Snow!

 

Week 47

Winter has officially arrived in Le Locle, heralded by a large amount of snow. But whether arriving by car, bus, or trudging in on foot, the students continue their work... as well as some fun.

Ivan menaces Louis with the mother of all snowballs

Art emerges from hiding behind a pole while Craig chases Ivan down

We also had a new bench tester braving the weather: Kyle from the Philippines.

Kyle working on the black polish exercise

STUDENT HIGHLIGHTS

Workshop A

Students:
    Art, Bernd, Cesar, Joan, Louis Lu, Mun, Nine

    This week Bernd and Cesar passed their first exam testing their skills at filing. Louis Lu continued his practice, seeking perfection.

Louis Lu's filing exercise

Joan drilled the first holes for his press-fit plate.

Art made his first balance staff, but succumbed to the curse of all watchmakers and lost it soon after grading. RIP tiny parts.

Update: He found it!

Workshop B

Students:
    Craig, Dunham, Ivan, Louis, Sheikh, Varun 

 

    This week Henrik gathered the workshop together for a demonstration of how to create Geneva Stripe patterns for surface finish. Following the demonstration, Louis and Varun tried their hands at recreating the pattern, Varun in brass and Louis in brass and german silver.

 

Ivan tries his hand at creating some stripes.

Louis's attempts in brass (above) and german silver (below)

 

Craig also made his first balance staff this week, turned to the dimensions for the 6498 movement.

 

Minuscule details, all machined to tolerance by hand

 

Thank you for reading!

Hope to see you again next week!