Amateur Watchmaking :
|
Introduction :
Here is a little presentation of the different steps of disasembly of a mechanical movement the FM 96, following the excellent book of Per Torphammar "Amateur Watchmaking" : "A beginner’s guide to understand how a watch movement works and a start for learning watch repairs" This excellent book can be bought on-line on Per’s Site : I highly recommand this book to anyone who would like to start in Amateur Watchmaking : Per’s Website
|
 |
Required tools :
Here is a list of tools I highly recommand in order to start amateur watchmaking : thoses tools came from Bergeon a Swiss supplier of watchmaker’s tools . They can be found at local distributors or directly bought on line on Otto Frei Website :
Srewdriver Set : (do NOT use low quality small srewdrivers you can find in any local shop ! buy the Bergeon ones !) : Bergeon part number 5970(9 pieces)
Good loupes : I personnally use B&L x4 and x10 but any other good brand will be OK , I recommand the use of headband (for non eyeglass wearer)
Tweezers : #2 and # 5 from Bergeon
Movement holder : Bergeon part number 4040
Movement cover
Dust blower : Bergeon part number 5733
2 covered compartment parts trays
2mm pegwood bundle
Pithwood
Rodico cleaning putty
Lint free watch paper
wood toothpicks
Theses are the basic tools if you want to work on movement only , if you want to deassemble a watch you will also need :
A case opener knife
A case opener wrench (for srewed casebacks)
Hand removers
Case Holder
My advice would be first work on a raw movement without the problem of dial and hands
|
The bench :
You have probably notice if you have visited your watchmaker that he is not working on an average table : the most distinctive feature of his bench is the height of the table : this is a NEED if you want to work comfortably … the luxury and costly solution is to buy a ready made bench … but it is expensive ! or built you own one , very simply and that is what I have done 😉 I have choosen a … kitchen table as a bench this kitchen table is fixed on the wall , and therefore can be ajusted to the height you want : my personnal ideal position is at 95 cms from the ground but this may vary depending of your tastes : the kitchen table I have used came from Ikea , as the wood trays you can see on my bench. The Ikea kitchen table is particulary well adapted if you have a lack of space : it can be folded down on the wall when you do not use it … and it cost only 29 Euros.
|
 |
And now … Action !
WARNING : This article do not intend to replace Per’s book ! do not try to start to diassemble a movement without training !
Click on images to get a higher resolution picture
| Here is the poor FM 96 manual wind movement ! just before disassembly on the back side |
 |
 |
The same movement on dial side, before starting …. |
| Action : we are working here on dial side and let us unsrew the very first srew , unfortunatly the smallest one of the movement ! it is the first step of deassembly of the motion works |
 |
 |
Keyless work apart : a VERY interesting and complex part of the movement : as you can see it is composed of 7 pieces |
| We now turn the movement upside down and work on the mainspring system we are faced here to a VERY small spring ! the challenge is not loosing it 😉 |
 |
 |
The barrel bridge is removed (at last a big piece !) |
| And it is time now to carefully put the pieces in the tray : note that step by step are grouped together |
 |
 |
And this is now how looks our movement : still a lot to do … |
| A great moment ! the diassembly of the shock absorbing system : on this movement the Kif system not the easiest one ! (I personnally prefer the Incabloc) : this is the most delicate procedure of disassembly with extremly small parts |
 |
 |
Time to remove the most fragile part of the movement : the balance |
| The wheel train bridge is unsrewed : you can relax with one of the biggest part of the movement (but not the easiest one to re-assemble !) |
 |
 |
The wheeltrain is removed |
| One of the nicest part of the movement : the pallet lever and bridge |
 |
 |
Did I mention to you that we are dealing with … small … parts ! |
| And here it is ! the bottom plate |
 |
 |
Finally all the different parts in their respective trays |
I hope you like theses pictures and will give you the idea to start in the fascinating world of amateur watchmaking !
It is not THAT difficult so if you really want to do it GO FOR IT
I would like to thank you VERY much Per Torphammar which help me so much turning a dream into a real hobby , without his book and his precious advices I would probably not start amateur watchmaking