This Watchmaking Complication Still Fascinates Collectors
The tourbillon, a miniature theatre that never grows old One glance is enough to understand: a rotating cage, a pulsing balance, flashes of mirror-polished steel. Here is a complication that…
Watchmaking
85 posts
Explore the technical world of watchmaking: automatic movements, complications, materials such as sapphire and titanium, and watch adjustment and maintenance. This category breaks down the mechanical and technological aspects of watches to give you a better understanding of how they work and their value.
Titanium Grades in Watchmaking: Differences, Uses and Advice
Titanium is a highly sought-after material in watchmaking, but not all titanium is created equal. The various titanium grades have a direct impact on strength, weight, price and the look…
Titanium Watches: Advantages, Disadvantages, and Selection Criteria
Titanium watches are enjoying a spectacular surge in popularity. But what explains this success? Is it really better than steel? What drawbacks should you know about before buying? This guide…
Watch Calibre or Movement: What’s the Real Difference?
Watch enthusiasts often come across the terms “calibre” and “movement“. But are they the same thing, or is there a nuance? This article sheds light on that difference, with concrete…
How to Change Your SevenFriday Watch Strap: Tutorial
After 4 years of good and faithful service, it was time to replace the straps on my SevenFriday P2 watches and SevenFriday M1/1. The perfect opportunity to put together a…
How to Maintain Your Pocket Watch to Preserve Its Longevity?
Pocket watches, true witnesses to exceptional artisanal craftsmanship, deserve your full attention if they are to retain their lustre and proper operation. These objects—often passed down from one generation to…
Sapphire as a Watch Case Material: Advantages and Manufacturing Techniques
In the world of haute horlogerie—where precision meets luxury—few components are as coveted as sapphire watch cases. Celebrated for their exceptional clarity, durability and elegance, sapphire cases are produced through…
Gold in Watchmaking: A Precious Metal at the Heart of Time
Introduction: a historical and symbolic overview of gold Gold—this precious metal that has captivated humankind since the dawn of civilisation—has established itself as a symbol of wealth, power and beauty.…
Which watch box should you choose?
Every watch is a work of art, blending precision, engineering and aesthetics. The pieces in your collection have always marked an achievement, a memory, or a gift from someone close…
How to Change the Battery in a Watch with a Snap-On Case Back
Replacing the battery in a quartz watch with a snap-on caseback isn’t complicated. Here’s a step-by-step guide to show you how to change the battery. 1/ Open the caseback Grab…
How to Take Care of Your Watches?
A watch is one of the most sought-after fashion accessories for men. It lends their style elegance and refinement. To increase your chances of being able to use it and…
Watchmaking Decoration Techniques
Decoration in watchmaking is different from finishing. Finishing is about perfecting and improving a component (polishing, satin-brushing, etc.), whereas decoration sets out to adorn a part with patterns by engraving…
Why Is It Always 10:10 in Watch Photos?
You’ve no doubt noticed that brands’ advertising images almost always show watches set to 10:10. Some will venture to explain this phenomenon with slightly twisted theories, invoking the Illuminati, extraterrestrials,…
How Does a Mechanical Watch Work?
What mechanical-watch enthusiast has never heard: “A watch without batteries?! Like a Rolex,” a little line that, first, reminds us of some people’s lack of knowledge of watchmaking history and,…
Introduction to Disassembling & Reassembling a Mechanical Movement
It was a wonderful experience that I was able to enjoy recently, taking part in an introductory workshop organised by the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie in Geneva. These workshops…
Disassembly of an Automatic Watch
It is always fascinating to watch a watch being taken apart. Here are the innards of an automatic watch fitted with an ETA 2836 movement (see also the teardown of…