CHANGING GEARS!

WEEK 47

Jayne Zhuo, James Punshon, Pierre Aubert

Origin : Singapore. Sydney, Australia. Toulouse, France.

Age : 38

Watchmaking class: Technician Course

Current mood: Pierre here! Busy week for the three of us: time was split between endshakes practice and preparation for the final gear train exam! We took it on Thursday and all passed it with flying colours :)! We are now off to a well deserved weekend!! Also had some time for my school watch- I started to design my click system inspired by a very old Le Locle School pocket watch. I am looking forward to moving ahead with it when I have more free time. Have a great weekend everyone! 

Markus McDonald 

Origin : Stockholm Sweden 

Age : 21

Watchmaking class: 2 years Fullskill Program

Current mood : This week I did my final exam and it went really well as I was able to maintain my pacing throughout the exam and make each section as good as possible. This added up to my exam piece being the best winding stem in terms of dimensions, finishing and squares and even though my square wasn't perfect I was able to achieve a score of very good being 83 and a half. This result was incredibly satisfying as I had been pushing the trial exams too get the best possible result. The rest of the week I worked on my past tools and reading up and developing a measurement system for the winding stem for a potential restoration project.
In conclusion this was a very rewarding week as my exam results where not only satisfying but proof of my work and I made good progress with other tools and overall I am looking forward to starting pivot gauges next week.

Michael

Origin : Malaysia

Age : 28

Watchmaking class : 2 years Fullskill Program

Current Mood : I have been dating with Aciera F1 for the whole week. Managed to calculate some of the angles to be mill down for my pointed nose vice. Had the opportunity to make a scribe drill bit. Looking forward to finish all angles and drilling by next week. Slow progress..

Alex

Origin : Kaohsiung, Taiwan 

Age : 26

Watchmaking : 2Y Fullskill Program

Current mood: Finished turning all the slots with perfect dimension. I can finally move on to the making of an actual winding stem. It's the sum of all the exercises I have done through out the last few weeks. It should not be that much harder if I manage to grab myself to bed on time and do not drink an excessive amount of Red Bull so my hands are shaking, heart pumping. Anyhow, calling it a week. Might take some time to make a stand for my slots, they are magnificent.

STEP 1: POINTED NOSE VISE (MICHAEL)

Extra template for the pointed nose vice

Calculations for the trigonometry angles (Reminds me of my high school days)

STEP 2: CLICK DESIGN (PIERRE)






Testing out the design on my own barrel bridge! 

Need to lengthen my click and adjust the spring design accordingly!

HENRIK's WORDS:

Very diverse week with some exams but also nicely creative and it feels we are upshifting in the course! Michael progressing on his pointed nose vice learning a lot about milling, Alex has now arrived to the stage where he will start making complete winding stems, even though it was the real exam week for Pierre he still got in a couple of hours to progress on his school watch, which was really nice to see again! Markus finished his winding stem course and will start a new course about pivot gages next week. I forgot to tell that last week some of us went to Mr. Simonin to get some tools and books as well. See  you next week!

The amazing old Le Locle school piece we get much inspiration from!

This was Friday morning in Le Locle!

At Mr. Simonin watchmaking bookstore.

HABITS

Friday, February 21, 2020

 WEEK 46

Jayne Zhuo, James Punshon, Pierre Aubert

Origin : Singapore. Sydney, Australia. Toulouse, France.

Age : 38

Watchmaking class: Technician Course

Current mood: Jayne here! This week was the continuation of our trial exams. The workshop has been quiet, as everyone has been very focused. Fortunately, the trial exams have been going smoothly for the 3 of us, and Henrik says we are all ready to tackle our real exam next week. I will just pray that my mainspring winding goes smoothly when it really counts! I think we will all sleep well this weekend, the mental exhaustion of exams is coming to a climax. Really enjoying all the new experiences though! Have a great weekend everybody! 

