A recognized specialist in hard material components for watchmaking, Pierhor‑Gasser unveils two major technological innovations designed to enhance both the chronometric performance of movements and the aesthetic possibilities available to watch brands.
The result of several years of development, these innovations highlight Pierhor‑Gasser’s ability, as a member of the Acrotec Group, to combine material expertise, micromechanical precision and applied research in the service of high‑end watchmaking.
A new generation of watch jewels to improve chronometry and durability
In a mechanical watch, pivots rotate inside jewels under constant friction. The more irregularities or micro-scratches exist on the internal surfaces, the greater the wear on pivots over time, directly impacting the movement’s accuracy and stability.
After three years of R&D, Pierhor‑Gasser has developed a process that enables:
- the elimination of micro-scratches inside jewel holes,
- as well as a significant improvement in the consistency of the “oliving” (the slight curvature of the walls that enhances pivot behavior).
The result: reduced friction coefficient, a significant decrease in fretting corrosion between jewel and pivot, and a lower risk of jewel cracking.
These improvements lead to:
- improved chronometry,
- greater long-term accuracy stability,
- increased power reserve thanks to reduced energy loss,
- enhanced component durability.
This technology can be applied to synthetic ruby, sapphire, and certain microcrystalline materials, initially on jewels with hole diameters of 0.4 mm and above, in both small and large production volumes.
New geometries expanding design possibilities
The second innovation developed by Pierhor‑Gasser opens new geometric perspectives for watch brands.
Traditionally, watch jewels rely on cylindrical geometries. Thanks to advanced machining and polishing processes, the company can now produce much more complex shapes, including polished inclined planes and non-cylindrical forms.
This enables the development of:
- cabochons for crowns,
- more distinctive designs for transmission or guide rollers,
- polishing rollers for sinks.
This technology significantly expands the creative possibilities available to watch designers.
The result of several years of development, these innovations highlight Pierhor‑Gasser’s ability, as a member of the Acrotec Group, to combine material expertise, micromechanical precision and applied research in the service of high‑end watchmaking.
A new generation of watch jewels to improve chronometry and durability
In a mechanical watch, pivots rotate inside jewels under constant friction. The more irregularities or micro-scratches exist on the internal surfaces, the greater the wear on pivots over time, directly impacting the movement’s accuracy and stability.
After three years of R&D, Pierhor‑Gasser has developed a process that enables:
- the elimination of micro-scratches inside jewel holes,
- as well as a significant improvement in the consistency of the “oliving” (the slight curvature of the walls that enhances pivot behavior).
The result: reduced friction coefficient, a significant decrease in fretting corrosion between jewel and pivot, and a lower risk of jewel cracking.
These improvements lead to:
- improved chronometry,
- greater long-term accuracy stability,
- increased power reserve thanks to reduced energy loss,
- enhanced component durability.
This technology can be applied to synthetic ruby, sapphire, and certain microcrystalline materials, initially on jewels with hole diameters of 0.4 mm and above, in both small and large production volumes.
New geometries expanding design possibilities
The second innovation developed by Pierhor‑Gasser opens new geometric perspectives for watch brands.
Traditionally, watch jewels rely on cylindrical geometries. Thanks to advanced machining and polishing processes, the company can now produce much more complex shapes, including polished inclined planes and non-cylindrical forms.
This enables the development of:
- cabochons for crowns,
- more distinctive designs for transmission or guide rollers,
- polishing rollers for sinks.
This technology significantly expands the creative possibilities available to watch designers.
Subtle innovation, tangible impact
With these developments, Pierhor‑Gasser reinforces its position as a technological partner to watch manufactures, capable of addressing both high-precision functional challenges and the aesthetic dimensions of finished products.
These innovations also reflect a broader trend in the watch industry: performance gains and differentiation increasingly come from improvements that are invisible to the naked eye but critical to product experience, reliability, and durability.