Restoration Course II

WEEK 7:

Harman Wadhwa 

Origin : New Delhi, India

Age : 28

Watchmaking class : 8 month Service & Technician course

Current mood : Practicing end-shake and side-shake on barrels. I also covered the notion of division (relative height between meshing wheels) and end-shake of the gear train on 7 different movements. 

Pierre Aubert

Origin : Toulouse, France

Age : 22

Watchmaking class : 2Y Fullskill Program

Current mood: Tough week. First exam: Filing with time constraints is very different from my daily filing operations..! It felt I had to rush towards the end result, which I never do. In fact I just love the process so much (every stroke is enjoyable) that I usually only focus on the quality regardless of the time it takes. I like to think of quality to be my only deadline. As G.Daniels said, everything will be done "All in good time". However, this was also a great and essential experience on two levels: 

1- It allowed me to discover and experience new filing strategies. 

2- Gave me extra confidence in my abilities to deliver good quality filing when under time pressure. 

Last but not least, I started to prepare the required sequence of operations for my setting mechanism => more on that next week. See you next week! And please, feel free to share your feedback and questions :)! We will be very happy to help!

Markus Mc Donald

Origin : Stockholm, Sweden

Age: 20

STEP 1: NEW STUDENT 

STEP 2: IN THE ZONE 💪

STEP 2: HARMAN - GEAR TRAIN DIVISION 

STEP 3: RESTORATION COURSE

Francesco preparing wheel to be milled

HENRIK'S WORDS

This week was even more busy for me than the last one, but also very fun as I had to teach a new student, Francesco, he took the restoration II which have gears and hairspings for restoration in it and he also wanted to learn some finishing techniques, above some random pictures from the course, if i get the time next friday i will add some more pictures and describe what we covered. Have to run now, but see you next week and have a great weekend!!

Fun Week :)

WEEK 7:
FUN WEEK!🎈

Harman Wadhwa 

Origin : New Delhi, India

Age : 28

Watchmaking class : 8 month Service & Technician course

Current mood : Busy week: the workload has increased and is making the course very intense. I began to work on barrels and jewel setting, let's see how next week goes! :) The first month of micro mechanics has been very helpful- I just made a new tool to make daily operations on barrel easier 😁(*little joys of life*)!

Pierre Aubert

Origin : Toulouse, France

Age : 22

Watchmaking class : 2Y Fullskill Program

Current mood: The workshop is bustling- it is very pleasant and stimulating!! I was very lucky to spend most of my week on the Jig Borer=> I've had a lot of fun. I really enjoy the planning before using the machine, the discipline and awareness it takes to operate it without defect. It puts me in a zone I really appreciate and look forward to being in. Last but not least, its accuracy is very very satisfying..!!  I was also introduced to a new machine: the Agathon Grinding machine. We use it to sharpen gravers that are later used for lathe operations. I loved it. Its efficiency is unbelievable: once the machine is properly set up, it is only a matter of seconds (30s'-1minute) before your graver is refreshed..!! On top of that, it has an incredible oil recycling system..! 

Now as for the school watch, I made some progress with the setting mechanism. Last week's design was off and wrong as I designed it with the setting lever in setting position and not in its extreme winding position..! Silly mistake I know 😅 I went back to drawing, made a new one and just made a 10:1 cardboard mainplate with real pins to see if that new design is functional! And it is ..!!😎 Next step: Find existing radius-es, positions for steady pins and the screws holding each part before I can prepare a sequence of work to make the latter on the Jig Borer!! (Final dimensions will be brought by hand filing and potential grinding on the lathe!= More exciting times ahead..!!! 😁 Hopefully this will make more sense to you as I post more pictures 😉

STEP 1: HARMAN & HIS BARRELS 

Mainspring replacement

                                           Using the horia tool to push the jewel out

                                     

in process..

Drilling holes in my support!

A tool with a view!! 😃

STEP 2: PIERRE & HIS NEW BABY: THE JIG BORER!!

Planning 😍

STEP 3: GRINDING!

STEP 3: SCHOOL WATCH!😎

Original design: Too short

New design: Is it functional?

And yes it is..!! :)

                                                                     

    STEP 4:

 GETTING INTRODUCED TO THE SWISS FONDUE

HENRIK's WORDS

This week was a very fun one! As I got to give several demonstrations; grinding lathe gravers with the Agathon, servicing barrels, and jeweling, we also had a lovely and fun evening together eating Swiss cheese fondue. For me, my project on the sapphire watch is progressing well, made a movement ring out of see through acrylic glass and prototype dial ring for it, my drawing worked out nicely as both rings placed the movement in the right area inside the case, now I know what dimensions the real ones will have.

Please don’t hesitate to leave comments or ask any questions, it could be engaging and also really good for the students!

Have a lovely weekend and see you next week!

Raw material for dial ring and movement holder.

Prototype dial ring and movement holder for sapphire case watch project.

Moo!

WEEK 5:

Harman Wadhwa 

Origin : New Delhi, India

Age : 28

Watchmaking class : 8 month Service & Technician course

Current mood : this week, I started oiling and assembling of mechanisms, learning and understanding the type of oils which are used and at which sections. A regularly well oiled & serviced watch, it can run for over 100 years. 😮 

Not an easy peasy week: the movement's click spring and incablocs are hard to deal with..!! Thanks God It's Friday!!

