hairspring

American  

[hair-spring] / ˈhɛərˌsprɪŋ /

noun

Horology.

1. a fine, usually spiral, spring used for oscillating the balance of a timepiece.

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hairspring British  

/ ˈhɛəˌsprɪŋ /

noun

1. horology a very fine spiral spring in some timepieces, which, in combination with the balance wheel, controls the timekeeping

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Etymology

Origin of hairspring

First recorded in 1820–30; hair + spring

Example Sentences

However, Shapiro said, the production version of Resurgence will include a hairspring and bearings made in America.

From Los Angeles Times

A native of Shanghai, Sun has become a virtuoso of the soup dumpling, a snack that requires the meticulous, hairspring balance of a seven-jewel watch.

From Washington Post

It also features a patented blue Parachrom hairspring that is 10 times more precise than a traditional hairspring, protecting the watch from shocks.

From Forbes

It is intended to be the first member of a family of movements incorporating both the DIAMonSIL escapement and an adjustable oscillator fitted with a silicium hairspring.

From New York Times

It is generally understood that the purpose of the compensation balance is to act in opposition to the error caused principally by the hairspring.

From Project Gutenberg