Swan Neck

[gumption rusty]

hi guys,

apologies if this is a bit of a noob question - but what exactly is a swan neck? folks seem to want it so why is it appealing in a Panerai?

thanks guys.

 

[Neuuubeh]

I'll allow myself to post a link to an image (by Bill Sohne, whoever that is ). If I type crap, please correct me

The swan neck is to the right. Its pretty much a flexible metal piece, acting kind of like a spring. You can also make out the tiny screw (pointing horizontally so to say) which is turned and thus moves the regulator. The regulator is the small "lever" which controls the beat of the balance assembly - the spring is attached to it I believe. Turning the screw means the beat rate is either increased or decreased by a small amount, allowing very-fine control.

The swan neck keeps the adjustment secure, thus the movement is more reliable. Or so I've read. Panerai movements seem to employ the swan neck a lot, hence most people want movements with swan neck - its closer to the real thing after all. Lots of swan necks on asian movements seem to be decorative tho - the screw doesnt even touch the regulator..


PS I am simply writing the way I think it works, I am not really a watchsmith or movement expert or anything.. so correct me if I'm wrong

 

[gumption rusty]

good summary, thanks very much for that.

i was wondering why it seemed unique to panerai. i would assume when people list watches as having a swan neck mod it is an effectual one rather than decorative?

 

[markharris]

thats made things clear i wanted to know that as well

 

[pedecter]

I didn't know this either. Now I do.

 

[Neuuubeh]

Wow so many spelling mistakes I'm embarrassed to edit it yet another time

i was wondering why it seemed unique to panerai. i would assume when people list watches as having a swan neck mod it is an effectual one rather than decorative?

Lots of "higher-end" geniune watches have the swan neck. It is a step up in the finishing level.

People listing "swan neck movement" just meant the swan neck is there. I think most don't know what its for. I've seen very few asian movements with swan necks that look correct, let alone function correct. I do suspect it is possible to swap the asian swan neck with a swiss one...

 

[morgi27]

thanks for that,i got a panerai with a swan-neck and wondered what it was for,but anyhow it looks good :lol:

 

[levelmanroger]

Yep - that's pretty much correct.

On many clone movements it is purely decorative, but makes it look gen.

Swan neck will only be on hand-wind movements. Most high-end watches are automatic, so few will have a swan neck. Panerai makes a lot of hand-wind watches.

If you have s closed back, it doesn't matter. But if you have a display back, then no swan neck is a dead giveaway it's a fake.