» MAKE: NOISE — Discuss this article

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• Great Idea.
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  I didn't even know this type of thing was possible.
  
  I'd love to get some links to guides showing the complete process of building your own customized watch.
  
  Perhaps even an in depth article for the next issue?

  Posted by rgreget on May 19, 2005 at 23:55:43 Pacific Time

• Great Idea.
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  Regarding watchmaking, I can give some more details. When it comes to 'making' a watch, you have to specify what you mean by making it. It is possible to purchase an off-the-shelf movement(often termed an ebauche in the industry), a case and a wristband and assemble them into a quality watch. In total, the time you have to spend assembling parts is no more than a half-hour. It goes together very quickly.
  
  As for purchasing the individual components of a movement, then assembling the movement - this is often quite a bit more money than purchasing the movement outright, preassembled. Few, if any, actually do it. I've certainly never heard of it being done. A point worth mentioning: It is very common for a watchmaker for to purchase an ebauche movement, and modify it. In fact, originally ebauche movements had to be modified to produce a working movement. They where supplied to the watchmaker or jeweler about 90% complete, the local watchmaker would then decorate the movement, jewel pivots, engrave his name on it, and plop into a generic case, with a dial bearing his name. Many collectable pocket watches today exhibit this.
  
  Finally, there is the actual machining of the movement. There are a number of individuals doing this, although depending on how much work you do yourself, it can take quite some time. The authority on this subject is the book
  Watchmaking
  by George Daniels. Little hard to find, and expensive, but worth every red cent. It describes every step and process involved in great detail, and it is written by one of the great masters of modern watchmaking. Mr Daniels spends about a year making one watch. His watches sell from him for, on average, $75,000. But, bear in mind, he makes everything Even screws. So it slows things down a bit.
  
  A great way to start is to join the NAWCC, AWI or BHI. Any of these organizations, or even all of them, are worth being a member of. Myself, I'm NAWCC member #156973. They are very helpful. There are also mailing lists that are useful, like clocks, and watchrepair. These groups are sources of very valuable information. Something worth bearing in mind, is that clocks and watches do share a great deal in common. So in most places where clocks are discussed, you will find watches discussed as well.
  
  If you want any help at all, I would also be very pleased to provide it. Feel free to e-mail me at wackyvorlon@gmail.com and I'm sure I can point you in the right direction.
  
  

  Posted by wackyvorlon on July 13, 2005 at 19:27:55 Pacific Time