Pierre Aubert

Origin : Toulouse, France

Age : 22

Watchmaking class : 2Y Fullskill Program

Current mood : "Just got introduced to the mother of machines: the Jig Borer..! What does it do? It drills holes to the micron. It's insanely accurate. Without its aid, many of today's production machines could not even be made. It also played a key role in the establishment of the metre as a measuring unit. In fact, the Société Genévoise d'Instruments de Physique (SIP) built the first jig boring machine (1921) to provide the International Bureau with viable copies of the Mètre des Archives (standard for the Metre). Previous copies were only metal bars of 1m length with no subdivision..!! Work options offered by these models were thus very limited..!!*

 Haha sorry I got a bit overboard 😆. But what a fascinating machine!! I've really enjoyed using it, and only look forward to using it more in the future..!! 

I have also started to make 10:1 cardboard samples for my own design of the setting mechanism. I look forward to getting ahead with it throughout the week-end and hopefully start making it soon!! Stay tuned for more pictures :)!"

PS: *Jig Boring by Robert  S.Connell is a brilliant book should you want to explore the history of Jig Boring 😉!!

STEP 1:

 HARMAN & OILING 

Incablocs: 

Shock absorber to protect the delicate balance pivots (of only 0.07mm diameter!). Why is it important? Because the balance wheel is what a pendulum is to a clock: a regulating organ. Without it, no accurate timekeeping!

                                Incablocs: Not enough oil has left me with a kidney shape..!!                            Incablocs: good minimum portion of oil and shape!! Bingo

STEP 2: 

HARMAN - CLEANING WATCH PARTS

  Parts are in for a bath!! 🌊😜 

STEP 3: MAKING NEW FRIENDS!!

                                                  STEP 4: PIERRE - JIG BORING!!

It is key to have a very detailed plan before machining..!! A good plan helps to create the right routine, which will most importantly ensure consistent and accurate operations!! It helps you to respect the machine. You can't beat it. You're only its steward- you need to understand its own language should you wish to achieve precise work! 

  STEP 5: PIERRE - Cardboard Assisted Design

10:1 Drawing of my setting mechanism

 10:1 Cardboard Model 

I am making cardboard samples of my setting mechanism.This will allow me to easily determine if it is functional or not! 

 HENRIK's WORDS

Its getting more intensive as expected deeper into the program, Harman progressing very well with his assembly, cleaning and lubrication skills, next week he will try out servicing and repairing the barrel with mainspring (energy accumulator) of a mechanical watch. Pierre is progressing well with the Fullskill program, just got introduced to the jig borer, he seemed amazed by it and will continue to practice on it next week. I have nothing new from my side to report back except my custom project, a watch with sapphire case is progressing as expected, will show pictures of it when finishing more of it.

Milling machine, Screwdrivers and Tweezers.

WEEK 5:

Harman Wadhwa 

Origin : New Delhi, India

Age : 28

Watchmaking class : 8 month Service & Technician course

Current mood : "First week of technician course, introduction to all the bridges, gear trains and their respective function in the watch mechanism. Important lesson learned: never touch watchmaker screwdrivers and tweezers, they have a soul. A lot of effort goes into proper filling of the tools.

Also practiced dissembling & assembling of movements: ETA 6498 & PESEUX 7001, it's good fun." N.B: Be careful while removing the yoke spring, it might jump out and get stuck in your beard. :P

Pierre Aubert

Origin : Toulouse, France

Age : 22

Watchmaking class : 2Y Fullskill Program

Current mood : "Bridges for my school watch were reasonably easy to design, but designing a new yoke and setting lever spring is quite an adventure!! And a great deal of fun of course!!! I've also had the opportunity to explore the milling machine (Aciera F1): such a fascinating machine!!! It's interesting to note that skills are not at the center of milling operations. In fact, discipline and careful planning are of the essence here to ensure accurate milling..!! I am looking forward to spending more time on it in the upcoming week. Time flies by and I am just amazed by how much there is to learn in watchmaking: I find it reassuring to know that one lifetime won't suffice to even explore 0.1% of it..! Haha ok I'll stop here- see you next week for more watchmaking adventures."  

STEP 1: GETTING THE RIGHT TOOLS

 We had the pleasure to welcome Guillaume Böttger from Bergeon. It is quite nice to see that tools are specifically catered to the watchmakers' needs. In fact, the latter are continually discussed and reviewed by Bergeon to facilitate everyday watchmaking operations. 

STEP 2: 

HARMAN- 6498 ASSEMBLY AND TOOL MAINTENANCE

STEP 3: 

PIERRE - INTRO TO THE ACIERA F1/MILLING OPERATIONS

 Ensuring the flatness accross all the table surface. 

STEP 4:

AFTER SCHOOL HOURS - REDESIGNING THE WINDING SYSTEM

  Used a profile projector to draw the current 6498 winding system. This gave me a good idea of how much space was available for my own design. Next step: CAD (Cardboard Assisted Drawing..! I need to make a 10:1 cardboard sample of my own design to determine if it will work! Stay tuned :)! PS: I have decided to make the spring and yoke spring into one common part. 

HENRIK's WORDS

This week was a diverse one, Pierre started with the Aciera F1 manual watchmakers milling machine, learning to set it up and make his first cuts with it, he also work with his school watch designing the winding and setting mechanism. Harman started with his watch service and repair course module of the technician course, the first things he did was to practice sharpening screwdrivers and tweezers as well as practicing using them on a small and large movement, surprisingly less parts were lost and the ones lost were found, its important to learn the skill of finding lost parts too! I have been super busy myself with the course but also with a side project; I experimented with designing and modifying vintage pocket watch hands for the future school watches to give students ideas, below, some pictures of the case dial and hands, I also received my sapphire case for a custom project I have been working on for some time now, I am very happy with the final product, super clear and perfectly polished! Thank you Bernice at Hong Kong Bright Sapphire Co.,Ltd for the great business and easy communication!

School watch design experiment.

Sapphire case for custom project arrived  this week, made by Hong Kong Bright Sapphire Co., Ltd.