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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Switzerland · 1950s

Nivaflex Alloy Mainsprings

Needs research

Explains why modern watches rarely suffer the 'set' mainsprings common in older pieces.

Cobalt–nickel based alloy mainsprings resistant to setting (permanent deformation) and breakage, largely replacing carbon-steel springs.

Background

Since 1945, carbon steel alloys have been increasingly superseded by newer special alloys including iron, nickel, chromium, and cobalt. These materials, referred to by watchmakers as white metal springs, were developed to provide superior structural properties compared to traditional blued carbon steel. The implementation of these alloys significantly reduced the prevalence of spring breakage, which was the largest cause of watch repairs until the 1960s. These advanced alloys resist the permanent deformation, often described as becoming tired or set, that frequently impacted earlier carbon steel springs.

Written from the encyclopedia entries listed under Sources; each statement was checked against the cited text.

How it works

  • The alloys used for these mainsprings typically consist of iron, nickel, and chromium, enhanced with cobalt, molybdenum, or beryllium.
  • Alloy mainsprings are stainless and have a higher elastic limit than older blued carbon-steel springs.
  • Some of these specialized alloy springs are engineered to be practically non-magnetic.

How to verify this yourself

Search the relevant national patent office archive (Espacenet covers most European and US specifications) by inventor name and date range; confirm the number from the specification itself, not secondary sources.

Manufacturers known to have used it

  • Most Swiss manufacturers via mainspring suppliers

Photographs

LOT OF 3 NEW VINTAGE MAINSPRINGS NEW YORK STANDARD, NIVAFLEX, WHITE ALLOY KA14
LOT OF 3 NEW VINTAGE MAINSPRINGS NEW YORK STANDARD, NIVAFLEX, WHITE ALLOY KA14 — ebay.com, Rights unverified — web image search result, review pending. Web page (ebay.com)

Photographs are illustrative examples of the type, not necessarily the exact object described. Verify details against the source file page.

Sources & references

  1. Mainspring, Wikipedia (English), retrieved 2026-10-28 (text CC BY-SA 4.0)
  2. Straumann Group corporate history
  3. Daniels, G., Watchmaking

Where sources disagree, the disagreement is stated rather than resolved silently.