Horological Meandering

I stopped by my nearest engravers shop yesterday to see what he is up to.

A professional engraver in Neuchâtel, Fréderic Digier works free hand under a binocular microscope.

Not a power tool to be seen anywhere, just hand gravers and oil stones for sharpening.

This week Fréderic is doing bridge decoration on a pocket watch movement.

Two bridges with the engraving done, ready for plating.

Hey DonCorson,

Wow!! That is unreal to be able to do that freehand and have it turn out so beautiful. It  truly amazes me and draws me in even more to the work that is put into mechanical watch finishing. Thanks so much for the post.

Take care,

Mark V

It would freeze my blood to think that one slip and you have ruined a bridge that you can't replace. An engraver would require both a steady hand and mind.

Obviously a set of interesting questions comes to my mind but .....

Mitch

for watches!!!
thanks for sharing
cheers

Thanks Don,

 

A brilliant and heart warming set of pictures. This is exactly what we love about horology; traditional techniques, hand finished work. CNC machines, hand turned lathes, et al. have their place, but this is another level.

 

It makes me think of the difference between a drum machine and a live drummer keeping the beat. The natural variations make the whole thing more ‘alive’ and beautiful.

 

Really appreciate it.

 

Andrew

I tried my hand at engraving when I visited a manufacture once and I failed miserably multiple times. It really gave me new respect for these artists and their craft. May I ask who's watches Frederic has worked on before?

Thanks for sharing, Don!  Have you thought about a new watch project in which you might enlist Mr. Digier to provide engraving services?  I love the pattern of the engraving he has completed on the pocketwatch bridge you've pictured.

Cheers,
Daos

... the kind of craftmanship I admire the most in the watchmaking.

It fascinates me and I have a lot of respect for these people : I hope this
savoir-faire will never be lost !

Emmanuel

always fascinatng to see true craftmanship, beautiful work.
Thanks for sharing these pics Don, great stuff!
Paul

NT