Flat polishing

Mr T doing some flat polishing for his school watch. Here, he does the polishing for the screws, crown and wheel. All very good work.

Starting the second year

Finally, the first year is done for Rob's class. Now Mr T and Stefano are onto their second year. 

Watch part: Maltese Cross

Interview with Charles (a student) who restore a spring detent watch having a MALTESE CROSS on the barrel.

What’s the name of this part and for what is it’ 

This is the Maltese Cross.  It’s made to use only the central portion of the mainspring.

Can you find it in all watches?

You can find it in older hi-end pocket watches. But it’s usually broken because some incompetent watchmakers remove it, break it or just ignore it.

With what do we replace it today?

We didn’t replace it. We just don’t use it anymore. One of the many reasons we don’t have it in our day is that it’s expensive to produce and place consuming.

Do you think the Maltese Cross is aesthetical?

Yes, it looks cool. The steel has to be hardened and polished. So it’s very shiny. But it’s on the dial side, so only watchmakers see it when they service the watch!

Visit @ CSEM Neuchatel (Switzerland)

Pioneer in solar energy, manufacturer of many special spacecraft parts, such as the PRoVisG that equipped the Mars Rover, and collaborator in the design and construction of scientifical parts of the CERN (largest particle accelerator on Earth), the CSEM (Centre Suisse d'Electronique et de Microtechnique) opened their doors for our school during one complete day. The purpose of the visit was to show us one of the most hi-tech ways to produce watch parts in silicon with an improved and innovative technology.












https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WaMkp287KI&list=UUGsrFZ6WVaI1sG6EBaT7FUg

http://www.csem.ch/site/

Thanks again to CSEM for a fantastic visit.

Looking for parts

The Italian steed on the bench ...

He involves the whole workshop ...

Everyone is helping ....

Poor Stef ..

He actually only lost his screws and nothing else ... but they are small and hard to find sometimes. Besides the humour, its stuff like this which makes the whole experience rewarding and entertaining. Hope everyone likes this entry ! :)

Interesting Watchmaker Story

An inspiring story of a watchmaker found on youtube. 

Workshop 2 Update

Tryggvi modifying the barrel to reduce friction with the topping tool and the Schaublin

German's balance staff in the making

The barrel mounted on the schaublin