contents

HOROLOGICAL
TIMES
™
HOROLOGICAL TIMES
JUNE 2010
CONTENTS
VOLUME 34, NUMBER 6, JUNE 2010
Official Publication of the
American Watchmakers-Clockmakers Institute
EDITORIAL& EXECUTIVE OFFICES
American Watchmakers-Clockmakers Institute (AWCI)
701 Enterprise Drive
Harrison, OH 45030
Toll Free 1-866-FOR-AWCI (367-2924)
or (513) 367-9800
Fax: (513) 367-1414
E-mail: awci@awci.com
Website: www.awci.com
Office Hours:
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (EST)
Closed National Holidays
Managing Editor & Advertising Manager
Donna K. Baas
Associate Editor & Design Associate
Katherine J. Ortt
Executive Director/Education & Technical Director
James E. Lubic, CMW21
Operations Director
Thomas J. Pack, CPA
Watchmaking Instructor/Certification Coordinator
Thomas D. Schomaker, CMW21
Education Coordinator
Daniela Ott
Receptionist/Technical Support
Sally Landis
IT Director
Jim Meyer
HOROLOGICAL TIMES ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Ron Iverson, CMC: Chairman
Karel Ebenstreit, CMW
David Fahrenholz
Jordan Ficklin, CW21
Chip Lim, CMW, CMC, CMEW
Robert D. Porter, CMW
Manuel Yazijian, CMW21
Reprinting and reproduction is prohibited without written permission from the American Watchmakers-Clockmakers Institute. Copyright ©2010 by the American Watchmakers-Clockmakers Institute.
HOROLOGICAL TIMES (ISSNO 145-9546) is published monthly
and copyrighted by the American Watchmakers-Clockmakers
Institute, 701 Enterprise Drive, Harrison, OH 45030-1696. Subscription price for the public is $137.00 per year ($8.50 per copy).
Members subscription is $70.00 which is included with annual dues
of $137.00. Periodicals postage paid at Harrison, OH 45030 and
additional entries. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to
HOROLOGICAL TIMES, 701 Enterprise Drive, Harrison, OH 45030
FEATURES
RGM Pennsylvania Series Tourbillon
Pivoting Chucks and Balloon Chucks, By Dale LaDue
Certification: A Past Look, By Wesley Grau
AWI — The 1980s, By Tony Riggio
6
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36
COLUMNS
Clockmaking Elements, Part 5, By Laurie Penman
Atmos Mainspring Quality, By Jerry Faier
10
22
DEPARTMENTS
Executive Director’s Message, By James E. Lubic
Questions & Answers, By David A. Christianson
New Members
Book Review, By Jordan Ficklin
Bulletin Board
From the Workshop, By Jack Kurdzionak
Industry News
Classified Advertising
Advertisers’ Index
AWCI Staff Directory
2
4
9
15
21
26
43
44
48
48
EDUCATION
AWCI and ClockClass.com Partner for Training Program
AWCI 21st Century Certified Watchmakers
AWCI Academy of Watchmaking Classes
AWCI 21st Century Certification Exam Schedule
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32
33
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SPECIAL INTEREST
Chronometer Club 10th Annual Seminar
Watchmakers/Clockmakers Association of Ohio Annual Convention
Horological Heritage
Countdown to the 50th, By Terry Kurdzionak
AWCI’s 50th Anniversary Keynote Speaker
AWCI’s 50th Anniversary Convention & Educational Symposium
AWCI Committee Volunteers
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38
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COVER
This month’s cover features the
RGM Caliber MM 2 Pennsylvania Tourbillon
Executive
Director’s Message
By James E. Lubic, CMW21
Last month I announced that we were working on some design changes and
content changes to the Horological Times. This month I would like to give you
more detailed information regarding the changes we hope to have in place by the
50th Anniversary Convention and Educational Symposium, August 4 – 8.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OFFICERS
Mark Butterworth: President
mbutterworth@awci.com
Manuel Yazijian, CMW21: Vice President
myazijian@awci.com
Douglas Thompson, CW21: Secretary
dthompson@awci.com
Jack Kurdzionak, CW21: Treasurer
jkurdzionak@awci.com
DIRECTORS
Michael Gainey, CC21
mgainey@awci.com
Roland (Ron) Iverson, CMC
riverson@awci.com
Joseph Juaire, CW21
jjuaire@awci.com
Joseph Schrader, CMW21
jschrader@awci.com
Douglas Thompson, CW21
dthompson@awci.com
Ernest Tope, CMW21
etope@awci.com
Gene Bertram, CC: Affiliate Chapter Director
gbertram@awci.com
Herman Mayer, CW21: REC Director
hmayer@awci.com
Henry Kessler: IAB Director
hkessler@awci.com
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
Joseph Juaire, CW21
jjuaire@awci.com
FELLOW
American Watchmakers-Clockmakers Institute
Robert F. Bishop
*Harold J. Herman
*James H. Broughton
J.M. Huckabee
Fred S. Burckhardt
Gerald G. Jaeger
Alice B. Carpenter
*Benjamin Matz
David A. Christianson
Robert A. Nelson
George Daniels
*Hamilton E. Pease
Wes Door
Archie B. Perkins
*Henry B. Fried
Antoine Simonin
*Josephine F. Hagans
William O. Smith, Jr.
*Orville R. Hagans
Milton C. Stevens
Ewell D. Hartman
*Marvin E. Whitney
*Deceased
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Horological Times
June 2010
Last month, when informing you of the upcoming changes to the Horological
Times, I failed to say that the biggest change you will notice in the newly designed Horological Times will be that the magazine will be printed in full color.
Pictures will be in color, ads will be color (black and white will still be available), and the overall look and impression of the magazine will be improved.
Last month I appealed to you, the members, regarding content for the Horological Times. I haven’t heard from anyone yet regarding my appeal, nor have we
received any new material from any members offering anything new. And I hate
to repeat myself but…what has made the Horological Times such a recognized
publication in our field has very little to do with the work that we here in the
office do for the magazine. Sure our Managing Editor Donna Baas collects the
material that is submitted and distributes it to the Horological Times Committee
members for review. She works with advertisers, etc. Associate Editor Kathy
Ortt handles editing and preliminary layout. We have great support from advertisers, but without content none of the previous is necessary.
I gave several ideas for articles in last month’s HT so please think about contributing to your AWCI by sharing an experience, a particular repair or restoration, a
favorite tip, or a tool. We are open to suggestions too.
Students please feel free to contribute here as well. Let us know how your journey to being a professional is progressing. Let us know about a project that you
are currently working on. For some of us it has been years since we went to
watchmaking school and we are always interested in learning what is taking
place in the schools today.
Seniors, I would think that you would have the most to share with the rest of the
members. Please take the time to share your many experiences with the rest of
the membership.
Industry Advisory Board members: We are always interested in learning about
new developments in our profession. Whether the information is brand new, or
revised, we are always interested in being informed. For example, our Watchmaking Instructor, Tom Schomaker, recently brought to my attention that the
ETA 7750 Technical Guide and Information was revised in April of this year
(2010). He only knew about it because he was preparing for an upcoming class
and checked the ETA website. Information like this is what AWCI is about. So
Industry members including material houses, tool suppliers, and watch/clock
brands please include AWCI on information/press releases no matter how big or
insignificant it may seem because our members want to be informed.
Affiliate Chapters: I realize some Affiliate Chapters aren’t as active as they used
to be, but it shouldn’t really be that way. The Florida Chapter has been very
active by sponsoring AWCI Bench Courses. They have sponsored at least one,
and sometimes two a year. AWCI needs to receive pictures and a short description of what took place. It may encourage other chapters to follow your example.
REC School Instructors: Please encourage your students to submit articles to the
Horological Times. This is a way for the students to begin to develop a portfolio
that can accompany their resume when they start looking for a job. In the 21st
Century it has become even more important for watchmakers be able to communicate in writing. Writing an article or two for the Horological Times is an excellent way to develop or polish this skill.
We need members of all categories to take the time to get involved with there
organization by sharing their knowledge and experience with the rest of us. As
I have said in the past, the Horological Times is only as good as the AWCI
membership.
RENATA
AD
Following are a few of the categories that are being considered in the redesign of
the Horological Times:
Features – member profiles
Blogs/Internet – excerpts from various internet-based information sources
Industry – Technical updates, new products
What’s New – Tools and equipment.
Tricks of the Trade or How to
Recent Graduates – Let us know your thoughts now that you are in the real world
of watchmaking or clockmaking.
We will be working with the Horological Times Committee members to develop
these and possibly other categories for the new and improved Horological Times.
What would you like to see included in the Horological Times? Now that the
process of updating the Horological Times is well under way please feel free to
share your ideas with us. We are open to developing new categories that are of
interest to our readership.
We need article contributions from AWCI members. We need to know what interests you and we need each of our members to realize that what may seem like
a common everyday task, or something that everyone should know, very seldom
is the case. Share your knowledge and experience with your fellow AWCI
members.
Please contact Managing Editor Donna Baas at 866-367-2924, extension 307 or
e-mail her at dbaas@awci.com.
`
June 2010
Horological Times
3
Questions & Answers
By David A. Christianson, CMW21, FAWI
Question
I have a pocket watch that belonged to my father. I have
no information about this watch and would like to know
details about it for my records. The only marking on the
dial is “swiss” on the dial edge at the 6. The back shows
A. Lecoultre, 17 jewels 4 adjustments, with a name Guy
W. Co and a number 125708. I hope these photographs
help. Any information you could provide me will be
greatly appreciated.
Roger W. Sherman
Pryor, OK
Answer
Your watch was made, as you noted, by Antoine Lecoultre
of Le Sentier, in the Joux Valley of Switzerland; and apparently cased and distributed by the Guy Watch Company of La Chaux de Fonds. Curiously enough, no production serial numbers appear to exist (at least outside the
archives of Jaeger-Le Coultre) for watch movements made
before 1925. Zaf Basha, an internationally recognized
authority on watches (especially Jaeger-LeCoultre) has
accumulated a record of J-L wristwatch serial numbers
correlated with estimated production dates starting in 1925
with number 1. Apparently the pre-1925 watches were
numbered differently.
Kathleen Pritchard found evidence of the Guy Watch Co.
of La Chaux de Fonds as being in business in 1920 – 1925
and then again, operating as Guy & Co. in 1951 – 1952
(Swiss Timepiece Makers: 1775-1975). Alan Shenton
(Pocket Watches: 19th & 20th Centuries) shows a photo of
a Jaeger-Le Coultre watch on page 161. If you overlay
your watch picture on top of Mr. Shenton’s picture, you’ll
see that they were made from the same unfinished movement design, only yours is more “skeletonized” than his
(i.e., the top plates are shaped differently and are a little
narrower, but the train and barrel pivot holes, the balance
bridge and the winding system are the same).
Since the example in Mr. Shenton’s book is signed Jaeger-LeCoultre, that watch was made after 1937. Mr. Guy’s
signature puts your fine example of Swiss watchmaking
during the 1920-25 period.
Antoine (Charles-Antoine) Lecoultre (1803-1881) began
in the watchmaking industry in Le Sentier in 1826-27 when
he invented a pinion cutter. It was reputably the first
use of a profile-milling machine for watch pinions and
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Horological Times
June 2010
produced pinions of unparalleled quality. In 1833 Antoine
established a factory to make watch machinery. In 1835
this factory began manufacturing unfinished watch movements. Lecoultre continued inventing watch tools, machinery and processes, most notably the treadle lathe that replaced the bow and turns; a screw micrometer that would
measure to the nearest 1/1000 of a millimeter (1 millionth
of a meter); and the rocking bar stem-wind mechanism.
With his sons, Antoine transformed the shop into the very
finest watchmaking plant in the Vallee de Joux. They were
so successful that by 1900 their staff had grown to 500.
The manufacture became Le Coultre & Cie in
1905. Edmond Jaeger (a Paris instrument maker) joined
Le Coultre in a business arrangement in 1903, opening its
way into the luxury market. At this point LeCoultre began marketing some of the movements that it made under
Lecoultre brand. Until 1903 Lecoultre was primarily
known as a movement manufacture with its movements
being used by other high-end companies such as Patek
AWCI Directors’
E-mail Address Directory
Philippe, Audemars Piquet and Vacheron & Constantin,
relationships that seem to have continued into the 1930s
at least. In 1925 Le Coultre established itself as an independent brand with the introduction of the Duoplan wristwatch, replacing its production of pocket watches with
that of wristwatches.
Director
AWCI E-mail Address
Mark Butterworth: President
mbutterworth@awci.com
Manuel Yazijian: Vice President
myazijian@awci.com
Douglas Thompson: Secretary
dthompson@awci.com
Jack Kurdzionak: Treasurer
jkurdzionak@awci.com
In 1937 Jaeger and Le Coultre established a common distribution system based in Geneva, becoming Jaeger-Le
Coultre. Lecoultre watch movements have almost always
been made completely in-house and usually under one
roof. From the beginning Lecoultre and then Jaeger-Le
Coultre were regarded as one of the very finest makers of
watches in the world, a reputation that continues today
from the very factory (much expanded) from which they
started in 1833.
