Greg D
525
Paul's workshop
I took the tram to the last stop - and then walked for several minutes up a suburban street. Here was the address - was this really where my extra-ordinary watches had come from?
But perhaps - is that a workshop where the garage would be?
Yes - this is the place!
Paul showed me the parts needed for the retro twin - he makes the parts in batches - and then completes that watches as they are ordered.
And here is a large scale proof of concert for the retrograde second hand - great fun to see it working at this scale! Is this Paul's only battery powered work?
This is Paul standing in front of his new CNC machine - he uses this to make parts of all the watches - but also to make his own movement and even his own escapement.
Paul is cleaning off a recently made part. The benefit of this machine over the older machine (which was on the other side of the garage) which he used to make my watches - is that this machine can change tools - and so do more work in one session and avoiding the registration errors from changing and re-mounting parts being made. Paul is clearly an enthusiast for these machines.
Paul standing in front of the machine he used to make my watches.
Paul's bench .
Paul currently has one watchmaker working with him. The day I was there he was putting an MIH watch together .
Just to show I was really there! Paul also showed me some amazing pictures of the Lord Arran watch being modified - it really is an exceptional piece of work.
Paul's wife Ruth looked up my Retro-grad and Retro-twin watches in their archive - and Paul stuck them both on the timing machine as the first step in servicing them. After a delightful morning I then headed back to central Zurich to look at the Beyer Museum - and some of the vintage watch stores. I met a couple of watchmakers - both of whom were amazed that I'd been able to meet such an exceptional watchmaker. I'm delighted to meet the man behind some of my favourite watches - even more delighted to see what a charming and modest man he is - and to see how exceptional his work is. Thanks to Paul for talikng the time to meet me - and thanks to the purists for introducing me to his work.
Grail - Paul Gerber
I've visited and met many members of the AHCI over the years. But there was one I've always wanted to meet - but never had. Paul Gerber is a watchmaker's watchmaker - his work on the 'Worlds most complicated watch" which was commissioned by Lord Arran - a...
Paul's workshop
I took the tram to the last stop - and then walked for several minutes up a suburban street. Here was the address - was this really where my extra-ordinary watches had come from? But perhaps - is that a workshop where the garage would be? Yes - this is th...
Greg, thanks for ...
sharing one more part of your gorgeous trip, which I appreciated a lot. Oliver
thanks for the pics
Your pics of his workshop is a wonderful window to Gerber's world. Jason
Thank you Greg.
Paul Gerber is one of my heroes as well, I hope one day to own the MIH. I am even more attracted to his work learning that it is made in such modest circumstances.
intersting Reoprt Greg
though im greedy and looking forward for more pics . the small size of pauls watches is a bit of an issue to me. yet i admire his work still . Faisal
Thanks for the workshop pictures Greg...
I too just don't seem to make it to Zürich much. But Paul is on the list. Don
Thanks very much for your report!
Paul Gerber is not only a great Constructeur of watchmaking, but he has made one of the most beautiful watches that I have ever seen - and have the immense privalege to own and wear - the Caliber 33 - with or without the spherical moon; mine is with but n...
Cal 33
This was my first chance to see the cal 33. And as you describe, it is wonderful. Very few watchmakers have attempted their own escapement! As you say it's an amazing watch, you must be proud to own one. Can you post some pictures?
Hi Greg, pictures hope to - but unfortunately not now
My version retains the large seconds hand going under the case, while introducing the moon. Rejected, by me, was a proposal of counter-balancing a large seconds hand sub-dial with a circular month on the other side. The movement of the seconds I found nec...
Some of my (older) pictures to water your mouth...
are here. Let me start with the large seconds version: Then, there is the spherical moon-phase watch, here still with the small seconds: The movement is his very own cal. 33 movement. Note that the wheels are 18kt red gold (a special alloy!): It contains ...
Interesting tick...
Magnus, Great stuff - thanks. Do I remember correctly that the escapement has an 'asymmetric' tick? I think Paul showed me this - and in fact it was one of the things that led him to the large second display - so that this could be seen clearly? Of course...
Absolutely...
the two movements are clearly visible, even with the small seconds model: the small move of the seconds hand results from the release of the entrance resting-ruby to release from the resting wheel. The mainspring drives the pallet wheel springs forward by...
Thanks magnus, another question...
Is the escapement reserved for the cal 33 - or does he use it in the Anno 50 too?
Its quite costly to produce and thus...
is exclusive to Cal. 33 at this point. Cheers, Magnus P.S.: I'd love to see it in other watches as well. Paul told me it can be interchanged with existing escapements if basic dimensions allow!
Interesting...
I guess it would be possible to have it fitted in something like the Anno 50 - would be a nice touch given Paul makes the movement anyway, Might even be possible to fit Paul's triple rotor if there is enough depth in the case. - Greg
Is this...
similar to a co-axial technology escapement or different? Just wondering. Low to no lube I imagine? Very interesting! Thanks! =:^{D>
Thanks for the lesson Magnus...
So this is similar to a Daniels co-axial but with impulse only on every other half swing of the balance. Do I see that right? Don
that seems right to me - but ask Marcus, as you already did
Also it may not be "self-starting", riquirinng a tap or two in the palm of the hand after having run down and being wound up again. By the way, for many weeks it has been keeping excellent time, in all positions. Sorry to butt in again, Amery
really sorry - Magnus!
I was a little unhinged last evening ... In fact his earlier report inspired me to order the Cal. 33! amerix