ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX
15 July 2012, 03:15 AM | #1 |
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Is there any "handmade" part in a Rolex?
Hi all,
Just curious if there is any part in a Rolex that is strictly hand made? or are all parts machine/computer cut? Outof curiosity, same question about Patek too. thanks |
15 July 2012, 03:16 AM | #2 |
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Your name on the warranty card.
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15 July 2012, 03:19 AM | #3 |
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Handmade? No. Hand finished? Yes. The movement,hands and crown are 'cased up' by hand.
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15 July 2012, 03:19 AM | #4 |
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15 July 2012, 03:21 AM | #5 |
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Think you will find with all the high volume manufactures today most are highly automated and robotised including Rolex.Today although there are some manufactures that still make each and every part, but these are very very few and very very very very expensive watches.
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15 July 2012, 03:23 AM | #6 | |
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Quote:
I spoke to Peter and he said a lot of parts in his watches are 100% handmade. |
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15 July 2012, 03:26 AM | #7 |
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15 July 2012, 03:30 AM | #8 |
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I thought Rolex were elf made?
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15 July 2012, 03:31 AM | #9 |
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15 July 2012, 03:33 AM | #10 |
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I think with all the precision and tolerances required, human hand just can not compete with computer/laser precision cuts.
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15 July 2012, 03:33 AM | #11 |
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15 July 2012, 03:38 AM | #12 |
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I thought Mr. Rolex used Oompa Loompasto do all his assembly.
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15 July 2012, 03:41 AM | #13 |
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The price tag
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15 July 2012, 03:42 AM | #14 |
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Thanks folks but "assembly" does not count --- there are no computers/machines in existence that can assemble an movement from individual parts.
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15 July 2012, 03:43 AM | #15 |
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17 July 2012, 02:57 AM | #16 |
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17 July 2012, 03:01 AM | #17 |
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17 July 2012, 03:02 AM | #18 |
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Cannot see why not there are many Robots than can assemble parts a lot smaller and far more complicated than those found in any mechanical watch.
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17 July 2012, 03:31 AM | #19 |
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Well the concept is same as that of assembling a car BUT the pieces are a lot smaller. If any company can assemble a movement via a computer, that would accelerate their production. I do not think ROLEX has those machines yet.
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17 July 2012, 03:39 AM | #20 | |
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Quote:
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17 July 2012, 03:40 AM | #21 |
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17 July 2012, 03:41 AM | #22 |
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This type of information makes me want to get a Grand Seiko even more! They really are wonderful pieces!
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17 July 2012, 03:42 AM | #23 |
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So you are saying that Rolex movements are machine assembled?
If we can take humans out of the equation, we reduce chances of malfunctions and error rates drop to near zero. I have seen them handassemble dials and diamonds on them and the placing of the crown... |
17 July 2012, 04:06 AM | #24 |
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Take a look at how carefully they avoid showing assembly of movements.
If we saw how it was done it would probably change the way we think it takes a year to make a Rolex. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNoK2HypNXo |
17 July 2012, 04:16 AM | #25 |
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Why not? Microprocessors are assembled by machines and the parts that go into there are measured in microns.... MICRONS!
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17 July 2012, 08:55 AM | #26 |
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As far as I have heard from fairly reputable sources, Rolex still hand assembles the movements. I recall James Dowling mentioning this somewhere, and there was also the well-known WatchTime article discussing a tour of the Rolex manufacturing operation which also covered how Rolex calibers were hand-assembled. Various Rolex pamphlets I've had over the years have also proudly trumpeted advanced production processes but added "The assembly of a Rolex chronometer is still done entirely by hand".
That Rolex uses advanced technology to manufacture everything IN their watch is absolutely beyond question---although as Padi says, all companies now aside from a few of the loftiest independents are pretty much doing the same thing, although obviously on a smaller scale and with varying further degrees of hand finishing to those parts that emerge from manufacturing. Its also worth noting that many of the famous higher end brands perform different finishing standards according to price point...in other words, a basic handwound or automatic caliber will indeed be nicely decorated, but under close examination parts do not show quite the same level of perfection as a tourbillon, perpetual calendar or minute repeater, etc. This sort of attention by well-paid craftsmen & women adds massively to the price of a Swiss or German mechanical watch, whether the final price tag is $15,000 for a basic piece or $250,000+ for a high-zoot complication piece with 500+ individual parts. |
17 July 2012, 09:17 AM | #27 | |
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Quote:
J. Alan |
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17 July 2012, 06:10 PM | #28 |
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17 July 2012, 09:05 PM | #29 |
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I hear most watch companies use women to assemble and do the fine details as they have better dexterity (smaller hands)
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17 July 2012, 10:25 PM | #30 |
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There's some truth in that, I'm sure. The practice (and the dexterity rationale) has been in effect for a long time, as images taken of watchmaking ateliers from the early 20th century and before reveal--a time when you might think women would have had little opportunity to work with complex micromachinery.
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