Michael Gainey
mgainey@awci.com
Roland (Ron) Iverson
riverson@awci.com
Joe Juaire
jjuaire@awci.com
Joseph Schrader
jschrader@awci.com
Ernest Tope
etope@awci.com
Gene Bertram: Affiliate Chapter Director
gbertram@awci.com
Herman Mayer: REC Director
hmayer@awci.com
Henry Kessler: IAB Director
hkessler@awci.com
As an aside, you may have noted a difference in the spelling of Lecoultre. There were actually three spellings of
the name: Lecoultre, LeCoultre and Le Coultre. All three
spellings have been used in the past.
@
Cas-Ker
June 2010
Horological Times
5
Pennsylvania Series
Tourbillon
Finished movement except for plaque and dial engraving
RGM Watch Company continues to uphold the finest traditions of American horology by introducing the Caliber
MM 2 Pennsylvania Tourbillon. The new Pennsylvania
Tourbillon is signified by the state’s symbol, a keystone,
surrounding a capital T, which will adorn watches in the
first serially-produced American tourbillon watches ever
made. Following on the heels of America’s first high-grade
mechanical movement in four decades, the RGM Caliber
801, the Pennsylvania Tourbillon represents significant
advances in domestic watchmaking. RGM’s new flagship
mechanical movement is not only made in the U.S.A., but
is created and built in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania,
one of the few traditional watchmaking centers of American watchmaking since the 1800s. Never before has an
American watchmaker introduced a series of Tourbillon
wristwatches based upon a proprietary caliber. To do so, and
to create them domestically, is an historic accomplishment.
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Horological Times
June 2010
The new model will be produced in a small numbered
series, both as a standard model and for custom orders.
Housed in a 43 mm x 12 mm case of either steel or 18k
gold, the movement is a symphony of layers, showcasing
many of the great elements of traditional watchmaking
typical of RGM. Finely polished components share space
with brushed elements and perlage. Wheel cocks borrow
their shape from the RGM 801 and from classic American movements of yesteryear—the spokes of the wheels
continue this theme. A 7-tooth click and winding wheels
with wolf’s teeth are immersed in plates with subtle striped
damaskeening. The movement is made of the finest quality traditional watchmaking materials such as German Silver, Gold, Silver, and Black Polished Steel.
Additional features of this watch include hand-applied
decoration such as guilloché (done on RGM’s antique rose
1
4
5
2
6
3
Photos:
1 Cutting guilloché by hand on mainplate
2 German silver mainplate with finished bridges
3 German silver bridge with steel lower bridge for third
wheel
4 Making of the center wheel bridge on the jig bore
5 Tourbillon bridge being made
6 Cage bridge almost complete
7 Remaining steel after making a few parts
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June 2010
Horological Times
7
engines), an inset hour and minute dial whose placement
balances the exposed Tourbillon, and a small curved
sapphire window on the side of the case to allow a third
view of the miniature “whirlwind”, the Pennsylvania
Tourbillon’s cage, which is this model’s namesake.
RGM will present the Caliber MM 2 Pennsylvania Tourbillon on June 16th at the NAWCC Watch and Clock Museum in Columbia, Pennsylvania.
8
11
9
12
Photos:
8 Milling with the jig bore
9 Assembled Tourbillon cage mounted on a custom made
holder for working on it. Note this is before flat
polishing.
10 Running movement in prototype case. Case for size and
design only, final case will be steel or gold.
11 Back of movement, notice the 7-tooth winding click
12 Side of prototype case showing side window for viewing
the Tourbillon
10
For more information please visit:
http://www.rgmwatches.com/
@
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Horological Times
June 2010
AWCI’s
Fiscal
Year End
New Members
California
Dekermenjian, Hagop—Santa Ana, CA*
LaMotte, Frank—Fresno, CA*
Vilicich, Patrick—San Pedro, CA*
Florida
Lopez, Yuri—Miami, FL*
Louisiana
Truxillo, Jonathan B.—-Baton Rouge,
LA*
New Jersey
Stonitsch, Adolph F.—-Watchung, NJ*
New York
Collins, Charles A.—-Schenectady, NY*
Texas
Kornfeld, Jeff—Houston, TX*
Washington
Hager, Dan, CMW—Poulsbo, WA*
*AWCI welcomes back these individuals who have chosen to re-instate their
membership.
@
AWCI’s fiscal year end is June 30,
2010. Those parties who have provided
goods and services to AWCI up to and
including June 30, 2010 must submit
those claims or invoices to AWCI no
later than July 15, 2010. This includes
chapter and individual expense reimbursement claims. Claims or invoices
received after that date will be subject
to additional review by our accounting firm. They are also subject to not
being paid by AWCI. Thank you in advance for your consideration and attention to this matter.
@
Smith Supply House
June 2010
Horological Times
9
Clockmaking Elements
Part 5
Designing a More Precise Train
By Laurie Penman
The train that I designed previously was a standard domestic eight-day movement. If the correct clockmaking
practice is followed, it will keep time with an accuracy of
about thirty seconds a week. If it is serviced properly, it
will continue to keep time for a few hundred years. It is
not dependant on any special materials (that may cease to
be manufactured) like batteries or mainsprings. Maintenance needs nothing special in the way of technology or
special tools or instruments; it is a relatively simple machine and only needs informed attention to carry out its
function. As a matter of interest I (and many other clock
repairers) have serviced weight-driven clocks from the
1700s and when handed back after carrying out cleaning,
polishing, bushing, felt certain that it had at least another
four hundred years left of a useful life. That is eight hundred years total—a period equal to British history from
1200 to 2000, from the reign of King John and the signing of Magna Carta (1215) to the present day.
Now I would like to deal with the design of a more precise clock with the same life potential. How precise? Well
five to ten seconds a month should be satisfactory in a
domestic environment. This will need:
• A train with a smooth transfer of energy to the
pendulum
• A deadbeat escapement
• A heavy pendulum bob
• A temperature compensated pendulum
• A counterweighted seconds hand and minute hand
(This is really “gilding the lily”.)
The Train
The calculations for the train are exactly the same as for
any eight-day clock. Because I would like to have a seconds hand that reads sixty seconds in the minute (not all
clocks do), I will use a seconds pendulum and an escape
wheel that rotates once a minute. It could have sixty teeth,
but it is more sensible to have thirty.
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Horological Times
June 2010
I intend to use pinions of higher count than in the recoil
movement and they will be lantern pinions. I do not know
of any means of calculating a count that will prove satisfactory, but I want to avoid having a very large great wheel:
the more teeth on a gear, the greater the chance of making
an error in indexing when making a one off. Of course,
very large wheels are more difficult to house unless the
tooth size (module) is quite small. My setup for gear cutting is not absolutely precise. There is one or two thousandths of an inch shake and backlash of a degree or two;
so I do not intend to cut train wheels with a module smaller
than 0.4 mm or thereabouts.
I will look at the center pinion and great wheel first, and
at this stage I will have it rotating twice a day. If I use a
16t pinion, it must be driven by a wheel of 192t. This
would have an outside diameter (given 0.5 mm module)
of 0.5 (192 + 2.76) = 97.38 mm. This really is too big for
the plates that I want to use. (The brass extrusion is no
wider than 100 mm.) I now have two choices. I can lower
the count of the pinion, or I can forget the traditional 1:12
ratio between great wheel and center pinion (so that the
barrel turns twice a day), using a smaller barrel to obtain
more turns within the same available fall and still have a
16t pinion.
Before I do that let me see what the physical dimensions
of the trundles (wires) in a 16t lantern pinion will be at a
module of 0.5 mm. The diameter of the trundles should
be 1.25 times the module; however, I can increase this
slightly for a 16t pinion because not so much clearance is
needed for the wheel tooth entering the spaces between
the trundles. The angle of approach is smaller than for a
much smaller pinion (Figure 1). The width of the teeth
and spaces is 1.57 x module for the wheel and 1.25 x
module for the trundles. The proportions above are not
quite right, but the wire diameter of 0.625 mm can be
increased to 0.7 mm without binding if I use a 16t pinion.
The fall of weight that I
settled upon earlier was
1.25 meters (approximately 49") and the
amount of cable that is
wound onto the barrel is
twice this at 2.5 meters
(98"). The number of
turns of the barrel is 21.3,
but it is sensible to talk in
terms of 22 turns. Dividing the cable by 22 tells
us the circumference of
the barrel.
Figure 1
If you study Figure 1 you will see that the wheel teeth
have a smaller area that makes contact with the 16t pinion
than the 8t pinion. Tooth and trunnions develop less friction than in the smaller pinion. The transmission of energy is more even because the radius from the point of
contact between wheel and pinion to their respective centers does not vary so much in the larger count of trundles.
The same thing is true for a solid pinion of course but to a
lesser extent.
I intend to use a 16t pinion for the center, but as I said
before, a wheel that would rotate the center arbor twelve
times for one rotation of the wheel would be much too
large for the plates that I intend to use unless I also made
the module much smaller than 0.5 mm. Clearly the trundle
diameters would then be rather small and weak.
A wheel with 144t and a module of 0.5 mm has an outside
diameter of 73.38 mm, easily accommodated within plates
that are 100 mm width. If I feel that the trundles are a
little weak, I can increase the module size to 0.6 mm and
still have a reasonable outside wheel diameter (88.06 mm)
with trundle diameters of 0.75 to 0.8 mm. I have choices
and the wheel could be further changed to 120t for instance (or any other convenient number), a module of 0.7
and trundle diameter of 0.88 mm.
However, the clock must still run for eight days, the center arbor must rotate 8 x 24 times in that period. How
many rotations must a 144t great wheel make to rotate the
center pinion of 16t 192 times?
192/144 x 16 = 21.33 rotations of the great wheel and
barrel.
2.5 m /22 = 114 mm; divide this by π and I have
the diameter of the barrel
(36.28 mm) as seen in
Figure 2. The center arbor will now rotate for
192 hours, with a fall of 1.25 meters. What of the rest of
the train?
I have ensured a smooth transfer of energy from the weight
to the first part of the train and I do not need to crowd the
space between the plates with huge wheel counts. There
are two pinions to be designed, the third pinion and the
escape pinion and although I want them to be larger than
8t, I certainly do not need to go to 16t. In the past I have
had very good results from using 10t, even with an anchor escapement achieving a rate of around ten seconds a
week in a centrally heated environment. The 16t center
pinion was a little over the top and was really shown to
demonstrate how to get a smooth train in a relatively
small pair of plates, if the clock is to have a recoil escapement I would choose to install 10t lantern pinions. For a
deadbeat using a temperature-compensated pendulum and
ButterBearing
Never file, polish, or pivot a clock wheel using this ball
bearing system. Fits 0.5 mm - 9.0 mm pivots.
Warranted for life. Fast, easy, no special tooling required.
Less cost overall at only $3.00 each
Contact us for details.
Butterworth Clocks, Inc.
5300 59th Ave. West
Muscatine, IA 52761
Phone: 563-263-6759 Fax: 563-263-0428
E-mail: butterworth@machlink.com
Web: www.butterworthclocks.com
June 2010
Horological Times
11
aiming at a rate of a few seconds a month, I would fit 14t
pinions.
10t Train for Recoil Pallets
Our old formula states that CW x TW x EW divided by
TP x EP = the beats per hour, where CW = Center wheel;
TW = Third wheel; EW = Escape wheel, TP = Third pinion; EP = Escape pinion. So:
CW x TW x 60/100 = 3,600 beats per hour
CW x TW = 6,000
Each wheel is around the 70s to 80s, try 75 for one ... that
leaves 80 for the other. I don’t have to use the same module as for the great wheel, but if I do I only need to order
one diameter of pinion wire for the lantern pinions. The
center wheel is 80t at 0.7 mm module and a pitch circle
diameter of 56 mm. The third wheel is 75t at 0.7 mm
module and a pitch circle diameter of 52.5 mm.
The great wheel has an outside diameter of 73.38 mm
with a module of 0.5 mm. If I avoid any protrusion of the
wheel below the bottom of the plates, its center can be 37
mm from the bottom. The position of the center arbor will
be half the sum of the pitch circle diameter of the great
wheel and center pinion.
36 + 4 = 40 mm
If all the arbors are centered on a vertical center line located on the winding arbor (and logically the center line
of the plate for a timepiece), the distance from the bottom
of the plate to the center of the pallet arbor will be half the
sum of all the pitch circle diameter plus 40 mm. If all
gears have a module of 0.5 mm this can be stated as:
36.28 mm
diameter
16t 8 mm pitch
circle diameter
144t 72 mm
pitch circle
diameter
Figure 2
12
Horological Times
40 mm + 0.5 (144 + 16 + 80 + 10 + 75 + 10) (0.5) +
(1.5 x 30 mm x 0.5)
The escape wheel diameter is 30 mm and the center distance between it and the escape pallets I have decided to
make one and a half times the wheel radius.
40 mm + 83.75 mm + 22.5 mm = 146.25 mm
There needs to be some space between the escape pallet
center and the top of the plate and since there is no reason
to work to the barest dimension possible I will make the
overall height of the plate 155 mm (approximately 4" x
6.1"). The plate is now 100 mm x 155 mm and all the
pivots lie on the vertical center line.
14t Train for Deadbeat Pallets
As I said, the 16t pinion was a bit over the top for a recoil
escapement (a 12t pinion is amply good enough), but it is
a good start for a deadbeat escapement and a movement
aimed at keeping time to a few seconds a month. The other
pinions I would set as 14t, back to the calculations:
CW x TW x 60/14 x 14 = 3,600
CW x TW = 60 x 14 x 14 = 11,760
These wheels are around 100t to 110t. I find 105t and
112t. (Skills in mental arithmetic are useful for this exercise.) If a module of 0.5 mm is used, the sum of the center
distances: 40 mm + 0.5 (144 + 16 +112 + 14 +105 +14)
(0.5) + 1.5 (30 mm) (0.5) = 163.75 mm plus a little more.
