PeteM Posted December 5, 2009 Report Share Posted December 5, 2009 Could anyone direct me to a good link for explaining how to measure Lignes or calibres. An idiots guide shall we say!! Thanks in advance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lanikai Posted December 5, 2009 Report Share Posted December 5, 2009 Pete .. good question .. interesting the history of the calibration.. dates back to the middle ages here's a very brief history of the calibration Rolex (and almost all Swiss watches) are measured in lignes. The "ligne" is a measurement dating back to the middle ages and was initially one twelfth of an English Inch; however over time this calculation has changed. Nowadays a "ligne" measurement is inches divided by .0888, or cm divided by 2.2558. In other words there are just over 4 lignes to the cm and just over 11 lignes to the inch one of the reasons I love this hobby .. such history. AC/Lani Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteM Posted December 5, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 5, 2009 Thanks Lani Middle ages now thats interesting. I assume that it was a general method of measurement at the time and then used on early time pieces as it was a standard form of measurement. I know some watchmakers still use it in describing their movements and other use the term of calibre which to me is the diameter of a bore. Your right but its funny how you consider the terminology used today as technical but in its origination it tends to be an everyday word discarded over time leaving it to be used in a particular area or discipline, left to bamboozle the less technical of us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watchmeister Posted December 6, 2009 Report Share Posted December 6, 2009 As far as I know lignes relates only to size. Many years ago Caliber (as relates to Horology) related to size only as well. Today caliber is the form of identification for a specific movement attributed to a specific manufacturer (Rolex Caliber 1570, etc.). In fact a watch movement's "caliber" is what is registered with the Swiss Trademark office listing all of its salient characteristics (size, complications, materials, etc.). In effect it is now a form of intellectual property protection for a specific movement and its manufacturer. Hey, you asked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lanikai Posted December 6, 2009 Report Share Posted December 6, 2009 As far as I know lignes relates only to size. Many years ago Caliber (as relates to Horology) related to size only as well. Today caliber is the form of identification for a specific movement attributed to a specific manufacturer (Rolex Caliber 1570, etc.). In fact a watch movement's "caliber" is what is registered with the Swiss Trademark office listing all of its salient characteristics (size, complications, materials, etc.). In effect it is now a form of intellectual property protection for a specific movement and its manufacturer. Hey, you asked. . . does this mean I no longer have to fake like I know what you guy's are talking about on our conference calls ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watchmeister Posted December 6, 2009 Report Share Posted December 6, 2009 It's all relative dude. Ubi has forgotten more than either of us will ever know so I also identify with your comment. And as for Rob.... With those guys I long since gave up faking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lanikai Posted December 6, 2009 Report Share Posted December 6, 2009 Well.. I didn't wanna mention.. but when you and Ubi were talking tech stuff I was sending emails out.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watchmeister Posted December 6, 2009 Report Share Posted December 6, 2009 You really suck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lanikai Posted December 6, 2009 Report Share Posted December 6, 2009 You really suck. I knooooow.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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