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Headed to the AWCI introduction to watchmaking class...any tips?

  1. Mad Dog rockpaperscissorschampion Jan 10, 2018

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    Greetings and salutations from Cincinnati, Ohio...

    I just signed up for the AWCI introduction to watchmaking class which will begin on 16MAR18. It'll be 3 days long and we'll be working with the ETA 6498 movement. I'm really looking forward to this...any tips?

    Look how excited I am...

    IMG_9997.JPG
     
  2. JimInOz Melbourne Australia Jan 10, 2018

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    Yeah, my first tip.

    Lay off the coffee!

    :D
     
  3. WhatYourWatchSay Jan 10, 2018

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    Don't forget to tip your servers.
     
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  4. duc Jan 10, 2018

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    During introductions, let the instructor know, clearly, who is in charge.
     
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  5. redpcar Jan 10, 2018

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    1. Magnification
    2. Steady hand
    3. Open mind
    4. Dibs on the one on the right
     
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  6. Canuck Jan 10, 2018

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    Also, don’t forget your server’s “tips”! Once you finish the course, restrain yourself and try to stay away from servicing one of the Hamiltons, Elgins, or Walthams in your collection! In comparison, the ETA will be a piece of cake. I trust they will have a stash of spare parts available, during the course. Just in case!

    http://www.ranfft.de/cgi-bin/bidfun-db.cgi?10&ranfft&2&2uswk&ETA_6498_1

    Image from the Ranfft archive.
     
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  7. Mad Dog rockpaperscissorschampion Jan 10, 2018

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    Really?

    Dang!

    :D

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  8. sdre Jan 10, 2018

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    Thinking of attending a watch repair course as well.
     
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  9. Mad Dog rockpaperscissorschampion Jan 10, 2018

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    Do it!

    :thumbsup:

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  10. Foo2rama Keeps his worms in a ball instead of a can. Jan 11, 2018

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    You sir are my spirit animal.
     
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  11. Longbow Jan 11, 2018

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    Sounds like fun. How comprehensive is that course?

    Omega Boutiques offer a nice intro for the clueless like me.
    7C605B5F-0A88-4B6A-803A-18C67C5033CA.jpeg 24B5B44A-58F2-48C3-8636-84D32758302A.jpeg 7A1B5B8A-1E4C-4B5E-88A9-806E5D318A38.jpeg 0F92B18D-879C-4513-996D-9F5BF130C5B8.jpeg
    2CCECF6F-247A-477E-A011-70CBD157479D.jpeg

    The end result was most amusing...
    45DF0345-6E56-44B0-9122-3207B1A5595F.jpeg
    ..unmeasurable on account of not performing the various oiling steps.

    A course well worth doing. It was a fascinating insight and a clear indication to the untrained to keep their hands off precision instruments.
     
  12. Mad Dog rockpaperscissorschampion Jan 11, 2018

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    This is the syllabus regarding the introduction to watchmaking class at AWCI:

    1. Assembling and disassembling a mechanical watch (ETA 6498 movement).
    2. Removing and installing a dial.
    3. Removing and fitting the watch to/from the case.
    4. Lubrication.
    5. Screw tightness.
    6. Cleaning movement components.
    7. Regulating the watch for timekeeping.
    8. Additional topics include basic horological theory and how to read a technical guide.

    The course is 3 days long from 0800 - 1700 each day and costs $595. They recommend studying the Theory of Horology publication prior to attending the class to be familiar with the basic nomenclature of watchmaking. The class is taught by a CW21 watchmaker.
     
  13. Archer Omega Qualified Watchmaker Jan 11, 2018

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    If Tom is teaching the class, you are in good hands - he is a great instructor. Also if he is the one picking the lunch spot, be prepared for some Gold Star...

    My only advice is to relax and enjoy yourself. As for laying off the coffee, that's actually a bad idea - drink your normal amount of coffee - your body is used to it and doing something different than whatever it is you normally do is generally not a good prescription for better performance.

    Cheers, Al
     
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  14. oddboy Zero to Grail+2998 In Six Months Jan 11, 2018

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    @Mad Dog, do you work on 321s? How much do you charge for service? How long is the queue?
     
  15. Mad Dog rockpaperscissorschampion Jan 11, 2018

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    That's great news, sir!

    Party on!

    :thumbsup:

    IMG_6673.JPG

    Also, Tom S. is not the assigned instructor...Aaron R. is the assigned instructor at this point in time.
     
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  16. Mad Dog rockpaperscissorschampion Jan 11, 2018

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    1. Sure thing, boss!
    2. $5.
    3. 2 [whole] minutes.

    :D :D :D
     
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  17. Mad Dog rockpaperscissorschampion Jan 12, 2018

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    All, here are 2 questions:

    1. Would you recommend purchasing and studying the Theory of Horology publication? The AWCI recommends studying this publication prior to the introduction to watchmaking class to be familiar with watchmaking nomenclature...however, when I asked about this when I signed up for the class, the AWCI made it sound like it wasn't that important to study the publication and nomenclature would be covered as we progress during the class.

    2. I have the Complete Price Guide to Watches which contains [in the first 100 pages] what I consider to be a fairly good [but general] descriptor of watchmaking nomenclature...would this information in the first 100 pages of the Complete Price Guide to Watches suffice regarding being familiar with watchmaking nomenclature?
     
  18. Archer Omega Qualified Watchmaker Jan 12, 2018

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    I'll start by saying that the ToH is a great reference book, and is the standard text used in watchmaking schools.

    I don't know what your ultimate goal is here, but if this is a just a fun thing to get a little more acquainted with the technical side of watches, and you have no plans to pursue it much further, I don't think the book will be of much value going forward. The ToH is much more than just nomenclature, as it goes into the exactly what the title suggests - the theory aspects of watches that will not a be concern to you unless you like doing calculations using all the formulas just for fun...

    One thing this book will not teach you is anything about how to repair a watch - it's a theory book and not a practical guide to any actual watchmaking techniques or procedures.

    In a 3-day course that is by definition very limited in scope, they will teach you the limited nomenclature that you will need to complete the work assigned.

    BTW I am not familiar with the other book you mention, so have no idea what nomenclature is in it. The tech guides will have names of parts so really the book purchase is overkill unless you are serious about doing this for a living.

    Cheers, Al
     
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  19. GordonL Jan 12, 2018

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    good luck @Mad Dog and very much looking forward to your debrief (with pictures hopefully!)
     
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  20. bovecHD Jan 12, 2018

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    MD, hope you have great time. I have a similar class at NAWCC on my list to take this spring. BTW, GREAT shirt choices.
     
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