SALMANPK
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Affolter Pignons
A leader in the manufacture of pinions, wheels and other gear-train components for almost a century, Affolter Pignons sells millions of components every year to clients in the watch industry.
The first step in the production of any part is profile-turning, the stage where pinions are cut from steel bars. They are then precision-cut using machines equipped with automatic loaders specially designed by the group. After the hobbing process, the pinions are quenched and tempered, a process which changes the structure of the material. They are then ready for burnishing, which gives them the necessary hardness to ensure correct operation of the watch movement. Between each operation, batches of parts are washed. This serves not only to improve the visual appearance of the components, but also removes residues of shavings and lubricant.
Burnishing gives the pinion its final dimensions and considerably improves its surface finish. The last stage in the process is assembly. Most gear-trains contain a brass wheel mounted on a steel pinion. The operation to assemble these two elements is called riveting.
Finally, the component is inspected. Carried out during production, it ends a process in which 100% of production is verified for high-end components, while a sampling method is used for the firm’s mid-range products.
Watch Service, Repair & Restoration Specialists Master List
One of the major concerns I've seen on WPS is who and where will our Independent, Vintage and Startup Brands watches be serviced especially if the Principal moves on. On the Direction of my Sensei Nicolas I am initiating this post which hopefully becomes ...
Great idea !! I know RGM, have sent watches there for repair and service (Omega, Minerva and others), and have two of his watches. Roland is approachable and will answer
…your questions. Service is ok. Now, for me the best watchmaker I have ever dealt with is: Alkis Kotsopoulos at Swiss Watch Repair Co. 212 758-3224 in New York City. After years of suffering, in my experience, the awful service of Stern in NY and Geneva (...
Pretty much anything
They work on Vintage, grails, independents they have 4 -5 talented benches
Seiko is hardly a defunct brand
But their catalog is so enormous that older and rarer watches can be difficult to service. In the US, Spencer Klein of Klein Vintage Watch is an absolute master of the craft. Nobody better for vintage Seiko.
Repair Shops in America
Thanks and Credit to Gear Patrol for compiling this list based on the feedback from their readers. www.gearpatrol.com / 1. Connecticut Timekeepers Their website is impressive and full of information, and the shop has worked on timepieces from arou...
AP, Rolex, Piaget, Bvlgari, IWC, RM, JLC, Breitling, et al…
Rudolf Pluer in Mexico City Mr Pluer is a second generation watchmaker trained in Switzerland with ample experience and skill to help you in restoring and maintaining both modern and vintage watches, as well as clocks. He serves as the official service ce...
Hong Kong
1. Master Sammy Chung A legendary, independent watchmaker and Rolex repair specialist based in Hong Kong. He is highly regarded in the vintage horology community for his decades of expertise, having worked in the trade since Hong Kong was under British ad...
South America
Chile 1. Watchmaker Servicio Relojero The owner and master watchmaker of Watchmaker - Servicio Relojero in Chile is Mariano Albelo. He established the workshop drawing upon a family legacy in horology, offering specialized services that range from complet...
China
1. AG Watch Repair Center Operated by Nick Chan, it focuses on servicing luxury brands including Rolex, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Richard Mille, and Omega. They specialize in servicing complex mechanical movements such as GMT complications, split-s...
ACROTEC GROUP
The Acrotec Group is the largest independent B2B supplier of mechanical watch components in Switzerland. They are a "federation" of over 25 micro-engineering companies that manufacture hidden inner components, shock absorbers, and springs for the entire l...
Affolter Pignons
A leader in the manufacture of pinions, wheels and other gear-train components for almost a century, Affolter Pignons sells millions of components every year to clients in the watch industry. The first step in the production of any part is profile-turning...
AGENHOR (Atelier Genevois d'Horlogerie)
Is an independent Swiss watch movement manufacturer. It is globally renowned for engineering highly complex mechanical complications for luxury watch brands. Founded in Geneva in 1996 by master watchmaker Jean-Marc Wiederrecht and his wife Catherine, the ...
AJS Production SA
Is an independent Swiss watch manufacturer based in Porrentruy, specializing in the modification of watch movements, microtechnical decorations, and the production of miniature watch components (such as oscillating weights, moon discs, and dial plates). T...
APJ SARL
Based in Bassecourt, Switzerland, is a highly specialized independent haute horlogerie finishing and subcontracting workshop. They are renowned for meticulous, manual operations like hand-polished beveling and finishing on intricate bridges and plates. Mo...
Atelier Création Kuhn Sàrl
Founded by master watchmaker and artisan Olivier Kuhn, is a highly specialized Swiss workshop that creates intricate, 3D micro-sculptures and hand-engravings for ultra-luxury watch brands. Because the Swiss watch industry often maintains strict confidenti...
Atelier Gros SA
Atelier Gros SA specializes in high-end watchmaking components, casing, and decoration. They have notably produced and assembled timepieces for several prominent independent and luxury watchmakers, with their confirmed clients including: Urwerk (notably t...
Concepto Watch Factory
Concepto Watch Factory SA is an independent, highly vertically integrated Swiss watch movement manufacturer located in the historic watchmaking hub of La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. Founded in 2006 by Valérien Jaquet, the company specializes in designing...
SFF Composants Horlogers S.A.
SFF Composants Horlogers S.A. is a Swiss micromechanics and luxury watchmaking company headquartered in Alle, Canton of Jura, Switzerland. Founded in 1989, part of the Sandoz Family Foundation with it's Sister watchmaking division Pôle Horloger. it operat...
Bob Ridley, A Legend in the Rolex World
Based out of Arlington, Texas Bob Ridley for the last 40 years is widely considered one of the leading experts in vintage Rolex repair and restoration in the World. vimeo.com His son Philip has followed in his father's footsteps and after working with...
Azurea Technologie Horlogere SA
Since 1914, Azurea Technologie Horlogere SA has been a key player in the watchmaking industry. In their early days, they were making essential components for the watch movement, such as shafts, drums and barrel covers. As early as 2015, they identified th...
BAUD Industries Suisse
BAUD Industries Suisse is a primary high-precision component supplier for Rolex, alongside several other major luxury Swiss watchmaking manufacturers and jewelry brands. Operating through their specialized watchmaking division, they provide custom compone...
United Kingdom
1. W.E. Clark & Son Ltd. located on High Street in Lewes, is widely praised as an exceptional, multi-award-winning family jeweller. Established in 1819, the retailer holds an outstanding reputation for both its expert luxury watch repairs and bespoke fine...
Les Ateliers Gilbert Petit-Jean SA, BBHG SA, and Béguelin Sàrl
Les Ateliers Gilbert Petit-Jean SA, BBHG SA, and Béguelin Sàrl operate as independent sister companies grouped together within a single, integrated alliance. They operate out of a centralized, modernized production facility located in Les Brenets, Switzer...