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Woo Hoo! I'm a Watch Maker!

  1. JimInOz Melbourne Australia Apr 20, 2018

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    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.

    6498Work.JPG

    Dial side

    6498Dial2.JPG

    Movement side

    6498Movement.JPG

    Now I just have to find a nice 22mm strap for it.
     
    6498Dial.JPG
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  2. Foo2rama Keeps his worms in a ball instead of a can. Apr 20, 2018

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    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....
     
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  3. JimInOz Melbourne Australia Apr 20, 2018

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    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.
     
  4. Foo2rama Keeps his worms in a ball instead of a can. Apr 20, 2018

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    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.
     
  5. sdre Apr 20, 2018

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    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?
     
  6. jimmyd13 Apr 20, 2018

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    While everyone seems to be going nuts for the case and crown, I really love that dial. Nice job.
     
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  7. michael22 Apr 20, 2018

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    Well done. The movt. looks good, too.
     
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  8. michael22 Apr 20, 2018

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    Oh,.... you going to brand it Longines, or Omega?
     
  9. JimInOz Melbourne Australia Apr 20, 2018

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    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.
     
  10. JimInOz Melbourne Australia Apr 20, 2018

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    It'll stay blank, I like the simplicity.

    Hmmmmmm, hang on, where are my Sharpies?

    ;)
     
  11. Tire-comedon First Globemaster Apr 20, 2018

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    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!

    ;)
     
  12. ChrisN Apr 20, 2018

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    Nice job, Jim:thumbsup:

    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.:thumbsup:

    Cheers, Chris
     
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  13. JimInOz Melbourne Australia Apr 20, 2018

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    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.
     
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  14. neilfrancis Apr 20, 2018

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    #pïèçēûnîqüé
     
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  15. Tire-comedon First Globemaster Apr 20, 2018

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    I’m afraid I can’t offer a lot for Annie’s Golf, the steering wheel is on the wrong side!
     
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  16. sxl2004 Apr 20, 2018

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    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 :eek::D

    25242830-3534-403B-B8D0-00C4F863D787.jpeg 44A0D069-A5A9-43DD-A473-D47A9BC53E30.jpeg 59DEDE8F-DBBA-4DB9-ACC2-A111D92BB6C6.jpeg
     
  17. 77deluxe Apr 20, 2018

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    I’m really tempted to try this. I know it won’t turn out well.
     
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  18. sxl2004 Apr 20, 2018

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    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......
     
  19. makaria indica Apr 20, 2018

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    Nice work Jim, love the overall aesthetic
     
  20. alam Apr 20, 2018

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