Manufacture
Bernard Cheong's pictorial tour of IWC's case manufacturing process highlights the often-underestimated complexity and artistry involved in creating a high-quality watch case. This post is crucial for understanding that a watch's exterior demands as much precision and craftsmanship as its movement. It challenges the common perception by demonstrating how case making can be more intricate than even some complications, emphasizing the visible, tactile, and functional aspects of true luxury.
This is one of many examples.
At UN, AP, and others..even more complex shapes are made.
High quality cases are IMHO, much more difficult to execute than a bridge or a wheel or at times, a tourbillon. The quality is visible, tactile and functional..waterproof and many employ the high standards seen inside the watch finish...polish and anglage.
Fit and gaps are in reality, many times more complex and less tolerant of errors in microns.
That is why, in the MBF 1 and 2, the Antiqua, and some of the incredibly complex shapes...the case alone can often be the price!
Anyway..here it is...a round case, in house...where IWC, and similar companies..monitor the quality at every stage.
In addition....the attention to finish and microscopic details are incredible...at reputable makers of course...
Very interesting, Bernard, I really enjoy these ‘back room’ insights into how our timepieces are put together, even the more ‘mass produced’ ones. The manufactures should make much more use of multimedia to showcase the amount of work that goes into these pieces; it also increases the pride of ownership, particularly for the non-horologically inclined. Thanks again, Andrew
that we can see having digits cut? I don't recognize it. A
I have literally thousands of pics from innumerabe visits...I was concerned that it would have bored you guys.
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