hairspring

noun

hair·​spring ˈher-ˌspriŋ How to pronounce hairspring (audio)
: a slender spiraled recoil spring that regulates the motion of the balance wheel of a timepiece

Examples of hairspring in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Moser’s prowess as a movement maker—including manufacturing their own hairsprings under the Straumann name—is on display through the sapphire caseback. Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2024 The heart of this watch is the one-minute flying tourbillon fitted with a cylindrical hairspring positioned at 6 o’clock, which showcases the expertise of H. Moser & Cie.’s sister company, Precision Engineering AG. Melinda Sheckells, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Aug. 2024 The tourbillon itself uses a cylindrical hairspring with a dual Breguet overcoil, making a full rotation in 60 seconds. Blake Buettner, Robb Report, 8 May 2024 The flying tourbillon at 6 o’clock rotates once per minute and incorporates an in-house dual hairspring (Moser uniquely makes its own hairsprings). Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2024 Many of his inventions, from hairsprings to automatic winding systems, were revolutionary and remain signatures of watchmaking to this day. The Editors, Robb Report, 28 Mar. 2024 Powering the complication is the automatic HMC 804 caliber, equipped with a double hairspring. Cait Bazemore, Robb Report, 24 Jan. 2024 One memorable display in the exhibition space features a grain of rice beside a minuscule screw from one of the brand’s in-house hairsprings. Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2023 It is regulated by a silicon hairspring first introduced in 2008, along with an escapement treated with shock-resistant DIAMonSIL, was first applied to the Freak in 2007. Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 27 Mar. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hairspring was in 1830

Dictionary Entries Near hairspring

Cite this Entry

“Hairspring.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hairspring. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

hairspring

noun
hair·​spring -ˌspriŋ How to pronounce hairspring (audio)
: a slender coiled spring that regulates the motion of the balance wheel in a timepiece
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