WATCH FAIRS!

 WEEK 208

Team A

Origin: Sweden, The Philippines & Taiwan

Name: Daniel, Miguel, & David

Watchmaking class: Fullskill

Current mood:

This week we started with Geneva watch days. We visited AHCI and various locations around the city to see whats new.

We got to speak with several independent watchmakers and ask them about their individual philosophy and style.

We got to examine a multitude of unique and amazing watches each with a different design language and functions.

At school, David finished his press fit plate exercise, Daniel restored some old tools that he bought and I finished decorating my brass truing guide with geneva striping.

- Miguel

Team B

Origin: Japan/Switzerland & Canada

Name: Tetsu & Dean

Watchmaking class: Fullskill 

Current mood:

This week, (27 ~ 31 March) Dean and Tetsu continued their tasks of the escapement section; balance end shake, pallet fork restoration, pallet fork end shake and guard pin division for the mandatory 7 movements.

Apart from those regular works, Dean worked on his watch repair projects, and Tetsu made a bush for a 7001 balance bridge screw, which was at the end of its life.

On Tuesday, some students visited AHCI in Genève, enjoyed the time, and imagined showing their creations next to the big names in the near future.


Wish you all a nice weekend!

Dean & Tetsu

Team C

Origin: Switzerland, Italy, Norway & USA

Name: Renato, David L., Francesco, Åsmund & Robert

Watchmaking class: Fullskill 

Current mood:

This week was a mixture of classroom and a trip to Geneva for some of us.

Classroom: We had a lecture on theory of hairsprings and what to do, and not do. 

Geneva: This was a trip of multiple objectives.

Main Objective: Visit the displays at the AHCI show. (Académie Horlogère des Créateurs Indépendants, independent watch and clock-makers).

After that we visited various watch brands and other watchmakers with their displays set up in hotel suites.

Other Objectives: 

• A few CV's were exchanged with some exhibitors.

• A vintage wristwatch with an ultra-thin mechanical movement (1.64mm in thickness) had been paid for before the trip, and took delivery in Geneva.

• A perusal of the books that Antiquorum has shelved that are for sale.

• An unconnected, but just as enjoyable visit, was made to the Quai des Bergues location of the Ladurée shop for a few macarons...

-Robert 

Team D

Origin: Finland

Name: Xinying

Watchmaking class: Technician

Current mood: n/a

STEP 1: WATCH FAIRS! (ALMOST EVERYONE)

Most of us went to Geneva to check out some watches!

STEP 2: VIBRATING! (ÅSMUND, FRANCESCO & ROBERT)

Francesco Asmund and Robert learn how to find the correct frequency of the oscillator using a vibrating or counting tool!

STEP 3: THREADED BUSHING! (TETSU)

The balance bridge screw hole on one of Tetsu's movements was stripped so he made a threaded bushing acting also as a locating post for added stability! 

STEP 4: WATCHES! (SABRI)

Nice Patek!

Sabri came by to show some interesting watches, the one above is a telephonometer to time phone calls!

STEP 5: TOOLS! (MIGUEL, DAVID & DANIEL)

Miguel David and Daniel trying out fnishing their tools!

HENRIK's WORDS:

 

 

Snow came back! We had a sprinkle of snow and a drop in temperature in the beginning of the week, which was nice and refreshing! Renato and David completed their Fullskill course! New students to replace them are coming already next week! Most students went to check out Geneva this Tuesday as the Watches & Wonders including other events such as the Masters of Horology (AHCI) was on! Xin had his balance/hairspring and timing exam this week as well! Francesco, Robert and Asmund started vibrating hairsprings after pinning them up on their brass split collets! Dean and Tetsu continued on the escapement, they first restored all the messed-up pallet forks, as all the pallet jewels had problems such as being up-side down, inside out, misplaced, tilted up or down pushed too far in or out including chipped pallets as well as replacing or adjusting broken staffs and guard pins! After they used the restored pallet forks to establish endshakes and divisions of the escapements! We also had Sif visiting who graduated many years ago, it was really nice to see her again after so many years!! Sabri also came by to show some watches and movements he recently got!  Very nice and busy week! Have a nice weekend everyone!