Markus McDonald 

Origin : Stockholm Sweden 

Age : 21

Watchmaking class: 2 years Fullskill Program

Current mood : This week was a continuation and an extension of my trial exams, originally the plan was too do my trial exam on Tuesday and do the final exam on Thursday. However after reviewing the results for Tuesday which was a clear pass I decided to extend my trial period as even though I got a pass the finishing could be improved and if extending the trial period would raise my points and my overall finish then it would be well worth it. 

The results for Thursdays trial exam was yet another pass which verifies my capabilities and additionally the square improved and the overall points. In conclusion this week was very successful as I was able to achieve a pass on two trial exams and expand my overall skill thus improving my chances for the final exam next week on Tuesday.

Michael

Origin : Malaysia

Age : 28

Watchmaking class : 2 years Fullskill Program

Current Mood : Nothing much to write this week. Just came in for one day. Trying to get a lower tolerance on the milling machine even it is in the acceptable tolerances for my tool. Figuring out how to get a straight line and parallel, using the squaring technique with less than 0.01mm tolerance. 

Alex

Origin : Kaohsiung, Taiwan 

Age : 26

Watchmaking : 2Y Fullskill Program

Current mood: Don't know what to say this week. It feels like I have been doing stuff but could not tell what exactly has been done. I guess most of the time is spent on blued steel turning as well as modifying the gravers to complete the job. Well, that's it for me.

STEP 1: PREPARING FOR THE NEXT PRACTICE EXAM

STEP 2: SETTING UP THE MILLING MACHINE (MICHAEL)

STEP 3: CUSTOM MADE PUSHERS AND ANVILS FOR THE HORIA TOOL (JAMES)

STEP 4: HAND TURNING FRICTION FIT PARTS (PIERRE)

HENRIK's WORDS:

I thought last week was fast! Pierre, Jayne, and James have done two more practice exams and they are getting better and faster! Michael got back to the milling, Alex started to turn blue steel slots with his hard metal gravers. Markus did two more winding stem trial exams and is ready for the real one! Overall everyone seems to be forming good daily habits. See you next exam week!

TRIAL EXAMS!

Friday, February 14, 2020

 WEEK 45

Jayne Zhuo, James Punshon, Pierre Aubert

Origin : Singapore. Sydney, Australia. Toulouse, France.

Age : 38

Watchmaking class: Technician Course

Current mood: James here! Our focus this week was the first trial exam of the course. The 3 of us worked on being able to strip, inspect, adjust, clean and reassemble the 6498 movement. This included correcting the flatness of wheels, analyzing and adjusting divisions and endshakes and cleaning and adjusting barrels. The stress built as the test neared, but was all allayed once we all received our encouraging feedback afterwards. More trial exams coming next week! We all now deserve a beer!

Markus McDonald 

Origin : Stockholm Sweden 

Age : 21

Watchmaking class: 2 years Fullskill Program

Current mood :This week was the same as the previous week being focused on two things, my  trial exams which I did two of and preparation. The preparation was vital as it allowed me to keep my tools sharp allowing me too reduce the amount of time in my exam, as I was able to remove material efficiently and accurately which I did between both exams.

The first exam this week was my second trial exam overall and I was able to get 21.5 percent better than my first exam additionally I did this exam two hours faster. This was fantastic as it was a huge improvement over my first exam. The second exam this week was eight hours the length of the main exam and was split between Thursday afternoon and Friday morning. The exam went very well as I was able to integrate new techniques with the finishing and the hardening/tempering whilst maintaining the same score as the previous exam in eight hours.

In conclusion this week went very well as I was able to improve my technique both for the winding stem and the exam very well.

Michael

Origin : Malaysia

Age : 28

Watchmaking class : 2 years Fullskill Program

Current Mood : Has been a really slow and progressing week for me. Learning how to use the milling machine to make angles and different cuts. Only managed to finish two screws for my pointed nose vice. There is just so many trial and error to be done. Looking forward for next week. 

