Horological Meandering

Who loves blued steel (or indeed other metals) in their watches? Screws, hairsprings, hands. Other parts? Bluing is a passivation process whereby a ‘protective’ non-reactive layer, only nanometres thick, is created or applied to the metal. In the case of ...  

I'm a bit disappointed that he seems to be taking the stock plated screws from the movement and just polishing the plate off the head before bluing, leaving that garish "white" screw-slot.... Is that a molten salt he's using to keep a stable temperature o... 

Hi Aaron, I agree that it would be aesthetically preferable to have the slots polished and blued. It looks like Paul uses the same blued screws on the Retro Twin, but uses polished steel screws for the Model 33 (including the screwed chatons) and Model 41... 

Over the years I have captured a few: My inherited Bernex from Grandpa, showing years of daily wear since 1945-1987...Almost scary how well the hand has stayed blue over the years! Blued Habring chrono hands... Blue Surf with it's blued movt. Peter's blue...  

Thanks for all the great pics and so many unique and beautiful watches.

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a stunning set of pics!

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Awesome collection you got there, Tim. Respect.

Many of them, yes, but several are owned by friends...I have had the fortune and pleasure of viewing/handling some amazing pieces over the years. Cheers, Tim

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This amazing piece is owned by gentleman purist friend of mine, It is the prototype Marin 3, meaning that it contains the design by Peter of the regulator and jumping hour mechanism, executed by one watchmaker in it's entirety over the course of 3 months....  

Truly one of the most compelling pieces I've seen in a long time. Massive props to Peter. Cheers, Daos

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Thank you so much for the write-up and incredible pictures. I love everything about this watch. Question--what are the fine, curved mechanical wings, or whatever you call them, that are on the open face, and what do they do/how do they work? Cheers, Danie... 

Cheers, Tim...  

This watch is a new dream watch for me. Amazing. DJK

thx for sharing this! what a stunning piece--the craft as well as the mechanics involved are just remarkable! J

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Thanks! Especially liked the shot of the Vianney Halter. Best Andreas

The habillage found in Vianney's atelier is second to none, putting aside the designs of his watches, his finishing of the case, hands, dials is absolutely incredible when one begins to examine them under magnification. Those rivets in the crown and bezel... 

His stunning Grand Seiko with applied arabics and those hands!!! Here in the company of a Vianney creation, the lovely VH Goldpfeil, snapped at IGOTT2 almost 2 months ago...a great reminder of the variety and wonderful collection of timepieces being shown...  

Thx for sharing. Great watches and pictures Hagwe Hans

HAGWE too! Cheers, Tim

A movement I can look at all day. A great topic - I like blued components a lot - it seems to be a very traditional technique that is both functional and decorative at the same time. I look forward to seeing what some others come up with. Interesting that...  

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A very good looking movement. Best Andreas

Nicely blued screws This interesting dial is carbon fiber. Not an exact answer to the original request - but bold and blue, so I thought it would fit!...  

Hi there Andrew, Fascinating arent they, these blue parts? I have been trying to research much on Blued steel hairsprings, but its a rather elusive subject. Here's some of my Blues. Enjoy Stephen Blue sunray dial The most exclusive blue of all, ones made ...  

the cartier is gorgeous--but boy how that Lange sings to me thx for sharing J

Glad you enjoyed them as always! I love the King the most, naturlich! Tschuss Stephen

Great pictures of it, love to see more, especially the movement side. Cheers, TIm

This one is always a winner i think for many folks out there, it may not be the most complicated timepiece of all, but it sure attracts more than it seems at 1st glance. Not a very good movement shot, but here's some more of mine! Hope you enjoy them! Tsc...  

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I love the contrast of texture of the backside--and how the engraving follow the curve of either the wheels or screws.........just gorgeous. A wonderful play of light and shadows as well.... J

That RL PLM is to die for... beautiful! Thanks for the pictures, Stephen.

You also have a very wow piece that i hope you'd share with us more oftens too! Tschuss Stephen

but where is your Platinum RL - love it's blued second hand? Best Andreas

Halo Andreas, Here is your favourite! Tschuss Stephen...  

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...and under the radar, this now vanished marque, the Robert Lighton Hudson...  

Never seen this one before, i'm loving it so much! That cushion case especially is fascinating! Thanks for sharing! Stephen

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I cannot tell how often I have looked at that picture of yours of the Journe DS ... Best Andreas

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. . . in their manual winding movements like the cal 22 . . . . . . do it for me!...  

in this company and the one accross the street! Best Andreas

Hi, For me blue is really a must on a watch... But it should be obtained with the only acceptable process: flame! Chemical blueing is just a poor imitation and only makes me think about cheap chinese productions... If not blueing it in the right way, why ...  

the La Tradition is one of the very few watches where I consider buying another in a different metal (yours, YG) in addition. Best Andreas

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NT

One of my favourites to wear as I love the different shades of blue and purple dancing when it plays in the light.......  

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I need something with blued hands and screws, but for now this blue outer dial ring will have to do. Cheers, Daniel...  

you and the Habrings did very well with this one! Best Andreas

what an exciting piece...! The large and generous blue surfaces reveal even more if the piece's magic than the black does already. That alone makes me forgive the unforgivable mistake (my opinion ;-)) of introducing a display back... For me it was love at...  

and it blew me away. Yes, it is over the top but in a way that is all good, IMO. Best Andreas

and have something blue on almost every one I have or did have (just the moonphase disk but I decided it counts ...) The wonderful Blue Surf movement. This second hand is unfortunately painted. (OK, just the disk again) and the nicest blued hands last: Be...  

But your piece I love the most has to be the UN platinum Ltd. Edit. GMT Perpetual. Elegant, yet supremely practical and stealthy too! That piece, to me, is one of my favorite all time UN pieces and I find it resonates still to this day, as a watch I shoul... 

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Yes, it's a Swatch with diamond markers. Bet you weren't expecting that. - SJX...  

Which hasn't shown its face yet on here.......  

Is that the LE titanium version, Andrew? You really show the layers and depth in the dial (and I noticed the 'blue bits' as well!). I find I prefer large watches to be in lighter metals, otherwise I have to wear the straps tighter than I prefer, just to s... 

Yes its the Ti version (LE of 8 pieces). It is the best combination and I agree with you it is very light so you can wear the strap normally rather than strangling your wrist. I love the blue hands and detail in this watch. Cheers Andrew

My favorite blued hands are those on my V-H Classic, which is a twin to Tim's pictured above. I like this picture of mine which shows how startling blue the curved hands can be. Speaking of the shots posted by Tim, here's another of the same Habring COS (...