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Restoration of destroyed Rolex Submariner [video]

Dan S
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Nick Hacko Nick Hacko
Hi Fred - I pay no attention to anonymous comments. Quite frankly, I probably get far more credit than I deserve from those who appreciate horology so all this 'forum drama' is nothing but a harmless fun. We currently have a year 3, year 2 and two year 1 apprentices who are constantly encouraged to share their thoughts and opinions; they are young and witty and we joke all day long. Yesterday, upon arriving to work, I found that one of them taped Archer's photo to my bench lamp - it was hilarious.

If you paid no attention to them, you would ignore them, and you wouldn't be responding defensively to sincere questions that people ask. It seems that every time you appear, you are ready to become adversarial and call names at the drop of a hat. Everyone is an anonymous troll, a "hobbyist" (God forbid there should be hobbyists), or an unskilled amateur.

But I'm glad to hear that you're a happier person off-line than on-line.
 
Scarecrow Boat
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Nick Hacko Nick Hacko
OK line judges- your time starts now...
No thanks. Your elitist mentality in this forum has turned me off to your work.
Edited:
 
Archer
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Nick Hacko Nick Hacko
Hi Fred - I pay no attention to anonymous comments. Quite frankly, I probably get far more credit than I deserve from those who appreciate horology so all this 'forum drama' is nothing but a harmless fun. We currently have a year 3, year 2 and two year 1 apprentices who are constantly encouraged to share their thoughts and opinions; they are young and witty and we joke all day long. Yesterday, upon arriving to work, I found that one of them taped Archer's photo to my bench lamp - it was hilarious.

Nick, I certainly give you credit for the work you do with your efforts bringing watchmaking to Australia. At the same time, your reluctance to share, your habit of dismissing anyone who doesn't like your watches of not being "appreciative of horology", etc. are clearly designed to evoke a response, so you are getting what you want here I'm sure. After all, any attention is better than no attention when you are busy marketing.

Speaking of photos, I have a photo of Philippe Dufour above my bench (one that I took when I was in his shop) so someone I consider a true master watchmaker. I have it there to remind me that each time I sit at my bench, I should be doing my very best work.

All the best.

Cheers, Al
 
Nick Hacko
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Archer Archer
Nick, I certainly give you credit for the work you do with your efforts bringing watchmaking to Australia. At the same time, your reluctance to share...

Al,
you are maliciously perpetuating a myth - almost 10 years ago I've spent 3 months creating an online course on Seiko 7S26 for novice horologists. That course is still online and hundreds - if not thousands - of watch enthusiasts have completed it successfully, expressing their gratitude for sharing my knowledge free of charge. My blog is popular resource for researchers because it provides valuable information on variety of topics.

Every winter, I run monthly classes when I open my workshop to students. Not only I let total strangers into my workshop, but they have full access to my tools, workbenches, machinery - and unreserved access to my knowledge. We do this because we see it as a great opportunity for apprentices to grow and share. This is not a free course, but we don't make a cent on it.

Our multi million dollar watchmaking facility is open FREE OF CHARGE to fellow watchmakers. When they need help making, measuring or designing parts, they knock on our door. Yesterday, we've shipped bunch of meteorite dials to a famous watchmaker who uses our EDM wire cutting services to make his dials. Actually, to him and many others, our input is essential and we are more than happy to help.

Dufour does not train anyone, nor he opens his workshop to neither watchmakers nor public, but I do.

Archer Archer
your habit of dismissing anyone who doesn't like your watches

Seriously? Care to provide a factual quote? You may be surprised, but there are actually people out there who hate Rolex, Omega, Patek, FP Journe and Dufour. I could not care less what people think of my watches- but what I do care about is that my watches are robust, reliable and unconditionally repairable. Thousands of watches bearing my name will outlive me and their owners, and their next guardian - and that's the only thing that matters to me.

Oh, bu the way, I need an escape wheel for Omega Cal. 321. You wouldn't happen to have a spare one for me?
 
ChrisN
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Nick Hacko Nick Hacko
Oh, bu the way, I need an escape wheel for Omega Cal. 321. You wouldn't happen to have a spare one for me?

I have an escape wheel for a 321. Let me know if you need one.

Regards, Chris
 
Dan S
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Archer Archer
your habit of dismissing anyone who doesn't like your watches of not being "appreciative of horology"

Nick Hacko Nick Hacko
Seriously? Care to provide a factual quote?

There are some quotes that I recalled from a previous thread, which got interesting on page 2 in response to some comments by members about pricing and dial designs. I won't editorialize, but simply quote them here.
https://omegaforums.net/threads/an-australian-made-watch-with-a-unique.101579

Nick Hacko Nick Hacko
It is rather bizarre fact that vast majority of watch enthusiasts - from a novice to serious watch collectors, bloggers and forum members- have very little or no interest in horological fundamentals. And why should they - when most crucial 'online' question to be asked is how does this watch looks on me? followed by how much? and, finally, is my favourite [brand name] a good investment?