RAINBOWS & FINAL EXAM!

 WEEK 207

Team A

Origin: Sweden, The Philippines & Taiwan

Name: Daniel, Miguel, & David

Watchmaking class: Fullskill

Current mood:

This week, we continued our practice with the winding stem slot cutting, prepared the pressfit exercise pieces and I finished my hand turning exercises.

We also learned and practiced making geneva stripes and frosting.

- Miguel 

Team B

Origin: Japan/Switzerland & Canada

Name: Tetsu & Dean

Watchmaking class: Fullskill 

Current mood:

This week, (20-24 March) Tetsu and Dean to started the escapement module of the Fullskill program.  Henrik reviewed the history and categories, including recoil, frictional rest and detached escapements.  Henrik showed Tetsu and Dean some of his watches that had escapements predating the Swiss lever, which was very interesting.

The applied part of the lesson involved the restoration of pallet forks, including the installation of pallet jewels using shellac, installation/removal/adjustment of the pallet staff, and the guard pin.  For practice, Tetsu and Dean worked on the pallet forks of their seven movements.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Tetsu & Dean

Team C

Origin: Switzerland, Norway & USA

Name: Renato, David L., Francesco, Åsmund & Robert

Watchmaking class: Fullskill 

Current mood:

Francesco- Continued working on a pocket watch (one of those of "unknown maker").

Åsmund- Completed the static poising of the balance wheels we were assigned.

Robert- Also finished  the static poising assignment. Then finished some parts for use in his polishing tripod.

Last week our spring-like weather had an honorable mention, we were just discussing weather, perhaps on Sunday we may get up to 5cm of snow. Welcome to Spring in the Jura mountains of Switzerland!

Team D

Origin: Finland

Name: Xinying

Watchmaking class: Technician

Current mood: n/a

STEP 1: RAINBOWS! (EVERYONE)

We all got to see this beautiful rainbow before ending the week!!

STEP 2: BALANCE STAFF! (DEAN)

Dean completed a balance staff for one of his pocket watches!

Balance staff between mainplate and bridge!

Balance staff riveted to the old bimetal balance!

STEP 3: TOOL FINISHING! (DAVID, MIGUEL & DANIEL)

David, Miguel and Daniel tried out some geneva stripe making and also frosting!

STEP 4: GUARD PINS AND PALLET STAFFS! (DEAN & TETSU)

Dean and Tetsu learn how to replace broken or damaged pallet jewels, guard pins and pallet staff!

STEP 5: GETTING READY! (DAVID L. & RENATO)

Renato and David L. were very busy finishing the final parts of the course to get ready for their final exam!

STEP 6: WATCHES! (ÅSMUND)

Asmund submitted 3 more vintage watches that he will soon overhaul and repair if necessary!

HENRIK's WORDS:

 

Will keep this post short and sweet! we got a beautiful rainbow over Le Locle this Friday when Renato and David L. started their final exam!! It has been a very busy week due to lots of work related to the final exam and Renato and David worked very hard to finish the final parts of the course! Dean also completed his balance staff which he also riveted to the balance! All in all it turned out to be a really magical week! Have a nice weekend everyone!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY X3!

 WEEK 206

Team A

Origin: Sweden, The Philippines & Taiwan

Name: Daniel, Miguel, & David

Watchmaking class: Fullskill

Current mood:

This week we learned how to shape and use hardmetal to make slot gravers and then we practiced turning slots for the winding stem.

Daniel continued working on his steel truing guide.

-Miguel

Team B

Origin: Japan/Switzerland & Canada

Name: Tetsu & Dean

Watchmaking class: Fullskill 

Current mood:

This week, (13 ~ 17 March) Dean and Tetsu have successfully passed their final exams of the micro mechanic module; the Hour Wheel, and they have a balance staff remaining to complete the program.

