SteveG
1529
Thank you, Tom I am very much
in agreement with you.
If you search these forums you will find that there have been a very few, and very small series of Peseux 260 watches (Leroy?, Girard-Perregaux?), small as in 1 or 2 or 3 examples. As I understand it the Be-Ba consists of 5 watches from NOS movements made about 15 years ago. Kari's Observatoire would certainly be the closest to "production" quantity (50-70? pieces).
After a false start to have a case custom designed and fabricated from zero-up, Roland Murphy (RGM) recommended using his 38mm model 151 case as this would be large enough to adapt to the 30mm movement with a relatively simple movement ring. As it turns out, I like this case (especially in titanium), and agree that the size is just right for this application. As such, the original UN dial would not have fit, it is way too small. I do like it very much however, and in the early going simply casing up the movement with dial and hands intact was a consideration. but then, the case would have had to be designed around it, this just turned out to be impractical.
The making of my watch:
For several years I have had this Peseux 260, finished and assembled by Ulysse Nardin, and still in its aluminum testing case. It is a beautiful movement, with all the best contemporaneous features for accurate and consistent running: Guillaume balance, b...
Thanks very much! Regarding RGM, besides
holding a special place in American watchmaking (for example, they have recently introduced their own in-house movement, Cal. 801), Roland and his company are exceptionally committed businessfolk. In my case, I wished to have a movement of my own supply f...
Thanks for sharing.
While your movement in its testing case was a lovely horological curitosity to begin with, having it cased up like this looks like a very practical way to enjoy it more often. Great to see these step by step manufacturing and assembly shots. I always admi...
Thank you! Early on in this project I envisioned
my watch styled somewhat like a modern Breguet, which would indeed would include one of RGM's engine-turned dials. Oddly enough, in between conceptiona nd realization came the series of Kari Voutelainen's watches using the same Peseux 260 movement, and wi...
Beautiful movement for a bespoke piece but...
were you advised by the watchmaker to consider various type of dials? Regards Ling
congrats!
wow that is a very beautiful watch! best of luck with it! best regards duemonde
Steve, I love it!
What a great job RGM seems to have done, and how cool of them to photograph the process for you (and for us)! Can you tell us more about the movement (or direct us to a previous post describing it)? Enjoy your new watch/old movement in the best of health....
Thank you CaliforniaJed! The Peseux 260 has
become pretty well known as the choice of AHCI member Kari Voutelainen for his original series of chronometer watches (an AHCI forum search will yield tons of information and pics). This particular piece is my second, the first written up (and its histori...
Bold stroke
Steve, this is a wonderful project, very ably executed. I am not aware of any production wristwatch which employed the Peseux 260? If this is the case, it makes your project all the more interesting: in the vein of the Be-Ba and the Voutilainen Observatoi...
Thank you, Tom I am very much
in agreement with you. If you search these forums you will find that there have been a very few, and very small series of Peseux 260 watches (Leroy?, Girard-Perregaux?), small as in 1 or 2 or 3 examples. As I understand it the Be-Ba consists of 5 watches ...
While the...
....260 in the test case is cool, having it on your wrist is cooler! That is a great project, Steve and a great set of photos to accompany it. (DO you know what the aperture in the UN dial is for? All that's underneath is a cap jewel?)
Dial aperture....
Hi, you'll find this sort of dial aperture on most of the observatory chronometer movements. The reason is simple, observation and maintanance of lubrication. The size and especially centricity of the balance staff pivot oil drop is crucial for superior t...
Brilliant. Thank you, Suitbert. Does...
Does this mean they 'tune' the movement using lucrication via that aperture, or is it just to observe that the post assembly lubrication is correct? This message has been edited by BDLJ on 2010-09-10 00:21:58
I don't know for sure.....
..and it's very hard to get some first hand info on the more practical aspects of the chronometer trials. I''ve seen enough evidence that they used every single place to tweek and tune - if I find some timeI'll do a few pix about this. I'm sure they would...
Valuable information
Greatly appreciated - thanks very much! As you may have heard, I have ordered a Chronomètre from Jean-Baptiste Viot in the original version without shock protection. This message has been edited by amerix on 2010-09-10 01:23:25
Good choice...
