TimeZone Level 1 Course

[NEG]

I've always been interested in watches since an early age. Recently I started to look around at learning courses in watchmaking. I looked at the BHI distance learning course but decided it was not for me at this time requiring a bit too much dedication, maybe it will be something I return to in the future. I wanted something that would help me learn more from a hobbyist point of view and the TZ L1 seems to fit that need. So I took the plunge and registered.

One week later, this arrived in the post:

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l82/_NRG_/Watches/DSC00145.jpg


I can see many weeks/months of eye strain and frustration ahead! If all goes well I'll try L2 and then, just maybe, take on the BHI course!

I'll report back periodically, hopefully it might encourage others to try it...

[Brian B]

That's great to see someone trying this course. I may try this TZ1 course as well.

I look forward to your posts and experiences with the TZ1 kit.

Can you let me know which kit you bought and if there were any other supplies it didn't provide that you might need to complete lesson 1?

Good luck! :-!

[marc_wl]

....

I can see many weeks/months of eye strain and frustration ahead! If all goes well I'll try L2 and then, just maybe, take on the BHI course!

I'll report back periodically, hopefully it might encourage others to try it...

Congratulations! I am sure it will be not at all a frustration |>. Simple watchmaking is an extraordinary hobby that let you know at a lot more you basically expect. What a pleasure also to maintain or restore your watches by your own once trained!

Cheers,

[NEG]

Marc, exactly, that is what I hoping for, the ability to do it myself!

Dis-assembly of the 2801 movement is complete with no mishaps! :-!

I now have a real appreciation for some the engineering, art and skill that goes into a wrist watch. How some of these parts are made is beyond me! The pallet lever and balance assembly are truly eye boggoling!

Can't post pictures at the moment, sorry.

Brian, everything you need to complete the L1 is in the kit, I went for the 'none eyeglass' kit that included a watch case, back, face and hands. So I have something to mount the watch in if it works!

If I where to order now I would have the same kit but also enroll in the L2 course as well.

L1 does not cover the lubrication of the watch, L2 does that. The idea is to complete L2 then return to the L1 movement and lube it.

Enrolling in L2 would give a heads up on how to lube the movement and what oils are needed and where, I don't want to strip the movement a second time.

Knowing what oils to use means you can order, along with the L1 kit, the required materials to lube the watch. Saves a bit on shipping and being hit twice on import duties (I'm in the UK).

I'll report back in a week or so when/if I get the movment back together!

Cheers!

[Brian B]

Awesome report! I can't wait to see photo's. Now you've got me psyched about doing the course or courses... :-!
Good luck on the assembly. I'm sure you'll have no problem.

[NEG]

Short update, I've completed the L1 course and the watch is running fine, I'm well pleased :-! Pictures attached of finished item, don't have a good enough camera yet to take close up detailed shots....sorry!

The kit also contains a black dial and an assortment of hands, so I may change the look of the watch in the future. The hardest part for me where installing the pallet fork and setting the hands! very tricky!

I only had one problem towards right at the end, I tried to trim the winding stem down for the supplied case and managed to snap it in half whilst grinding a few burrs off the threads! O| New one is on order though!

I've signed up for the L2 course and bought an ETA2836-2 movement and case/Dial's/hands to work on, can't wait!

I think as far as other tools for the future go, a screw case back removal tool and hand set tool would be worthwhile purchases along with a case holder. I've even started to look at the MicroSet range of watch timers! These are just about affordable for the hobbyist who wants to regulate and maintain his/her collection. |>


PS: No strap or spring bars are included so you'll need to order those as well...

[rfrazier]

Looks good. Congratulations!

Best wishes,
Bob

[karmatooburn]

Yeah no doubt Congratulations!

[Raul]

Hi, NEG
I’ve been away from the forum for some time, I’m glad to see
Members getting more seriously into matchmaking, it’s very rewording hobby.
Congratulation on your decision.
Best of look

Regards

[Brian B]

NEG,
Congrats!
Thanks again for giving us updates and advice on what to buy.

yikes, a pallet fork? no idea what that is but I'll be googling it very soon to find out! Very cool stuff.

Let us know if you make any upgrades and naturally be sure to post photo's. :-!

I'll let you know when I start the course and will definitely share my experience as well.

Cheers,
Brian

[rfrazier]

A couple of suggestions.

1. Some of the oiling is best done when putting the watch together. E.g., the oiling and greasing of the mainspring. Sometimes the jewel for the 3rd wheel (?) is underneath the minute wheel.

2. Cut the stem just a bit longer than needed using end snippers. Then use a needle file to finish it.


Best wishes,
Bob

[NEG]

Thanks Bob, the oiling is covered in the L2 course, which I've now signed up for. My plan is to oil the L1 2801-2 movement, convert it to a 2804 Date movement and case it.

I did cut the stem just a little longer but made the mistake of using a dremel to grind it down....I know better now ;-)

I've not ordered a L2 kit just the 2836-2 movement, case and oils...the mainspring is not touched in L1, I think it's done on the L2...

Brian would be good to have another on-board! It's addictive...well it is when it all works!

[JohnF]

Hi -

After taking a basic watchmaking course with a local watchmaker, I've started dabbling as well. How did you find the tools for the course? Decent quality?

