The Key To Time
The very first pocket watches since their creation until the third quarter of the 19th century, had key-wind and key-set movements. This was done by opening the case back or bezel with crystal, which then gave access to the winding and, or setting arbour.
Isochronism is the primary goal of every modern timekeeper. It is the characteristic of generating a constant, uniform period of vibration, to be able to assure a consistent rate of time. Although every part of a movement is important to achieve this, much of what can be made following the mainspring and barrel would be rendered ineffective if the mainspring is not well made.
The same techniques used hundreds of years ago in pocket watches are still used today in the fine tuning of gongs on a wristwatch repeater.
The world's first waterproof watch that worked. This historically significant American watch is being re-issued with the backing of Watch Angels for the pleasure of the entire watch enthusiasts community. This important timepiece is dedicated to those who always wonder about the history of a watch and the impact it has had on the world.
In a world in which we are inundated with information sometimes the most simple of things become complicated. One of the most common mistakes we hear is the confusion between two very different watches whose only real similarity is found in the first 5 letters of their name.
In the same way that a watchmaker's watches can be representative of the watchmaker he or she makes, so as well can be their workshop.
The Simplicity series by Philippe Dufour is the most collectable of any modern hour, minute, seconds watches made by an independent watchmaker.
Escapement demonstration models - still relevant or now just a collector item?
Albert Paul Zeller has inherited a family passion for developing an unusual and dynamic material..
A rotor weight performs one function, that of winding the mainspring. In watchmaking, there are as many variations of its execution as there are brands. Those Audemars Piguet weights shown below show how detailed and well-executed a simple weight can become.
Diverse interpretations of a column wheel from 8 different watch houses.
Something very different, very special and already forgotten by many...
The departments of 'Methodes' is singularly the most important link in the chain of manufacturing movements
Guest Post. Technical insights into the making of the Chopin Opus 10 No.12 timepiece - Part 3
Roland Gloor, watchmaker, re-dressing a damaged screw from a vintage Vacheron Constantin
FB, when antiquarian meets modernity and explodes... in a good way.
Guest Post. Technical insights into the making of the Chopin Opus 10 No.12 timepiece. Part 2
Secrets cannot easily be kept, and on the basis that we all have an opinion, a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing…
There are many forms of engraving in the watch industry; chemical, lazer, cnc machine engraving etc. There are also new systems that can reproduce identically, an existing form, design, pattern or texture. The earliest form of ‘fine’ engraving on metal was my hand, using engraver or ‘burin’.
It feels like a disproportionate amount of attention, time and energy to make a single piece, but…