Movements Spacer: Metal against Plastic

[Zarith]

Metal movement spacers/holders are considered a sign of a higher quality. I'm personally disappointed when I see a plastic one.

-Something like this always makes me scream:



-While something like this makes me happy:




Metal just looks better, feel better and is more durable.

But from a purely technical perspective, wouldn't a plastic one offer a better shock absorption? By allowing a bit of play and damping? Or is the anti-shock mechanism of the movement itself more than enough?

I'm wondering what is your opinion about this?

I've seen many relatively expensive dive watches with plastic spacers. I can't believe that it's just a cost issue. A metallic one can't be significantly more expensive...

[marchone]

Good question. I have to wonder if a soft metal movement spacer would double as part of a Faraday Cage as an anti-magnetic shield?

[Zarith]

Good question. I have to wonder if a soft metal movement spacer would double as part of a Faraday Cage as an anti-magnetic shield?

Most watch movements are already anti-magnetic (Glucydur balance, Nivarox hairsprings, non magnetic escape wheel, etc...). ETA movement, for example, tolerate up to 4,800 A/m.

But you are right, some metallic spacer act as an anti-magnetic shied, like an inner cage. Damasko, Sinn, IWC, Bremont and Rolex all use this method to increase the anti-magnetism up to 80,000 A/m.



But that still doesn't explain why so many watch company prefer to use plastic spacers...

[Heilong]

My $.02--Zarith is probably right, plastic flexes better than metal & would add more shock resistance. I think most ppl would find more shock resistance more useful on a daily basis than higher anti-magnetic rating, especially if it already has decent anti-magnetic to begin with. Kinda like HEV--how many ppl actually need it?

[Ryeguy]

Like you, I prefer a metal spacer. They just project to me that the watch maker took extra care in the watch's design.

What I get more frosted about is bezel components. Too many really well designed watches are let down by poorly tuned bezels and worse, bezels who's underlying mechanics don't allow for fine tuning / adjusting.

Most folks will never see the inside of their watch or care if the movement spacer is plastic or metal, but the bezel is something used almost daily. That should be a focus.

[buddy13]

How about both?



The OS 300m has a metal spacer (that probably helps with anti magnetism) and a very well designed and manufactured plastic one isolating the movement that has been purposely designed for shock resistance...

[johnnmiller1]

Lets face it, even though a metal spacer looks cool, it is hard and (if it is aluminium) prone to bend and squash. A plastic spacer can be made to fit tighter and does absorb shock. If your watchmaker is using his/her tweezers to lever out a movement for work, they could easily bend the metal spacer/ movement holder. Plastic is also self-lubricating (and doesn't rust) so any internal friction won't damage the internal casing. The only time when I could forsee a metal movement holder being an improvement on a plastic is when it is fixed to the movement by screws (and I have seen it with rubber screws in a few rare cases). See the MK 2 promo stuff for an example. Metal does look cooler, but unless the movement holder completely covers the movement to lend the case anti-magnetic properties (which a few do, as in the above pic) plastic is actually a good if not better option, mechanically speaking. Doesn't mean it isn't dissapointing when you open the caseback and see it.

[Zarith]

Lets face it, even though a metal spacer looks cool, it is hard and (if it is aluminium) prone to bend and squash. A plastic spacer can be made to fit tighter and does absorb shock. If your watchmaker is using his/her tweezers to lever out a movement for work, they could easily bend the metal spacer/ movement holder. Plastic is also self-lubricating (and doesn't rust) so any internal friction won't damage the internal casing. The only time when I could forsee a metal movement holder being an improvement on a plastic is when it is fixed to the movement by screws (and I have seen it with rubber screws in a few rare cases). See the MK 2 promo stuff for an example. Metal does look cooler, but unless the movement holder completely covers the movement to lend the case anti-magnetic properties (which a few do, as in the above pic) plastic is actually a good if not better option, mechanically speaking. Doesn't mean it isn't dissapointing when you open the caseback and see it.

I think you summarized the situation correctly.

Another advantage of using a plastic spacer is that it is safer to work with. You can remove it, bent it, push it without worrying that it will scratch the case or damage the stem and the movement.