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| Please browse this page to learn the tools of the watchmakers trade: |
| The 'Quick Find' facility on the right hand side of this page will take you directly to the description. |
 Bench Mat:
The bench mat most commonly used by watchmakers is made by Bergeon. It is self adhesive, plastised sheet, approximately 6"x 9"in size.
They are light green in colour to be easy on the eye, and have a slightly matt finish, to offer a contrast to the polished components of the watch movement. They also define the working space on the bench, used only for repairing.
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Cleaning Machine:
All of the watch parts are contained in baskets, which are attached to the machines carrier. This lowers and lifts them in and out jars containing cleaning and rinse solutions in sequence, ending in a drier. The basket is spun back and forth to aid cleaning.
Ultrasonic is used in modern machines, in conjunction with the rotation, improving the cleaning characteristics of the machine vastly over the older variety.
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Drying Plate:
A drying plate is mainly used for case parts.
It is Teflon coated steel plate, heated to approximately 80 degrees, controlled by a thermostat. Cleaned case parts are dried with tissue, and then placed on the plate to ensure all the water has evaporated prior to reassembly.
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Eye Glass:
Three strengths of eyeglass are generally used,
2x - for general use
10x - for hairspring work
25x - for escapement / hairspring inspection |
Lamp:
A twin element florescent lamp is used.
The tubes preferred are 'Daylight' tubes. They must be of the low heat emission variety, as the lamp is positioned fairly close to the head, to illuminate the working area.
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Lathe:
The watchmakers lathe's speed is controlled by a foot pedal, similar to a sewing machine. The headstock uses an 8mm Colette.
The cutting is done with the use of a 'graver', resting on a 'T' bar fixed to the lathe bed. The graver works exactly the same as a tool bit, but the manual use aids the finer work needed by the watchmaker.
Lathes are used for turning balance staffs, re-pivoting, polishing, unrivoting {when no distortion is acceptable} etc.
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Movement Holders:
These hold the base plate of the movement, keeping it flat and secure so that the rest of the movement can be assembled onto it.
Generic one's are wound in and out by a screw thread running between 2 steel, shaped plates. However movement manufacturers design holders specifically for each calibre. The base plate fits into the holder fully, and can be inverted, for work to be carried out on the dial side securely.
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Oils:
The watchmaker uses three oils and three greases.
Mobius 9010: Train wheel pivots, balance endstones.
Mobius 9415: Fast train escapements. {21600, 28000.}
Mobius 9040: Slow train escapements. {18000 19800.}
Mobius 8500: Heavier load bearings.
{centre wheel, barrel, winding etc.}
Mobius 8050: A grease for ratchet or high-pressure components.
{Back wind, calendar, chronograph etc.}
Molydium graphite grease: Automatic mainspring barrel walls.
{To allow the bridal to slip}
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Poising Tool:
This is used to poise the balance wheel.
When a staff is fitted, the wheel must be adjusted so that the rim is of equal weight.
The wheel is spun vertically on its pivots along the jaws of the tool. Eventually the wheel will settle with the heaviest part at the bottom, weight is removed, and the wheel spun again and adjusted, until the wheel is 'poised'.
Poising is important as it determines the accuracy of the watch in varies positions. |
Polishing Machine:
A polishing machine is effectively an electric motor housed in a cabinet containing an extraction system. The motor must have a 2-step variable speed switch, allowing speeds of 1400 and 2800 rpm. The machine has it's own lighting elements, normally fluorescent, as the harshness of the light highlights marks and polishing depth.
The extraction unit sucks away all dust and flak produced by the mops. |
Rodico:
This is often mistaken for blue tack! Owing to its similarity of texture.
The two are however totally different. Rodico is used to remove marks and smears on the movement or dials. It has a slightly absorbent quality, and leaves no marks after use. It is us made by a Swiss company called Bergeon.
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Screw Drivers:
9 different screwdrivers are used ranging from 0.5mm to 2.5mm. |
Staking Set:
Among other things this is used for riveting, unriviting shaping and adjusting. It is used with a hammer, not one of the most delicate tools, but very necessary.
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Timing Machine:
An indispensable tool. This tells the watchmaker how the watch is performing. It can be used as a diagnostic tool, but is mainly used for final regulation.
Modern machines show the daily rate, beat error and amplitude on an L.C.D screen. All of which are impossible to verify precisely by eye.
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Tweezers:
A company Swiss company called DUMONT, make the best tweezers, carbon steel is our preference, but they are available in anti-mag, and stainless.
Dumont No.2, general work.
Dumont No.5 hairspring work.
Dumont F dial and handwork. |
Ultra-sonic Tank:
The tank is filled with water and a cleaning agent. A thermostat keeps the fluid at approximately 30 degrees.
Transducers attached to the underside of the tank agitate the contents and the parts contained within to remove polish residue and dirt. The ultrasonic action combined with heat ensures complete cleaning.
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