Comments:
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 at work. But what is their real part in watch production? Once we have all the parts, how do all those parts “fall together” ?
I had the chance to answer that question during a day-long visit to Armin Strom in Bienne. I was able to follow a watchmaker as he assembles a complete watch; all the steps from a tray of finished and decorated parts to a working and regulated watch. Exactly all those steps that we have been missing in the genesis of a watch. Simon, our watchmaker for the day, let me take pictures of all the steps. It was easy to see that Simon’s mastery of his work, many times I had to slow him down just to get a picture.
We are starting on a journey which is not for the faint of heart. More than 200 pictures, when I am not getting in the way approx. 4 hours of concentrated work. And note; the watch we will be assembling is a relatively simple 3 hands, small seconds watch with power reserve indication, an Armin Racing One Week. This is not a big complication. And we will be seeing only the final assembly. Many of the parts are already preassembled.
Just to whet your appetite, the finished watch, an Armin Racing One Week:
For your memory, here is the link to my visit 2 years ago where we visited the machine shop.
ahci.watchprosite.com
And here the visit to a Formula 1 training to celebrate the launch of the Armin Racing collection.
home.watchprosite.com
We will start with a quick look at the parts trays, the parts separated more by their position in the calibre than by function.
The plate and bridges:
The barrel:
The dial side winding:
Some bridges:
Winding and setting components:
The ratchet spring and bridge:
The motion bridge and components:
Escapement components:
Our work bench is well ordered:
Last preparations:
Let’s go! A quick inspection of the plate shows us that there is still one jewel missing. The pre-assembly preparation of the plate includes inserting all the jewels and pins and axles. The jewels will have their positions regulated to have the proper end shakes of the axles.
Simon started out by finding the necessary jewel, placing it in its new home and pressing it home with the jewel press.
Now we will prepare the barrels by inserting the mainsprings. The springs are supplied by the mainspring manufacturer pre lubricated with a ring holding them rolled up smaller than their size in the barrel. As such it is easy to place the spring in its ring on the barrel, press the spring out of the ring and then insert the barrel axle making sure that it hooks properly into the hole in the end of the spring.
Then the barrel cover is pressed in place using a tool to avoid blemishing the decoration. A quick brushing with a leather assures that all is well before the axle is lubricated where it fits in the barrel case and cover. We will see much lubricating using an oiler throughout the day. The idea of an oiler is to put just the amount of oil necessary for the current application on the tip of the oiler. This is then transferred to the bearing. In this way it is not possible to put too much oil on the bearing. For the miniscule quantities needed it is impossible to control the flow of the oil. Here the quantity is controlled simply by dipping the tip of the oiler more or less deep into the oil. Then all of that oil is transferred to the bearing.
Then this procedure is repeated for the second barrel.
Simon continues to mount the winding and setting mechanism.
The winding pinion and sliding pinion are mounted on the stem…
which is then inserted in the plate.
The setting lever is then mounted on the dial side…
and fixed with its screw from the bridge side of the movement.
Now we check that the movement of the parts is OK and add a drop of oil on the moving surfaces..
Next we will be mounting the first wheels. The “mobiles”, wheels and pinions, have already been mounted in this kit, but Simon shows me how it is done. To start the pinion is placed on an anvil of the right size in the staking tool. Then the wheel is put in place and gently pressed in place being careful that it is centered and not to deform it using a stake with an inner diameter slightly larger than the pinion.
Then using a smaller stake and a watchmakers hammer the two are riveted together by bending over the corner of the wheel seat on the pinion.
Now the mobile is checked for flatness and concentricity on a special tool.
Now it is time for a break. Time to rest the eyes, or do crossword puzzles, or both.
After the break we will continue.
To go to "And the Watchmakers… what do they do ? Part 2" click here
This message has been edited by MTF on 2011-09-30 09:06:25 This message has been edited by MTF on 2011-10-04 01:16:09
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 time or even stop the watch. If there is too much movement the mated wheel and pinion could move so they are no longer in gear and provoke the instantaneous release of the mainspring. Not too good for the movement. So setting the end shake correctly is important. This is done by moving the jewels in the bridge or plate as necessary using the jewel press with its micrometric scale.
We will next install the barrels and the differential for the power reserve indicator. This differential counts the winding of the crown and unwinding of the barrel to always know the state of winding of the mainspring. It is very similar to the differential in a car as can be seen in the first picture following, a completed differential and most of its component pieces.
Before the bridge is mounted the keyless works needs some lubrication.
Of course we now need to check the “shakes” of the barrels too before we screw down the bridges.
