Rolling is a finishing operation that consists of grinding the pivots and faces of a pinion to ensure smooth rotation within the jewels (or rubies) of the movement’s main plate.
Indeed, whether for a quartz watch powered by a battery or a mechanical watch relying on its power reserve, reducing friction to an absolute minimum is essential to avoid unnecessary energy loss.
The surface finish of the pivots and pinion faces must be of the highest quality (with micron-level precision) to ensure optimal movement kinematics.
Rolling is a complex process, both in terms of the operation itself and the automatic loading of the parts. It involves rotating components only a few millimeters in size without damaging them, while maintaining micron-level diameter tolerances and polished surface finishes.