AndrewD
[HoMe Moderator]
12829
The Blues
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 steel these are usually oxides, like magnetite, that protect against further rusting.
I am a sucker for blued screws. I know they can overpower a movement, but I find it hard to say “no”. Perhaps it started when I tried to heat-blue my own screws in a GO Masterclass in 2007? You have to be observant and quick to get the colour hue just right.
This particular photo of the Breguet La Tradition, taken in the evening light, seems to catch the blue hands and screws.
I would love to see your photos of blue bits!
Andrew
Paul Gerber provided this video to demonstrate how he blues his screws:
“I screw the screws into a plate for grinding. I then polish the screws to a very high finish. After cleaning, I heat the screws while still on the plate and dip everything into a blue salt process, increasing the heat gently to acheive the desired blue color. Then I immediately remove everything from the solution and allow to cool. I then clean the screws and they are ready for assembly.”
The Blues
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 ...
Gerber video
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...
Blued screws
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...
Here are a few of mine...
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...
Great Post Tim!!
Thanks for all the great pics and so many unique and beautiful watches.
Hey Davo, I must tell you, I do not own all these!
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
Here you go...
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....
Thanks for all the great pictures, Tim.
Truly one of the most compelling pieces I've seen in a long time. Massive props to Peter. Cheers, Daos
Phenomenal!
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...
Excellent! That helps a lot, but I imagine it's much better to see in action.
This watch is a new dream watch for me. Amazing. DJK
my lord!
thx for sharing this! what a stunning piece--the craft as well as the mechanics involved are just remarkable! J
Thanks Andreas, I do love my Classic!
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...
One more that my friend Cazalea reminded me I snapped of one of his...
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...
That is some blued collection you have there...
Thx for sharing. Great watches and pictures Hagwe Hans
Blued screws + purple jewels =
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...
Another JLC Movement and a blue dial
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!...
You are calling me just by titling this post!
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 ...
love that RL PLM!
the cartier is gorgeous--but boy how that Lange sings to me thx for sharing J
Hey J
Glad you enjoyed them as always! I love the King the most, naturlich! Tschuss Stephen
I'll second the vote for the RL PLM! My fav. Lange so far.
Great pictures of it, love to see more, especially the movement side. Cheers, TIm
Your desire is my command 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...
just breathtaking
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
Absolutely humbling when compared to yours bro
You also have a very wow piece that i hope you'd share with us more oftens too! Tschuss Stephen
One of my modest favorites...
...and under the radar, this now vanished marque, the Robert Lighton Hudson...
Purity at it's best!
Never seen this one before, i'm loving it so much! That cushion case especially is fascinating! Thanks for sharing! Stephen
Craig, you inspire
I cannot tell how often I have looked at that picture of yours of the Journe DS ... Best Andreas
The blued screws Glashütte Original uses . . .
. . . in their manual winding movements like the cal 22 . . . . . . do it for me!...
One of the critical ingredients of the Glashütte experience
in this company and the one accross the street! Best Andreas
Blue is all I need
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 ...
two beauties
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
Blues...
One of my favourites to wear as I love the different shades of blue and purple dancing when it plays in the light.......
Blue dial
I need something with blued hands and screws, but for now this blue outer dial ring will have to do. Cheers, Daniel...
The BLUE Blancpain 50 Fathoms - Ying & Yang of a theme?
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...
recently saw it in the metal
and it blew me away. Yes, it is over the top but in a way that is all good, IMO. Best Andreas
love blue
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...
Andreas, great to see another Blue Surf owner...
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...
Blue and diamonds
Yes, it's a Swatch with diamond markers. Bet you weren't expecting that. - SJX...
Great shot of the HM1
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...
Thanks Andrew
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
Mor blue....
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 (...