TOTAL LOCK!

 WEEK 96

Willy, Yuriy, Alex, Michael

Origin : Singapore, Canada, Taiwan, Malaysia 

Age: n. a.

Watchmaking class: Technician & Fullskill 

Current mood: It has been a very busy week for all of us. Adjusting the appropriate division and endshakes of the escapement, the position of pallet jewel as well to have presence of draw, drop, total lock and also check for guard pin, horn, notch clearances. The theory lessons were very useful because they helped us to understand the Swiss Lever Escapement in detail and enable us to work in a much clearer mindset for what is actually happening. Looking forward to next week for more adjustments.

Pierre Aubert

Origin :Toulouse, France.

Age : 24

Watchmaking class: Fullskill

Current mood: Exam week! Started off with the hour wheel exam: we have four hours to make a 6498 hour wheel from scratch and finish it. I really like the process and it went quite well! Not too unhappy with the results :) More pictures to come soon. Spent the rest of the time making screws for my school watch! Next: I need to file both the spring and click in order to make them functional! We’re getting there!

Another very intensive week and I must say I am quite tired. Glad this is Friday! Have a great weekend everyone!

Name: Markus McDonald.
Origin: Stockholm, Sweden. 
Course: 2 years full skill course.
Current mode: This week I continued with the hairspring course performing many checks, vibrating and second pinning getting several hairsprings ready in preparation for next week when I move into the next section of the course.

This went well being able to get things done and ready in preparation for the final part of the hairspring course.

STEP 1: TOOLS! (ALEX)

Alex was experimenting with some finish on his polishing tripod, to make this cool looking finish he used charcoal and scraped the surface with it. Recently we heard the term charbonnage for this finish, I have also heard the term grattage (scraping) as is done on milling machines, jig boring machines etc. This finish is nice since the look will depend much on who does it therefore making it look unique every time.

STEP 2: TOOLS! (PIERRE)

Pierre also worked on finishing some of his tools, this one looks very nice as it has two different graining on the flanks as well as charbonnage on the large top surface.

Very nice looking brass anvil!

STEP 3: ADJUSTING THE ESCAPEMENT! (TECHNICIAN)

Willy checking the guard pin division of the escapement.

STEP 4: SCHOOL WATCH! (PIERRE)

Pierre making screws for his school watch.

Raw click and click spring screws ready for finishing.

Tapping the screw hole for the click spring.

HENRIK's WORDS:

It got much warmer this week and we almost lost all the snow otherwise this week was very nice, not as busy as the last one. Markus continued with hairsprings and completed the vibrating and the 2^nd pinning, he will learn how to stud it up so it can be attached to the bridge as well as making the regulating curve and double bend next week. The technicians learn how to use the escapement meter to shift the pallets in and out to make them safe and perform well and at the same time have equal total locks on the entry and exit pallets. Pierre is doing really well and continued on his school watch, making screws as well as finishing some old tools. All in all, a very pleasant week. Have a great weekend everyone!