Nick Hacko Nick Hacko
Our supporters are sophisticated watch enthusiasts who understand and appreciate the value of our project and are proud to be our ambassadors. But this is not a mere coincidence—we are extremely selective in who we associate with and who we partner with. In other words, becoming an owner of an NH watch is not simply a matter of money. It is about sophistication, which comes from an appreciation for craftsmanship and a deep understanding of machining, tolerances, precision, the art of CNC machining and mechanical engineering.
 
SkunkPrince
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While CNC machining is highly technical and requires knowledge and skill, it sure as hell isn't "art".
 
Archer
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Nick Hacko Nick Hacko
Al,
you are maliciously perpetuating a myth -

To clarify, I was referring to your reluctance to share on this forum. I do not "follow" you, so I only know about your work when you or other post it here. I have no idea if you do or do not do these other things. Again, I was specifically speaking to what you post here, and there's nothing "malicious" about it - it is simply my own observations based on the things you have posted.

If you are doing the things you say you are, why be so coy and protective about a simple question related to cleaning dials here?

Nick Hacko Nick Hacko
Dufour does not train anyone, nor he opens his workshop to neither watchmakers nor public, but I do.

False. When I was in his shop he had 2 other watchmakers there he was training. As part of that they were assisting with making the Simplicity model.

When I asked him a couple of quick questions regarding the application of Côtes de Genève (something I was working on doing myself at the time) he quickly obliged by taking me over to that specific workstation, and spent 45 minutes huddled around the machine explaining all aspects of it. From the charging of the cupped ebony disk with abrasive powder mixed with lavender oil, to the angles that the spindle was set at, to the speed of the spindle, and how he decides on spacing. He mounted a scrap piece of German silver, and demonstrated this technique to me directly.

He didn't scoff at my request and ask me if a magician would reveal his secrets...

Nick Hacko Nick Hacko
Seriously? Care to provide a factual quote?

Sure...

"It is rather bizarre fact that vast majority of watch enthusiasts - from a novice to serious watch collectors, bloggers and forum members- have very little or no interest in horological fundamentals. And why should they - when most crucial 'online' question to be asked is how does this watch looks on me? followed by how much? and, finally, is my favourite [brand name] a good investment?"

From this thread. https://omegaforums.net/threads/an-australian-made-watch-with-a-unique.101579/

Nick Hacko Nick Hacko
You may be surprised, but there are actually people out there who hate Rolex, Omega, Patek, FP Journe and Dufour.

Not surprised at all.

Nick Hacko Nick Hacko
Oh, bu the way, I need an escape wheel for Omega Cal. 321. You wouldn't happen to have a spare one for me?

If you find one, let me know where - I need some too and they are long discontinued.

Cheers, Al
 
ChrisN
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What a difficult thread to read. Surely everyone feels the same that a watchmaker should be trying to preserve a watch for the next generation?

Blue liquid for dial and hands restoration? Talk to the watchmaker you use about this aspect of restoration. Don't get excited about random internet posts. It's very hard to guarantee results with dial restoration regardless of what is being said here. Everyone has their own skill set and ideas - some wouldn't touch a dial or movement with bare fingers, for example, but others do. Others may bring a dial back from the dead and will guarantee that - not many for sure.

Understand that most people are trying to make a point or sell a service even if it's not obvious. Look at the reputation of the watchmaker and try to get in with the one who seems the most reliable and knowledgeable. If you can build a relationship with someone who has a good reputation, then you should be fine. Ask for recommendations.

Best wishes, Chris
 
Nick Hacko
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Archer Archer
When I asked (Dufour) a couple of quick questions regarding the application of Côtes de Genève (something I was working on doing myself at the time) he quickly obliged by taking me over to that specific workstation, and spent 45 minutes huddled around the machine explaining all aspects of it. From the charging of the cupped ebony disk with abrasive powder mixed with lavender oil, to the angles that the spindle was set at, to the speed of the spindle, and how he decides on spacing. He mounted a scrap piece of German silver, and demonstrated this technique to me directly.

Nice heartwarming story, bit well outdated. Nevertheless, you should save it for your memoirs ("My five minutes with Dufour").
In his latest interview, Dufour basically said that he no longer train anyone because most of his past apprentices were too slow and impatient to invest time to learn the trade properly. He specifically said that they were not even worth their wages. Ouch.

So how's your own watch project going? Have photos to share?
 
