Longines Cal 596 - "Armpowered High Precision"
- f1colin
- Forumgod
- Posts: 960
- Joined: Fri Nov 18, 2011 9:01 pm
- CW-watches: 1
- Location: London & Guildford
Longines Cal 596 - "Armpowered High Precision"
Does anyone have any technical insight on the above? At first I thought this must be Longines speak for an automatic movement but some references on the web suggest that it is a hybrid drive akin to a Seiko kinetic. The only article I have with any detail says:
"Longines is the second division of SMH to create a line of watches utilizing its Autoquartz movement, On Feb. 1 [1997], Longines will begin distribution of its Armpower High Precision (AHP) watches, according to new Longines U.S. President Michael Benavente. It will be added to the sporty Conquest line and will be priced at retail between $1,000 and $1,500. The SMH movement used in both watches uses automatic watch technology to charge a permanent battery powering a quartz timekeeper. The Conquest AHP is SMH’s second volley in the battery-free quartz watch arena which Seiko created with its Kinetic watches several years ago."
I've got a really elegant midsize 38mm one of these (long story) - a Conquest s/s on bracelet - and it "ticks" like a quartz but has a wonderfully decorated movement and rotor visible through an exhibition case back. Just doesn't seem to hold its power reserve for more than 5 hours so fine when wearing it but needs re setting if left.
I may put it on sales corner but am curious about the mechanism as it is a beautifully engineered piece
"Longines is the second division of SMH to create a line of watches utilizing its Autoquartz movement, On Feb. 1 [1997], Longines will begin distribution of its Armpower High Precision (AHP) watches, according to new Longines U.S. President Michael Benavente. It will be added to the sporty Conquest line and will be priced at retail between $1,000 and $1,500. The SMH movement used in both watches uses automatic watch technology to charge a permanent battery powering a quartz timekeeper. The Conquest AHP is SMH’s second volley in the battery-free quartz watch arena which Seiko created with its Kinetic watches several years ago."
I've got a really elegant midsize 38mm one of these (long story) - a Conquest s/s on bracelet - and it "ticks" like a quartz but has a wonderfully decorated movement and rotor visible through an exhibition case back. Just doesn't seem to hold its power reserve for more than 5 hours so fine when wearing it but needs re setting if left.
I may put it on sales corner but am curious about the mechanism as it is a beautifully engineered piece
f1colin
Rolex Sub, Oyster, Daytona
Tudor Black Bay, Big Block
Omega Dynamic, Speed, Speed 2, Speed 4.5, SM300
Heuer Monaco, Monza, Daytona, Silverstone, Autavia, Carrera, Calculator, Camaro, Montreal, Audi, Verona, 844, AMI, 1000
Seiko Pogue
Rolex Sub, Oyster, Daytona
Tudor Black Bay, Big Block
Omega Dynamic, Speed, Speed 2, Speed 4.5, SM300
Heuer Monaco, Monza, Daytona, Silverstone, Autavia, Carrera, Calculator, Camaro, Montreal, Audi, Verona, 844, AMI, 1000
Seiko Pogue
- AliBar
- Senior Forumgod
- Posts: 1053
- Joined: Fri Jun 05, 2009 8:37 pm
- LE-two: yes
- LE-three: yes
- LE-foura: yes
- LE-fourb: yes
- Location: Up Hill, Down Dale
Re: Longines Cal 596 - "Armpowered High Precision"
After a bit of Google wandering try this link Colin http://forums.watchuseek.com/f9/eta-aut ... 81534.html
Seems to basically distil down to these two paragraphs... the article does refer to Longines and also to early issues with power reserve "life".
"The ETA Autoquartz was based on the HPM quartz controlled mechanical movement developed by Asulab, Swatch's research group. It was a proof of concept movement and never went into production. Seiko later aped the design in their Spring Drive which is being produced currently.
One of the features of the HPM was replacement of a battery with a oscillating weight which drove a micro generator which charged an energy storage unit. This eliminates the need to routinely open the watch to replace batteries and has the byproduct of being environmentally friendly since most batteries are toxic waste. Seiko has adopted a similar system in their Kinetic line as did Oakley in their O-Engine Time Bombs and Festina in their Meccaquartz."
Seems to basically distil down to these two paragraphs... the article does refer to Longines and also to early issues with power reserve "life".
"The ETA Autoquartz was based on the HPM quartz controlled mechanical movement developed by Asulab, Swatch's research group. It was a proof of concept movement and never went into production. Seiko later aped the design in their Spring Drive which is being produced currently.
One of the features of the HPM was replacement of a battery with a oscillating weight which drove a micro generator which charged an energy storage unit. This eliminates the need to routinely open the watch to replace batteries and has the byproduct of being environmentally friendly since most batteries are toxic waste. Seiko has adopted a similar system in their Kinetic line as did Oakley in their O-Engine Time Bombs and Festina in their Meccaquartz."
