4 of these have been sent out

Finally, after screening through at least 30 applicants for the past few months, we have narrowed down the list to less than 10. And then, we have 4 of these given out. The last one was given out today actually.

So, Class of 2012 for FullSkill Watchmaking training is ready to go. That said, we are actually able to fit in at most 2 more spaces so, applicants, we accept applications all the way to the first week of September. Keep them coming !

Staff turning ...

We bought a new DSLR with HD video capabilities today and this is our first forage ! Unlike traditional camcorders, we could use SLR lenses for a more contrasty and DOF effects. This experimental clip features Henrik turning a staff between fixed centers. Check it out ! :)

Sunday weekends ... Just this one ..

Its a summer Swiss weekend. And a great Sunday but its going to be a busy week ahead for some ... 

Friday Quiz ....

Does anyone know what this escapement is made of ? Aluminium Bronze ? Gold ? Its a Gruen movement and the regulator is in-house ..

2012 Fullskill course and other announcements.

We are going through a website crisis at the moment but that should hopefully be resolved soon. The website, blog and other social media channels are maintained by supporters, friends and students of the school. That maintains our objectivity and independence from the watchmaking industry. So, things can be slow sometimes.

Otherwise, the 2012 intake for Fullskill students are more or less going to be FULL soon. It will be a class of about 4 - 6 students and should start in September or early October. We don't have a dateline for application but it would of course be wise if applications and bench tests don't come in as late as September itself.

When it all begun ..

Thought we might wanna introduce this book. Its great for all things great and small about swiss watchmaking. Authors are E.Jacquet and A.Chapus.

The contents are great for the history of swiss watchmaking. From the humble beginnings of the Jura valley watchmakers to how La Chaux de Fonds became a focal point of swiss watchmaking.

And it has some pretty interesting explanations in English ( Not french for once ! ) for the really cool things in swiss watchmaking .. 

Tuesdays ..

A warm tuesday afternoon and Henrk is at work on the Lathe. He is turning a component and he needs to ensure they are of the right measurements.

And did we mention, its very warm in Le Locle today. Very very warm ...

Incoming ...

We had to change our enrollment process due to the overwhelming volume of applicants. Its also sad to turn away applicants whom have the passion, drive and enthusiasm to take up watchmaking but there are also harsh realities to face up to. Some applicants are here for a change of career, some to start afresh, a couple of applicants are fresh out from school etc etc .. But watchmaking education isn't for everybody. It appears all cool, glamorous and exciting but you really need the mantle to handle watchmaking, especially what we teach here. For s start, you really need to love working with your hands. So, for a sneak peak, and this shall be the only sneak peak ever, we have a successful applicant here filing his "assignment" away. 

Handy work, nimble fingers and alot of patience ....

This is not for everyone .... 

But this was clearly what this applicant needed in his life .. And he succeeded at the end of his bench test ... 

Lycée Edgar Faure Watchmaking school part 1

Last week i had a short visit to my friend who works as a teacher in Morteau, France. The school takes 1500 students for various technical courses. This is the watchmaking department:

Main workshop

Small Emco CNC making a hand for a student watch

Schaublin swiss lathe

Teacher explaining something to the students

Small jig-boring machine and drilling machine in use by students

 Student completed work

An old church clock that was restored in the school

-Henrik

Some other machines...

This machine is used to detect errors in flatness and roundness of wheels. With this tool the teachers can quantify the error of a wheel that the student has to true.

With this tool we are able to find the poise error of a balance wheel and ones the error has been found the machine can correct it by cutting the balance wheel in the correct position.

-Henrik