Say 170 mm to allow for space above the escape pallet
pivot. These plates will be 100 mm x 170 mm (4" x 6.7").
All these arbors are mounted on the vertical center line
and the winding, center, third and escape wheel pivots
can be “jeweled” by fastening a hardened and polished
steel strip to the back plate. Of the pivots in the front plate
only the third and the escape pallets are capable of being
jeweled. However, if the movement is designed to lean
backwards by a degree or two all the arbors will rest
against the back plate. A separate end jewel needs to be
Figure 3
June 2010
Figure 4
provided for the pallet arbor because the crutch would
normally interfere with any extension of the hard strip.
It is possible to avoid this, and I will outline the method
when dealing with the pendulum suspension.
Livesay’s
To lean the movement backwards by 1.5 degrees (distance
between plates of 60 mm) make the bottom of the front
plate protrude 1.5 mm lower than the back. This is ample
to maintain pressure from the rear pivots on the end plates.
Movement Pillars
The are two popular methods of fastening the pillars into
the movement plates. The oldest is to rivet one end into
one plate (often the back plate) and use taper pins or latches
to secure the other plate (Figure 3). The other method uses
screws and washers at one end, or at both ends; this is
more popular in heavy movements such as regulators.
Figure 3 shows details of the riveted end of a pillar. Note
that the shoulder of the pillar is undercut or dished so that
it pulls up against the surface of the plate, settling the rim
hard against it. A light hammer is then used to peen over
the protruding circumference, thus drawing up the rivet.
When this has succeeded in pulling the pillar into position, the strokes of the hammer are directed at the center
of the rivet, swelling it into the hole and making a firm
joint. Figure 4 shows how the pillar is supported while
this is carried out. Unless it is supported in this way, the
end of the pillar (drilled for a taper pin or grooved for a
latch) will be damaged. The holes that accept the rivet
end of the pillars should be round (broaching them out
if necessary), and only the burr on the inside is to be
June 2010
Horological Times
13
Figure 7
removed. Burr on the outside helps to protect and maintain the edge of the hole. Therefore, when the rivet has
been made and the excess filed and polished away, the
boundary between rivet and plate is hardly visible at worst.
At best it is invisible (Figure 5). Figure 6 is an illustration
of a pinned pillar and one with a latch.
The second method employs screws and washers. The end
of the pillar is slightly withdrawn below the surface of the
plate, and the washer is dished so that its circumference
locates firmly on the plates (Figure 7). I prefer this method;
it is more rugged and will stand a great deal of mishandling by repairers. Incidentally, my pillars are shown as
decorative ones, but of course there is no reason why they
should be; in fact, plain cylinders are more common in
regulators.
@
Figure 5
Figure 6
Technical Discussion & Parts Forum
The American Watchmakers-Clockmakers Institute Technical Discussion & Parts
Forum is available online at www.awci.com Click on Technical Discussion &
Parts Forum in the blue box. Guests are free to browse our topics and posts but
only validated AWCI members will be able to actively post messages and communicate with one
another via private messaging.
The purpose of this board is to aid our members in finding watch parts, clock parts, tools and
discusss technical aspects of watch and clock repair. This board is not open to generic advertising posts; therefore, web addresses and e-mail addresses should not be included in public
messages.
14
Horological Times
June 2010
Book Review
By Jordan Ficklin, CW21
Gruen: Watch Model Identification Guide, Volume 1, by Mike Barnett. If
you are looking for a full history of the Gruen Watch Company, or a pricing
guide to help you in your collecting efforts, then this is not the book for you.
This book however is a beautifully formatted collectors guide which will help
you identify your Gruen wrist-watch: the first step in learning more about your
watch. Mike Barnett has combined full color photographs from advertisements
spanning the years from 1912 to 1951 into one handy reference, which makes
identifying your watch a very easy task. Each watch is pictured at its actual size
with its name, a short description, and the original sale price when available. The
book doesn’t cover pocket watches, but if Gruen wristwatches are of interest to
you then you will want to pick up a copy of this book and add it to your library
as a handy reference.
Gruen: Watch Model Identification Guide, Volume 1, by Mike Barnett can be
purchased directly from Mr. Barnett (mike_barnett@hotmail.com) or from your
local retail outlet.
@
Presented by Mark Jones, CMW
Senior Technical Instructor for Rolex USA
This seminar will cover the fundamental knowledge necessary to achieve a high quality polish. We will review the
refinishing steps and stages and see the tools, equipment and compounds used for refinishing. We will also review
some of the different metal surface finishes used on cases, bracelets and bezels. Case assembly and disassembly
will be reviewed with time dedicated for Q & A, demonstrations of tools and refinishing techniques.
Mark Jones is the Senior Technical Instructor for Rolex USA. He has been a CMW for 29 years and WOSTEP certified
81 & 89. He worked for Vacheron & Constantin, New York as the Technical Director before joining Rolex where he
has worked for the past 13 years.
Date: Wednesday, August 4th 2010
Time: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Location: Cincinnati Marriott at RiverCenter
Includes: Lunch Buffet
Deadline: July 15th 2010 (limited to the first 40 registrations)
Price: $50.00 (includes lunch buffet)
The Chronometer Club members must pre-register. Please contact Wesley Grau, Exec. Secretary wesleygrau@sbcglobal.net if you have not received your registration form.
NOTE: Registrations received after July 15th cannot receive lunch buffet
June 2010
Horological Times
15
Pivoting Chucks and
Balloon Chucks
By Dale LaDue, CMW21
In the course of my profession I perform many different variations of
repivoting and pivot work. I am always
challenged by this aspect of watch repair. Any method or tool that meets the
criteria of acquiring and holding centricity as well as stability while drilling very small holes and burnishing
pivots makes repivoting possible.
It appears to me that there was more
attention given to repivoting watch arbors and pinions in the past simply by
the lathe accessories illustrated in old
material house catalogs. Figures 1, 2,
and 3 show different lathe chucks that
secure and center wheels. These complicated pieces of equipment were designed in part to eliminate the wax or
cement chuck method of holding
wheels and pinions. This method entailed turning a perfect center in a brass
rod or a proprietary screw chuck that
would accept threaded brass rod. The
brass rod would eventually be used up
and a new one would have to be purchased. Once the perfect center was
achieved, the brass was heated, then
hard shellac was applied and melted
into the perfect center. While the shellac was still fluid, the arbor of the
wheel was inserted into the perfect center. As the lathe was slowly spun and
the other end was stabilized with a finger or pegwood, it would come to center and be held securely when the shellac cooled and hardened.
16
Horological Times
June 2010
After the specific work was
completed, the rod would be
heated, the shellac melted
and the work removed. The
wheel and pinion would
then be covered with hard
shellac that had to be
removed. The quickest
method to remove the residue was to boil away the
shellac in alcohol. An alcohol-boiling pan made of
copper and brass was used.
The wheel and pinion was
immersed in alcohol and the
pan was carefully brought to
a gentle boil. The copper
boiling pan, more like a
kitchen cup measure, came
with a cover. If anyone has
boiled alcohol this way, you
know that the cover has to
be kept at hand to snuff out
the occasional flare up!
Keeping a damp towel
handy was prudent in case
the startling “pop” from a
flare up causes a spill of
flaming alcohol!
When I was at Gem City
School of Horology in
1967, this method was used.
After a few flare ups, I
started to use a test tube
tilted on an angle, which
kept the fumes directed
Figure 1. A catalog drawing of a 19th century pivoting device
Figure 2. Another style of pivoting chuck
Figure 3. Olin’s Patent chuck as illustrated in a tool
catalog
away from the flame. I do have to cement some pieces to accomplish a procedure, and while “boiling out” in the
test tube I have never experienced a
flare up.
You can see how these chucks, no matter how complicated, can speed up the
repivoting process. I found the Olin’s
Patent chuck at a National Association
of Watch and Clock Collectors Regional Mart. The catalog illustration,
Figure 3, depicts the complete system.
However, I only have the wheel-holding centering device. This collet is truly
simple and amazingly accurate. It is
imperative that the workpiece wheel
and arbor run true to each other. I have
drilled and repivoted pocket watch pinions and balance staffs without having
to remove their roller tables. Wristwatch wheels and even sweep wheel
and pinions can be drilled and pivoted
with a couple more criteria. First, the
wheel has to be larger than the center
hole in the chuck and cap. Second, the
pinion’s attachment to the wheel has
to be sturdy enough to prevent the pinion or arbor from flexing during turning and finishing the new pivot. As an
example, I repivoted an 8-ligne caliber 85/24 Patek Philippe balance wheel
using this device. Drilling posed no
problem. However, turning the new
pivot created an oval shape. The reason was the balance arm would twist
around its axis under the pressure of
the graver but not along its length. The
balance had to be removed from the
chuck, and after removing the roller
table it was placed into a collet to further finish the pivot.
The Olin’s Patent chuck is shown in
Figure 4. It is composed of three components: a lathe chuck faced true, a
flanged cap that is keyed to the chuck,
and a threaded retainer ring, Figures 5
and 6. A train wheel or balance wheel
and staff would be placed on the chuck
face, and the cap with its key in the
face slot would then be placed over the
wheel. The retainer ring would be
threaded in place with just enough
pressure to hold the workpiece but allowing it to slide around under the cap.
With the chuck in the lathe and the
lathe slowly spinning, the wheel’s arbor can be brought to perfect center. A
finger or a piece of pegwood lightly
touching the arbor will bring it to center and then the threaded ring would
be tightened locking the workpiece in
place, Figures 7 and 8.
Crown chucks function along the same
line as the Olin’s Patent chuck. The
crown would be held in a chuck with a
hold-down plate that was tightened by
a threaded collar, Figure 9. The depicted crown chuck has the name
“Scholer” stamped on the threaded
Figure 6. A threaded flat-faced chuck, a
hold-down cap that is keyed to the chuck
and a threaded retainer ring
Figure 8. A center wheel held true in the
Olin’s Patent chuck
Figure 4. Olin’s chuck was patented December 7, 1880.
Figure 5. A simple design consisting of
three parts
Figure 7. This chuck will only accommodate wheels that span the center holes in
the chuck and cap.
Figure 9. A crown chuck was used to alter
pocket watch crowns.
June 2010
Horological Times
17
collar as well as the patent date of January 21, 1896, as shown in Figures 10
and 11. The patent date belies the fact
that this chuck was for alternating pendant and pocket watch crowns. Figure
12 is a view into the throat of the chuck
in which the four different sized holddown plates are stored. All of the components are shown in Figure 13.
What I have done with this chuck was
simply make a few brass disks with
varied sized holes. A brass rod was
turned down to the diameter of the
original disks then drilled and parted,
Figures 14 and 15. The disks were then
faced flat as shown in Figure 16. The
disks are shown next to the chuck’s
components, Figure 17, and with a
workpiece installed, Figure 18. The
same technique as used with the Olin’s
chuck to center the workpiece would
be used with the altered crown chuck.
Vigor® marketed a similar chuck and
called it a Balloon chuck as shown in
Figures 19 and 20. This device is composed of three parts: a threaded mandrel, a pump center, and a threaded cap,
Figure 21.
The pump center is a spring-loaded rod
with a perfect center turned in its end
that traverses through the center of the
mandrel, Figure 22. The rod is contained by a metal ring that fits into a
groove in the fore end, Figure 23. The
threaded cap has a semicircular cutout
in it and the mandrel has a milled slot
through its center as shown in Figure
24. A wheel and pinion could then be
slid through the cap cutout and along
the mandrel slot to the center. Pushing
the pump center would then engage the
lower pivot of the workpiece roughly
attaining center while the cap was
screwed down. There are inherent
Figurer 12. This chuck would accommodate various size crowns. Different size
disks are stored inside the chuck.
Figure 14. A brass rod was turned down
to the diameter of the crown disks
Figure 15. The rod was center drilled with
various size holes and then disks were
parted from it.
Figure 10. Patent name
Figure 11. 19th century patent
18
Horological Times
June 2010
Figure 13. The dissembled “Scholer”
crown chuck and disks to fit various sized
crowns.
Figure 16. Each disk was faced flat on both
sides.
problems with this device that preclude
it being used for very fine work. The
mandrel has to run true in a lathe collet
since it does not have an integral chuck.
Also, when the hold-down cap is
screwed down to secure the workpiece,
it has a tendency to turn and misalign
the workpiece. The Vigor Balloon
chuck is shown in Figure 25 holding a
pocket watch center wheel.
Figure 17. The three new disks
Balloon chucks or Balance chucks are
not easily used for drilling and repivoting. After a balance pivot is completed, the Balloon chuck can be used
to adjust for proper endshake. Figure
26 shows a Culman Balance chuck
with a pivot grinding and polishing attachment that mounts on the lathe
tailstock. I only have the balance chuck
and not the attachment; therefore, I
cannot comment on how this arrangement would work. However, I can say
that a burnished pivot rather than a
pivot polished with polishing compound is more durable.
