Making watches is an art that combines supreme craftsmanship and precision.
Aircraft mechanical clock ASF-1 combines a centuries-old history of craftsmanship and simple beauty. Well-known world brands use modern technology and create new models based on the design of these watches. Famous brands have been equating aviation watches for many years to get a semblance of perfection in their vision.
Swiss prototype quality
Famous aviation watches have an interesting past. Behind the Soviet brand is Swiss technology. Even before the outbreak of World War II, the Swiss production of J. Le Coultre produced watches for Soviet aviation. It was this model that served as the prototype for ASF-1, which later began to be made in the USSR.
The Chelyabinsk plant "Lightning", which made watches for airplanes, was organized according to the directive of Stalin - this is a well-known fact. But the fact that the manufactory, on the basis of which it was launched, was bought from the Americans in 1930, few know.
Initially, the ASF-1m and ASF-1 aviation clocks were designed to measure flight time and determine small time intervals within an hour. In the pilot cockpit, they were in two places: on the dashboard panel and on the right pilot's console.
The main technical data of ASF-1
Initially, this watch model was produced in two versions, they differed from each other in the appearance of the dial, but were functionally identical. This one is best known.
Basic features:
- The maximum duration of a single spring plant is 3 days.
- Be sure to start the watch every 2 days.
- The probability of deviation from the exact time during the day is ± 20 seconds.
- The voltage of the electric heater of the AChS-1 clock is 27 V.
- The mass of the ASF-1 watch is 670 grams.
Design
What do aviation ASF-1 watches consist of? The instruction assumes the presence of the following components:
- engine;
- stopwatch for determining small periods of time;
- standard clock mechanism for controlling the time of day;
- flight time display mechanism;
- electric heater with temperature controller;
- governing bodies.
The dial includes three ranges:
- Circle "SEC" - shows the stopwatch operating time in seconds and minutes.
- Circle "FLIGHT TIME" - reflects the flight time in minutes and hours.
- Main scale - shows the time for ASF-1 in seconds, minutes and hours; and for ASF-1M, the time of the stopwatch.
Features of work
ASF-1 aviation watch involves the simultaneous operation of several mechanisms. On a large scale, there is an account of the time of day, this mechanism operates continuously. The device works in such a way that the flight time indicator and stopwatch operate through the shutdown and start adjustment using a special head.
The watch is controlled by two lateral movable heads. Start the clock by turning the left head fully counterclockwise. The translation of the arrows is quite simple - the same red head is fully extended and rotates counterclockwise.
To start the flight time indicator, the left head must be pressed until an audible click is heard, which is accompanied by highlighting on the dial. To stop it, you need to click on it a second time and see the confirmation in the backlight. After that, returning to the initial position of the arrows is performed by the third press.
Rarity or subtlety of taste?
Aviation watches are a special subject category, which is primarily noted by the accuracy and laconicism of the style.
When you wear an item of historical significance, realizing that such watches could belong only to pilots of the last century, you will agree that it fills some special feeling of touching eternity. Therefore, this model of ASF-1, out of a love of style, was adapted into stationary home clocks.
At the dawn of its activity, Tutima produced watches exclusively for sailors and pilots. This commitment is still reflected in many of its models.
Significant dial, Swiss reliability and exclusivity felt in every detail. The 1930s-style watches had serious requirements in terms of accuracy, so even second time was well read on them.
That says a lot. They correctly combine beauty with functionality. A particular pleasure is wearing a brand that has been tested by time. It meets the most stringent requirements of its adherents: maximum accuracy; convenience and ergonomics; instant readability of information on the dial.
Military pilot mark
Fans of historical rarities and everyday wear should also consider their safety. There are models that are literally harmful to health by their characteristics.
So the real aviation military watch of the pilots of World War II (one of them is LACO-Durowe) is still one of the most radioactive accessories.
Exfoliated radioactive paint dust settles on the dial, amounting to radiation harmful to the human body in the amount of about 9000 micro-roentgen. Therefore, in your choice, it is worth considering all the parameters of the selected hours.
Another drawback of such historical models is the repair of aircraft watches. Due to the rarity of the component parts and the decreasing number of specialists, high-quality work with this kind of watch is also a rarity.
Top American Aviation Watches
Of course, the accuracy of a mechanical watch is inferior to a quartz one. But there is an advantage in character, which makes a mechanical watch alive. The embodiment of the development of famous masters of his time (Harrison, Voloskov, Becker), this watch reflects more than just style.
In the top of well-known brands, for which aviation men's watches have become a landmark model, the Hamilton collection occupies a leading position. The company has long been associated with international air shows and acts as their sponsors. French stunt pilot Nicolas Ivanoff is also known for his friendship and collaboration with this brand. The launch of the first United Air Lines transcontinental airline was carried out by Hamilton timekeeping.
Since 1920, Hamilton has partnered with aviation. By the way, it was the Hamilton navigation watch that accompanied the first airmail flight in America . This was the beginning of a strong connection. In 1932, Hamilton watches became the official status brand producing aviation watches for large private American airlines. United and Northwest have continued their partnership to date.
Khaki Takeoff Auto Chrono Limited Addition
This exclusive aviation watch was designed specifically for use by the rescue team. They were released in a limit of 2000 units. They are multifunctional. They can be used as ordinary watches, desktop, they are also designed for pilots. They have a lot of similarities with the instruments of the cockpit with a rotating reflector and the possibility of a countdown. Hamilton's close partnership with Air Zermatt has allowed the brand to break new ground. The Swiss Helicopter Service was pleased to take part in the development of a new model, so Khaki Takeoff Auto Chrono appeared.
Direct contact with the sky allows the brand to constantly maintain its high level, satisfying the most stringent requirements of customers, and to produce aviation watches in different styles.
Main argument
Everyone who wears a watch has a unique personal reason for this. For one, this is a status accessory, for another, an expensive accessory is a toy for the soul, someone needs to simply and quickly, without being distracted by unnecessary things, work with time, taking into account the functions of a stopwatch, chronometer.
One thing is good: aviation watch brands are now represented by a huge number of different variations, a number of foreign and Russian brands. This allows anyone to find exactly what the soul needs. The latest technological developments and materials allow modern watch brands to withstand even severe overloads: temperature and weather conditions.
The strict and laconic style of aviation watches, the ancestor of which were famous Swiss watches, immediately attract attention. Those who like them will remain faithful to the aviation style in design for a long time.
But all explainable arguments always pass before one argument that all watch owners know. This is the most powerful argument that exhaustively justifies any choice. When you madly like your watch, just this argument alone is enough to be with them constantly.