Jaeger-LeCoultre first debuted their AMVOX 2 chronograph in late 2005, in partnership with English car manufacturer Aston Martin. While most chronograph watches will use at least one or two pushers to the control the chronograph mechanism, the AMVOX 2′s innovative design uses an incognito, ‘vertical trigger’ system to engage and reset the chronograph functions of [...]
If you can’t hold out for George Daniels’ masterfully written book Watchmaking to hit North American shores on the June 21st release date that is currently advertised on Amazon, several copies of the 2011, 4th edition are available in the UK as of today, June 1st, through Jeff Formby’s Horological Book Store. This book is [...]
Most watch technicians who are familiar with the T Touch Expert, and its derivatives such as the Sea Touch and T Touch II, are aware of the diagnostic mode that can be used to calibrate and verify the timepieces’ multitude of functions. Some time ago, I discovered a similar mode by accident, for the E40 [...]
In our last post here on the blog, Roger Smith showed us how to make watch hands from raw steel. Keeping the hands of a watch well organized is also an important aspect of a watchmakers craft, particularly when it comes to more complicated watches like chronographs. Occasionally, I get watches in for service that [...]
English watchmaker, Roger W. Smith, has posted a series of videos detailing the process he uses to create the unique set of hands that have come to define his distinctive style of watchmaking. Being the only apprentice that renowned watchmaker, George Daniels, has ever taken under his wing, this short series of how-to videos is [...]
A short while back we shared a video tip here on the blog about how to remove the barrel arbor from a watch barrel quickly and easily. Removing the stem from a watch calibre that has just had its hands installed is another area I have seen some struggle with. One of the very first [...]
A few weeks ago, one of our readers brought to my attention a new book that was released this past December that serves as a good primer to sourcing the necessary parts and tools to ultimately assemble your very first watch. Authored by Tim Swike, Beginner Watchmaking is a rudimentary, yet comprehensive, introduction to the [...]
Every once in a while, a watch mechanism comes in for service that features cap jewels that differ in thickness between the upper and lower anti-shock settings, which guard the delicate pivots of the balance staff. This is more common with older watch calibres than with modern ones, which tend to keep these component sizes [...]
February 18, 2011 – 8:18 pm
As watchmakers, we are continually at odds with dust and the tiny fibres that are seemingly able to defy gravity and find their way into the airspace above our benches. We wipe down our benchtops every day and strive to keep our workspaces pristine. We guard our doorways with cleanroom tacky mats and don lab [...]
January 25, 2011 – 9:30 pm
The short video above demonstrates a simple and efficient means of removing the arbor from the mainspring of a watch barrel, using a riveting stake and a sturdy pair of tweezers. This particular technique isn’t one that was ever shown to me during my years spent training to be a watchmaker, rather, it’s one that [...]
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