DonCorson
[AHCI]
3358
Design, development and industrialisation...
is actually quite time consuming and the larger the quantities of watches to be produced the longer it takes.
Several iterations of the design need to be made to be sure that the parts all work as planned and can be easily assembled. We are talking 12 to 18 months total for a small team for an industrially produced watch.
But even for hand made where one can spend some time in assembly correcting parts the developement process is not quick, especially as there will be fewer means available.
I may not be a good example making one watch a year, but for a new design I need more time to make the design and manufacturing documents (which need to be done even if I make the parts myself so I know what to make) than in the actual manufacturing of the parts, assembly and adjustment of the watch.
Don
And the Watchmakers… what do they do ? part 1
And the Watchmakers… what do they do ? by Don Corson, September 2011 We have been to many companies that make watches together. We have seen the machines. We have seen the parts being made. Once in a while we have looked over the shoulder of a watchmaker ...
And the Watchmakers… what do they do ? part 2
And the Watchmakers… what do they do ? Part 2 by Don Corson, September 2011 Back at the bench we start mounting the going train. With the bridge mounted Simon checks the end shakes of the pinions. If there is no space they will bind and reduce the running...
And the Watchmakers… what do they do ? part 3
And the Watchmakers… what do they do ? Part 3 by Don Corson, September 2011 Now we go to do some more work on the dial side of the movement. We start out by oiling the axles of the up/down gear train that are planted in the plate. Then the gears are place...
HQ posts.
Thanks you so much for sharing these fabolous technical posts. I've enjoyed them a lot. That movement looks fantastic, love it. The way the bridges, gears and wheels are finished looks great. The whole escapment looks also stunning, it's like a mix betwee...
There should be a prize . . .
. . . for excellence in horology journalism, Don, and this article would be my nominee. I can honestly say that my meager understanding of the process has been enhanced as a result. Thanks very, very much. Most cordially, Art
I knew we were in for something good as soon as I saw your byline.
You have certainly not disappointed. Thanks for the very interesting and informative post.
Fantastic post, Don
and I too like this watch's design very much. It's not skeletonized but it's intentionally made to look good, and it succeeds. Bravo to Strom for letting you get into the process. Cazalea
Thank you....
very much for this amazing look at the creation of a neat timepiece. Just the pictures alone were worth the price of admission. Darren
What a fantastic...
play-by-play of watch assembly. Thank you, Don, for a great report. Capturing the dexterity and skill taken in assembly, it is easy to see why it is an art form. Would you say that there must be some breathing techniques when assembly takes place? Aloha, ...
Brilliant post!
Enjoyed the blow-by-blow account and it has also sparked my interest in this brand! Thanks for taking us along on this ride Don.
Great post Don.
Thanks for all your efforts - nice photos, and well explained. Really interesting to see all the way through the assembly. Thanks again grumio
Amazing post Don...
The step by step walk through was very entertaining and very informative, now I can visualize what goes into assembling a watch. Thanks to Simon for allowing you to get in his way. Also the watch was very attractive, I will look more into this brand. Than...
The watchmaker: how a fascinating profession!
I've read between the lines a lot of respect and a bit of emotion, almost tenderness for the birth of a new watch. Thank you, Don!!! And compliments to Armin Strom!
It took ages
Don, Thanks. It took ages to read through and most require much more study Regards, MTF
Thanks Don ...
for the detailed report of the assembling of the Armin Racing One Week. It's close to a SOP. I have to re-read a couple of times. Kong
What a post, amazing!!!
Don, I ahve never been to a watch manufacturing facility and always guessed what was done, the report is fantastic and shows clearly why these type of watches are so expensive. Cheers steve
Wonderful assembly report, Thank you. But how long really?
When I purchase a watch, any watch, I am always asking myself, how long did it take from sketch to out of the production process when it is made in-house. Despite many visits and my own speculated results, I never and this far managed to know. Nonetheless...
Design, development and industrialisation...
is actually quite time consuming and the larger the quantities of watches to be produced the longer it takes. Several iterations of the design need to be made to be sure that the parts all work as planned and can be easily assembled. We are talking 12 to ...
Thank you for this "voyage"
Don Wonderful "strip tease" in reverse. This is the kind of post that I save locally for further reading and enjoyment. Cheers
Thanks Don,
A really good post, and somewhere to direct people who ask "so what's really involved" Thanks again Tom
Thanks for a excellent pictorial tutorial on watch assembly
Very insightful and useful. Read it 2-3 times! Best, Horo
Thanks for this brilliant Master Class, Don.
It also allows us to be more familiar with this technical part of the watch. To be saved. Best, my friend. Nicolas.
Mostly about assembly
and less about watchmaking from scratch, as I understand it , and those skills which are no longer taught in the few remaining schools, even in Switzerland. Watch making and watch assembly should be taken for what they are. And not only dedicated to assem...
Touch of the file...
Unfortunately, apart from things Don mentions such as jewel depth, I'd guess that there's no file work possible on a watch like this due to surface treatments etc. nick
Thanks so much for this brilliant series, Don!
One of my very favorite posts in a long time. I learned a great deal. Good to see that the watchmaker is able to do some fabrication work. And, having snapped an anchor shaft myself at the VC school, I understand how tricky that is -- and feel for the app...
Thanks a lot for this superb post Don!
It was a great idea to give us the ability to follow step by step this process. Fx
It's nice to see
Something with real, hands on watchmakers, and not another press release, or brand identity article. I know it's going to be honest and good when you post it Don. Thanks for a wonderful article!
Great report - I find attachment forms
Thanks Don for this report - all the photo taking was worth it! I find that when I see a watch assembled as in these photos, one gets a better appreciation for the specific time piece; it becomes special. I would not have ordinarily looked at this piece, ...
Many thanks
Very enlightening. For those like myself who are still learning, both the photos and the excellent and clearly written explanations are a wonderful education. Further study of these posts will certainly deepen my understanding of both the manufacture and ...