Woo Hoo! I'm a Watch Maker!

JimInOz · Apr 20, 2018

Well, to be quite correct, I'm a Watch Assembler.

Just finished assembling an ETA Unitas 6498 with a guilloche dial, blued steel "Breguet" hands and a plain case with a turnip crown.
The most nerve wracking part was trimming the stem to length. After careful measurement (three times) with my vernier I chucked the stem in a No14 collet on my lathe. Set the lathe tool up at the right distance and then with the lathe at low speed, used a dremel cut-off wheel to cut the stem. All cleaned up and test fitted it was spot on first time, no rimming needed.

Dial side

Movement side

Now I just have to find a nice 22mm strap for it.

Foo2rama · Apr 20, 2018

I'll take one with a flieger dial...

Congrats nice choice of dial for the class, and for completing the class! Love the turnip/onion crowns!

So will you have to compete with @Mad Dog who is also taking the class for most accurate watch? Hacking at DAWN!!! then a very boring duel where everyone sits around for 24 hours....

JimInOz · Apr 20, 2018

Foo2rama
I'll take one with a flieger dial...

Congrats nice choice of dial for the class, and for completing the class! Love the turnip/onion crowns!

So will you have to compete with @Mad Dog who is also taking the class for most accurate watch? Hacking at DAWN!!! then a very boring duel where everyone sits around for 24 hours....

Not part of @Mad Dog's group, Cincinnati is too far away.
I ordered all of the parts from France/Switzerland and built it myself.
ATM it's running +8s per day dial up at 52º, beat error 0 ms. I'll find the correct lift angle and check it to see if it needs any adjustment.

Foo2rama · Apr 20, 2018

JimInOz
Not part of @Mad Dog's group, Cincinnati is too far away.
I ordered all of the parts from France/Switzerland and built it myself.
ATM it's running +8s per day dial up at 52º, beat error 0 ms. I'll find the correct lift angle and check it to see if it needs any adjustment.

Oh I didn’t know you could order the parts. Link?

That case and crown or perfect for a flieger, and seems like an interesting project.

sdre · Apr 20, 2018

I bought all the essential..tools from aliexpress. Still trying to find some space in my apartment to set up and do this!!!!

Did u learn this by yourself? Or went to classes?

jimmyd13 · Apr 20, 2018

While everyone seems to be going nuts for the case and crown, I really love that dial. Nice job.

michael22 · Apr 20, 2018

Well done. The movt. looks good, too.

michael22 · Apr 20, 2018

Oh,.... you going to brand it Longines, or Omega?

JimInOz · Apr 20, 2018

sdre
I bought all the essential..tools from aliexpress. Still trying to find some space in my apartment to set up and do this!!!!

Did u learn this by yourself? Or went to classes?

Never had a watchmaking course, would have liked to though.

I figured I'd need to do something interesting when I retired so I started with a Seiko 7S26 and a guide by Nick Hacko.

Books and internet articles were part of my self education.

I found some watch forums (WUS etc) but most of the information there was either silly or dangerous, but I noticed some good advice, researched the poster and basically ended up here.

So, my expertise has been greatly enhanced by the guidance provided here by @Archer, @ChrisN, @Stewart H and many others. If it wasn't for them I would have nowhere near the confidence to do what I do now.

JimInOz · Apr 20, 2018

michael22
Oh,.... you going to brand it Longines, or Omega?

It'll stay blank, I like the simplicity.

Hmmmmmm, hang on, where are my Sharpies?

😉

Tire-comedon · Apr 20, 2018

Congratulations Jim!
Next steps :
• Kickstarter funding for the first batch,
• Online shop for selling your production,
• hire labour and acquire a manufacture building and machinery to match the demand,
• design and produce your own range of calibers,
• internalise the manufacturing of all watch components, from case to hairspring,
• become the first Australian designer and manufacturer of a chronometer certified ultra thin tourbillon,
• Accept Fortune’s request for an interview to explain how you managed to have Australia recognised as the only true watchmaking place, before Switzerland, but also acquired Swatch group before their winding up,
• become the official and only supplier of qualified watches for Mars inhabited flights.
And we will all be able to say, we were here when this legend started!

😉

ChrisN · Apr 20, 2018

Nice job, Jim👍

Everyone gets stem cutting wrong at some point. It's a score reduction in the BHI exams if you use two stems so, "measure twice, cut once" but you're on top of that anyway. I built a "sterile" 6498 some time ago but am not showing it next to yours as I was a cheapskate when buying dial and hands. They can be very accurate though. Lift angle is 44 degrees but that will just affect the displayed amplitude.

Enjoy it.👍

Cheers, Chris

JimInOz · Apr 20, 2018

Tire-comedon
Congratulations Jim!
Next steps :
• Kickstarter funding for the first batch,
• Online shop for selling your production,
• hire labour and acquire a manufacture building and machinery to match the demand,
• design and produce your own range of calibers,
• internalise the manufacturing of all watch components, from case to hairspring,
• become the first Australian designer and manufacturer of a chronometer certified ultra thin tourbillon,
• Accept Fortune’s request for an interview to explain how you managed to have Australia recognised as the only true watchmaking place, before Switzerland, but also acquired Swatch group before their winding up,
• become the official and only supplier of qualified watches for Mars inhabited flights.
And we will all be able to say, we were here when this legend started!

😉

Thanks for the encouragement Yann.

I'm busy at the moment though, Annie and I are working and brainstorming (well, Annie is) on our "brand".

After we saw this, we realised we needed a "brand", and a "story", and our "history".

So when that's all done, I'll start production, but I'll need capital.

Anybody want to buy Annie's car?

2015 VW Golf R, 20K, only driven by a little old lady.

neilfrancis · Apr 20, 2018

#pïèçēûnîqüé

Tire-comedon · Apr 20, 2018

JimInOz
Thanks for the encouragement Yann.

I'm busy at the moment though, Annie and I are working and brainstorming (well, Annie is) on our "brand".

After we saw this, we realised we needed a "brand", and a "story", and our "history".

So when that's all done, I'll start production, but I'll need capital.

Anybody want to buy Annie's car?

2015 VW Golf R, 20K, only driven by a little old lady.

I’m afraid I can’t offer a lot for Annie’s Golf, the steering wheel is on the wrong side!

sxl2004 · Apr 20, 2018

Great job. Looks fantastic.
And welcome to the Clueless Watch Assemblers Guilt!
Secret handshake to follow.
A few of mine.
The blue dials is created by my humble self 😲😁

77deluxe · Apr 20, 2018

I’m really tempted to try this. I know it won’t turn out well.

sxl2004 · Apr 20, 2018

77deluxe
I’m really tempted to try this. I know it won’t turn out well.

Worst that can happen is hundreds of dollars in small movement parts nicely spread out on the floor around the work area.
And the one thing that quickly would find them should not be applied: THE MAGNET. Oh how often have I been tempted......

makaria indica · Apr 20, 2018

Nice work Jim, love the overall aesthetic

alam · Apr 20, 2018

@JimInOz good job 👍 ...but we must assess one demerit for not wearing rubber booties on fingers while assembling the watch. 😀