Apparently, there are two executions
of the Culman device. The chuck
shown in Figure 27 consists of a
Figure 24. A close view of the separate
parts of the Vigor® chuck
Figure 18. A center wheel mounted in the
crown chuck
Figure 21. The threaded mandrel and
threaded cap
Figure 19. A catalog description of the
Vigor® Balloon chuck
Figure 22. The spring-loaded pump center
Figure 25. A close view of the Vigor®
chuck with a center wheel mounted in
place
Figure 20. A view of the Vigor® chuck with
a center wheel mounted in it.
Figure 23. The pump center compressed
Figure 26. An original box cover drawing
of the Culman chuck
June 2010
Horological Times
19
threaded hold-down ring, a disk with
a hole for a balance pivot, a keyed retainer ring, and a pump center to locate the opposite end of the balance
staff, Figures 28 and 29. There are different disks with varied hole sizes to
accommodate various pivot sizes that
come with this device. The threaded
Figure 34. This version was stamped pat.
pend’g.
Figure 27. The Culman Balance chuck
with its hold-down ring loosened.
Figure 30. This chuck has patent dates of
May 17, 1904 and May 23, 1916.
Figure 31. C. Culman is stamped into the
hold-down ring.
Figure 28. A view of the retaining ring
keyed in place
Figure 35. A balance wheel with its roller
and hairspring could be clamped between
the pump piece and disk allowing a pivot
to extend through the disk center hole.
Figure 32. Another execution of the
Culman pivot chuck had removable
threaded disks.
Figure 29. A few disks with varying sized
center holes were supplied with the chuck.
20
Horological Times
June 2010
Figure 33. The chuck was supplied with
different sized center hole disks.
Figure 36. A close view of the pump center and center hole
Figure 37. The Levin® Balance chuck was
marketed in two sizes for bracelet and
pocket watches.
Figure 38. The pump center-locking lever
on the Levin® chuck
and knurled hold down ring has the
patent dates of May 17, ‘04 and May
23, ‘16 as well as the name C. Culman,
Figures 30 and 31. The other variation
of this Balloon chuck has the disk and
threaded knurled ring as a single unit
as shown in Figures 32 and 33. This
chuck has patent pending and C.
Culman stamped around the chuck itself, Figure 34. An internal view of the
chuck illustrates the disk hole and the
pump center with its locking lever, Figure 35. Figure 36 shows a close view
of the pump center and disk between
which a balance complete with hairspring and roller could be clamped.
Levin® made a balance chuck along
the same principles some 50 years later.
The collet was steel and the balloon
frame was machined out of aluminum
with a blued steel disk permanently
attached, Figure 37. These were quite
accurate and typical of Levin tool quality and craftsmanship as depicted by
the turned pump center locking handle
in Figure 38. These were made in two
Figure 39. Newall marketed a small chuck.
However, it had to be inserted in a lathe
collet.
Figure 41. A catalog listing of a screw
chuck and accessory cement brasses
Figure 40. A catalog description of a copper-boiling cup
sizes that would accommodate pocket
and wristwatch balances. Newall also
marketed a balance chuck that had to
be inserted into a lathe collet, which
can inhibit running true, Figure 39.
As a postscript I have included catalog drawings of copper boiling cups
and a screw chuck with cement brass
accessories shown in Figures 40 and
41.
@
Bulletin Board
NEW REQUESTS
Telechron B13 Rotor
Richard Adams, Nashua, NH, is looking for a Telechron B13, 1 RPM
rotor (M3609); operational preferred but OK as long as it can be rebuilt.
ITEMS STILL NEEDED
Patek Philippe 8180 Detent Lever
Donald Yax, Howell, MI, is looking for a source for a detent lever for a
Patek Philippe 8180.
Do you have information regarding this month’s requests? Do you need information about one of this month’s responses? If so, send your information or requests
to: Horological Times Bulletin Board; 701 Enterprise Drive; Harrison, OH 450301696; Toll-Free: 1-866-367-2924, ext. 307; Phone: (513) 367-9800; Fax: (513) 3671414; E-mail: dbaas@awci.com
@
June 2010
Horological Times
21
Atmos Mainspring Quality
By Jerry Faier, CMC21
Introduction
Mainspring quality is critical to the operation of any mechanical watch or clock and nowhere is it more critical
than in the LeCoultre Atmos models. It seems that over
time I am seeing more clocks that would not reach the
proper pendulum action rate of 440o (average total rotation) regardless of the perfection of all other parts. It seems
rare that a quality steel mainspring such as those used in
the Atmos would fatigue or “set,” but there was no way to
check but visually.
With the help of Mr. Jeff Hamilton, CMC, we found the
minimum torsion from the mainspring had to be approximately 6 - 6½ ounce/inch of torque to get at least a 440o
rotation of the pendulum. With the use of a device I made
to substantiate that torque from the mainspring in the assembled clock (the torque balance tool—see Figure 1), I
was able to verify whether or not I had the proper pressure available. Now if the clock failed to rotate the minimum, I know the problem was in the train and not with
the mainspring. In addition to that, with the use of the
Torque Watch Gauge® (see Figure 2), I was able to verify
Figure 1
22
Horological Times
the torque offered by the mainspring from wound down
to fully wound up. This means I would have a graph of
what a useful mainspring would be for a product such as
the Atmos model 526/528. The key is that for the clock to
perform its best, there needs to be a certain curve of power
available as the mainspring is wound. If not, the clock
may never reach its minimum rotational needs, or it may
“overbank” if there is too much power too soon.
Such was the experience had when trying a new non-breakable type of mainspring from LeCoultre, or a stainless
steel type supplied from an alternative supplier. The best
information came when the following study was done,
which demonstrated the best values for these products and
why 6 - 6½ ounce/inch is the best value.
From this same approach, it would be possible to establish torsion data for any horological product, identify what
a product requires for a given motion of its pendulum or
balance, and a method to determine with surety whether
or not a mainspring is “set”.
Figure 2
June 2010
quality after a short few months. Ultimately the clock becomes unwound and stops.
Figure 3
Methods
Using the Torque Watch Gauge, I clamped onto a brass
tube that I placed on the end of the wind arbor without the
ratchet so that I could get a solid hold without marring the
arbor (see Figure 3). With the mainspring properly lubricated and in the fully assembled barrel, I proceeded to
rotate the gauge one turn at a time, record the torque and
repeat until the mainspring was wound tight. Placing a
small reference mark on both the barrel and the gauge
ensured that I was returning to the same exact point each
revolution. I did this technique with several different mainsprings: 1.) An original steel mainspring that was known
to operate the 526/528 according to the factory specifications; 2.) An old original steel mainspring that looked “set”;
3.) A new alloy, nonbreakable mainspring purchased from
LeCoultre; and 4.) A new stainless steel alloy (tempered)
offered by an alternative supplier. Each spring was tested
at least five times to establish the average torque at each
wind and the average graphs are shown in the results. (See
the graphs which follow.)
Results
1.) The old original mainspring started at about 3 ounce/
inch after the first wind, then showed a steady, progressive increase in torque values with 4-5 windings of the
spring to come up to 6½ ounce/inch, which would give a
balance action at or just above the factory recommendation. This equates to roughly halfway wound up.
2.) The old “set” mainspring shows the classic slow torque
development, not reaching the minimum needed torque
until about the 7th wind. Then this mainspring only gradually showed a torque increase to a total of about 7 ounce/
inch just before reaching full wind. In this situation the
coil spring is compressed too much to be in proper contact with the bellows, resulting in reduced action and time
3.) The new nonbreakable alloy shows the reverse of #2.
Here, the spring reaches almost 5¾ ounce/inch after only
the first wind. If one winds this spring up to 4-5 winds
(the typical “normal” value) resulting in 7½ to 8 ounce/
inch, the balance will be seen to “overbank” hard, possibly even damaging the fork. It is noteworthy to observe
that the torque from 3-8 winds increases only slightly
showing that the spring offers very stable (but too much)
torque. Problems begin to arise when the customer takes
the clock and on the way home the mainspring winds a bit
due to external temperature changes, resulting in overbanking when restarted.
4.) The new stainless steel alloy spring that was given to
me to test, showed a similar curve to #3. After one revolution of the spring, the torque output exceeded 6 ounce/
inch. This spring too, continued to climb in its torque values as it is wound further, which would result in the same
overbanking problems.
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June 2010
Horological Times
23
Graphs of the Average Values for Each Type of Spring Studied
The points on these graphs represent the average of 5 trials.
Their ranges did not vary more than 5% above or below the averages.
What is noteworthy is that all springs reach full wind
(where the torque is now infinite) after about 9-10 turns.
Obviously the length of all of these was exactly the same.
See the graphs above for easier comparison of this data.
Discussion
From observed practice, it was clear that the 526/528 performed its best when wound to about 4-5 winds of the
arbor, which we know now equates to about 6 - 6½ ounce/
inch. If the balance action was not up to the necessary
440o in past times, then the only option was to wind the
clock a bit more (again and again as needed) and pray that
you didn’t overdo it and cause an “overbank” to occur—
or in some cases—never reach the needed motion and not
24
Horological Times
June 2010
know clearly why. The only way to be sure; however, is
to make the torque balance tool and verify the torque in
the assembled and ready to test product. Also, it is clear
that a mainspring, which shows a curve that goes up too
quickly, is likely to cause “overbanking.” One that is “set”
or generally not performing would not reach the needed
torque until the latter part of its winding. In this latter
situation if the coil spring is not expanded enough, the
bellows cannot wind the clock properly thus losing both
balance action and, most importantly, timekeeping quality over a reasonably short time period.
One key problem here is that the old style steel mainsprings are no longer available from any source for these
Atmos models, which makes this type of testing essential
to ensure the proper run of the product. It is hoped with
this article that some source will eventually come forward
with a proper product that will perform as needed so that
in the future, clocks such as these will continue to perform as they were designed. Now the question arises, “is
that old mainspring really ‘set’ or is it just in need of proper
cleaning, relubrication and ready for re-installation?”
Endnotes
1. See the pamphlet—Vacheron & Constantin—LeCoultre
Watches, Inc., 1952. “How to Repair the Atmos Clock.”
This discusses the models 526-528. Also Jaeger-LeCoultre,
Repair Notes, for other calibers.
2. Dimensions for the “torque balance tool” – The jaws
are made of 1/16" tool steel, ½" wide, 2" long and covered with heat shrink tubing to protect the barrel finish. A
¼" hole is drilled in the end of each strip. Once formed,
one strip is allowed to float freely and the other is silver
soldered a 10 x 32 nut that acts as the locking arm. The
rod is 3/16" cold rolled rod that is threaded on one end for
about ¾" with 10-32 threads and the other end is knurled
about 5/8" to give a better grip to tighten. A locknut is
placed on the outer end to secure the free floating jaw.
The counter weight is a 5/8" piece of solid brass with a
polished out 3/16" hole in its center and a 4-40 set screw
set in the middle of its ¾" length. The rod is assembled
and tested against the Torque Watch Gauge for final marking or you can use the following measurements to get a
close approximation: Starting from the threaded end of
the bar, measure in 2.666" = 6 ounce/inch; 3.528" = 7
ounce/inch; 4.650" = 8 ounce/inch; and 5.699" = 9 ounce/
inch. Set your counterweight halfway between the 6 and
7 marks for 6½ ounce/inch.
3. A special thanks to Mr. Jeff Hamilton, CMC for his
assistance, not only with this project, but other Atmos
challenges!
@
June 2010
Horological Times
25
From the Workshop
By Jack Kurdzionak, CW21
Arnold’s New Neighbors
April’s column had an article about Arnold’s Watch Repair, located in a suburban strip mall. Arnold’s landlord
recently rented space in the same mall to a Batteries R Us
franchise. Arnold immediately became concerned with the
presence of another store that sold and installed watch
batteries. Although Arnold had a “no compete clause” in
his lease, his landlord viewed the battery store as an entirely different business from watch repair and saw no lease
violation. Readers were invited to offer their advice to
Arnold. Should he react or respond to his new neighbor?
Does he react by telling them not to call upon him for
help should they have a watch battery problem and hope
that they go out of business? Does he respond by welcoming them as new neighbors and offer his assistance?
Several readers sent in their suggestions.
Linda Balzer, President of Balzer Family Clock Works of
Freeport, Maine wrote, “If I were Arnold I would consult
an attorney, not the landlord, for a legal ruling on the ‘no
compete clause’ in his lease. If Batteries R Us is installing
watch batteries and charging a fee then I would think he
is indeed in the watch repair business because the watch
won’t work without the battery and by installing the battery he has repaired the watch. Perhaps a compromise
would be that Batteries R Us not include installing watch
batteries in his services and refer this work to Arnold.”
Terry Parresol, Parresol Jewelers of Lakeland, Florida
wrote, “I have some comments concerning your story
about Arnold and the Batteries R Us store that opened
near him. You asked for comments. I can only speak from
experience. About two years ago, about the time the recession started, a BatteriesPlus® store opened about two
blocks from my store. I was a little concerned as we do a
nice business in batteries. Then, they did a large campaign
and were changing batteries for $3.95. Hmm, our minimum charge was $12.95 for certain types of fashion
watches, and much higher for any quality watch. So, we
thought of an advertising campaign to educate clients on
the proper replacement of power cells. We thought of lots
of ways we could discourage people from using
BatteriesPlus. I dislike being negative, especially about
another store or someone’s work. Then one day I needed
a power cell I didn’t have. So I went over to them and
introduced myself, and said I needed a battery. The young
manager was guarded but gave me a discount for a battery (a $.60 battery was discounted for me to about $2.50).