Alex

Origin : Kaohsiung, Taiwan 

Age : 26

Watchmaking : 2Y Fullskill Program

Current mood: The week started slow but picked up pace in a accelerating speed!!! Cannot believe it's already Friday. I don't even remember what I did clearly. We receive tons of tools recently and spent the entire Monday trying to fit the clip on eye loupe on my super thick glass temple and I am glad I did for I can see everything while turning now, everything!!!!! I seriously don't recall the rest of the week, so I am just going to call it a week!!!

STEP 1: THE MAKING OF SLOT GRAVER (ALEX)

STEP 2: FINISHED SCREWS FOR POINTED NOSE VICE (MICHAEL)

Michael milling the other parts of the pointed nose vice.

HENRIK's WORDS:

Weeks are passing by like days now! Pierre, Jayne, and James did their first gear train trial exam, Michael finish some really cool looking patterns on his pointed nose vice, Alex learn how to grind slot gravers in the Agathon. Markus did several winding stem trial exams and is on a good way towards the real one. All in all a really enjoyable week! See you next week!

-10!

 WEEK 44

Jayne Zhuo, James Punshon, Pierre Aubert

Origin : Singapore. Sydney, Australia. Toulouse, France.

Age : 23

Watchmaking class: Technician Course

Current mood: Pierre here! The beginning of the week was dedicated to barrels- we had to dismantle them, inspect them, wind and put the mainsprings back. Later stages included oiling and adjusting the endshakes!  We also got introduced to the gear train and jeweling. The number of factors that need to be considered when servicing a watch is insane. I hope to practice all this next week and also do some micromechanics as I need to finish some pivot gauges for my 1st year! Have a great weekend everyone! See you next week :) We will get more snow, hopefully..! It is already melting.. 

Markus McDonald 

Origin : Stockholm Sweden 

Age : 21

Watchmaking class: 2 years Fullskill Program

Current mood : This week I focused on finalizing the winding stem and preparing for the exam. Specifically I made the full winding stem from cutting the material, making cones, hardening and tempering plus finishing. This was incredibly satisfying as I was able to make a full winding stem including all the steps whilst maintaining dimensions and although it was satisfying and intense I was able to prepare through technique for the exam. Secondly for my trial exam I prepared in dept notes on the steps to make the winding stem additionally I modified peg woods and finally three slot graver that I modified for the middle, right and left corners this made a huge difference for Thursday and Friday when I did my trial exam as I was able to be more efficient and get better results.

Alex

Origin : Kaohsiung, Taiwan 

Age : 26

Watchmaking : 2Y Fullskill Program

Current mood: No one hides away from their demon forever. The time has come for me to rise up and face mine, the foul beast that is the milling machine!!! Turns out it is pretty fun and not as messy as I remember it to be. Made a cool looking stand for my practice pieces to rest on.

Michael

Origin : Malaysia 

Age : 28

Watchmaking : 2Y Fullskill Program

Current mood : Henrik introduced the milling machine. Managed to finish my design for the pointed head nose vice. Tried knurling technique by using the lathe and extra milling head together. Tried to create patterns for my screw. Very interesting and really like the idea of knurling. Can't wait to try more knurling action. 

                                              STEP 1: MILLING WITH ACIERA F1 (MICHAEL)

Milling in the lathe pattern trials

                                       STEP 2: FILED SQUARES IN WOODEN STAND (ALEX)

                                  STEP 3: WHEEL TRUING & JEWELING (TECHNICIAN)

HENRIK's WORDS:

Intensive week indeed and one morning this week it was below 10 in Le Locle! Pierre, Jayne, and James got introduced to wheel truing and jeweling, it goes fast! Michael is progressing very well with the micromechanics and tool making he is now experimenting with some cool milling patterns and got introduced to the Aciera milling machine as well as milling in the lathe, Alex finished his square filings and made a cool wooden stand for them milling it in the Aciera. Markus completed his first winding stem practice exam. Even though there were many demonstrations to give I got ahead with some old projects myself which I am very happy with so far. when they look presentable I will share some pics. See you next week!