What’s next? The ratchet with its spring so we can wind up the main spring. Note the constructive solution to use a small bridge to secure the ratchet for more security than a simple shoulder screw.
Now we can add the crown wheel and its bridge and will be able to wind from the stem. Don’t forget the drop of oil to keep everything turning smoothly.
Before the ratchet wheel is put in place the barrel axle is lubricated. The ratchet wheel has its own little bridge.
Now we start a round of oiling along the entire going train.
1) The center wheel…
2) the third wheel…
3) the second barrel…
4) the seconds wheel.
5) Now we turn the movement over and continue…
Next we add the escapement module. We start out by oiling the lower Incablock shock absorber for the balance axle. An Incablock consists of 3 main parts:
1) the outer housing that is press fit in the plate or bridge of the movement,
2) the moveable insert that holds the pierced jewel and the cap jewel,
3) the lyre spring which holds the insert in place but allows it to move in case of a shock.
The insert is removed by opening the lyre spring, it then falls out of the outer housing and we can separate the cap jewel. A big drop of oil is placed carefully in the middle of the cap jewel. The insert holds the inner pierced jewel and is placed over the cap jewel with the drop of oil on it. The surface tension of the oil between the inner jewel and the cap jewel holds them together so that the insert assembly can be replaced in the seat and the lyre spring closed again. It sounds easy, and looks easy when Simon does it. I will remain silent as to the amount of time I needed on my first attempts.
Then the escapement module can be screwed in place. The escape wheel is inserted and the escape wheel bridge. The escape pinion bearings are oiled.
Now the anchor is put in place. This is maybe the most delicate operation. The pivots of the anchor staff are with the balance staff pivots the smallest in the movement and thus the most delicate. Note that the anchor bearings are not oiled to reduce the force needed to move the anchor to an absolute minimum. The drag caused by a drop of oil could cause the movement to stop.
We see here as Simon places a drop of special oil on the front surface of an anchor pallet.
We see here as Simon places a drop of special oil on the front surface of an anchor pallet.
Now the balance can be mounted, the balance bridge put in place and screwed down. The hairspring stud is then put in place and screwed tight.
The watch is ready to start ticking.
Before we go to the dial side of the movement let’s take a little look at what else is going on this morning in the atelier. What do I see?... Watches being regulated and the apprentice working on the turns, learning to make a balance axle. As she told me, she had an axle almost finished the day before, it just needed final polishing of the tips, but fell on the floor and broke. She has started again from scratch.
In the final installment we will see the watch running and installed in its case.
To go to "And the Watchmakers… what do they do ? Part 3" click here
This message has been edited by DonCorson on 2011-09-30 02:49:27 This message has been edited by DonCorson on 2012-09-21 12:13:02
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 placed. This train goes from the crown wheel to the differential of the up/down display. The differential counts the movements of the crown wheel and the barrel to know the current state of the main spring.
The up/down display continues with the gear train going from differential to the cannon for the up/down hand.
Now that the gears are all in place we add the bridges so that they stay there.
The cannon on which the minute hand is mounted is driven by the center wheel axle. Here it must not slip, but be moveable so that it is possible to set the time. To this end the axle is oiled and the cannon has a press fit, mounted with the staking tool.
We are now heading for the final part of the movement assembly, adding the motion works, the time setting and hour movement gearing. As usual the axles pressed into the plate are oiled first and then the gears set in place.
We add the motion bridge which holds all this in place, screw it down and we are ready to go.
The movement is complete. This movement is destined for a watch of the Armin Racing series. This special series fruit of Armin Strom’s sponsoring of the Marussia Virgin Formula 1 team has a very attractive industrial looking finishing. Of special note is that the 3 central bridges on the dial side, which can also be seen through the open dial, are made of aluminium material that comes from one of the Marussia Virgin Formula 1 cars from 2010. As such parts of this movement were actually on the track.
Before going to the timing machine last adjustments are made to the hair spring and its Breguet end curve.
Sorry, but I missed taking pictures of the movement’s first sit on the timing machine to see that all is well in all positions. Sometimes one is lucky, the timing of this movement was really good from its first ticks. I am assured that this is not always the case. As all is well we will jump directly to casing up the movement. This is a 3 part case and the movement is inserted from the front. But first we need to take out the stem to be able to place the movement in the case. The setting lever screw is unscrewed slightly and then the stem can be removed.
While the stem is out the working crown is removed and the real crown threaded on. Once the stem is in place in the movement the setting lever screw is tightened down to hold it in place. Then the casing screws can be placed and tightened down.
Now it is time to mount the dial and hands. Because of the open dial the hour hand can be mounted onto the hour wheel cannon and set in place before mounting the dial. On this watch the dial is screwed down from the front.