Anyway, I had the power cell I needed. So a few weeks
26
Horological Times
June 2010
later I went in again and bought another battery. The manager was still guarded and displayed a ‘we aren’t competing against you attitude’. I just smiled and said there was
plenty of business for everyone, paid for my battery and
left. A few days later a customer comes in and states,
‘BatteriesPlus sent me to you, as they shattered the crystal in my watch and could I repair it?’ Of course, I did the
repair.
I took the initiative, printed out a few hundred cards with
directions to us and asked if they (BatteriesPlus) could
hand them out if they didn’t feel comfortable with certain
watches. The manager started asking questions about
watches and crystals. I gave some tips (just a few), but
more importantly some cautions about better grade
watches and certain styles I knew they would have trouble
with. They send over many customers almost every day.
Good work for me. They now send over any watch with
screws, curved crystals, screw back cases, anything they
deem they can’t handle. I do more now than I did before.
Obviously the manager can move on, or corporate can
frown upon this behavior. Tell Arnold not to worry. Most
people who want a three-dollar battery change won’t frequent your store anyway. I make a lot of residual sales
while people wait for batteries. All because I didn’t panic
and wasn’t negative. Your results may vary! Call me if
you want more detail.”
F. Martell Grover, Grover Service Centre of Rexburg,
Idaho wrote, “Your subject of Batteries R Us moving next
door to the Arnold’s watch/clock repair business and how
to work with this new business is a good question. I would
make the following suggestion. Go to visit with the new
business’ management, as they prepare to open or just after opening. Share with them what you do and would be
willing to help them if they have problem(s) with the
watches they accept for battery replacements. I am twenty
miles from a Batteries R Us in my local area. When they
had their Grand Opening, I was there! I told them about
myself. I am a watchmaker and provide watch repair services. If they had any concerns or problems, I would be
available to assist them. Since then, there have been many
times that they have broken crystals, damaged a movement, been unable to put casebacks on, needed new
caseback gaskets, the list goes on, etc. Of course, I would
not have had this business from them, if I had not made
the visit. I charge them the same price as a walk-in
customer.
I would advise Arnold to make Batteries R Us personnel
feel special when he does this type of work for them. Tell
them that accidents happen, which result in broken crystals along with screwdriver slips that damage the movement. Explain that some casebacks are just harder to put
on and some caseback gaskets get damaged, etc. Tell them
that you will get the watches working/running again for
them. Since they are next door, you might consider offering special pricing, just for them, and tell them this.
Many watches will require more service than a basic battery replacement and this is a good opportunity for the
Batteries R Us to refer the watch to Arnold’s for complete
repair service. Arnold can provide all needed services to
repair the watch and this would enhance customer relations for both stores. Overall, this would be good for both
businesses. Arnold could purchase batteries from them
(when out of his own stock—it happens), but he would be
paying a higher price than from his own supplier.
old standby known as the postal service. You can even
fax me at 513-367-1414.
I will do my best to help you help the membership. By
sharing your questions and suggestions, all of our members can benefit from our combined knowledge and experience. The ideas, tools, techniques and products presented
in this column are suggested by the author and contributing members and are not endorsed by any manufacturer,
supplier, advertiser or AWCI itself.
@
Although not the best business to have next door, but working with a new business is better than negative feelings,
and not making the best of this will only hurt Arnold’s
business of the future. Thank you for letting me share my
point of view on this subject.”
Robert Metheny, Watchworks Inc. of North Providence,
Rhode Island wrote, “Here’s my one cent’s worth on the
Arnold situation. Elina (Robert’s wife) said to kill him
with kindness; I’d just as soon follow her advice sans the
kindness quotient! Hypothetically speaking, I would let
the ‘gentleman’ know how abysmally unqualified he is to
competently perform this service for the general public
and being duly warned that I want NO part of his screwups, he takes them on at his own peril! I need that kind of
rubbish work just as much as a moose needs a manicure!
Please do indeed quote me as needed.”
My personal thanks go to the four contributors, who took
the time to read the April article, compose their thoughts,
and share them with all of us.
You Are Invited
Do you have a solution to a watch or clock repair problem
that you want to share with our membership? Do you have
a question about a repair problem you would like to ask?
I invite you to participate in this column with your suggestions, questions, and comments. It is easy. Just e-mail
me at AWCI <magazine@awci.com> or write using the
June 2010
Horological Times
27
Clarification
The following statement is a clarification to a document provided by Dennis Warner and posted on the AWCI web site following the
February 2010 Board of Director’s midyear meeting. Please read this in conjunction with the original document. A link to that document is provided below this clarification.
In the previous article by Dennis Warner, the article’s Q & A format
gave the incorrect impression that Andre Fleury was removed
as a plaintiff in the Richemont class action suit. That was not the case
and AWCI and Mr. Warner apologize for any confusion resulting from
the previous article. Below, Mr. Warner clarifies his earlier article.
AWCI would also recommend that any member who has questions
regarding the Richemont class action settlement read the actual
decision of the court. That court document can be found at
www.watchrepairsettlement.com/finalorder.
Dennis Warner’s Clarification
In the article, Question 2 asked “Who removed Mr. Fleury from the
case and why?” This question would have been better stated by asking
why Mr. Fleury was not appointed by the court as the representative
for the watchmakers’ class in the case. Nowhere in my answer did I
say Andre Fleury was removed; it appeared only in the question. I
apologize for the misleading question. As explained by the passages
below from the Judge’s actual decision, the Court rejected Mr. Fleury
as the representative of the watchmakers’ class because as the Judge
found, “he sought monetary compensation which was unique to him,
was unrealistic, and conflicted with the interests of the class as a whole.”
(page 5, n.5*).
The issue of whether Andre Fleury or Mr. Mertaban, Mr. Cleves and
myself should represent the watchmakers’ class is discussed in detail
in pages 19 - 23 of the Judge’s decision. If AWCI members want to
know the facts, read the actual decision. Base your decision on this
issue on the facts, not on the barrage of malicious accusations contained in the neverending exchange of e-mails. If, after reading the
Judge’s decision you have any questions regarding my participation
in the lawsuit, I will be happy to address them.”
Dennis Warner
To access Mr. Warner’s document, please click on this link: Original
Richemont involvement document supplied by Mr. Warner. Note that
the clarification supplied above is critical in order for the reader to
have a clear and complete understanding of Mr. Warner’s involvement in this case and his position concerning that involvement.
* www.watchrepairsettlement.com/finalorder.
WATCHMAKERS/CLOCKMAKERS
ASSOCIATION OF OHIO
INVITES YOU TO OUR ANNUAL
WATCH & CLOCK REPAIR CONVENTION
Hyatt Regency Hotel – Columbus, Ohio
July 16, 17, 18, 2010
Membership in WAO not required
Featured Instructors Include:
Thomas Schomaker, CMW21
Gene Bertram, CC
Mark Baker, CMW, CC21
For More Information, Call Mark Baker 330-537-3939 or Michael Gainey at 614-833-0378
28
Horological Times
June 2010
AWCI and ClockClass.com
Partner for
Training Program
ClockClass.com
by David LaBounty,
CMC, FBHI
Internet Training
Look for the link on AWCI’s Home Page www.awci.com
One Hour Classes - $35.00 per
Visit www.clockclass.com for more details
June 2010
Horological Times
29
AWCI Certification
By Wes Grau, CMW21, Chief Examiner
Certification: A Past Look
Visiting a local antique mall, rummaging through some old magazines, I ran across an old The American Horologist publication of September 1937. Opening it to the first article, I was amazed by the similarities in the quest for improving the
quality of watch servicing. Because we are in an anniversary year I have decided to share the complete article with you in
its entirety, and knowing that many of us technicians skim read, have put key passages in italics that I would like to bring
to your attention. There are many problems with a State Licensing Program; however, there is value in a national or
international accreditation, which I believe can be accomplished through the AWCI certification program. So as you read
this article, think of ways you can support the program by first seeking certification to validate your skills, and secondly,
volunteering to the program so as the article states “we can march forward, hand in hand, toward a brighter future”
Why a State Licensing System for
the Watch Repair Industry
By F. Foegler
Past President U. H. A. A.
There has been considerable consternation and discussion
in retail jewelry circles as to the practicability of a Registration or Licensing System for the Watch Repair and Service Craft.
In order to arrive at a comprehensive understanding, I
would like to cite just a few reasons why such a law should
be adopted by the several states of the United States.
It is common knowledge to all that free trade and enterprise are the fundamental reasons of the tremendous
progress and success that has been made not only in the
Horological profession but in all trades, crafts and professions in our seemingly young republic. Therefore, some
leading business firms contend that a system of licensing
would probably retard this healthy progress.
First of all let us look into the past and analyze the reasons, why such progress has been made.
In the past, when mass production was unknown, every
trade, craft and profession had an apprenticeship system
whereby our young people had the opportunity to acquire
the knowledge of operating in a chosen field, and the art
of teaching was practiced in most cases by old MASTERS
30
Horological Times
June 2010
whose conscientious handling of pupils (apprentices) usually turned out capable and able craftsmen. The term of
apprenticeship usually ran from 3 to 4 years, for this length
of time was considered necessary in order to provide efficient and proficient craftsmen for the future.
Graduation in crafts was a yearly event and every MASTER was looking forward with pride to this event, for it
was an honor to master and pupil alike to be awarded the
MEISTER BRIEF (letter of master) in the chosen craft
issued by the examining committee. These youngsters,
adopting their masters’ skill and efficiency, have year after year improved the art of watchmaking, until today when
their skill is no longer needed in the building of a watch
because the machine has been perfected to do the building and their skill is being utilized in the engineering and
experimental departments of the factories.
But, the manufactured product has to be serviced and repaired periodically, and skilled workers are needed in this
field also; so today we produce the watch repairer and
service men in the place of the watchmaker. But do we
produce these mechanics? And if we do, how can we prove
that they are worthy of their calling? True, we have institutes and schools (and a very few good ones) where such
mechanics are trained, but have we a system of control,
whereby every pupil or apprentice has to be certified before allowed to practice? No. A student is free to do as he
pleases, 6 to 8 months in a school or institute today deems
sufficient for him to step out into the world and advertise
himself (expert watch repairing done). Who can stop him?
Nobody.
In 1935 a school in the State of Ohio advertised to make a
skilled watchmaker out of anybody within the period of 7
weeks, for the mere pittance of $700.00 tuition, promising to set you up in business, and guaranteeing success
within a year’s time.
Another school in Ohio, a well-known mechanical institute, has regular classes in watch repairing with instructors who could not successfully pass an examination by
the H. I. of A. whose students begin operating after they
finished their first semester with 24 hours of actual class
attendance.
The other day, glancing through a well-known national
mechanics magazine, I spotted an advertisement, inserted
by an eminent school of watchmaking, promising to make
an expert out of you via the correspondence school
route—“Learn watchmaking at home, earn money while
learning”.
I could go on and on, filling page after page with facts as
those pictured above, which should be sufficient reason
for any watch manufacturer, wholesale and retail jeweler,
to go on record for an efficient registration system for
watchmakers in every state.
Those are reasons that are of interest to the trade alone. I
have not yet touched on the subject of the consumers’
interest.
Several horological societies have created in the past few
years intensive campaigns to educate the public as to where
they can obtain the best possible service for their timepieces, stressing the intricate skill that is needed by any
person that undertakes to repair or service their watches
or clocks, the use of fine materials and parts, etc., only to
find that the advertising chiselers counter advertised all
these claims, and practically brand the ethical craftsmen
as prevaricators, thereby bewildering the already doubtful layman. I know you have all had the same experience
that I have had in my 35 years at the bench, and that your
patience is coming to an end when your pride in your
profession is being trampled upon by those who have no
inherent right to practice, who practice only because they
have no scruples and the knowledge that there is no law
that can prevent their exploiting the public.
Every day I encounter customers who had been burnt by
this type, and the most efficient argument that I can offer
is that little essay by Ruskin.“There is hardly anything in
this world that some man cannot make a little worse and
sell a little cheaper, and people who only consider price,
are this man’s lawful prey.”
I also cite to them the facts that 60% of the junked timepieces are the victims of so-called craftsmen who have
the privilege to practice without being subjected to a rigid
examination, to prove that they have sufficient knowledge
and are worthy to entrust them with the handling of your
delicate and valuable timepiece, which may be an heirloom and of priceless sentimental value to you.
To this they reply, “how can we tell which craftsmen are
reliable” and “why don’t you seek legislation to protect
us against this type of tinkers”, “why don’t you provide
proficient craftsmen with some identification so we may
seek them out”—these and other questions are put to me
by those that had the sad experience to enter one of the
doubtful establishments.
The Horological Institute of America is offering their services to the craftsmen for the past 16 years, coaxing them
to take advantage of the opportunity to become a certified craftsman, and out of about 30,000 craftsmen in the
U. S. A. approximately 2,000 have taken this voluntary
examination, which proves that only compulsory methods
will ever bring about satisfactory results.
The first state to become the guiding light in this crusade,
is the progressive State of Wisconsin, who, under honest
and efficient leadership have bridged the obstacles that
present themselves whenever such progressive moves are
contemplated by a craft or profession, and in due time the
Retail Jewelry Industry in all its branches will realize the
good effects that are brought about by such legislation.
