The end is near

 This Friday Artemiy has finished his final exam. 5 movements in 5 days, so this weekend is time for celebration.

Hard at work

Craig has also managed to finished manufacturing all the parts for his school watch. When assembled it beats soundly! It is a lovely manual wound calibre, now what is left for him is adjustments and the finishing. 

Jaewon learnt this week how to operate ours school’s jig borer, so he can finish making the tools in the micro mechanics course. Although it is not a very dangerous machine compared to the others, it is the most complicated to use. 

Gary always experimenting, is now trying some enamel dial variations with different layers of powder. They are coming out very lovely!

Blue like the ocean

A few of our students drove up the mountain last night in the snow to attend an event in the watchmaking museum. The event was the 179 years anniversary of Ulysse Nardin. A talk was given on the history of marine chronometers and their technical development. Afterwards we were given the opportunity to see some lovely pieces produced by them.

Until next time!

Milling Time

   Week 47

Is it hot chocolate weather? It's hot chocolate weather.

STUDENT HIGHLIGHTS

Workshop A

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

     Art spent the week preparing for his Final Exam. It's crunch time!

 

Cesar worked together with Christiaan to try laser engraving as an approach for drilling holes for dial indices. Very flashy, but don't look directly at it.

 

Workshop B

Students:
    Christiaan, Craig, Gary, Jaewon, Philippe, Sense    

 

Gary has been hard at work on the milling machine, creating prototypes for several case designs.

  

 Jaewon and Philippe also spent some time on the milling machine this week, using the angled vise to make the the wedge shape of the polishing tripod. Jaewon started the milling process for the tripod, while Philippe finished his.

 

Jaewon starting the tripod

Philippe's finished product

Thank you for reading!

Hope to see you again next week

It’s alive!

 The milestone Craig achieved with his watch is that it runs for a full day after being wound. His watch is based on the ETA 7001. He re-designed the mainplate and all bridges, and machined them all by hand. This was done in addition to all regular course work.

The next steps are an improved custom barrel arbor and custom crown wheel, followed by finishing and plating.

Our newest student, Jae won, is trying out some finishing techniques. Here he used grattage on his posing plate, came out looking lovely.

Lovely 

Chris is doing some hand turning exercises before he moves on to pivot gauges and balance staff. He made a cute stand for all his work on the lathe.

Look at those boys on display 

Likewise, Phillip spent a few days mastering the slot graver. Practicing for the winding stem slot. He made a cute stand for his finished pierces.

Lil guys lined up

The senior students who have recently started their technician course are getting classes from their professor on the intricacies of oiling the keyless and motion works. Having 7 different calibres of varying sizes and types to practice on. Recently they also learned how to service and restore a barbell, fixing end and side shakes. In addition they are also practicing how to fix bent wheels! A useful skill of restoring an ancient watch with no spare parts.

Until next time!