Precision and craftsmanship mean everything to luxury watches. If you are a watch enthusiast, then you would value timepieces that not only look stunning but also function flawlessly over the years. One of the most important reasons why a watch should be able to last long is its resistance against shock. That's where anti-shock systems - and particularly the Incabloc shock protection system - come into play. In this blog, we will take you through the history, functioning, and importance of the Incabloc system in safeguarding your beloved mechanical watches.
History of Anti-Shock Systems in Watches
The story of the anti-shock systems in watches goes back to the early 20th century when wristwatches first became popular. Up until then, pocket watches had always dominated the market, but for the most part, stayed safely tucked away in a pocket.
But as wristwatches started to become increasingly popular, it became clear that these timepieces were much more susceptible to impact and shock compared to their pocket watch predecessors. Even minor bumps would be enough to send the very delicate internal parts of the watch out of place, causing the watch to lose accuracy or stop working altogether.
This created the need for anti-shock mechanisms. One of the most effective and among the very earliest solutions was the Incabloc system, patented by Swiss watchmakers Georges Braunschweig and Fritz Marti in 1934.
The Incabloc system became the gold standard for shock protection in wristwatches due to its simple yet highly effective construction. Through the years, other systems were introduced, such as the ETA's Etachoc, Seiko's Diashock, and Citizen's Parashock, but none reached the same iconic status as Incabloc.
What Is The Incabloc System?
The Incabloc system refers to a shock protection mechanism that aims at protecting the balance wheel pivots inside a mechanical watch. The balance wheel forms the heart of the watch by regulating the watch's time. The wheel is supported by extremely sensitive pivots and jewel bearings that are easily destroyed should a watch fall or experience sudden impact.
In simple terms, the Incabloc uses a spring-loaded mounting system. In such a system, at the time of any kind of impact, the small-sized jewel bearings can move or shift slightly in their settings. The movement absorbs the sudden shock, protecting the balance wheel from damage. When the shock is over, the springs bring the bearing jewels to their previous position, and the watch restarts its operation, with no loss of accuracy.
- Tensed spring with two contact points
- Double-cone director
How Does the Incabloc System Work?
To properly explain how the Incabloc system works, one has to delve deep into its mechanics. Lying at the heart of the system is a pair of jewel bearings that hold the balance staff, part of the balance wheel, in place. Surrounding the bearings is a lyre-shaped spring that absorbs the shocks.
If a watch receives a shock or impact, the jewel bearings jump slightly, allowing the balance staff to move. This has the effect of dissipating the force of the impact, preventing it from fully falling on the highly sensitive pivots. Once the shock has passed, the lyre-shaped spring pushes the bearings back to their normal position, correctly realigning the balance staff in its jewels, and the watch is free to function normally once again.
Such a spring suspension system prevents damage to the movement of the watch without needing to stop it. It is an elegant solution to a complex problem. This simplicity explains why the Incabloc system became so widely popular among watchmakers.
Why Anti-Shock Systems Are Important
You may wonder: Why does an anti-shock system bear such significance in a luxury watch? Because the movement inside a mechanical watch is very fragile. Inside the case of a mechanical watch, hundreds of small parts work with each other in harmony to measure time with great precision.
Even a slight interference with this mechanism can disturb the whole mechanism which often results in time being shown incorrectly or, in extreme conditions, leads to complete failure of the watch. The pivots of the balance wheel are the weak points of this system. They are very thin and they support quite a bit of weight, therefore being prone to damage if the watch suddenly falls.
Before anti-shock systems existed, one common mechanical watch repair problem was a broken balance staff - a problem that often occurred when someone would accidentally drop their watch. Keep in mind that precision means a great deal to luxury watches, therefore, protection is very important!
Impact of Incabloc on Watch Accuracy and Reliability
One of the major selling points of luxury mechanical watches includes their accuracy and reliability. Manufacturing these watches requires great craftsmanship and precise technique so that their time-telling is accurate, typically going off by just a few seconds per day. Even the most precise mechanical watch, however, will lose its accuracy if exposed to repeated jolts or impacts.