The United Horological Association of America is in the
position to render all necessary aid to state associations
contemplating legislation in their respective states, and
inquiries to this effect may be directed to the national’s
legal advisor, who so successfully conducted the campaign
in his native State of Wisconsin.
June 2010
Horological Times
31
So let us march forward, hand in hand with the watch
manufacturers, wholesale and retail jewelers, towards a
brighter future for those who chose watchmaking as their
life’s vocation, assuring to the industry proficient, efficient, and ethical mechanics, thereby regaining prestige
in the eyes of the consuming public, which was lost through
the activities of the unscrupulous, dollar-chasing merchant.
Please send your questions or comments regarding AWCI
certification to wgrau@awci.com.
@
AWCI 21st Century
Certified
Watchmakers
AWCI congratulates these members who have successfully completed the AWCI 21st Century Certified Watchmakers exam.
Certified Watchmaker 21
Carden, John III—Eustis, FL
Elsaesser, Moritz—Holliston, MA
Forslund, Jeff—Pewaukee, WI
Metheny III, Robert L.—N. Providence, RI *
Michaels, Michael—Parma, OH
Partington, Joe—Oak Lawn, IL
Tran, Nhan—Houston, TX
Truong, Tinh Chi—Lawrence, KS
Vignato, Robert—Lititz, PA
*Passed exam in 2009; name was not submitted for publication)
32
Horological Times
June 2010
ACADEMY OF WATCHMAKING CLASSES
Thomas Schomaker, CMW21 Instructor
AWCI is offering a
series of 5-day
watchmaking classes.
Each 5-day block will
cost $725; 3-day block
is $435.00
For additional
information call toll free
1-866-FOR-AWCI
(367-2924), ext. 303
or e-mail
education@awci.com
June 7-11, 2010
Watchmaker’s Lathe I
June 28-July 2, 2010
Basic Watch Repair
September 13-17, 2010
Balance Staffing & Timing
September 20-24, 2010
Modern Automatic Watches
October 11-15, 2010
Basic Quartz Watch & Quartz Chronograph Repair
October 18-22, 2010
Modern Mechanical Chronographs, Servicing & Adjusting
AWCI Watch Repair Course schedule is subject to change
Class information is
also available online
www.awci.com
* Seats may become
available for the
classes; please contact
AWCI to be added to
the waiting list
21st CENTURY CERTIFIED WATCHMAKERS
EXAM SCHEDULE
Visit AWCI’s website for
complete information on
the 21st Century
Certified Watchmakers
Exam. To register for an
exam or for more
information call toll free
1-866-FOR-AWCI
(367-2924), ext. 303
or e-mail
education@awci.com
* Seats may become
available for the exams;
please contact
AWCI to be added to
the waiting list
June 22-25, 2010
AWCI Training Facility
Harrison, OH
July 19-22, 2010
AWCI Training Facility
Harrison, OH
August 16-19, 2010
North Seattle Community College
Seattle, WA
August 23-26, 2010
Lititz Watch Technicum
Lititz, PA
October 4-7, 2010
AWCI Training Facility
Harrison, OH
November 1-4, 2010
AWCI Training Facility
Harrison, OH
AWCI Watch Certification schedule is subject to change
June 2010
Horological Times
33
Horological
Heritage
Horological Times takes you on a trip back in time featuring messages from AWCI Past Presidents and
Executive Secretary/Executive Directors as we continue to feature bits and pieces of the 50-year
history of AWI/AWCI. This month we are going back to September 1990, Alice Carpenter was President and Milton C. Stevens was Executive Secretary.
President’s Message by Alice Carpenter
AWI’s 30th Anniversary
This past June, AWI celebrated its 30th anniversary. For this occasion, we had several special events
for all those who attended.
The affiliate chapters had Friday set aside for their meeting. The ladies had an outing on this day–a
riverboat cruise and luncheon. Robert Gruen led the special speakers on Friday night by giving the
history and his personal insight on the Gruen family and Gruen Watch Company.
We continued our special programs on Saturday. First, we had Dana Blackwell, who gave a slide
presentation on Vienna regulators. Mr. Blackwell is the curator of the NAWCC museum in Lancaster,
PA. The second speaker was George Daniels of England. He showed slides of his timepiece that has
been certified to be more accurate than a quartz movement. It has four pallet stones! One stone was in
contact with the escape wheel at all times. Then we had our own Henry Fried who showed slides of
some of the timepieces we have in AWI’s museum collection. At this point, we went to the display
room where we saw old tools, some I had never seen before-clocks made by Paul Fisk and Gerhard Hutter; some of the museum pieces
of AWI; some of Robert Gruen’s collection of Gruen watches; original artworks (drawings and paintings) of special watches; a
tourbillon that was approximately 5 mm by 7 mm; and a clock that had the original brass mainsprings made by Kirk. There was a slide
presentation on hairspring vibrating just made by Joe Cerullo. Oh, I know I’ve missed telling you of some of the things on display.
On Saturday night there was the banquet. It was then that the awards were presented. The donation of batteries was acknowledged and
the association donating the largest amount received as a prize their AWI dues for 1991. Everyone enjoyed Fred Burckhardt as Master
of Ceremonies, and Ewell Hartman as speaker.
Prior to the convention, the REC instructors had their meeting, and also, there was held a complicated watch course taught by Antoine
Simonin of WOSTEP.
Seldom have I been at a meeting with so much going on, and so many great programs and so many great people! It was a great
undertaking, and I wish to express thanks to all those who contributed to the success of the convention.
34
Horological Times
June 2010
AWI News by Milton C. Stevens, Executive Secretary
Project Extend
The Board of Directors has approved the implementation of a comprehensive training program that
will provide anyone interested in horology the opportunity to receive training regardless of their area
of interest or their level of competency. Project Extend will involve the establishment of a training lab
located near AWI Central in Cincinnati, OH. Course announcements will be published well in advance of the starting date—when possible, at least six months in advance. This will give those who are
serious about wanting to attend the opportunity to arrange their personal affairs so that they will have
time off to attend. Perhaps some will need to arrange vacation or personal leave time and this advance
schedule will afford the opportunity to make such arrangements.
The Project’s curriculum will be designed to address these three main areas of concern: One will
involve helping newly trained craftsmen span the gap between schooling and the transition to achieving competency, confidence, and profitability. Newly trained craftsmen usually leave school with the
basic skills well in hand. It is the speed, productivity, and “savvy” that they must learn if they are to
quickly develop into a profit-producing craftsman.
Another area of concern will deal with the self-taught or marginal craftsmen who desperately need to fill the gaps in their training. This
will also aid those who aspire to become competent craftsmen in our field, but who have little or no actual training at all. This would
include those seeking to change careers for a variety of reasons, and who may be at different stages and stations of life. We find many
early retirees, those preparing for retirement, and those in dead-end, non-skilled jobs in this category.
Finally, the program will provide training for individuals who are already skilled craftsmen but who aspire to extend their skills to the
point of being able to profitably service the specialty and complicated jobs that come into their shop. The five-day class on complicated watches recently taught by Antoine Simonin (Director of WOSTEP) prior to the AWI meetings demonstrated the interest and
desire that members have for this kind of training. Attention will be given to those who are just “getting by” servicing quartz timepieces to extend their skills to the point where they will become confident and competent to service all of the new innovations
developed in this field of horology.
We have secured commitments from a number of instructors who are specialists in their field, and who are willing to spend several
weeks out of the year at the AWI Extension Development Center. A number of these instructors are individuals who are not in a
position to travel with weekend workshops as many of our instructors do. By having a fully equipped laboratory in which to work,
students and instructors will be able to reach the maximum degree efficiency.
In order to provide access to a maximum number of trainees, there will be no tuition for the programs offered at the Extension
Development Center. Attendees will be responsible for their transportation and living accommodations. We will be able to offer motel
accommodations for approximately $125 per week on a double occupancy basis. Of course, attendees may arrange their own living
accommodations if they wish.
To offer assistance to those who need it, we encourage firms and organizations who have expressed concern for such training to assist
by offering grants to those who may need help with transportation and living expenses. The AWI-ELM Trust has already agreed to
make a limited number of grants available for this purpose. Individuals who wish to repay their trade may do so by sponsoring one or
more individuals. Contributions for such grants could make an ideal memorial for individuals who were interested and involved in our
trade. Firms, or course, may want to sponsor individual employees so they may attend one or more programs. This will certainly
enhance their value as a productive and profitable employee.
The Committee is putting together the curriculum now. Courses will be offered in one-week segments. Most will last just one week;
some will be arranged so that a logical sequence will follow the next week so that one may choose to attend two consecutive weeks to
obtain basic and advanced knowledge in a particular skill. It is anticipated that most courses will be offered twice a year. Once this
phase of training is established, longer and more comprehensive programs will be established. It should be noted that this training will
in no way be in competition with existing schools of horology; rather, it will complement the work they are doing.
June 2010
Horological Times
35
AWI – The 1980s
By Tony Riggio, CMW21
AWCI entered its third decade facing the challenges of an
industry in the throes of rapidly developing technologies.
President Leslie Smith applied his interest in education to
the benefit of the membership with an expanded travelling seminar program. Travelling instructors delivered
hands-on and technical seminars and lectures throughout
the country to upgrade watchmakers’ skill sets in the service process of solid state timepieces. A six-day residence
course in Cincinnati was rolled out with 19 technicians
attending workshops presented by luminaries Jerry
Jaeger, Robert Nelson, Lou Zanoni and the President
himself.
Unfortunately, President Smith’s last term was not without challenges. The suggested repair price lists that AWCI
provided membership were declared in conflict with the
Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission. Milt
Stevens and Marvin Whitney met with members of the
Antitrust Law Committee of the District of Columbia’s
Bar Association and it was agreed that AWI would no
longer publish “recommendations” of repair pricing as this
was considered “price fixing” which is not allowed by
statutes outlined in the Sherman Act. In addition, Tom
Herman, the original editor of the Horological Times resigned to accept a management position with a Cincinnati
printing concern. His replacement was an experienced
publishing executive, Maury Norrell of Denver.
On a lighter note in 1980 we witnessed the “Miracle on
Ice” when U.S. Olympic Hockey players defeated the Russians and then proceeded to win the Gold medal by upsetting Finland. We learned who shot JR on Dallas, it was
his girlfriend Kristin, and Ronald Reagan overshadowed
Jimmy Carter in the presidential debates; “ ..are you better off than you were four years ago?” The 43 million
votes in November of 1980 eventually swept Reagan into
office.
The 20th Anniversary and annual meeting of 1980 was
held outside of Cincinnati at the invitation of the Bay Area
Watchmakers in San Francisco. Past President Orville
Hagans fulfilled his promise and “burned” the mortgage
on the now paid in full headquarters building. And, in
36
Horological Times
June 2010
recognition of meritorious contributions to the field of Horology, Orville Hagans, Josephine Hagans and Henry Fried
were recognized and presented the first of AWCI’s most
prestigious award, Fellow, American Watchmakers Institute (FAWI).
Joseph Crooks presided as president through 1982. “Jingle
Joe” as he was fondly known had been a practicing watchmaker for 40 years and owned and operated a repair shop
in North Carolina. No stranger to volunteer work he was
a past president of the North Carolina Watchmakers Association, member of the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Watchmaking and authored the popular “Bench
Tips” monthly column in the Horolgical Times. Recognizing the industry changes and its impact on the Institute
and membeship President Crooks laid out the AWI’s new
“Master Plan for Action” which outlined 5 critical components of future development to maintain the continued
growth and relevance of AWI. One of the more notable
points was to recognize that the Institute was rapidly outgrowing its headquarters building and that a new facility
was necessary to support the management and educational
directives of the association.
Succeeding Crooks as president in June of ‘82 and serving through ’84 was a charter member of the Institute,
Marshall Richmond. Educational services continued during Richmond’s tenure and the AWI Battery Numbering
System designed by Ewell Hartman, CMW, previewed.
In November of 1983 the Institute was a major participant in the “100th Anniversary of Standard Time” held at
the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, DC. Not to neglect the clockmaker population, the Institute expanded
activities to enhance the skills of clockmakers and allied
craftsmen. On a non-technical front, museum curator
Orville Hagans worked to continue to expand the AWI
Museum holdings, much of which may be still be appreciated today by visiting the main museum gallery in the
headquarters building.
All the while the non-horolgical world continued to surprise and amaze. Apple premiered the “new” Macintosh
computer in ‘84 and Intel introduced a megabit memory
chip. We filled up our tanks with gas at $1.21 a gallon and
the future “Governator” of California premiered as of all
things, a bad guy robot from the future in “The Terminator”; and yes, he will be back.
A familiar face thanks to his extensive travels and committee work Fred Burkhardt, of Texas, led the Board as
president from ‘84 through ‘86. He appointed a “Young
Members Committee” to encourage input and participation from younger practitioners with Ralph Geiger of Indiana serving as point person and leader of the effort. Expanding appeal to other craftsmen, three additional instructors were added to the travelling seminar program whose
focus would be instruction in the jewelry arts. Dividing
the U.S. into 4 zones individual instructors presented 18
seminars annually, which enabled a program to be within
driving distance of almost every member.
One of Fred’s more memorable highlights was presiding
over the celebration of the Institute’s 25th anniversary celebration. Held in Cincinnati, several horological notables
joined in the celebration. From Austria, Gernot Winkler,
PhD in Astronomy and Physics, Joe Thompson of Modern Jeweler, Carlene Stephens, Assistant Curator,
Smithsonian Institution, George Daniels, premier manufacturing horologist and author, and Scott Carpenter,
former Astronaut, delivered speeches and tributes to the
Institute and membership.
