WatchTech

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 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...  

No message body

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...  

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... 

Thanks. Takes me back to my watchmaking days...

. . . 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

You have certainly not disappointed. Thanks for the very interesting and informative post.

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

No message body

Well done and many thanks for posting this interesting material.

No message body

No message body

very much for this amazing look at the creation of a neat timepiece. Just the pictures alone were worth the price of admission. Darren

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, ... 

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.

Thanks for all your efforts - nice photos, and well explained. Really interesting to see all the way through the assembly. Thanks again grumio

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... 

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!

And top marks to Armin for allowing you access.

Don, Thanks. It took ages to read through and most require much more study Regards, MTF

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

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

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... 

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 ... 

No message body

Don Wonderful "strip tease" in reverse. This is the kind of post that I save locally for further reading and enjoyment. Cheers

A really good post, and somewhere to direct people who ask "so what's really involved" Thanks again Tom

Very insightful and useful. Read it 2-3 times! Best, Horo

It also allows us to be more familiar with this technical part of the watch. To be saved. Best, my friend. Nicolas.

No message body

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... 

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

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... 

It was a great idea to give us the ability to follow step by step this process. Fx

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!

Thank you for sharing this with us! Best Blomman

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, ... 

Thanks for such a good look. Bernard

No message body

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 ...