Omega vence o magnetismo e apresenta calibre que resiste a mais de 15 mil gauss

A Omega acaba de apresentar um calibre anti-magnético capaz de resistir a campos magnéticos superiores a 1,5 tesla (15,000 gauss), excedendo largamente a resistência magnética de relógios anteriores e resolvendo um problema que tem desafiado os relojoeiros desde há séculos.

O novo calibre foi apresentado hoje em conferência de imprensa na Cité du Temps, em Genebra. Ele é fruto da colaboração entre a Omega, a ASULAB e da ETA, todas do universo Swatch Group.

A tecnologia desenvolvida pela equipa levou a um primeiro protótipo do calibre, colocado num Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra.

Ao contrário dos esforços de outras marcas no combate aos efeitos do magnetismo, o novo calibre Omega não depende de uma caixa protectora dentro da caixa principal do relógio mas do uso de materiais não ferrosos no próprio movimento, sobre o qual pendem várias patentes. O relógio será apresentado em Abril, na Baselworld, e deverá chegar ao mercado ainda este ano.

Da marca:

Jean-Claude Monachon [ OMEGA Vice President and Head of Product Development] reminded the attendees at the press conference of OMEGA’s long history of technological innovation, showing slides of highlights going back to 1894. He went on to point out that magnetism has always been an issue for watchmakers, adding that magnets are now more present in our daily lives than they have ever been before. Watchmakers have to deal regularly with the issue of magnetism, as it is necessary for them to demagnetize mechanical watches whose performance has been compromised by exposure to magnetic fields, a problem that will be solved with the new movement.

He explained that G. N. Hayek, the CEO of Swatch Group, challenged OMEGA to create a totally non-magnetic watch and announced that OMEGA, with engineers, scientists and metallurgists from its sister companies had met the challenge. [...]

[...] The OMEGA prototype was subjected to even higher levels of magnetism (15,000 gauss) and continued to perform. Testing showed that the watch was as accurate after its magnetic exposure as it had been before. A live demonstration was then made that offered compelling and conclusive evidence that OMEGA’s new >15,000 Gauss movement is a landmark development in watchmaking. OMEGA expects to present the technology at the Baselworld trade fair in April. The new movement, the OMEGA Co-Axial calibre 8508, should be introduced to the market in 2013.