A question for the experts ...
... so I was thinking about independents that recently (a) have created in-house movements and (b) haven't used CNC machinery in the process. I'm assuming this list is growing smaller by the year due to the perfection that can be achieved via CNC ... but ...
Roger W Smith uses CNC machines
Loomes in England actually custom built an English-made CNC machine as one further way to truly make an entirely English watch. Atelier de Chronometrie doesn't use CNC machines. They tell me their watches have 3atm wr, but not to get them wet...
First, a quote from Roger W Smith ...
“We’ve always used CNC machines,” explains Smith. “I’ve never shied away from showing that. If you want to make more than one watch a year you need to use CNC, there’s no question. Making pocket watches by hand is one thing but the reduced tolerances requ...
Thanks, kjkt3 ...
... I was mistaken with my original list, which now makes me wonder ... are there any independents that (a) create in-house movements and (b) don't use CNC machinery in the process? I assume the answer may lead to something that's completely in the strato...
Thanks, Spangles, I didn't know that about RW Smith. Don't know how I feel about it yet ... need to mull it over.
But ... Atelier de Chronometrie ... wow. I don't know where I've been for the past 3-4 years, but I completely missed seeing them -- their watches are gorgeous. Those sector dials, and the movements! Granted, they are lightly based on Omega 283 and 266 mo...
Caution may be necessary with Atelier de Chronometrie (AdC).
AdC watches, of which there are few yet, are not "lightly based" on Omega movements, quite the reverse. Their decoration appears good, but is not exceptional. For the modifications AdC does and the cases & dials they commission, their prices are very high...
My issue with anything too "exclusive" is that this being watches, they will need repairing somewhere down the line...
and the romantic idea of the old craftsman toiling in his workshop with his two trusted employees could really come back to bite you once he's gone. Any type of in-house movement has this issue especially with independents who may not survive long, so aut...
Very fair point, Blanksy
I tend to waver back and forth. Some years I'm more interested in the purity of the artisan's own creation and other years I'm interested in a 'sensible' (as my grandfather would put it) mix of the artisan's creation with reliability and serviceable funct...
If Smith is truthful (and there’s no reason to think otherwise)
then only very, very few watchmakers are creating movements totally by hand. These companies that claim they are not using industrial machines have to be using old blanks and hand-finishing. They then can deny the use of CNC machinery.
Agreed. I'm slowly and painfully coming that conclusion ...
... 'kicking and screaming' along the way as they say. I believe you're right so, for example, when Dirk Dornblueth talks about not using CNC, it's likely coupled with the use of Unitas blanks, but when it comes to the in-house 2010 movement, it was likel...
Have you thought about Haldimann?
I think you have to go there to order a watch-I didn’t hav any response when I sent them an email.
I've liked what I've seen posted (the Flying Central), but I don't think I went back to look them up ...
Thank you for the suggestion. I'm on their website now. Kind regards, Dan
Haldimann was the first one that came to my mind.
But Beat Haldimann can't be the only one, right?
I agree -- I'm thinking there has got to be others, but I'm completely out of my depth of knowledge...
... which isn't a bad thing. It's really good to learn something new about the industry! Kind regards, Dan
DuFour - not sure
There was discussion on here many years ago about his Simplicity being based on an existing movement, heavily reworked. Never full resolved that I can recall. If you take an Omega or Peseux baseplate keeping the jewel spacing the same and using the gears ...
A fair question for sure.
I'm thinking that it's an elusive target now based on this conversation. A bit like Icarus, watchmakers have 'wings' to create but it's best to not get too close to the sun. I'll need to come to peace that it's a riddle that could be solved ... but only b...
My Smith quote was an article (link inside the post)
THIS ARTICLE (click to view) www.qpmagazine.com Please put links inside the articles, not in the title. Thanks Cazalea
Lang & Heyne certainly use CNC for parts.
As Roger Smith says, to produce wristwatches in series, one will typically use CNC in order to get the desired accuracy of parts. Where the difference lies, is in each Watchmaker’s leaves and execution of hand finishing. Tons of debate here and many opini...
That seems very reasonable at this point...
...as soon as I heard that Smith and Dufour use CNC, it took this conversation to a realm completely beyond was I was initially assuming. Kind regards, Dan
I'm liking Masahiro Kikuno
From his website: 'Why by hand? He says, as most people including me, to create a watch oneself, we had to provide a lot of special tools and expensive automatic machines. And mostly, the funds to Possessing none of these means, he thought that it was imp...
Yeah he is as "handmade" as they go
Take a closer look at the workmanship and see if that's what you are looking for. His work is about the journey and not the destination.
Thank you! I didn't know of Christian Klings before -- absolutely beautiful!
From their website: "Parts, like plates, some bridges,wheels, case, crown, gasgets, glass, dial,etc. are designed and made by hand, using old fashion watchmaking tools, like lathe, pantograph, or other supports, which are modified to manufacture individua...
Thank you, everyone, for your replies ...
... this has been a great thread -- I've learned a lot. If anyone has more suggestions please do keep them coming. It's good to know about the more obscure but pure artisanal 'non-CNC' watchmakers who might not have the front-page marketing footprint of a...