Then the up/down and the seconds hand are mounted. The second part of the dial is then also screwed in place.
Before mounting the minutes hand the hour hand is set to exactly noon (or midnight if you prefer). Then the minute hand can be pressed in place at the top of the hour.
With everything working we can now install the bezel on the case. Of course it is very important to be sure that there is no dust or other particles inside the case. Cleaning is with compressed air and a microfiber cloth. Once all is clean the bezel is pressed in place using a small press.
Now it is again time for some testing. We start on the timing machine where we see that the movement is still happy. Then we can install the case bottom and check for water tightness. Once again on the timing machine and all the values are noted on the production sheet for this unit. It will be run for one week and then tested again and re-regulated. Before shipping the watch will be tested once more.
Oh yes, before the watch can be worn there is one more thing that needs to be done. And when done by a professional it looks so easy, mounting the watch band. In one smooth movement the spring bare is pressed in, moved under the horn and released. Nothing to it.
Set the time and away we go!
This has been a very interesting day. We have seen this movement go from a bunch of precision parts to a working timekeeper. This has taken about 5 hours with me getting in the way all the time, but I am told that 4 hours is the normal time to mount this watch.
Although I am not at all a friend of open face watches or of black cases I am quite enamoured of this Armin Racing One Week. I think the reason is that this movement was designed to be good looking from the dial side. While maintaining all the functionality necessary the dial side is a balanced whole and with its manly hands the legibility is very good. This movement was designed by Claude Greisler who heads development at Armin Strom. Claude was also responsible for several of the signature pieces made by Christophe Claret during his time there.
And as this is about an Armin Racing watch and as I make my visit it is the week before the Formula 1 race in Monza here we see the Armin Strom van being prepared for the trip to Italy.
I would like to thank our watchmaker Simon for his patience with me and the whole team at Armin Strom for enabling me to make this visit and document what the watchmakers do in this business.
Don
To go to "And the Watchmakers… what do they do ? Part 1" click here
To go to "And the Watchmakers… what do they do ? Part 2" click here
This message has been edited by DonCorson on 2012-09-21 12:14:48
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
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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 at work. But what is their real part in watch production? Once we have all the parts, how do all those parts “fall together” ?
I had the chance to answer that question during a day-long visit to Armin Strom in Bienne. I was able to follow a watchmaker as he assembles a complete watch; all the steps from a tray of finished and decorated parts to a working and regulated watch. Exactly all those steps that we have been missing in the genesis of a watch. Simon, our watchmaker for the day, let me take pictures of all the steps. It was easy to see that Simon’s mastery of his work, many times I had to slow him down just to get a picture.
We are starting on a journey which is not for the faint of heart. More than 200 pictures, when I am not getting in the way approx. 4 hours of concentrated work. And note; the watch we will be assembling is a relatively simple 3 hands, small seconds watch with power reserve indication, an Armin Racing One Week. This is not a big complication. And we will be seeing only the final assembly. Many of the parts are already preassembled.
Just to whet your appetite, the finished watch, an Armin Racing One Week:
For your memory, here is the link to my visit 2 years ago where we visited the machine shop.
ahci.watchprosite.com
And here the visit to a Formula 1 training to celebrate the launch of the Armin Racing collection.
home.watchprosite.com
We will start with a quick look at the parts trays, the parts separated more by their position in the calibre than by function.
The plate and bridges:
The barrel:
The dial side winding:
Some bridges:
Winding and setting components:
The ratchet spring and bridge:
The motion bridge and components:
Escapement components:
Our work bench is well ordered:
Last preparations:
Let’s go! A quick inspection of the plate shows us that there is still one jewel missing. The pre-assembly preparation of the plate includes inserting all the jewels and pins and axles. The jewels will have their positions regulated to have the proper end shakes of the axles.
Simon started out by finding the necessary jewel, placing it in its new home and pressing it home with the jewel press.
Now we will prepare the barrels by inserting the mainsprings. The springs are supplied by the mainspring manufacturer pre lubricated with a ring holding them rolled up smaller than their size in the barrel. As such it is easy to place the spring in its ring on the barrel, press the spring out of the ring and then insert the barrel axle making sure that it hooks properly into the hole in the end of the spring.
Then the barrel cover is pressed in place using a tool to avoid blemishing the decoration. A quick brushing with a leather assures that all is well before the axle is lubricated where it fits in the barrel case and cover. We will see much lubricating using an oiler throughout the day. The idea of an oiler is to put just the amount of oil necessary for the current application on the tip of the oiler. This is then transferred to the bearing. In this way it is not possible to put too much oil on the bearing. For the miniscule quantities needed it is impossible to control the flow of the oil. Here the quantity is controlled simply by dipping the tip of the oiler more or less deep into the oil. Then all of that oil is transferred to the bearing.