Thanks to the Incabloc system, such incidents won’t destroy the movement. This system helps preserve the accuracy of a watch and protects the fragile parts of the movement, which increases the watch's general reliability. In turn, a watch with an effective anti-shock system won't need repairs that often and will keep working properly for many years.
How Incabloc Affected the Watch Industry
Before the invention of the Incabloc shock protection system, wristwatches were much more fragile, breaking easily under conditions of daily usage. Dropping the watch would always result in costly repairs, and most owners were quite afraid to wear their timekeepers because the risk was just too great.
The Incabloc system changed all that, and the effective protection it provided allowed people to wear watches more frequently without the perpetual fear of their timepieces getting broken. In turn, this contributed to the growing popularity of wristwatches. Finally, consumers could be more confident that their wristwatch would last through wear and tear.
Moreover, the Incabloc system set a new standard of quality within the watch industry. More and more watchmakers began including Incabloc protection in their timepieces and typically they would have the name printed on the watch dial as a mark of quality. This association between Incabloc and quality helped further solidify its essential place in watchmaking history.
Why Watch Collectors and EnthusiastsLoveIncabloc
For many collectors and horological enthusiasts alike, the presence of an Incabloc system in a watch is indicative of quality. This shows that the watchmaker has taken some precautionary methods to protect the movement against shocks, which allows the watch to properly function for many years to come. This is especially important for vintage watches since most of them are quite fragile compared to their modern counterparts.
Our 3 Most Popular Incabloc System Watches
If you’re looking for a reliable timepiece that guarantees both exceptional style and durability, our Incabloc watches may be the perfect fit for you.
St. Petersburg Theorema | GM-121-3A | Gold
The St. Petersburg Theorema is one of the finest examples that proves that in watchmaking, luxury really meets functionality. The automatic movement with 20 rubies and Incabloc-type shock protection keeps this watch durable, shielding the inner mechanisms against impacts and jolts. The movement runs at 21,600 VPH for efficient timekeeping.
The leather band is made of real cow leather, and the overall watch has a gold-tone finish that looks timelessly elegant. The case diameter measures 40x45 mm, making the watch comfortable on any wrist. The skeleton hands are double-colored, adding a modern touch to this otherwise classic design. The sapphire glass lens offers amazing scratch protection, excellent for daily wear. Definitely one of our most precise, advanced-engineering productions.
Sahara Theorema | GM-119-6 | Black
The Sahara Theorema represents elegance that goes hand in hand with craftsmanship. Equipped with a mechanical in-house Unitas movement with 17 rubies and an Incabloc system that protects the sensitive balance wheel from sudden shocks.
The rhodium-plated case is not only sleek and modern but also very durable. The amplitude of the watch is 300 degrees, further enhancing its accuracy and reliability. Meanwhile, luminous hands ensure easy readability in low-light conditions. A bold design that transmits raw power yet is subtly refined.
San Francisco Theorema | GM-116-8 | Blue
An avant-garde and refined design combined with mastery workmanship. This striking mechanical watch features a skeleton see-through design that lets you appreciate the detailed engravings. A durable high-end timepiece, San Francisco is equipped with an Incabloc shock protection system, extending the watch's service life and accuracy.
The case itself measures 44 mm and is complemented with a sapphire coated lens for excellent scratch resistance. Its luminous skeleton hands and Roman numerals make sure visibility is excellent even in dim lighting. The white leather band is both comfortable and stylish, matching the blue clase to create an eye-catching contrast.
Conclusion
When Incabloc entered the watch industry in 1934, it revolutionized the entire industry. To the watchmakers, this is an essential mechanism in constructing a fine watch; to collectors and connoisseurs, it is a seal of excellence that adds to their watch’s value. While the watch industry continuously keeps evolving, the Incablo system has remained a statement of how craftsmanship, precision, and novelty are substantial in this form of artisanal work.
For any collector or simple watch wearer, deeper knowledge of how Incabloc protection works will create a greater appreciation for the art of watchmaking and the incredible engineering that goes into each luxury timepiece.
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