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Old 18 August 2017, 08:00 AM   #1
Russell996
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Tools of the trade - working in miniature
I guess like most TRF members I'm astounded by the skills and patience needed to design, make and repair PP movements. I've always loved working on first push bikes, then later motorbikes and finally cars and to this day still treasure my Snap-On toolbox and tools.

But there us something about the size of the parts in a mechanical watch that astounds me - parts are so small that they are barely visible even through a glass and the care needed at every stage is simply beyond anything I can imagine ever being able to undertake.

Simple strap and bracelet changes/adjustments are about my limit (and then not on my PP's). Even then the tools needed are miniature.

Interested to hear the level other TRF's have gone to to learn more - perhaps even working on their own pieces and the specialist tools they use?







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Old 18 August 2017, 12:41 PM   #2
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Think I have a drawer full of disassembled ETA's that I haven't quite gotten to work!!!
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Old 18 August 2017, 12:45 PM   #3
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For what it's worth


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Old 18 August 2017, 12:52 PM   #4
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Old 18 August 2017, 01:02 PM   #5
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Calling Mike!
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Old 18 August 2017, 05:31 PM   #6
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For what it's worth


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I love it, a dedicated watch workshop.
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Old 18 August 2017, 08:16 PM   #7
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For what it's worth


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What do you use all that stuff for?
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Old 18 August 2017, 09:51 PM   #8
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^ i assembled some watches....gotta know how the damn thing works....
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Old 18 August 2017, 11:02 PM   #9
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^ i assembled some watches....gotta know how the damn thing works....
Well it's a very nice setup you've got.
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Old 18 August 2017, 11:26 PM   #10
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You asked about this


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Old 19 August 2017, 01:11 AM   #11
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Lol train him under Kari so you don't have to wait more than a day for the dial swap :). He is young it shouldn't take more than a few weeks - maybe a camp during summer?
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Old 19 August 2017, 01:14 AM   #12
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Lol train him under Kari so you don't have to wait more than a day for the dial swap :). He is young it shouldn't take more than a few weeks - maybe a camp during summer?
Actually he is busy assembling all the 5522's for Patek...first batch done...he's getting better....by about 400 it should be perfect
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Old 19 August 2017, 01:23 AM   #13
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Actually he is busy assembling all the 5522's for Patek...first batch done...he's getting better....by about 400 it should be perfect
I heard Patek wanted to excite and get some newcomers into the brand with the 5522 but I thought they meant something different.
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Old 19 August 2017, 01:31 AM   #14
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Love this thread! Always been curious about a matchmaking course but never done anything about it.
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Old 19 August 2017, 01:38 AM   #15
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Love this thread! Always been curious about a matchmaking course but never done anything about it.
Does your wife know?
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Old 19 August 2017, 01:41 AM   #16
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Love this thread! Always been curious about a matchmaking course but never done anything about it.
as long as you are not into anything weird it shouldn't be too hard to find one .
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Old 19 August 2017, 01:50 AM   #17
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Does your wife know?


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as long as you are not into anything weird it shouldn't be too hard to find one .


Haha.. *watchmaking!!


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Old 19 August 2017, 02:17 AM   #18
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I'm a watchmaking student, about to start my 4th and final year, I did a 6 month internship with a Rolex Service Center last year.

Rolex 3185:


Setting a new balance staff for a 3135:




A handmade stem for a pocket watch, there was no original stem so I had to do some careful measuring in the movement, the first one broke on the lathe but this one works great. This picture was pre-polishing.
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Old 19 August 2017, 05:18 AM   #19
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Wow! Very nice work Bas! I am sure you will be great at this.


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Old 19 August 2017, 11:31 AM   #20
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Wow! Very nice work Bas! I am sure you will be great at this.


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Thank you, Kevin
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Old 19 August 2017, 11:32 AM   #21
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I'm a watchmaking student, about to start my 4th and final year, I did a 6 month internship with a Rolex Service Center last year.

Rolex 3185:


Setting a new balance staff for a 3135:




A handmade stem for a pocket watch, there was no original stem so I had to do some careful measuring in the movement, the first one broke on the lathe but this one works great. This picture was pre-polishing.
Beautiful stuff Bas--great to see an expert at work!
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Old 19 August 2017, 07:22 PM   #22
Russell996
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Quote:
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I'm a watchmaking student, about to start my 4th and final year, I did a 6 month internship with a Rolex Service Center last year.

Rolex 3185:


Setting a new balance staff for a 3135:




A handmade stem for a pocket watch, there was no original stem so I had to do some careful measuring in the movement, the first one broke on the lathe but this one works great. This picture was pre-polishing.
Superb. 👍
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Old 20 August 2017, 10:36 PM   #23
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Beautiful stuff Bas--great to see an expert at work!
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Superb. 👍
Thank you gentlemen
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Rolex uses rare elves to polish the platinum. They have a union deal and make like $90 per hour and get time and half on weekends.
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