...IMHO. And a very "pure" choice a swell And with a little bit of care it's reliable as well (even british MOD thought it's unnecessary to have a shock protection for their WWW's - or maybe they were just a bit stingy...) Very much looking forward ! Best...
a stunning watch
Happy to hear everything turned out well. How often do you see something like this???? A first for me. And I must say--the dial is just gorgeous. I love the script, the subdial.....very elegant! Please do post more pics, though.... Again, congrats and wea...
Fabulous Choice Steve
is there any additional job done on the movement aside the shockproof protection. any special treatment done on the dial ? I presume you keep a spare dial ? Congrats as a truly unique piece owner cum part designer !!
Thanks! Actually, the movement is not shockproofed,
RGM did a little cleanup (like repolishing that steel cap for the escape jewel), but the whole is otherwise completely original, including the non-shockproof balance.
did u consider using enamel dial....
indeed a very unique piece... is that an enamel dial?
Thank you! The idal is painted, with an
eggshell and barely off-white finish, sunken and lightly scribed subdial. It is probably 'enamel' (very hard and quality paint), but is not fired ceramic (porcelain) like dials from the 1920s and earlier; this was available, for a cost anything would be. ...
No thanks at all Steve;...
... no thanks whatsoever for bringing into existence a truly beautiful - but completely unattainable - transport for a P260!!! Sincere congratulations, Steve, on your remarkable foresight, attention to detail, aesthetic integrity and, errrrr, patience. Br...
The presentation:
Never in our discussions did the packaging emerge as a subject. This is just as well as it turns out, I was given a delightful surprise when I received my watch: Stitched leather box: Inside view: Special goodies -- two extra dials, original chronometer c...
Hi, Steve - would you mind sharing this last photo . . .
. . . with us on the Wrist Scan forum? I think it'll be a shoe-in for weekly honors ;-) . . .
Thanks, Art! I would gladly give this a try
if I could find out how to upload pictures (as seems required). Obviously I am missing something obvious...
We have uploaders built in to our software, Steve . . .
. . . they're listed below the text frame, and pretty easy to use, especially if you've got a Mac.
Personally I think easier with a PC, but a Mac with Firefox works adequately. nt
Use the "simple photo uploader" and be patient while the image loads. A
What a thoughtful and generous watchmaker!
Steve, you must be a very happy man as you may not expect those special goodies - spare parts! Regards Ling
Congra
Hi Steve, It is me from Hong Kong regarding the 140. Thanks. Congra you having a nice watchcase. Best.
Beautifully done Steve !
Great stuff from RGM, well done !!! I like your choice of the classically simple face, too...
Very cool project, Steve!
Love the movement, and I envy what must have been a throughly enjoyable process. Best regards, Tony C.
a superb result Steve. for you as an american, RGM was the best choice IMO
a lovely movement which has been excellently placed in the finished watch. best Graham
Beautiful watch !
It must be cool to have a unique piece, a one of a kind. Congratulations ! That original Aluminum test case would not have looked as good strapped to your wrist.
Steve!
Why do you hurt me like this? I thought we were friends? Seriously, these pictures hurt so good! Your watch is gorgeous and I love that you shared your journey with us. The destination in this instance is great, but it's the journey that makes all the dif...
Remarkable journey Steve
Thanks for sharing this. I would have thought you would go with one of the signature RGM engine turned dials. The final choice is reflective of the beautiful simplicity of the Perseus.
case
Why put nice movement in cheap case? It^s like put ferrari motor in old Lada.....
Regarding the case
The original plan was for a platinum case, however besides finding that it is just nigh on impossible to get a case custom-designed and produced to the specifications of a single existing movement, Roland Murphy strongly felt that this movement with an ex...
I just found they changed the finishing for one part
good job by them. how much the bill? please tell me in pm. Thanks.
Journey of unique watchmaking...
... what a watch, and what an incredible journey you have taken together..! Thankyou Steve for sharing this with us. I have one stupid question...what is so special with the Peseux 260? Cheers Hans