On the watch technician course side, Henrik started to give them the introduction of the second stage; the escapement, beginning from the balance end shake.
The rules are simple, but achieving them might not be so easy. They will find out soon.

Another surface finishing technique, Genève stripes, were demonstrated by Henrik, and everybody can try it on some test pieces, their tools, watch parts, etc.

Other than that, Dean was working on his balance staff practice pieces and the outcomes came better and better every time.
Tetsu was preparing a bushing for his IWC movement and it’s almost ready to go.


Wish you all a nice weekend!

Dean & Tetsu

Team C

Origin: Switzerland, Norway & USA

Name: Renato, David L., Francesco, Åsmund & Robert

Watchmaking class: Fullskill 

Current mood:

This week we started the physical work that is involved with the hairspring and balance wheel.

We started with the balance wheel; we had to install the balance staff, expand the rivet area of it to keep it from rotating in the wheel, install the roller table, then check the wheel for any wobble (and eliminate the wobble), and then "poise" this assembled balance wheel. "Poising" is the work of balancing the wheel, small amounts of metal are removed from heavy points on the wheel, heavy points are found by placing the wheel on paralell, level ruby jaws, and if the wheel rotates and stops, the low point is the heavy point, small amounts of metal are removed until through a repetitive process there is no heavy point, the wheel will remain motionless when placed in any position.

You will note there was no mention of hairspring work, the balance and other assignments kept us busy, stay tuned for hairspring news.

Hopefully you readers are enjoying a nice turn of spring-like weather like we are having in Le Locle, have a good weekend!

-Robert

Team D

Origin: Finland

Name: Xinying

Watchmaking class: Technician

Current mood:

This week I finnished hairspring practices. This module was very hard and challeging but I also learned a lot. Now Iam preparing myself for trial exams next weekand hopefully can take real one soon.

Xinying 

STEP 1: HAPPY BIRTHDAY! (ÅSMUND, MIGUEL & DAVID L.)

Looking good!!

Thank you Svenja for the cakes! they were lovely and gone in 10 minutes!!

Miguel made everyone this amazing tasting fried noodles for lunch! Thank you Miguel!!

STEP 2: SNOW! (EVERYONE)

We were greeted with this glory on Le Locle Wednesday morning!

STEP 3: STATIC POISING! (FRANCESCO, ROBERT & ÅSMUND)

Francesco, Asmund and Robert worked on the balance this week!

STEP 4: SLOT GRAVERS! (DANIEL, DAVID & MIGUEL)

STEP 5: HAND TURNING SLOTS! (DANIEL, DAVID & MIGUEL)

With the previously made slot gravers, they practiced turning slots in hardened and tempered steel! 

STEP 6: CUSTOM TOOLS! (FRANCESCO)

Francesco completed a wood box for his custom pushers and anvils, with room to grow his collection!

STEP 7: THE ESCAPEMENT! (DEAN & TETSU)

Dean and Tetsu started the escapement course with setting the balance endshake that is related via the double roller to the escapement!

HENRIK's WORDS:

 

We got a glorious Wednesday morning with snow this week and on Friday it was already a bit warm 15°C! We also had 3 Birthdays this week! Asmund, Miguel and David L., Happy Birthday!!  Francesco, Asmund and Robert finished the balance with riveting balance staffs, practicing staff and roller removal, truing them in the flat and finally static poising, next week they will learn about the hairspring! Daniel, David and Miguel continued on their tools and the path towards making winding stems this week with learning to create slot gravers and practicing turning winding stem slots! Renato and David were busy servicing movements and complete watches to get more experience for the final exam! Tetsu and Dean got introduced to the next course; the escapement course! Xin continued working on balance and hairsprings and also practiced timing watches! It was a really nice week in general! Have a nice weekend everyone!