mps: the preferred partner of the top names in the watch industry When the first micro ball bearing was fitted in a wristwatch movement back in 1948, it was a breakthrough. The bearing is still an essential component of the mechanical watch movement today. It is also used in other parts of the watch such as the setting-wheel, the reverser or in the most extreme case, as a carriage in a tourbillon.
Passion for craftsmanship mps has mastered the decoration techniques required for contemporary timepieces such as sungrinding, snailing (colimaçonage) and black polishing. With these skills, mps helps to raise watchmaking to the ranks of a contemporary art, revealing the emotional aspect of mechanics. As they come off the production line, the bearings are individually inspected and checked with great care in order to guarantee a perfect finished product.
Extreme precision at each stage of the manufacturing process The technical study carried out by our R&D engineers is followed by the development of a manufacturing procedure that ensures that the product specifications are met.
The small-section parts are sorted into categories of 2 microns. They are then matched to the nearest micron to obtain optimal press fit so that the assembled product is solid without risking reaching the steel's yield strenght limit. The play is measured for every bearing and limited to 8 microns.
Constantly aiming at even greater precision, mps designs and manufactures its own measuring instruments for production monitoring. These instruments are also available to customers and suppliers.
