David Walter Clocks: A Shop Visit in Buellton, CA

DonCorson · 2015-04-21T23:48:42Z

Explore the workshop of master clockmaker David Walter in Buellton, CA. DonCorson's shop visit reveals unique clocks, precision tools, and Walter's horological journey.

DonCorson

WPS member · Independents forum

10 replies6228 views30 photos

DonCorson provides an exclusive shop visit report on David Walter, one of the world's leading clockmakers, offering a rare look into his workshop in Buellton, CA. This feature highlights Walter's unique journey from watchmaker to master clockmaker and showcases the intricate tools and craftsmanship behind his bespoke creations. Readers gain an appreciation for the dedication and precision required in high-end horological artistry.

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One of the worlds pre-eminent clockmakers lives and works just hours from LA. So a recent trip to the city of angels was a welcome excuse to visit him, David Walter, at his shop in Buellton CA.
David, born Australian, but active around the world over the years, was educated as a watchmaker. He was active as a watchmaker specialised in chronos and complications at the Omega service center in Vienna. After philosophical differences with his employer caused him to start a long journey from Vienna through India by car, he realised that the only way an individual has to help improve the world is by making quality in all that he does. This was the seed of his professional journey to eventually become today one of the worlds top clockmakers.

Each of David’s clocks is a unique piece. Here we see the very first clock he ever made, during his years in Vienna.

Another early striking clock.

A perpetual calender, moon phase clock with a grid iron temperature compensating pendulum made during his time in Perth Australia.

David’s shop is the totality of a two-car garage in his house. Let's go on in.
On the bench we see that he is now working on the balance & escapement unit for a small carriage clock.

Of course he is well equipped with the tools of the trade. This Wähli lathe is of a type I have never seen before. It is possible to raise and lower the hight of the headstock. This allows many working configurations that are hard to do on a standard lathe.

A Leitz precision pointing machine. The numerical readout is so precise that it registers the vibrations on jumping on the floor.

A pinion polishing machine with its wooden polishing disk.

Where do the sapphire parts come from? Well they are cut out from these half boules of sapphire as they are produced.

Some precision tools from Levin produced in California. The aeronautic and war machine industries also need precision tools.

Parts from a clock movement from about 1800 which David is restoring and making a copy. This for a pair of supposedly identical clocks, of which one had had the original movement replaced at some time.

Pieces laying around.

Raw materials.

This sheet of brass will soon be a clock frame.

The most fascinating piece to be seen today. David’s prototype of his version of the Philip Woodward W5 clock. Philip Woodward is a British physicist who spent much time and thought on making precision clocks. His W5 is a double pendulum clock using all the tricks that physics offers to increase precision. The long pendulum is the timekeeper that swings freely, the short pendulum is the worker keeping the movement going, impulsing the timekeeper when needed and showing the time. It is synchronised with the timekeeping pendulum once every 30 seconds. The pendulums themselves are made of quartz glass, one of the most stable materials known.

Philip Woodward was supportive of clockmakers making clocks based on his W5 and David was the first clockmaker to be able to make a working copy of the W5 clock adding many improvements of his own. His version of the clock is known as he (D)W5. You can see a finished production unit of this stunning clock on David’s website. David measures the timing accuracy to about 1 second in 100 days which makes this clock among the most accurate purely mechanical clocks ever made. Unfortunately there have bee no independent measurements of the accuracy. David is hoping that this will be done in the next year or two.

David likes taking much time to figure out all the complexities before jumping in with parts making. On the drawing table we see sketches for a new perpetual calendar clock.

On the bench we also find a pocket watch prototype. The double movement will show mean solar time and also sidereal time.

David Walter

I would like to thank David for his invitation and the interesting discussion in his shop. I hope this will also be the beginning of more discussion about clocks on the forums.

This message has been edited by DonCorson on 2015-04-21 23:50:21

About the De Bethune DB25 Ref. DB25

De Bethune DB25 Reference DB25

The DB25 represents De Bethune's entry in the 44.5mm manual-wind category, distinguished by its silver dial configuration within the DB25 series. This reference launched in 2006 and continues the brand's approach to contemporary haute horlogerie complications.

The 44.5mm case is crafted from 18k white gold with a fixed bezel and sapphire crystal. Water resistance extends to 30 meters. The manual-winding caliber DB2105 movement provides a substantial 120-hour power reserve. The watch features a leather strap attachment.

This reference appeals to collectors seeking De Bethune's technical approach to timekeeping in a precious metal case. The extended power reserve and manual-wind operation position it for enthusiasts who appreciate hands-on interaction with their timepieces. The 44.5mm sizing places it in contemporary proportions within the independent watchmaking segment.

Specifications

Caliber: DB2105

Case: 18k White Gold

Diameter: 44.5 mm

Dial: Silver

Water Resist.: 30m

Crystal: Sapphire

Key Points from the Discussion

David Walter's presence in California as a horological genius was unknown to many, making this introduction valuable for enthusiasts.
Some of David Walter's early clocks share a stylistic resemblance to old English clocks with fusee and chain mechanisms.
The existence of such horological talent in Buellton, California, was a surprise to many, who previously only associated the area with a specific steakhouse.
David Walter's clocks are unique pieces, with a small number already delivered and installed, and more available for order.
The post highlights the impressive horological talent present in the local region, with David Walter's clocks being particularly amazing.
The community expresses a desire to see more fantastic clocks featured on PuristSPro, indicating an appreciation for this niche of horology.

The Discussion

amanico

Apr 21, 2015

Like you, I hope we'll have more discussions about Clocks! Best, Nicolas

Darren

Apr 22, 2015

thanks for the post Don. Nice to see this kind of horological talent in our part of the world! David's clocks are amazing. Darren

Timertom

Apr 22, 2015

Wish we could see more fantastic clocks like this on the Purists, They are out there for sure! Rishad

Ronald Held

Apr 22, 2015

Available to the public?

DonCorson

Apr 23, 2015

I know of one that has been installed at a customer's place and I understand that one more is ordered. It seems possible that we will really get some independent measurements some day. Don

patrick_y

Apr 23, 2015

You've been busy while visiting California. I've heard of Walter, I've seen photos of his work, and yet I never knew he lived in California. Thanks for the introduction! And great post! It's always great to read someone who understands the machines used to make these machines. Did you find any nice Danish pastries in Solvang during your stop? When I was in college, I had little weekend trips to the countryside in Santa Barbara, and on Sunday morning I made the trek up to Solvang/Buellton for Sun

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David Walter Clocks: A Shop Visit in Buellton, CA

About the De Bethune DB25 Ref. DB25

Specifications

Key Points from the Discussion

Continue the conversation

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