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Thank you for the kind words everyone...

 

.... I have written a blog on the making of this watch but I am not sure if posting a link is allowed. All the same, I shall try to explain what I have done smile

When I designed this watch the ETA 6497/98 movements were just not available. So I looked around for another suitable movement & I found this, the Russian made Molnija 3603. I bought the last six pieces from an online source since Molnija went out of business in 2007. Now it turns out that this movement has some pedigree. It is basically the Swiss Cortebert 600 series made under license by the Russians. The Cortebert was used by Rolex & Panerai in the 40,s and 50,s so I am quite happy to use it in my watch smile

The next problem was that since this is a non standard movement I has to make a lot of parts from scratch. The ETA is ubiquitous & a variety of cases, dials, hands etc. are available for it off the shelf. So I made a movement ring to fit the case & movement......



A stem to fit the case.....


A new dial.........


Dial markers.......

A note on the dial markers. I have seen that a lot of my antique watches have broken dial feet. I did not want to use this construction in my watch. So what happens is this- the dial markers at 12 & 6 pierce the dial & the movement & then there is a brass taper pin going through a small hole in the marker foot. I expect this construction to last a long time.

I also made hands of my own design. Below you can see them at an intermediate stage. You can also see the movement in it's original, pocket watch, case.



I hope you find this interesting. I will write about the skeletonisation in my next post.

Aditya

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24 Comments view entire thread 

My skeleton wristwatch

 
By: aditya : July 8th, 2011-10:17
Hello, I have been a member for some time now & I browse this site everyday without fail for the beautiful watches . Watches are a passion (particularly old English fusees) & over the last four years I have taught myself how to repair my own watches. I ha...  

i like it.....

 
By: JMan : July 8th, 2011-10:55
Aditya: I dont fancy the flowery nature of the decorations on most skeleton watches. You seem to have an industrialized design without losing elegance. J.

A very neat piece of work!

 
By: amerix : July 8th, 2011-12:24
Basic caliber? I suspect a certain one, but can't let that get in the way of the overall good layout of the parts and works. I agree with your views about flowerly skeletonized and engraved "baroque" designs. But really I just plain like your concept, whi... 

wonderful!

 
By: eterna-fan : July 8th, 2011-12:43
i particularly like the lack of flourish. it is a clean, masculine design. well done!

Thats a Cool Looking watch

 
By: SALMANPK : July 8th, 2011-13:20
I like the contrast of the Blue Hands with the Coppery colors in the movement. Tell us more about the watch and movement and what you did. S

I like it as well

 
By: yair.lavie : July 8th, 2011-14:09
Clean and clear design. I wish you would post more details on the making of the watch, caliber, etc. best of luck

You are very talented Aditya.

 
By: fernando : July 8th, 2011-17:48
Tell us more about this beautiful creation of yours. fernando

Thank you for the kind words everyone...

 
By: aditya : July 8th, 2011-20:15
.... I have written a blog on the making of this watch but I am not sure if posting a link is allowed. All the same, I shall try to explain what I have done When I designed this watch the ETA 6497/98 movements were just not available. So I looked around f...  

Thanks for showing us your work !

 
By: DonCorson : July 9th, 2011-01:03
The geometric shapes work really well. Congratulations on a great piece of work. Don

really appreciated the explanations

 
By: donizetti : July 9th, 2011-01:24
and I think the watch looks great - a great eye for strong lines. Best Andreas

To visit his blog

 
By: amerix : July 9th, 2011-02:13
Just enter "awatchmakersdiary" in your search machine. Or if that is disallowed, the three key words Aditya Watch Blog. This is a wonderful site that includes a video of his No.1-02. I, for one, will be returning to it many times. Cheers! amerix

Very cool...

 
By: chaser579 : July 9th, 2011-14:40
On the cheap, I think Swatch makes one similar, and I think it's a fascinating watch for anyone who loves looking at the moving parts and escape wheel turning, etc. This is a very cool watch, by the way, and thanks much for the pictures. My grandkids woul... 

Thanks everyone once again and particularly, Don Corson...

 
By: aditya : July 10th, 2011-12:10
... praise from a man who can make a tourbillon is valuable indeed A quick look at how I skeletonise the plates & bridges. After transferring the design I mill holes at the corners. Then I cut with the fretsaw between the holes This is the result. And aft...  

Wow...

 
By: Emil Wojcik : July 12th, 2011-16:01
...I'm impressed and jealous of your abilities!

Thanks johnswatch1 ..

 
By: aditya : July 14th, 2011-09:24
As it happens, I did try anglage on this watch. However, I think it should be bolder than this. 03 will have bolder bevelling Aditya...  

previously at Wostep?

 
By: mygs29 : July 13th, 2011-16:09
Hey there, did you come by WOSTEP in Neuchatel for a test a while back? I think it was you cause I remember this watch. It was very impressive what you had done with little training and tools! What are your plans now? Aaron

It is more like NO training and few tools!

 
By: aditya : July 14th, 2011-09:31
I was at WOSTEP last August. I remember I had a nice long chat with one of your classmates, I think his name was Thomas. BTW I really like your watch. In my opinion, the dial is very clear & really well done!

Oh right...

 
By: mygs29 : July 14th, 2011-10:42
Ahh yes Thomas. He's quite a character.... So are you going to take some training somewhere? Thanks for the comments about my watch. Much appreciated. But now I am stuck with no tools or materials to make any more watches!

If I remember right...

 
By: aditya : July 16th, 2011-10:30
... he was a chef before he came to WOSTEP. Quite an interesting shift, I should think! I have just started reading my copy of 'Watchmaking' by George Daniels, that will be my training for now He says that one does not need very fancy equipment to make a ...