During the ‘85/‘86 year the seminar “Management for
Watchmakers and Jewelers” debuted in Boston and a new
three-day seminar “Introduction to Jewelry Repair” premiered in Atlanta under the tutelage of Marshall Richmond. The museum also recognized that many of the notable “Packard Collection” of rare one-of-a-kind timepieces were in need of preservational service. A program
of maintenance was outlined and the first of many services were performed by Dr. Joseph Baier. Continuing
the affiliation and association with the Smithsonian Institution Ben Matz of New York began working with the
museum’s curator in updating the horological display to
include the history of the electronic watch.
Moving into the next presidential administration for ’86
through ‘88 we find career watchmaker William
Biederman, CMW leading the organization. A bench
course instructor, First Vice President and chairman of
the Silver Anniversary celebration Bill brought association experience and energy to AWI. Bench courses expanded yet again with programs on Striking Clocks, Fusee Watch Restoration, ETA Quartz Repair, Meter Reading and Module Analysis and Watchmaker’s Lathe Operations by Archie Perkins.
Although additional seminars were well received, changes
in the industry were beginning to take a toll. Membership
was seeing declining numbers and the Institute reacted
with proactive austerity programs that moderated costs.
At the annual meeting in ‘87 the Finance Committee reported that a 3-year plan had been adopted to improve
financial stability.
Closing out the decade for his presidential term 1988
through 1990, 50-year industry veteran Robert Bishop
accepted the challenges facing the Institute and the industry. Truly a hands-on individual, Robert had served as
Chairman of the Educational Director Advisory Committee, written articles for the Horological Times, presented
technical workshops on quartz service and created several slide-tape presentations. The austerity programs were
taking solid hold and 1988 was shaping up to be a fiscally
good year.
One of the most fortuitous developments occurred when
Patek Philippe approached AWI to purchase Watch #11
of the Packard Watch Collection. A celestial timekeeper
that took almost 5 years to build, it indicates moonphases,
sunsets and sunrises, leap years, celestial time and includes
a repeater mechanism to round out the complications. A
princely sum of 1.3 million dollars was agreed upon and
the Perpetuation Fund was created to safeguard the longterm financial health of the Institute. In October another 3
items were sold for 2¼ million which was added to the
fund further insuring the Institute’s financial security.
With his term ending in an anniversary year president
Bishop appointed Alice Carpenter chairperson of the 30th
anniversary meeting to be held in June of 1990. Also under consideration was the Institute’s oversight of not including clockmakers in the organizations name and logo.
To review and study this Fred Burckhardt chaired a committee that would deliver an opinion at a forthcoming annual meeting.
The annual meeting of 1989 closed out 3 decades that
encompassed revolutions in the industry that once appeared improbable and seemed impossible. As well, society at times appeared to be running in high gear. Timepieces were now dominated by electronics; space travel
was almost passé even though the moon now had footprints from astronauts forever on its surface. Looking back,
one had to pause to catch a breath. The staggering numbers of timepieces imported into the U.S. was almost unbelievable. Not merely in the millions but hundreds of
millions. Certainly, there was a future for the trade. The
pressing question was what part would AWI and its members play?
@
June 2010
Horological Times
37
Countdown
to the
50
One of the highlights of the annual convention is the ELM
Charitable Trust dinner. It is usually held at a special venue
away from the host hotel. This year, the dinner is sponsored by Baume & Mercier, and will feature a dinner cruise
on the Ohio River. There will be a casino on board for
those who enjoy “chance” activity! Our host hotel, Cincinnati Marriott at RiverCenter, has its own docking station. We will gather outside the hotel to board our boat.
The event brings together the membership, staff, vendors,
and the educational team. It is a great way to relax, network, and enjoy the company as well as the view while
raising awareness and funding for the ELM Trust.
The following information was taken from the book, The
History of the American Watchmakers-Clockmakers Institute 1960-2000, by Marvin E. Whitney and Fred S.
Burckhardt.
“On September 28, 1971, at the direction of the Executive Board, AWI established a separate branch of the
th
By Terry Kurdzionak
Convention Committee Chair
Institute to be known as The American Watchmakers Institute Education, Library and Museum Charitable Trust
(ELM Trust). The purpose of the new trust was to:
1. Lend all practical assistance to schools that engage in
the teaching of horology
2. To establish a horological library
3. To establish a horological museum
4. To encourage and assist students in their horological
studies.
To achieve these goals, the ELM Trust actively solicits
donations of watches, clocks, movements, material and
equipment, which they distribute to the REC schools for
instruction purposes or catalog into the museum and library at AWI. Donors to the fund can receive a full tax
credit for their contributions.”
We, the convention committee, look forward to your participation at this event. Oh, and bring your “boat shoes”!
@
AWCI 50th Anniversary Commemorative Book
To commemorate the AWCI 50th Anniversary we will be publishing a special
th
50 Anniversary Book. Now is the time to reserve your ad space or patron listing. Patron listings can honor your family, remember a loved one, or promote
your business. We will offer the following levels:
• Gold Patron - $50
• Silver Patron - $25
Patron listings must be received no later than July 10, 2010. Be sure to request your
patron listing during convention registration or contact AWCI at 866-367-2924 or (513)
367-9800, ext. 301.
Advertising information is available by calling 866-367-2924 or (513) 367-9800, ext. 307.
38
Horological Times
June 2010
AWCI’s 50th Anniversary
Keynote Speaker
Thursday, August 5, 2010
“The Mechanical Revival Turns 21: Now What?”
Joe Thompson
Editor-in-Chief of WatchTime Magazine
AWCI Educational Symposium
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Mastering the Use of Instruments by Witschi — Hans Uri and Robert Arn
Demonstration of Greiner Vibrograf Equipment — Michael Klaefiger
Introducing the World of Ronda Movements — Hanspeter Herzog, Switzerland
Preparing for the CW21 Exam — Wesley Grau, CMW21, AWCI Chief Examiner
Preparing for the CC21 Exam — Jerry Faier, CMC21, AWCI Education Committee Chair
Keeping Afloat in a Down Economy — Dale Coates, CFA, Johnson Investments, Cincinnati
The Evolving Watch Battery — Henry Kessler, U.S. Distributor for Renata SA Batteries
Quality Control by the Numbers — Tom Schomaker, CMW21, AWCI Watchmaking Instructor
20th Century Versus 21st Century Shop Technology — Greg McCreight
The Educational Symposium is subject to change without notice.
June 2010
Horological Times
39
AWCI’s 50 th Anniversary
August 4-8, 2010
Convention &
Educational Symposium
Cincinnati Marriott at RiverCenter
10 West RiverCenter Boulevard – Covington, Kentucky
View of Cincinnati, OH from the
Cincinnati Marriott RiverCenter.
Photo courtesy of cincinnatiusa.com
Visit www.awci.com for convention registration information or
call Bonni at Stellar Meetings (732) 422-8888 for registration assistance
WEDNESDAY
12:00 - 5:00 PM
3:00 - 6:00 PM
TBA
4:00 - 5:30 PM
6:30 - 9:00 PM
9:00 PM - Midnight
AUGUST 4, 2010
Chronometer Club Course (chapter members only)
AWCI Convention Registration
Chronometer Club Business Meeting (chapter members only)
ELM Trust Meeting
Welcome Reception - Cash Bar, Hot and Cold Hors d’oeuvres, Pasta Station
Hospitality Suite Open
THURSDAY
7:00 - 8:30 AM
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
8:15 - 12 Noon
11:00 AM - 5:30 PM
AUGUST 5, 2010
Breakfast Buffet
AWCI Convention Registration
Affiliate Chapter Meeting, Keynote Speaker - Joe Thompson
Spouse Off-Site Event - Luncheon, Hillforest Victorian Mansion
Tour, Tea and Scones; View Antique Doll Collection
Lunch on your own
AWCI 50th Annual Board of Directors Meeting
Optional Vendor-Sponsored Off-Site Event - Casual Supper and
Tour of Cas-Ker Co. facilities Transportation leaves hotel at 5:45 PM
Noon - 1:30 PM
1:30 - 5:00 PM
5:45 - 9:15 PM
10:00 PM - Midnight
40
Horological Times
Hospitality Suite Open
June 2010
HILLFOREST MANSION
TRADE FAIR
KINGS ISLAND
FRIDAY
AUGUST 6, 2010
7:00 - 9:00 AM
Continental Breakfast - Sponsored by Bergeon
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
AWCI Convention Registration
8:00 - 12 Noon
Trade Fair
12:15 - 1:45 PM
Grand Buffet Luncheon
NEWPORT AQUARIUM
AWCI LUNCHEON
TRA
DE F
AIR
Sponsored by Trade Fair Vendors
2:00 - 4:00 PM
Industry Advisory Board (IAB) Meeting
3:00 - 4:00 PM
Ladies Only Seminar
4:00 - 5:00 PM
J.M. Dodson Perpetuation Fund Meeting
6:30
ELM Charitable Trust Annual Fund-Raising Dinner Cruise on River Queen
Meet Dockside - Sponsored by Baume & Mercier
10:00 PM - Midnight
Hospitality Suite Open
SATURDAY
AUGUST 7, 2010
7:00 - 9:00 AM
Continental Breakfast - Sponsored by Eckcells
7:00 - 10:00 AM
AWCI Convention Registration
8:00 AM - 12:00 Noon
Educational Symposium - Sponsored by SWATCH Group
12:00 Noon
“Lunch on the Go”
1:00 - 5:00 PM
Educational Symposium - Sponsored by SWATCH Group
6:30 - 7:15 PM
President’s Reception
7:00 - 9:00 PM
Rolex AWCI ELM Charitable Trust Awards Dinner - Sponsored by Rolex USA
9:00 PM - Midnight
Hospitality Suite Open
SUNDAY
AUGUST 8, 2010
7:00 - 9:00 AM
Continental Breakfast
8:00 - 10:00 AM
AWCI Board of Directors Meeting (Concludes)
TRADE FAIR
All times, speakers and activities are subject to change without notice.
June 2010
Horological Times
41
COMMITTEE
VOLUNTEERS
Immediately following the AWCI Board of Directors annual meeting, the President of AWCI will
appoint committee members for fiscal year 2010-2011. AWCI relies heavily on its committees to establish
and implement goals for the year. If you have time and talent to spare, consider volunteering to serve.
The committees listed below are those which are currently established in either the AWCI Constitution or
Bylaws. Please indicate the committee(s) for which you are qualified. Please number them in the order of
preference.
c
Constitution & Bylaws Committee
c
Convention Committee
c
Finance Committee
c
Publicity Committee
c
Nominating Committee for AWCI
Board of Directors
c
Honor Awards Committee
c
Strategic Action Committee
c
Education Committee
c
Ethics Committee
c
Horological Times Committee
c
Case Mark Committee
c
Membership Committee
Name
AWCI Membership No.
Spouse’s Name
Address
City
State/Province
Phone (home)
(business)
Fax
E-mail
Zip/Postal Code
Please give a brief explanation of your qualifications to serve on the committee(s) selected
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Visit www.awci.com and click on “Committee Volunteers” to submit this form electronically
You can also mail this form to AWCI, 701 Enterprise Drive, Harrison, OH 45030
E-mail: jlubic@awci.com or fax to (513) 367-1414
42
Horological Times
June 2010
Industry News
Butterworth Clocks Named Master Distributor
for Nano-Oil™ and Nano-Grease™
StClaire is proud to welcome Butterworth Clocks Inc. as
its Master Distributor for its flagship product lines NanoOil and Nano-Grease.
The Master Distributorship awarded will deal with horological industry in the USA and its territories worldwide.
Butterworth Clocks, Inc. and its principal, Mark Butterworth, are joining industry-specific distribution channels
such as Scuba Diving and Government Sales Distributor
Tektite Manufacturing Inc. of Trenton, NJ.
For further information, contact: Butterworth Clocks Inc.,
5300 59th Ave. W, Muscatine, IA 52761, (563) 263-6759,
Email: butterworth@machlink.com or visit them on the
web: www.butterworthclocks.com
June 2010
Horological Times
43
Classified Ads
Classified Advertising
Regulations & Rates
Ads are payable in advance $1.00 per word,
$1.10 per word in bold type. Classified display ads are $45.00 per column inch, 2¼"
wide. Classified ads are not commissionable
or discountable. Payment can be made by
check, VISA, MasterCard, Discover, Diner’s
or American Express. The publisher may, at
the publisher's sole discretion and for any
reason and without notice, decline to publish or republish any ad, in which case any
fees submitted or paid for such ads shall be
returned or rebated to the advertiser. The
publisher reserves the right to edit all copy.
Price lists of services will not be accepted.
Confidential ads are $15.00 additional for
postage and handling. The first of the month
is issue date. Copy must be received 30
days in advance (August issue closes for
copy on July 1st).
HOROLOGICAL TIMES
701 Enterprise Drive
Harrison, OH 45030
Toll Free 866-367-2924, ext. 307
Phone (513) 367-9800
Fax (513) 367-1414
E-mail: dbaas@awci.com
www.awci.com
TRADESMAN
LASER REPAIR
Reconstruction of watch cases,
bands (gold & two tone),
antique mountings, diamond micro &
pave’ bead build-up in platinum & gold.