Alastair.
Double Member of the C80 Owners Club
Double Member of the C80 Owners Club
- f1colin
- Forumgod
- Posts: 960
- Joined: Fri Nov 18, 2011 9:01 pm
- CW-watches: 1
- Location: London & Guildford
Re: Longines Cal 596 - "Armpowered High Precision"
Many thanks indeed - sounds like the eco freindly bit might not be storing as well as it did!AliBar wrote:After a bit of Google wandering try this link Colin http://forums.watchuseek.com/f9/eta-aut ... 81534.html
Seems to basically distil down to these two paragraphs... the article does refer to Longines and also to early issues with power reserve "life".
"The ETA Autoquartz was based on the HPM quartz controlled mechanical movement developed by Asulab, Swatch's research group. It was a proof of concept movement and never went into production. Seiko later aped the design in their Spring Drive which is being produced currently.
One of the features of the HPM was replacement of a battery with a oscillating weight which drove a micro generator which charged an energy storage unit. This eliminates the need to routinely open the watch to replace batteries and has the byproduct of being environmentally friendly since most batteries are toxic waste. Seiko has adopted a similar system in their Kinetic line as did Oakley in their O-Engine Time Bombs and Festina in their Meccaquartz."
f1colin
Rolex Sub, Oyster, Daytona
Tudor Black Bay, Big Block
Omega Dynamic, Speed, Speed 2, Speed 4.5, SM300
Heuer Monaco, Monza, Daytona, Silverstone, Autavia, Carrera, Calculator, Camaro, Montreal, Audi, Verona, 844, AMI, 1000
Seiko Pogue
Rolex Sub, Oyster, Daytona
Tudor Black Bay, Big Block
Omega Dynamic, Speed, Speed 2, Speed 4.5, SM300
Heuer Monaco, Monza, Daytona, Silverstone, Autavia, Carrera, Calculator, Camaro, Montreal, Audi, Verona, 844, AMI, 1000
Seiko Pogue
- f1colin
- Forumgod
- Posts: 960
- Joined: Fri Nov 18, 2011 9:01 pm
- CW-watches: 1
- Location: London & Guildford
Re: Longines Cal 596 - "Armpowered High Precision"
Really grateful as have managed to track down a supplier of the Panasonic MT920 energy storage unit and will speak Monday to an engineer who specialises Kinetic Seikos with a very similar auto quartz hybrid movement.... it is such an interesting piece as the mechanical part is a work of art with incredible decoration through the caseback.
f1colin
Rolex Sub, Oyster, Daytona
Tudor Black Bay, Big Block
Omega Dynamic, Speed, Speed 2, Speed 4.5, SM300
Heuer Monaco, Monza, Daytona, Silverstone, Autavia, Carrera, Calculator, Camaro, Montreal, Audi, Verona, 844, AMI, 1000
Seiko Pogue
Rolex Sub, Oyster, Daytona
Tudor Black Bay, Big Block
Omega Dynamic, Speed, Speed 2, Speed 4.5, SM300
Heuer Monaco, Monza, Daytona, Silverstone, Autavia, Carrera, Calculator, Camaro, Montreal, Audi, Verona, 844, AMI, 1000
Seiko Pogue
- AliBar
- Senior Forumgod
- Posts: 1053
- Joined: Fri Jun 05, 2009 8:37 pm
- LE-two: yes
- LE-three: yes
- LE-foura: yes
- LE-fourb: yes
- Location: Up Hill, Down Dale
Re: Longines Cal 596 - "Armpowered High Precision"
You've got me intrigued now Colin. Glad it's led you to hopefully a revitalised watch. The usual mantra therefore must apply... pictures, pictures, pictures.
Alastair.
Double Member of the C80 Owners Club
Double Member of the C80 Owners Club
- Russ-Shettle
- Senior Forumgod
- Posts: 2080
- Joined: Wed Feb 13, 2008 7:15 pm
- CW-watches: 1
- Location: Brandywine Maryland, USA
- f1colin
- Forumgod
- Posts: 960
- Joined: Fri Nov 18, 2011 9:01 pm
- CW-watches: 1
- Location: London & Guildford
Re: Longines Cal 596 - "Armpowered High Precision"
Apologies as these are long overdue but suffice to say this very rare piece has been back to Longines for an overhaul / service and new energy cell and is now back as a daily wearer like an old friend. Arguably the most comfortable bracelet watch i have - slim case and just right at 36mm (38mm with crown). Pics taken pre- Longines sevice / overhaul via Fraser Hart in London (Ronald Nott - most helpful and they also sorted the loose lume spot seen in pic 1):AliBar wrote:You've got me intrigued now Colin. Glad it's led you to hopefully a revitalised watch. The usual mantra therefore must apply... pictures, pictures, pictures.
