What is movement vibrations per hour (VPH) and why does it matter?

Hello, watch enthusiasts! Today I’m going to talk about a topic that is often debated among watch lovers: watch movement vibrations per hour, or VPH for short. What is VPH and why does it matter? How does it affect the accuracy, durability and aesthetics of a watch? And how do different VPH levels compare with each other in terms of advantages and disadvantages? Let’s dive in!

 

VPH is a measure of how fast the balance wheel of a mechanical watch oscillates back and forth. It is usually expressed in hertz (Hz), which means cycles per second, or in vibrations per hour (vph), which means cycles per hour. For example, a watch with a 4 Hz movement has a VPH of 28,800, while a watch with a 5 Hz movement has a VPH of 36,000. The higher the VPH, the faster the balance wheel swings.

 

But why does this matter? Well, there are several reasons why VPH is important for a watch. First of all, VPH affects the accuracy of a watch. Theoretically, the higher the VPH, the more accurate the watch can be, because it can divide time into smaller fractions and correct for external disturbances more quickly. However, this also depends on other factors, such as the quality of the movement, the regulation, the lubrication and the wear and tear. In practice, most modern mechanical watches have a VPH of either 28,800 or 21,600, and both can achieve excellent accuracy if well made and maintained.

 

Secondly, VPH affects the durability of a watch. The higher the VPH, the more stress and friction the movement parts are subjected to, which means they can wear out faster and require more frequent servicing. On the other hand, the lower the VPH, the more susceptible the movement is to shocks and impacts, which can knock it out of alignment and damage it. Therefore, there is a trade-off between longevity and robustness when it comes to VPH.

 

Thirdly, VPH affects the aesthetics of a watch. The higher the VPH, the smoother and more fluid the sweep of the seconds hand appears to be. This can create a pleasing visual effect and a sense of precision and refinement. On the other hand, some people may prefer the slower and more distinct tick of a lower VPH movement, which can evoke a feeling of nostalgia and tradition. Moreover, some watches have special features that are related to their VPH, such as chronographs that can measure fractions of a second or tourbillons that rotate at a certain speed.

 

So how do different VPH levels compare with each other? Here are some examples of common VPH levels and their pros and cons:

 

– **18,000 vph**: This is a classic and vintage VPH level that was widely used in the past. It has a low power consumption and a high resistance to shocks, but it also has a low accuracy and a choppy seconds hand motion. Some examples of movements that use this VPH level are: Patek Philippe Caliber 12-120, Rolex Caliber 1030, Omega Caliber 321.

– **21,600 vph**: This is a standard and common VPH level that is still used by many watch brands today. It has a good balance between accuracy, durability and aesthetics, but it also has no special features or advantages over other VPH levels. Some examples of movements that use this VPH level are: Seiko Caliber 7S26, ETA Caliber 2824-2, A. Lange & Söhne Caliber L121.1.

– **28,800 vph**: This is another standard and common VPH level that is also used by many watch brands today. It has a high accuracy and a smooth seconds hand motion, but it also has a high power consumption and a low resistance to shocks. Some examples of movements that use this VPH level are: Rolex Caliber 3135, ETA Caliber 7750, Zenith El Primero Caliber 400.

– **36,000 vph**: This is a high-end and rare VPH level that is only used by some luxury watch brands. It has an exceptional accuracy and a very smooth seconds hand motion, but it also has a very high power consumption and a very low resistance to shocks. Some examples of movements that use this VPH level are: Zenith El Primero Caliber 3600, Seiko Caliber 9S85, Breguet Caliber 574DR.

– **43,200 vph**: This is an ultra-high-end and extremely rare VPH level that is only used by some experimental or limited edition watches. It has an amazing accuracy and a super smooth seconds hand motion, but it also has an astronomical power consumption and an almost nonexistent resistance to shocks. Some examples of movements that use this VPH level are: TAG Heuer Caliber Heuer 02T Tourbillon Nanograph, Breguet Classique Chronométrie 7727, Audemars Piguet Caliber 2897.

– **25,200 vph**: This is an innovative and unique VPH level that is only used by Omega in their Co-Axial movements. It has an optimal balance between accuracy, durability and aesthetics, thanks to its revolutionary escapement design that reduces friction and wear. It also has a distinctive seconds hand motion that is neither too fast nor too slow. Some examples of movements that use this VPH level are: Omega Caliber 2500, Omega Caliber 8500, Omega Caliber 8800.

 

As you can see, there is no definitive answer to which VPH level is the best or the worst. It all depends on your personal preference, your budget and your lifestyle. Some people may value accuracy over durability, while others may value aesthetics over functionality. Some people may want to own a unique and exclusive watch with a high or low VPH level, while others may want to stick to a reliable and conventional watch with a standard VPH level.

 

The bottom line is: VPH matters, but it’s not everything. There are many other aspects that make a watch great or not so great. The most important thing is to enjoy your watch and appreciate its beauty and craftsmanship.

 

I hope you enjoyed this article and learned something new about watch movement vibrations per hour. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below. And if you liked this article, please share it with your fellow watch enthusiasts. Thank you for reading and happy watch collecting!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *