Exams are starting again....

Friday, August 30, 2019

WEEK 21

Harman Wadhwa 

Origin : New Delhi, India

Age : 28

Watchmaking class : 8 month Service & Technician course

Current mood : I am happy after all the efforts, mistakes  and mood swings Escapements are finally over, have an exam on it this Tuesday, hope it goes well. wish me luck and See you next week.

Pierre Aubert

Origin : Toulouse, France

Age : 23

Watchmaking class : 2Y Fullskill Program

Current mood: Time flies in the workshop..!! Very busy week here. Started off by learning how to polish winding stems prior to my trial exams. In fact, I took two winding stem trial exams. It is great fun as I learn to be more efficient and consistent all the while raising the quality. Really good for the experience. I have two more to go before the real exam! I look forward to learning even more during these next trial exams. As for the school watch- I have made some progress..! Following the making of pins, I had to set them in the yoke.                                       In that regard, Henrik taught me how to use the Horia tool (really fun to use, not complicated, just requires all your attention and dexterity). Regular pushers wouldn't allow me to push the pins in. I therefore had to make my own. (I am also in the process of making extra pushers and anvil for that regard). The pins are now fitted. Next step: clean the pins to make sure they have no burrs before fitting the yoke in the main plate, after-which I will file the yoke to function..! I hope to be done with it soon enough so that I can start working on my bridges. (Hole locations have already been gathered..! Same for design ideas. I just need to start!). 

Have a great week-end and see you soon. 

                                               

Markus McDonald 

Origin : Stockholm Sweden

Age : 20

Watchmaking class: 2 years fullskill course 

Current mood : This week was an incredible melting pot of experiences split between precision filling which included modifying one of my gravers to accommodate cutting a sharp corner and learning the milling machine plus the Agathon.

The experience of learning the new industrial machinery outside of regular and precision filling brought with it the usual intensity of a new subject but after modifying several gravers with the agathon and learning to mill I found that the procedure was incredibly straight forward, becoming integrated both into my muscle and cerebral memory. 

In conclusion this week although taxing and challenging was an incredible learning experience which will serve as the basis for further learning. 

Alex

Origin : Kaohsiung, Taiwan 

Age : 26

Watchmaking : 2Y Fullskill Program

Current mood : Things are relatively stable now. I think it has something to do with having a fully functional apartment. It is reassuring to know that you have a base to go back to and have your rest. The process building such a place isn't so fun though. Lots of sweats and more sweats and even more sweats. The practice is smooth as usually. If anything it's a little hot this week, reminds me of home. Actually no, the AC is always on when I was home. Learned how to use the drilling machine this week as well as the profile projector. Very interesting.

STEP 1: HARMAN

Days when you have to laugh it off your frustration😝

STEP 2: PINS (PIERRE)

STEP 3: HORIA TOOL (PIERRE)

Making of the pusher that will help me push the pins in place

 My pusher has a conical inside hole so that the pins can rest against its walls and be pushed down straight. (Pusher is the part above the pin). 

 Both pins are now in 😇😎

Preparing another pusher 

                                                            Henrik’s Word

This week it got intense again! As both Harman and Pierre having trial exams. Alex learned the drilling this week, that went very easy and smooth, he continued throughout the week to practice drilling various sized holes. Markus learned a new machine; the manual milling machine he seemed super excited about it! As it is so involved we will continue to learn new things about it next week. For me the week was pretty intense as well but I still got to write on a new article that I promised Fratello Watches long time ago, so its very due! Hopefully you will see it soon online, the sapphire project progresses well but slow at the moment as I have so many things to do at the time of writing. see you next week!