mikeukrainetz
August 31st, 2008, 10:03
Ive followed this design forum with interest since taking up watch collecting as a hobby. Though it doesnt seem to generate a lot of views day to day I figured I would post what Ive been working on the past few months.
To start:
For whatever reason shortly after foraging into the watch collecting world I had a keen interest in building my own. (I used to build cars as a hobby and would jump in with both feet, whether I sank or swam was decided en-route not before hand so the transition seems entirely normal.)
I had then decided to find a movement and try to build my own case. I have also been an artist for many years and decided I could attempt a case build.
Part One, in short:
I purchased a repairable 12s Elgin movement and proceeded to skeletonize it. I am both fascinated and intrigued by skeleton watches. I have the movement to a point now where it needs to be refined, cleaned up and finished. After installing a new mainspring it runs like a champ.
The movement is both old and seems somewhat unnorthodox for this purpose. Most others I find skeletonizing or customizing movements do so on ETA or Unitas (one and the same these days I believe?) Probably more due to their inherent quality and parts resources.
Part two, in short:
As described the idea was to fit the customized movement into a custom case without resorting to kit building by purchasing unassembled pieces from a catalogue.
My job includes using autocad daily and has for many years, so its only natural I used it to model what I was hoping to see. What Ive done is design a case around the movement. By carefully measuring each area and land I can design the case to be just large enough to fit the movement.
The whole case will undoubtedly need to be refined (I havent yet gotten the lugs to suit) and the dial will change to suit the skeletonized movement. I may still use the dial as is in another project if this piece ever reaches fruition. After a few months of work on the movement and model I can now try to push it a little bit further and try to build the case.
Whether anyone else shares my enthusiasm Im unsure but I hope you can enjoy what Ive put together so far.
My flickr site contains further photos.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3239/2812610399_4053b7e4c8.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2135/2642868906_511256339a.jpg?v=0
To start:
For whatever reason shortly after foraging into the watch collecting world I had a keen interest in building my own. (I used to build cars as a hobby and would jump in with both feet, whether I sank or swam was decided en-route not before hand so the transition seems entirely normal.)
I had then decided to find a movement and try to build my own case. I have also been an artist for many years and decided I could attempt a case build.
Part One, in short:
I purchased a repairable 12s Elgin movement and proceeded to skeletonize it. I am both fascinated and intrigued by skeleton watches. I have the movement to a point now where it needs to be refined, cleaned up and finished. After installing a new mainspring it runs like a champ.
The movement is both old and seems somewhat unnorthodox for this purpose. Most others I find skeletonizing or customizing movements do so on ETA or Unitas (one and the same these days I believe?) Probably more due to their inherent quality and parts resources.
Part two, in short:
As described the idea was to fit the customized movement into a custom case without resorting to kit building by purchasing unassembled pieces from a catalogue.
My job includes using autocad daily and has for many years, so its only natural I used it to model what I was hoping to see. What Ive done is design a case around the movement. By carefully measuring each area and land I can design the case to be just large enough to fit the movement.
The whole case will undoubtedly need to be refined (I havent yet gotten the lugs to suit) and the dial will change to suit the skeletonized movement. I may still use the dial as is in another project if this piece ever reaches fruition. After a few months of work on the movement and model I can now try to push it a little bit further and try to build the case.
Whether anyone else shares my enthusiasm Im unsure but I hope you can enjoy what Ive put together so far.
My flickr site contains further photos.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3239/2812610399_4053b7e4c8.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2135/2642868906_511256339a.jpg?v=0