BjoernM21
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CORRECTION: Using the world "chemical" in the description of the bluing method Paul Gerber uses in the course is wrong.
The bluing of the screws is also the result of heat. The disolved "bluing salt" (an oxidizing mixture of potassium nitrite and sodium nitrate with traces of sodium chloride, potassium chloride and sodium bromide) can be heated to 300° C without the fluid evaporating or blackening the parts (like oil would do). Paul Gerber heats up the screws to 290° to 300° for the desired blue colour in this fluid to ensure the exact same colour of all four visible screws of different sizes (treated in one go). This colour control is exceedingly difficult by flame bluing, usually on a bed of brass shavings, because the way the screws are lying in these shavings has a direct influence on the heat transfer. The method used in the course gives the pupils a small time window to judge themselves visually what exact colour they want, and then stop the process by removing the screws from the fluid. It just shows again how keen Paul Gerber is to give his pupils the means to be actively involved in the creation of details of their watches.
Many thanks to you, skyeriding, for giving me a hint and an opportunity for corrections (I must have been asleep when Paul Gerber explained it all in the course, so I have now asked him for a private lesson...). And your kind comments are also much appreciated.
Björn
Paul Gerber: Amateur Watchmaking with the Master
“Initiation Courses” have become very popular within the watch industry. Almost every manufactory visit is interrupted by a workshop to give visitors the illusion of being watchmakers. With me, this illusion vanished quickly, even when dressed in a white ...
Thank you
for a wonderful and illuminating posting. It inspired me to try to go on one of these courses. I enjoyed reading the whole post (rare for me). Your depth of knowledge and modesty are an example to us all. The pics were excellent. All-in-all it ranks as on...
Thank you
Thanks for the great write up! Aleays great to see finishing skills by the masters of horology
Excellent post
This is probably the most in depth course I have seen so far, short of a full degree course. Thanks for sharing. BTW the course what language was the course conducted in?
Paul Gerber instructs in German
because he feels not at ease doing it in English. But there are courses with English speaking participants, with at least one "mixed-in" who can do all the translations. Thanks also for your kind comment.
Dear Bjoern,
Your writing has always been a pleasure to read - this one however I find is especially exceptional. I think only a handful of people can truly claim to have a personal watchmaking session with an experienced master to this level of depth. The insights pr...
My 'educated' guess is that Paul uses Borax powder which creates exactly the same chemical layer on the metal as heat flames...
but is just easier to achieve an even surface colour than pure heat (hence the methog of choice for a workshop like this). Best, Magnus
Interesting info, thanks Magnus
Is Borax typically how chemically blued screws are done in watchmaking? Regards, skyeriding
CORRECTION: Using the world "chemical" in the description of the bluing method Paul Gerber uses in the course is wrong.
The bluing of the screws is also the result of heat. The disolved "bluing salt" (an oxidizing mixture of potassium nitrite and sodium nitrate with traces of sodium chloride, potassium chloride and sodium bromide) can be heated to 300° C without the fluid ...
Bjoern, you must have done a much better work than me... your watch ran better after then before...
thanks for bringing this excellent article on an experience I made as well (as you know), so here is my piece to greet yours: Note that I 'developed' my 'own' style of finishing... I cannot add anything to the epxeriences you so generously shared. It was ...
Magnus, your watch looks really "puristic" and elegant
Thanks for sharing your version of the workshop watch. Actually, I am now a bit in doubt if "pepping-up" the visuals with the gold/brass details is such a good idea... Björn
Superb post. Thanks for sharing, I've enjoyed it a lot.
Congratulations on your beautiful and special watch. Vte
A wonderful, detailed post about a great guy and a nice watch
As owner of several Gerber watches, and having met the watchmaker and his wife a few times, I am envious and admire the work you have done. And truly appreciate the work and time it takes to report so convincingly to the rest of us. Cheers, Cazalea The fi...
Many thanks, Cazalea, for sharing your experiences with Paul Gerber and adding the informative photos.
Nowadays, Paul Gerber is hardly ever displaying his watches at shows (not even at Baselworld, where he only attends as visitor). But when time is running away to fulfill all the commissions of collectors that have found him anyway, it is possibly not wort...
Thanks for this superb review / article, Bjorn! That was a great moment to read it. As for the most complicated wrist watch with its 1116 parts, it is part of the past...
I think JLC broke this record with the Duometre à Grande Sonnerie, with more than 1400 parts, and more than 20 complications... But back to Mr Gerber's work, I had the pleasure to admire the P 10 piece, and was positively impressed by the quality of his w...
A wonderful post Bjorn...
and an experience of a lifetime. Paul Gerber is certainly an unsung hero in the horology world and to get to work along side of him must have been inspiring. A really nice watch you came out with too!
Your commitment to appreciate fine watchmaking has been rewarded
Thank you for this fantastic report, Bjorn. I can only imagine what a genuine experience it must have been. Well done on building a nice watch. Ken
Thank you and contratulations!
Dear Bjoern, your post is nothing less than extraordinary. I was particularly impressed by one point: the infinite care Mr. Gerber puts in every single aspect. This is definitely the proof of the uniqueness of the Man and the Master. Three years ago I've ...
Fabulous post!
PG - one of my favourite watchmakers (I have just re-read your post again) ...
What can I say, Björn...
Time for a book for sure and I’d love a copy of the first edition! Another truly astounding article and looking forward to reading more soon...
Truly an Epic Adventure and Article capturing the Independent Spirit and the Deep Culture without any fluff or hyperbole
Lucky to be able to experience this with the Master's own ...
Truly a Hall of Fame post
Same goes with his post of his project with Jochen Benzinger. We need more BjoernM21 in this forum!🙏
Fantastic post, report, essay, … what more can I say! 👍🏻👍🏻🤩
I read it already in 2018, but I didn’t comment at that time. Just so inspiring! Thanks very much for it! 👌🏻👏🏻🙏🏻
Damn! This is reference material...
Gerber always seemed like he was having fun. His watches always seemed fun...
Really good to read this again Bjoern!
Fond memories of my time in his Zurich atelier. Paul & Ruth were great hosts and my horological journey was massively improved and impacted by my visit. Tremendous writing and you captured your visit so well! Cheers, Tim A few images to add from my visit…...