My downside with the course is that I'm in Germany and it'd take forever for the tools to get here, and most of them are available here in any case...no pun intended. :-)

JohnF

[NEG]

Yes good quality Bergeon tools! If you can get most of the stuff locally then go for it. What you may need though is the case, dial and hands...

I don't know how easily these items could be found locally :think:

[smurfe]

I to am seriously considering the Time Zone Watch School course. I am waiting until the first of November when this old man finally graduates from college. I am not as much interested in watch repair as I am maintaining my own collection.

I am glad you liked the course and it makes me a little less apprehensive about enrolling. The cost of the class is minimal but the price of their tool kits were a bit steep. I just don't see how Bergeron can justify some of the prices some of their tools cost. Some I understand, many I don't.

I am sure I will spring for them though as the cheap tools I have are just that, cheap. Although most of my watches are low to mid-range models, I do have a few high end pieces and I sure don't want to damage anything from cheap tools.

Thanks again for the write up and I look forward to your next one from the next session. Also I was gonna ask, where can I find info on the BHI program you speak of?

thanks

Smurfe :-)

[JohnF]

Hi -

As someone who bought some tools on eBay because I'd rather be spending the money on watches, there is a huge difference between, say, Bergeron screwdrivers and a $10 set of Chinese or Indian screwdrivers. The latter literally isn't worth the money, as the steel is substandard (i.e. the moment where you use even a moderate level of torque to undo a screw the tip of the screwdriver bends!) and no of the tips were properly squared off.

Some of the other tools, though, such as back removers, etc., are very close to the Bergeron standard and you can save some money here. But the moment you get to some of the specialized tools, then you notice the difference.

My interest is maintenance of my own collection as well, and I've learned to regulate and work on hairsprings and their geometry in order to improve time-keeping qualities. What I really need is a timing device: right now it takes me several days to get a watch adequately regulated because I need to let it run for a while to get a feel for the isochronism.

My best investment was a number of junker watches to play with, watches that I could feel confident in trashing in order to figure out how things work and what I can and can't do, and what tools do you really need in order to get things done. I really need better hand pullers than the Indian pullers I bought on eBay, for instance, and some hand setting tools won't be long on the list as well.

Now if I only had the time as well...

JohnF

[rfrazier]

My best investment was a number of junker watches to play with, watches that I could feel confident in trashing in order to figure out how things work and what I can and can't do, and what tools do you really need in order to get things done. I really need better hand pullers than the Indian pullers I bought on eBay, for instance, and some hand setting tools won't be long on the list as well.

Now if I only had the time as well...

JohnF

I have a couple of the Bergeon hand pullers: 30636/1 the standard one for wrist watches, and 30670/6 for (small) seconds hands. I seldom use anything but 30670/6, the one for seconds hands. I use it for removing the cannon pinion as well.

Best wishes,
Bob

[smurfe]

Hi -

As someone who bought some tools on eBay because I'd rather be spending the money on watches, there is a huge difference between, say, Bergeron screwdrivers and a $10 set of Chinese or Indian screwdrivers. The latter literally isn't worth the money, as the steel is substandard (i.e. the moment where you use even a moderate level of torque to undo a screw the tip of the screwdriver bends!) and no of the tips were properly squared off.

Some of the other tools, though, such as back removers, etc., are very close to the Bergeron standard and you can save some money here. But the moment you get to some of the specialized tools, then you notice the difference.

My interest is maintenance of my own collection as well, and I've learned to regulate and work on hairsprings and their geometry in order to improve time-keeping qualities. What I really need is a timing device: right now it takes me several days to get a watch adequately regulated because I need to let it run for a while to get a feel for the isochronism.

My best investment was a number of junker watches to play with, watches that I could feel confident in trashing in order to figure out how things work and what I can and can't do, and what tools do you really need in order to get things done. I really need better hand pullers than the Indian pullers I bought on eBay, for instance, and some hand setting tools won't be long on the list as well.

Now if I only had the time as well...

JohnF

Mr. John, I totally agree about the cheap tools. I probably have the same set of eBay made in India tools you have. I do realize that quality tools make the difference and are worth their price. I just can't associate the price of some items like oil cups for $80.00 or a sharpening stone for your screwdriver tips for $89.00 or so. The screwdriver sets, I can see the value of the price just barely. $90.00 for a set of screwdrivers is a bit steep.

I guess I compare this to auto repair tools. I always buy quality tool such as Snap-On and while they are expensive, they don't hold a candle to watch tools. Like I said, I am sure I will take the plunge because I do believe in quality tools for quality work and I am sure I own them I may have a different attitude as I use them and appreciate the quality.

Smurfe :-)

[rfrazier]

I've started to acquire some pretty strange watch tools, and am even having a go a making one or two. Some have cost more than I would care to say. :( However, when I think about what I actually use most, I get this list.

screwdrivers
tweezers
eyeglass
movement holder
pegwood (toothpicks are soft and a poor substitute)

So I would make sure of them from the start. Luckily, I got pretty decent ones at the beginning. I also find myself taking better care of them than when I started working on watches, not so long ago. In particular, I think I dress the tips of the screwdrivers weekly, if not more frequently, and check each one before I use it.

Best wishes,
Bob