventionally on hours "12", is assigned to different technical solutions.

One of the most common technical solutions is "the Sorting at Leve", while the higher quality is "The Wheel at Columns".

The use of the system to "column wheel", allows more sweetness in the operation of buttons and the greater accuracy of the drives of the complex mechanism of the chronograph.

The "column wheel" is a single piece, machined from solid, characterized by a cylinder with a notched base and a body in which are formed of vertical columns of trapezoidal section, adapted to route the movement of the levers which control the functions of the chronograph.

This element, from the manufacturing point of view is much more complex than the classical components of the method to "sorting to levers" of more simple construction.
Obviously this translates into a higher cost, but also in a greater apprezzabilità by the fans.

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