Then this procedure is repeated for the second barrel.
Simon continues to mount the winding and setting mechanism.
The winding pinion and sliding pinion are mounted on the stem…
which is then inserted in the plate.
The setting lever is then mounted on the dial side…
and fixed with its screw from the bridge side of the movement.
Now we check that the movement of the parts is OK and add a drop of oil on the moving surfaces..
Next we will be mounting the first wheels. The “mobiles”, wheels and pinions, have already been mounted in this kit, but Simon shows me how it is done. To start the pinion is placed on an anvil of the right size in the staking tool. Then the wheel is put in place and gently pressed in place being careful that it is centered and not to deform it using a stake with an inner diameter slightly larger than the pinion.
Then using a smaller stake and a watchmakers hammer the two are riveted together by bending over the corner of the wheel seat on the pinion.
Now the mobile is checked for flatness and concentricity on a special tool.
Now it is time for a break. Time to rest the eyes, or do crossword puzzles, or both.
After the break we will continue.
To go to "And the Watchmakers… what do they do ? Part 2" click here
This message has been edited by MTF on 2011-09-30 09:06:25 This message has been edited by MTF on 2011-10-04 01:16:09
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 time or even stop the watch. If there is too much movement the mated wheel and pinion could move so they are no longer in gear and provoke the instantaneous release of the mainspring. Not too good for the movement. So setting the end shake correctly is important. This is done by moving the jewels in the bridge or plate as necessary using the jewel press with its micrometric scale.
We will next install the barrels and the differential for the power reserve indicator. This differential counts the winding of the crown and unwinding of the barrel to always know the state of winding of the mainspring. It is very similar to the differential in a car as can be seen in the first picture following, a completed differential and most of its component pieces.
Before the bridge is mounted the keyless works needs some lubrication.
Of course we now need to check the “shakes” of the barrels too before we screw down the bridges.
What’s next? The ratchet with its spring so we can wind up the main spring. Note the constructive solution to use a small bridge to secure the ratchet for more security than a simple shoulder screw.
Now we can add the crown wheel and its bridge and will be able to wind from the stem. Don’t forget the drop of oil to keep everything turning smoothly.
Before the ratchet wheel is put in place the barrel axle is lubricated. The ratchet wheel has its own little bridge.
Now we start a round of oiling along the entire going train.
1) The center wheel…
2) the third wheel…
3) the second barrel…
4) the seconds wheel.
5) Now we turn the movement over and continue…
Next we add the escapement module. We start out by oiling the lower Incablock shock absorber for the balance axle. An Incablock consists of 3 main parts:
1) the outer housing that is press fit in the plate or bridge of the movement,
2) the moveable insert that holds the pierced jewel and the cap jewel,
3) the lyre spring which holds the insert in place but allows it to move in case of a shock.
The insert is removed by opening the lyre spring, it then falls out of the outer housing and we can separate the cap jewel. A big drop of oil is placed carefully in the middle of the cap jewel. The insert holds the inner pierced jewel and is placed over the cap jewel with the drop of oil on it. The surface tension of the oil between the inner jewel and the cap jewel holds them together so that the insert assembly can be replaced in the seat and the lyre spring closed again. It sounds easy, and looks easy when Simon does it. I will remain silent as to the amount of time I needed on my first attempts.
Then the escapement module can be screwed in place. The escape wheel is inserted and the escape wheel bridge. The escape pinion bearings are oiled.
Now the anchor is put in place. This is maybe the most delicate operation. The pivots of the anchor staff are with the balance staff pivots the smallest in the movement and thus the most delicate. Note that the anchor bearings are not oiled to reduce the force needed to move the anchor to an absolute minimum. The drag caused by a drop of oil could cause the movement to stop.
We see here as Simon places a drop of special oil on the front surface of an anchor pallet.
We see here as Simon places a drop of special oil on the front surface of an anchor pallet.
Now the balance can be mounted, the balance bridge put in place and screwed down. The hairspring stud is then put in place and screwed tight.
The watch is ready to start ticking.
Before we go to the dial side of the movement let’s take a little look at what else is going on this morning in the atelier. What do I see?... Watches being regulated and the apprentice working on the turns, learning to make a balance axle. As she told me, she had an axle almost finished the day before, it just needed final polishing of the tips, but fell on the floor and broke. She has started again from scratch.
In the final installment we will see the watch running and installed in its case.