Archer
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Nick Hacko Nick Hacko
Nice heartwarming story, bit well outdated.

Around the same age as your Seiko course...
 
slwoodster
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As I have said before, these guys are the only watch guys that should be on patreon... They're the only ones that really know watches. We just look at ads and stories...
 
Nick Hacko
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ChrisN ChrisN
Blue liquid for dial and hands restoration? Talk to the watchmaker you use about this aspect of restoration. Don't get excited about random internet posts... Look at the reputation of the watchmaker and try to get in with the one who seems the most reliable and knowledgeable.

Best wishes, Chris

Amen!

However, for the sake of clarity and punctuality: by "watchmaker" you really mean watch technician or watch repairer.
Because, in real life, we don't call nurses doctors, nor those who don't really make anything - makers.
 
Archer
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Nick Hacko Nick Hacko
Amen!

However, for the sake of clarity and punctuality: by "watchmaker" you really mean watch technician or watch repairer.
Because, in real life, we don't call nurses doctors, nor those who don't really make anything - makers.

You should be able to make yourself all the Cal. 321 escape wheels you need, right?
 
Nick Hacko
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S SlCKB0Y
It’s clear that these two have personal issues, but this is an ugly thread which is difficult to read and that’s due to both sides of this “discussion”. 🤔

Actually, quite opposite: this is a wonderful thread about a lovely restoration project. Couple of people asked questions, my young colleague from Canada who is a watch technician and Omega expert provided his opinion, we exchanged thoughts on difficulty of obtaining spare parts for vintage calibres - and we've moved on. Not for a moment I thought that Archer has any "personal issues" - actually, to have a qualified Omega trained person on this forum willing to share his expertise with hobbyists and amateurs is quite a blessing. And judging by number of his posts on forum, he is quite an asset to your community.

Would I send him my personal watch for repair? Yes. Would we have a lot to talk about and learn from each other? Absolutely. Would he send me a 321 escape wheel if he had one in stock? I have no doubt he would - and I would be happy to return a favour.

Saying all the above, most likely, his picture will be removed from my bench lamp tomorrow and replaced with Cardi B.
 
Archer
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Not sure I am much younger than you are NIck. No Idea what photo your guys have put up, but if it's my avatar, that photo is 20+ years old.

As for what you or others would like to call me, call me a watch technician, watch repairer, watch smith (that one tends to really rile up the old timers), or watchmaker, just don't call me late for dinner! 😀

I am not someone who gets hung up on titles. When I graduated and started my first engineering job in the mid-80's, it was with a Fortune 500 manufacturing company that was global - they even had a plant in Australia at that time, which is how I met my Australian wife, but that's a story for another day.

Being in such a corporate environment, the titles that someone in an HR department far away dreamt up were sometimes quite amusing, and often had little to do with the job I was actually doing. So after decades of that, you quickly get desensitized to what is on your business card (not that I have business cards anymore). I'm sure ChrisN, who is also an engineer turned watchmaker, has likely had the same sort of experiences in his previous career designing aircraft.

As for being a "maker" I have been machining metal since the late 70's, had my first go at CNC in the early 80's. I was as hands on in my engineering job as I could be, working in a unionized environment. Of course I went from using these machines to rebuilding/upgrading them as part of my job, and also purchasing and integrating them into production lines, and in some cases designing completely new machinery from scratch. When I started trying to make the Olympic team for archery, all my "making" of things on my own time stopped, as my hands became too valuable to risk an injury.

I have a very different business from your watch production, so I am not regularly remaking parts of an existing movement as you are. Trust me I understand the difficulties in getting new production processes up and running, as I've done this many many times, so again I give you credit for what you are doing, These days my machining equipment is mostly used for creating tools needed to do a specific job. I do make parts when needed, but only when it makes sense. So for example I'll bush a worn hole in a bridge or main plate, modify an existing staff to fit if a completely correct one is not available, or spend 20 minutes on the lathe making a new post for a bridge to replace a worn one, because that saves my customer $200 for a new bridge. I can certainly make some parts, but I wouldn't make parts that I can buy cheaper, because that would be charging my customer for what amounts to a vanity project.

Cheers, Al

PS - had to look up who Cardi B. was...not my kind of music. 😗
 
janice&fred
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Man there's so many back-handed compliments in this thread it's hard to keep up but for sure it's entertaining 😁
 
Meme-Dweller
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It's just generic ultrasonic cleaner being used to clean the dial... not a great trade secret SMH
 
5fd4468341ed1701f4065c252e6958f0.jpg
david5807
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Nick Hacko Nick Hacko

Six days of recording, compressed in 17 minutes - for your enjoyment.
Thank you for watching.


Nick Hacko
Watchmaker

Damn amazing stuff right there.
 
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