BUSY!

  WEEK 94

Willy, Yuriy, Alex, Michael

Origin : Singapore, Canada, Taiwan, Malaysia 

Age: n. a.

Watchmaking class: Technician & Fullskill 

Current mood: What is left of us after a very intensive week: we got introduced to the Swiss lever escapement and had our first go at restoring pallet forks before adjusting their pallets. On a another level: creativity kept flowing around as we spent some time polishing our future polishing tripods. In fact we even tried charbonnage, a finish that was brought to light by many French watchmakers like Jean-Baptiste Viot! The metal is scraped with charcoal- the results are quite surprising (we really enjoyed it- more pictures soon) and it seems that many different patterns could be explored..!

Now off to a very well deserved weekend! See you next week everyone

Pierre Aubert

Origin :Toulouse, France.

Age : 24

Watchmaking class: Fullskill

Current mood: 😅Another intense week. It is crazy to think that I have been here for almost two years.. and will have to go soon 😆.

I made the rough spring and click for my school watch using the pantograph! Also turned the required steps for the screws that they will receive. I will make the latter next week!
I also started turning my first balance staff: it’s really fun. Turned everything except the pivots, will take care of them next week!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Name: Markus McDonald.
Origin: Stockholm, Sweden. 
Course: 2 years full skill course.
Current mode: This week I focused on finishing off several projects specifically the polishing tripod, brass anvil and pointed nose vice along with filling.

This required me too use several tools from the Jig-borer to the engravers ball. 

This went very well as even though the set up especially for the jig-borer was slow at first I was able to adjust very quickly and accomplish what I sought out to do each day. Although this was intense I was able to meet my personal requirements and push the hours making this a very good week.

STEP 1: MICROMECHANICS! (MICHAEL)

Michael made some nice blocking screws for his polishing tripods.

STEP 2: RESTORATION! (YURIY)

Yuriy removing rust from a crown wheel for one of his repairs.

STEP 3: TOOLS! (YURIY)

We all discussed which would be good tools when dealing with the cannon pinion adjustment, these are the tools Yuriy like to use, tools are very personal and everyone have different preferences. 

STEP 4: SWISS LEVER ESCAPEMENT! (TECHNICIAN)

Practicing using the Horia tool when working on the pallet fork. The lever also needs later to be straightened as well as replacing the broken pallet staff. 

Searching for a pallet staff.

STEP 5: MICROMECHANICS! (MARKUS)

Markus tapping the screw holes for his polishing tripod.

STEP 6: SCHOOL WATCH! (PIERRE)

In no specific order here are some pictures of when Pierre was making his raw click and click spring, they will later be adjusted for function and finished.

STEP 6: BALANCE STAFF! (PIERRE)

Pierre turning his first balance staff between centers, only the pivots left to turn and burnish, for being the first balance staff Pierre ever turned it looks very promising and the dimensions so far are spot on, lets hope the pivot turning goes well!

Here the rivet, looks like it will function.

HENRIK's WORDS:

 

Very busy week! The technicians started the Escapement course and we went through some basic concepts and before they start to adjust them for function, safety and performance they need to restore them to the basic state. Markus got back to do some left over tools from the first year which was nice to see. Pierre also continued with his school watch but also started to turn his first ever balance staff between fixed centers in the Hora lathe, he only has the pivots left to turn and burnish. Another busy week but also very interesting as we started a new subject and creativity continues to flourish. Have a great weekend everyone!