Independents

“Initiation Courses” have become very popular within the watch industry. Almost every manufactory visit is interrupted by a workshop to give visitors the illusion of being watchmakers. With me, this illusion vanished quickly, even when dressed in a white ...  

for a wonderful and illuminating posting. It inspired me to try to go on one of these courses. I enjoyed reading the whole post (rare for me). Your depth of knowledge and modesty are an example to us all. The pics were excellent. All-in-all it ranks as on... 

I love posts like these! Thank you for taking the time to share this.

Thanks for the great write up! Aleays great to see finishing skills by the masters of horology

This is probably the most in depth course I have seen so far, short of a full degree course. Thanks for sharing. BTW the course what language was the course conducted in?

because he feels not at ease doing it in English. But there are courses with English speaking participants, with at least one "mixed-in" who can do all the translations. Thanks also for your kind comment.

Your writing has always been a pleasure to read - this one however I find is especially exceptional. I think only a handful of people can truly claim to have a personal watchmaking session with an experienced master to this level of depth. The insights pr... 

but is just easier to achieve an even surface colour than pure heat (hence the methog of choice for a workshop like this). Best, Magnus

Is Borax typically how chemically blued screws are done in watchmaking? Regards, skyeriding

The bluing of the screws is also the result of heat. The disolved "bluing salt" (an oxidizing mixture of potassium nitrite and sodium nitrate with traces of sodium chloride, potassium chloride and sodium bromide) can be heated to 300° C without the fluid ... 

thanks for bringing this excellent article on an experience I made as well (as you know), so here is my piece to greet yours: Note that I 'developed' my 'own' style of finishing... I cannot add anything to the epxeriences you so generously shared. It was ...  

Thanks for sharing your version of the workshop watch. Actually, I am now a bit in doubt if "pepping-up" the visuals with the gold/brass details is such a good idea... Björn

Congratulations on your beautiful and special watch. Vte

As owner of several Gerber watches, and having met the watchmaker and his wife a few times, I am envious and admire the work you have done. And truly appreciate the work and time it takes to report so convincingly to the rest of us. Cheers, Cazalea The fi...  

Nowadays, Paul Gerber is hardly ever displaying his watches at shows (not even at Baselworld, where he only attends as visitor). But when time is running away to fulfill all the commissions of collectors that have found him anyway, it is possibly not wort... 

I think JLC broke this record with the Duometre à Grande Sonnerie, with more than 1400 parts, and more than 20 complications... But back to Mr Gerber's work, I had the pleasure to admire the P 10 piece, and was positively impressed by the quality of his w... 

...Thank you.

and an experience of a lifetime. Paul Gerber is certainly an unsung hero in the horology world and to get to work along side of him must have been inspiring. A really nice watch you came out with too!

Thank you for this fantastic report, Bjorn. I can only imagine what a genuine experience it must have been. Well done on building a nice watch. Ken

Dear Bjoern, your post is nothing less than extraordinary. I was particularly impressed by one point: the infinite care Mr. Gerber puts in every single aspect. This is definitely the proof of the uniqueness of the Man and the Master. Three years ago I've ... 

PG - one of my favourite watchmakers (I have just re-read your post again) ...  

Time for a book for sure and I’d love a copy of the first edition! Another truly astounding article and looking forward to reading more soon...