WEEK 100!

 WEEK 100

Willy, Yuriy, Alex, Michael

Origin : Singapore, Canada, Taiwan, Malaysia 

Age: n. a.

Watchmaking class: Technician & Fullskill 

Current mood: Another week has passed! This week was the week of creativity since we had just finished the final exam for the escapement. Apart from learning how to do centering on a 70, Yuriy continued with his numerous personal repair projects. Michael finally completed all of the 13 pivot gauges and is on his way of making balance staff. Willy was making some interesting wood pieces. Alex did frosting, corner filling and some servicing. It was a good, relaxing week!!

Pierre Aubert

Origin :Toulouse, France.

Age : 24

Watchmaking class: Fullskill

Current mood: Exam preparation..! Have a good weekend everyone! See you next week.

Name: Markus McDonald.
Origin: Stockholm, Sweden. 
Course: 2 years full skill course.
Current mode: This week I focused on the hairsprings finishing the last stages and assembly. This went well as I was able to make very precise adjustments to the hairspring something which was challenging when I started.

Overall this has been both a good week and a good section being challenging at certain points especially with dexterity and motor skills and pushing through this section was very rewarding and necessary.

STEP 1:  BLACK POLISHING! (YURIY)

In one of Yuriy's pocket watches this mismatching and scratched cap jewel setting was found, he decided to correct the size and remove the scratches with the black polishing technique he learned previously.

Cap jewel setting glued on a platform that would be fitted in the polishing tripod.

After re-sizing and polishing.

STEP 2: TOOLS! (ALEX)

Alex filing a step on his pointed nose vice.

STEP 3: MAINPLATE CENTERING! (ALL)

Everyone tried out to center the barrel bushing with the help of the tailstock microscope on this discarded mainplate.

STEP 4:  (ALEX)

Alex received a vintage classical column wheel chronograph that he will use as his school watch later on.

HENRIK's WORDS:

Interesting diverse week, the technicians had their last escapement theory lesson and finished all escapement exercises, so for the rest of the week they were free to work on their own projects, as we are transitioning to the balance and hairspring course next week. The highlight for me this week was that we had Philippe Narbel as a visitor to the school;  https://www.instagram.com/philippe_narbel_watchmaking/ He has an incredible passion for skeletonizing and finishing work in watchmaking which I, and probably all students also share! Thank you very much Philippe for coming by and sharing your passion! We hope to soon visit you as well!

This is also the No.100 week since we started this new blog format with Pierre and Harman!

Since Yuriy soon needs to re-bush some of his movements, as the center wheel bushings and barrel bushings are worn on many of his repairs, we also practiced centering the mainplate in the lathe using the tailstock microscope. Michael and Alex took the opportunity to finish some old tools, and pivot gauges as well as Michael started to learn how to turn the balance staff for a pocket watch repair. Pierre started to practice for his final exam by overhauling and repairing the 7 ETA exercise movements and Markus continued with hairsprings, now doing the final adjustments of flatness under the bridge with the balance attached very soon he will start timing. Have a great weekend everyone!