Watch enthusiast hear the term "Breguet Hairspring" all the time But what is it and how are they different than other types? I found myself asking this question the other day and came across a great site that explains all of this.
MAKE SURE TO VISIT THIS SITE! It is loaded with valuable horological information.
Overcoil Hairsprings(Breguet Hairspring)
The overcoil hairspring, which comes in a variety of forms and is most often referred to as a Bréguet hairspring or Bréguet overcoil, is an ideal form of hairspring with which near perfect timekeeping can be achieved. Specifically, unlike a normal, curbed, flat hairspring, the overcoil form allows the spring to breathe concentrically, thus paving the way for perfect Isochronism. Since its realization by Bréguet, nearly 200 years ago, the overcoil hairspring has undergone numerous alterations and improvements through great study, trial, error, and success, by other great watchmakers such as Philips and Grossman. Before the advent of Silicium based hairsprings, this type of spring was considered - and is still considered by many - to be the best form of hairspring for any watch. Helical or cylindrical springs, are used in marine chronometers and some pocket watches, but have not been deemed to perform any better than a single overcoil Bréguet hairspring.
Overcoil hairsprings are made from flat springs by the workman who springs the watch. They cannot be obtained for order as some flat hairsprings can, however it is sometimes possible for the common watchmaker to obtain one to meet a repair as part of a Balance-complete. Most overcoil springs today are made from Nivarox. Older pocket watches, with compensated balances are normally outfitted with tempered and blued steel hairsprings of overcoil form. Sometimes springs of Palladium wire are also used, especially in earlier, non-magnetic watches, as Palladium does not rust and cannot be magnetized.
-JKS
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