A mechanical watch operates on the same premise as it did over 200 years ago — a curiously complete system of minute parts moving in perfect harmony. It begins with a coiled mainspring which, when wound tightly, causes a succession of toothed wheels to turn, powering the hands, while an escapement regulates the expenditure of power to ensure timekeeping is precise. Its heart is the vibrating balance wheel attached to a coiled hairspring that “breathes,” winding and unwinding. Known collectively as the regulator, they control the escapement, which creates the characteristic “tick tock” of a movement. This single composite system is all that is necessary for a movement to come alive.
However, there are several instances when the design of a movement deviates from this basic anatomy, notably by doubling up on critical components such as the regulator to offer optimal timekeeping performance with respect to a manufacture’s motive. Although watches with double regulators offer a similar visual effect of symmetry across the board, they operate on starkly different principles and can be categorized into three main groups.
TWO INDEPENDENT TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS
The simplest, in theory, are watches with two independent and complete transmission systems — double barrels, gear trains and regulators — each dedicated to a different function. Essentially two separate movements in one watch, this format is often employed to reduce the load on the gear train. It has proven to be particularly beneficial for complications that otherwise require high inertia,