To go to "And the Watchmakers… what do they do ? Part 3" click here
This message has been edited by DonCorson on 2011-09-30 02:49:27 This message has been edited by DonCorson on 2012-09-21 12:13:02
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 placed. This train goes from the crown wheel to the differential of the up/down display. The differential counts the movements of the crown wheel and the barrel to know the current state of the main spring.
The up/down display continues with the gear train going from differential to the cannon for the up/down hand.
Now that the gears are all in place we add the bridges so that they stay there.
The cannon on which the minute hand is mounted is driven by the center wheel axle. Here it must not slip, but be moveable so that it is possible to set the time. To this end the axle is oiled and the cannon has a press fit, mounted with the staking tool.
We are now heading for the final part of the movement assembly, adding the motion works, the time setting and hour movement gearing. As usual the axles pressed into the plate are oiled first and then the gears set in place.
We add the motion bridge which holds all this in place, screw it down and we are ready to go.
The movement is complete. This movement is destined for a watch of the Armin Racing series. This special series fruit of Armin Strom’s sponsoring of the Marussia Virgin Formula 1 team has a very attractive industrial looking finishing. Of special note is that the 3 central bridges on the dial side, which can also be seen through the open dial, are made of aluminium material that comes from one of the Marussia Virgin Formula 1 cars from 2010. As such parts of this movement were actually on the track.
Before going to the timing machine last adjustments are made to the hair spring and its Breguet end curve.
Sorry, but I missed taking pictures of the movement’s first sit on the timing machine to see that all is well in all positions. Sometimes one is lucky, the timing of this movement was really good from its first ticks. I am assured that this is not always the case. As all is well we will jump directly to casing up the movement. This is a 3 part case and the movement is inserted from the front. But first we need to take out the stem to be able to place the movement in the case. The setting lever screw is unscrewed slightly and then the stem can be removed.
While the stem is out the working crown is removed and the real crown threaded on. Once the stem is in place in the movement the setting lever screw is tightened down to hold it in place. Then the casing screws can be placed and tightened down.
Now it is time to mount the dial and hands. Because of the open dial the hour hand can be mounted onto the hour wheel cannon and set in place before mounting the dial. On this watch the dial is screwed down from the front.
Then the up/down and the seconds hand are mounted. The second part of the dial is then also screwed in place.
Before mounting the minutes hand the hour hand is set to exactly noon (or midnight if you prefer). Then the minute hand can be pressed in place at the top of the hour.
With everything working we can now install the bezel on the case. Of course it is very important to be sure that there is no dust or other particles inside the case. Cleaning is with compressed air and a microfiber cloth. Once all is clean the bezel is pressed in place using a small press.
Now it is again time for some testing. We start on the timing machine where we see that the movement is still happy. Then we can install the case bottom and check for water tightness. Once again on the timing machine and all the values are noted on the production sheet for this unit. It will be run for one week and then tested again and re-regulated. Before shipping the watch will be tested once more.
Oh yes, before the watch can be worn there is one more thing that needs to be done. And when done by a professional it looks so easy, mounting the watch band. In one smooth movement the spring bare is pressed in, moved under the horn and released. Nothing to it.
Set the time and away we go!
This has been a very interesting day. We have seen this movement go from a bunch of precision parts to a working timekeeper. This has taken about 5 hours with me getting in the way all the time, but I am told that 4 hours is the normal time to mount this watch.
Although I am not at all a friend of open face watches or of black cases I am quite enamoured of this Armin Racing One Week. I think the reason is that this movement was designed to be good looking from the dial side. While maintaining all the functionality necessary the dial side is a balanced whole and with its manly hands the legibility is very good. This movement was designed by Claude Greisler who heads development at Armin Strom. Claude was also responsible for several of the signature pieces made by Christophe Claret during his time there.
And as this is about an Armin Racing watch and as I make my visit it is the week before the Formula 1 race in Monza here we see the Armin Strom van being prepared for the trip to Italy.
I would like to thank our watchmaker Simon for his patience with me and the whole team at Armin Strom for enabling me to make this visit and document what the watchmakers do in this business.
Don
To go to "And the Watchmakers… what do they do ? Part 1" click here
To go to "And the Watchmakers… what do they do ? Part 2" click here
This message has been edited by DonCorson on 2012-09-21 12:14:48
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 between ultra modern technology with the look of the "old" movements.
Thanks.
Vte 
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
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
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,
Bob
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. Thanks for the post Don!
Best
SamEE
Best
SamEE
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
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
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, to my recollection your report is by far the best I have seen in a long time.
THANK YOU.
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
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
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
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