All aspects of jewelry repair.
Joel Lefaive (520) 579-8668
Tucson, Arizona
REPIVOTING - WRIST & POCKET WATCHES
Custom made pivots for balance staffs, arbors,
pinions. No part too small. Balance staffs and
arbors made to factory standards. 40 years experience. Juliusz Dabrowski, J.D.Watchworks
210 Post St., Suite 506, San Francisco, CA
94108; (415) 397-0310; jd@jdwatchworks.com
BEFORE
AFTER
Quartz Conversions
Diamond Dial Conversions
Emblem & Name Personalization
Write for Brochures
INTERNATIONAL DIAL CO., INC.
58 W. SUGARTREE
P.O. BOX 970
WILMINGTON, OH 45177
(937) 382-4535
44
Horological Times
June 2010
DIAL REFINISHING CO. FAST SERVICE, FINEST QUALITY, quantity works welcome. Specialize on changing dial feet positions to fit the
quartz movement. Send your works to: KIRK
DIAL OF SEATTLE, 112 Central Avenue North,
Kent, WA 98032; (253) 852-5125
ATMOS
HAMILTON ELECTRIC
WATCH RESTORATION
Expert, experienced service on all Hamilton 500
and 505 Electric watches. René Rondeau, P.O.
Box 391, Corte Madera, CA 94976, Phone (415)
924-6534 www.hamiltonwristwatch.com
Service /Repair
Warranty 2 Years Parts & Labor
800-837-1545
Clockmaster, Inc. – Robert Good
2537 So. Brentwood Blvd.
St. Louis, Missouri 63144
VINTAGE POCKET WATCH RESTORATION
Thirty-two years experience, guarantee,
free estimates. The Escapement, P.O. Box
522, Pooler, GA 31322; (912) 330-0866
POCKET WATCH &
MARINE CHRONOMETER REPAIR
General repair and restoration of antique
and complicated watches. Custom parts fabrication including staffs, verge staffs, stems,
levers, and springs. Located in Massachusetts.
Matt Henning, CW (413) 549-1950;
www.henningwatches.com
ELECTRONIC INSTRUMENT SERVICE
LARRY BLANCHARD, CMW21
DIAL
REFINISHING
IMPORTANT - NOTICE
Timewise (formerly TANI Engineering)
MAINSPRINGS - Clock and Music Box
Custom Made. All Sizes. Brass Blanks
Ph: 330-947-0047
E-mail: twclock08@att.net
At Palmer’s Jewelry
101 East Sycamore St., Kokomo, IN 46901
Phone (800) 207-1251
Fax (765) 457-8517
E-mail: service@palmersjewelry.com
Continuing with service of tuning fork Accutron, vintage
American and fine Swiss watches.
We are Factory Authorized Service for:
• VIBROGRAF & PORTESCAP
• TICK-O-PRINT & L&R
We service all makes of ultrasonics, all makes of watch rate
recorders, and related equipment. 25 years experience.
190 Deepstone Drive San Rafael, CA 94903
Used Equipment Bought & Sold
For Information
(415) 479-8960
CLOCK GEARS, BARRELS and PINIONS
made from your sample, ARBORS re-pivoted,
teeth replaced in gears or barrels. All work
guaranteed, fair prices fast turn around.
Call Mike Loebbaka, 86 Mullens Lane,
Saugerties, NY 12477; Phone: 800-411-4542,
tictoc@oldandnew.com
108 Corgy Drive • Cary, NC 27513
888-363-9510
FENDLEY & COX
WHEEL AND PINION SPECIALIST
1530 Etain Rd., Irving, TX 75060
RICHARD COX 972-986-7698
CMC, FNAWCC, CMBHI
www.fendley-cox.com
Kundo Coil / Electric Clock Service
Prompt Reliable Service . . . Guaranteed™
DENNIS KAYE
Porcelain Dial Restoration
Watch • Pocket Watch • Clock
Platform Escapement Repair
Atmos Parts & Service
400-Day Clock Repair
Large Supply of Watch Movements &
Parts for LeCoultre, Wittnauer & Longines
Call Us or Visit dialrepair.com
ARTICLES FOR SALE
HELP WANTED
PARTS - CIRCUITS - MOVEMENTS
Including but not limited to calibers 101.001,
201.001, 210.001, 940.111, 950.001, 959.001.
We also have parts for ETA, ESA, AS, FEF,
FHF, UNITAS, FELSA and other calibers.
bhswatch@gmail.com
(208) 676-8430
Clockmaker/Watch Technician
Busy repair shop urgently seeks a clockmaker
& watch technician. Good opportunity for an
individual willing to relocate. House calls as
well as in-shop repairs.
Call or e-mail Roman (301) 942-3794
kensingtonclock@verizon.net
Clockmaking & Modelmaking Books, Videos &
DVDs by W. R. Smith, 8049 Camberley Drive,
Powell, TN 37849. Phone 865-947-9671;
www.wrsmithclocks.com
JOB OPPORTUNITY FOR
CERTIFIED WATCHMAKER
Must have experience and training in the industry. Must have experience with Rolex, Cartier,
Omega, etc. and some knowledge w/Patek
Philippe. Location of opportunity is in the New
England area for a business that opened in 1878.
Please email resume or contact us by email first.
Email: overstockgray@aol.com
HAMILTON ORIGINAL MILITARY MATERIAL
Supplying original factory material for the
Hamilton Model 21 Chronometer, Model 22 Deck
Watch & Military 16 Size Watch Models 23,
3992B, 4992B and 2974B As well as much material for the 950B & 992B Railroad Watches.
LARRY CRUTSINGER
P.O. Box 8514 Norfolk, VA 23503
757-650-9470 E-mail: detent21@aol.com
www.militarywatchmuseum.com
The Original Troop-Balas Labs
Silcon-7® Sealant $6.60
One-Dip Solution® $6.60
Crystal-Kleer® Rouge $7.25
KT-22 Microlubricant® $3.90
www.troop-balas.com
800-423-3294
STUCK FOR A MOVEMENT?
or a watch part? Call Don Kroker's Watch Movements. (559) 229-8423 or write 4325 No. 5th
St., Fresno, CA 93726
DASHTO INC./TOM MISTER
PO Box 61894
Virginia Beach, VA 23466
http://www.dashto.com
Huge and everchanging selection
Used and new horological items
Sold by internet list only
TOOLS/EQUIPMENT
MATERIAL ASSTS/PARTS
POCKET/WRISTWATCHES
WATCH MOVEMENTS
WATCH CASES & DIALS
WATCH BRACELETS/BUCKLES
MUCH MORE
WE BUY & TRADE ALSO
dashto@erols.com
http://www.dashto.org
WORK IN THE CAYMAN ISLANDS!
TAX FREE EARNINGS!
Island Companies Ltd. seeks certified watchmaker to relocate full-time to Grand Cayman and
service our 16 jewelry stores. Salary U.S.$50k
TAX FREE! Visit www.islandcompaniesltd.com
for more information about who we are. Our
watch business is strongly represented with top
brands from fashion to sport, prestige, and
connoisseur categories. We offer relocation
package, pension and health insurance. Fax
to 345-945-5900 or E-mail resume to
careers@islandcompaniesltd.com
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY
FRANCHISES AVAILABLE
JOIN A FAMILY OF SKILLED
WATCH & JEWELRY REPAIR TECHNICIANS.
CLEVELAND & PITTSBURGH
MARKETS ARE FILLED WITH OPPORTUNITY.
1-800-929-0808
FOR MORE INFORMATION
www.watchbatteryexpressllc.com
June 2010
Horological Times
45
Classified Ads
SITUATIONS WANTED
CLOCKMAKER
20+ years experience, seeks employment or
self-employed position or business partnership.
Please reply to Box SW122009, c/o Horological
Times, 701 Enterprise Drive, Harrison, OH
45030.
WANTED!
Entire Watch Collections
Scrap Watchbands
Gold-Filled Cases & Scrap
Gold, Silver & Platinum Scrap
Call Toll Free 1-800-208-2608
Visit our website for more information
www.specialtymetalsrefiners.com
WATCHMAKER/TECHNICIAN
30 years experience
Horology School Graduate
Please contact John
jbuerger25@yahoo.com
Specialty Metals
2490 Black Rock Tpke.
Fairfield, CT 06825
203-366-2500 - Local
800-884-7966 - Fax
sales@specialtymetalsrefiners.com
Member: Jewelers Board of Trade
WANTED TO BUY
$$WANTED ANYTHING$$
Rolex - Cartier - Patek - Breitling
Panerai - Le Coultre
Vacheron - AP - Etc.
Watches, Boxes, Dials, Links, Parts, Bands,
Movements, Crystals, Bezels, Crowns, Clocks,
Signs, Posters, Catalogs, Instruction Books,
Polish Cloths, Wallets, Hats, Shirts, Promo
Items, ANYTHING! Doug Giard, 586-774-3684
Top prices paid for karat gold scrap (any amount)!
Also, buy filings, gold fill, sweeps, silver, platinum! Immediate 24-hour payment return mail!
Ship insured/registered mail to: AMERICAN
METALS COMPANY, 253 King St., Dept. HT,
Charleston, SC 29401. Established 1960. Phone
(843) 722-2073
WE BUY WATCHES
Rolex, Patek, Cartier, LeCoultre, Vacheron,
Breitling, Audemars, Tudor and others. Modern
or Vintage. Doug Giard, 586-774-3684
WANTED WATCH BOXES
Buy - Sell - Trade
We want most major brands. Also buying highend jewelry brand boxes. Doug Giard, 586774-3684
ATTENTION RETIRED WATCHMAKERS
Call us before you sell your parts, tools,
and watches. We have helped over 175
watchmakers in the last eight years to
dispose of their accumulations. When
you're really ready to sell, we're ready to
buy! Phone (229) 928-9092 or (727) 3273306. Ask for Jeff or Nancy. E-mail:
jeffnancy@mchsi.com
46
Horological Times
June 2010
G F Specialties
1-800-351-6926
P.O. Box 170216
Milwaukee, WI 53217
ROLEX PARTS WANTED
Buying Rolex crowns, crystals and material,
new stock only. Also buying Rolex watches,
bracelets and movements any age.
Call Paul at 978-256-5966
or e-mail Paul@pduggan.com
AWCI Member Websites
• Have you always wanted a website for your business, or are you
unhappy with your current website?
• Do you feel that your business needs more exposure to your
customers?
• Do you want a website, but don’t know where to start, and
assume it would be a costly venture?
•
Do you just not have the time to mess with it?
Go to: awci.companysitecreator.com
AWCI and Companysitecreator have worked together to offer an
opportunity to all members!
It literally takes just a few minutes to build your new site in 5 simple
steps from start to finish.
Two packages are offered ($8.95 per month or $18.95 per month),
and you are able to see your site before you decide to purchase.
June 2010
Horological Times
47
Advertisers’ Index
Bergeon ...................................................................... 27
011 32 933 00 55
Eckcells ...................................................................... 23
(800) 514-1270
Borel & Co., Jules ............................... inside front cover
(816) 421-6110
Livesay’s, Inc. ............................................................. 13
(813) 229-2715
Butterworth Clocks, Inc. ............................................. 11
(563) 263-6759
Renata .......................................................................... 3
(214) 351-0380
Cas-Ker Co. ................................................................. 5
(513) 674-7700
Richemont North America, Inc ...................................... 3
(817) 785-2571
Chronos/WJR ............................................................. 25
(303) 296-1600
Smith Supply House ..................................................... 9
(213) 622-1687
Clocks ........................................................................ 43
011 44 131 331 3200
Witschi Electronic Ltd ......................... inside back cover
011 32 352 05 00
Horological Times Advertising Policy
The publisher reserves the right to approve all advertising copy and reject any advertisements not in keeping with the publisher’s
standards. The publisher may, at the publisher’s sole discretion and for any reason and without notice, decline to publish or republish any
ad, in which case any fees submitted or paid for such ads shall be returned or rebated to the advertiser. The publisher reserves the right
to edit all copy. The advertiser and/or agency agree to assume liability for all content of advertisements printed. They will also accept
responsibility for any claims or suits arising therefrom brought against the publisher.
AWCI Staff Directory
James E. Lubic, CMW21
Executive Director
Education & Technical Director
1-866-367-2924 ext. 310
jlubic@awci.com
Sally Landis
Receptionist/Technical Support
1-866-367-2924 ext. 301
slandis@awci.com
Thomas J. Pack, CPA
Operations Director
1-866-367-2924 ext. 311
tpack@awci.com
Thomas D. Schomaker, CMW21
Watchmaking Instructor/Certification Coordinator
1-866-367-2924 ext. 309
tschomaker@awci.com
Donna K. Baas
Managing Editor/Advertising Manager
1-866-367-2924 ext. 307
dbaas@awci.com
48
Horological Times
Daniela Ott
Education Coordinator
1-866-367-2924 ext. 303
dott@awci.com
June 2010
Jim Meyer
IT Director
1-866-367-2924 ext. 323
jmeyer@awci.com
American Watchmakers-Clockmakers Institute
701 Enterprise Drive
Harrison, OH 45030
Phone: Toll Free 866-FOR-AWCI (367-2924)
(513) 367-9800
Fax: (513) 367-1414
E-mail: awci@awci.com
Website: www.awci.com
Office Hours: 8:00 to 5:00 (EST) Mon-Fri