f1colin
Rolex Sub, Oyster, Daytona
Tudor Black Bay, Big Block
Omega Dynamic, Speed, Speed 2, Speed 4.5, SM300
Heuer Monaco, Monza, Daytona, Silverstone, Autavia, Carrera, Calculator, Camaro, Montreal, Audi, Verona, 844, AMI, 1000
Seiko Pogue
Rolex Sub, Oyster, Daytona
Tudor Black Bay, Big Block
Omega Dynamic, Speed, Speed 2, Speed 4.5, SM300
Heuer Monaco, Monza, Daytona, Silverstone, Autavia, Carrera, Calculator, Camaro, Montreal, Audi, Verona, 844, AMI, 1000
Seiko Pogue
- Aifo
- Senior Forumgod
- Posts: 3003
- Joined: Thu Sep 15, 2011 4:53 am
- CW-watches: 8
- LE-three: yes
- LE-fourb: yes
- Location: Hong Kong
Re: Longines Cal 596 - "Armpowered High Precision"
Very impressive and thank you for sharing!
Incoming: 0
- Loddonite
- Senior Forumgod
- Posts: 4999
- Joined: Wed Sep 09, 2009 7:30 pm
- CW-watches: 5
- LE-two: yes
- LE-three: yes
- Location: Berkshire, UK
Re: Longines Cal 596 - "Armpowered High Precision"
It's a very pleasant looking watch, but I particularly like the clasp - very elegant.
Dom
Nothing's forgotten, nothing's ever forgotten.
Nothing's forgotten, nothing's ever forgotten.
- Kip
- The Administrator
- Posts: 35171
- Joined: Tue Mar 13, 2007 8:45 pm
- CW-watches: 150
- LE-one: yes
- LE-two: yes
- LE-three: yes
- LE-foura: yes
- LE-fourb: yes
- LE-five: yes
- LE-six: yes
- LESeven: yes
- Location: New Hampshire, USA
Re: Longines Cal 596 - "Armpowered High Precision"
This is a very nice piece.
The hybrid movements never caught on, but they are fascinating. I have a Bulova hybrid myself......not as good looking as yours I might add.
The hybrid movements never caught on, but they are fascinating. I have a Bulova hybrid myself......not as good looking as yours I might add.
Kip
"Asylum Administrator"
Visit the CWArchives for everything CW. Historical, specs, manuals and resale. It is all there.
"Asylum Administrator"
Visit the CWArchives for everything CW. Historical, specs, manuals and resale. It is all there.
- Paul Drawmer
- Trusted Seller
- Posts: 2347
- Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2013 9:42 am
- CW-watches: 7
- Location: Deddington, Oxfordshire
Re: Longines Cal 596 - "Armpowered High Precision"
After Colin's comments in the misconceptions thread, I googled Longines ARM and came back to this.
Definitely a desirable watch Colin, what's the power reserve like post service?
Definitely a desirable watch Colin, what's the power reserve like post service?
There's always time for one more.
- Cirrus
- Senior Forumgod
- Posts: 2269
- Joined: Mon Jul 02, 2012 1:24 pm
- CW-watches: 2
- Location: Sunny North Wales
Re: Longines Cal 596 - "Armpowered High Precision"
Armpowered is not a good name...
“The church says the earth is flat, but I know that it is round, for I have seen the shadow on the moon, and I have more faith in a shadow than in the church” - Fernão de Magalhães
- AliBar
- Senior Forumgod
- Posts: 1053
- Joined: Fri Jun 05, 2009 8:37 pm
- LE-two: yes
- LE-three: yes
- LE-foura: yes
- LE-fourb: yes
- Location: Up Hill, Down Dale
Re: Longines Cal 596 - "Armpowered High Precision"
This watch probably needs to join the Forum Bike thread .Paul Drawmer wrote:After Colin's comments in the misconceptions thread, I googled Longines ARM and came back to this.
Definitely a desirable watch Colin, what's the power reserve like post service?
Not long after Colin's post in this thread the watch came into my possession. Unfortunately, because the bracelet was a little too short for me, it never got worn enough to prove the power reserve/accuracy etc.
Earlier this year me and the watch therefore parted company... to another forum member. Even more unfortunately, it then misbehaved completely and had to go back to Longines as the power reserve was not "doing the doing's". Fortunately for both the new owner, and me as the seller, it was still under the warranty from Colin's repair and last I know it was back and working . How well it is behaving since is one for the current owner .
Alastair.
Double Member of the C80 Owners Club
Double Member of the C80 Owners Club
Re: Longines Cal 596 - "Armpowered High Precision"
Forum bike for sure then..it's a contender
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
-
- Similar Topics
- Replies
- Views
- Last post