Making a Watch From Scratch
I set out to answer a simple question: could I build an entire mechanical watch movement from raw stock in my home workshop?
Over the course of seven months I designed, machined, heat treated, polished, assembled, and debugged many of individual components to create a fully functioning watch movement. Along the way there were plenty of mistakes, redesigns, and lessons learned.
With only a few specialized components sourced (the mainspring, balance spring, and jewels), nearly everything you see in this movement started life as a brass bar or steel rod.
This video documents the entire journey from CAD model to ticking movement.
Thanks for visiting!
— Chris from South Carolina, USA
Instagram: / cspinnerwatchrestorations
Email: [email protected]
#Watchmaking
#Machining
#Horology
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Special thanks to Makera who helped support this video by sending me their Carvera Air Desktop CNC, which you can see hard at work in this video. My viewers get $100 off by using the coupon code below
$100 off Voucher: CSWR100OFF
US Site: https://www.makera.com/products/carvera
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Many of my tools I use are affordable. If you're interested in getting started with watch repair and would like to use what I use, I've included some links below. I earn a small commission from Amazon if purchases are made using these links.
Other texts:
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Watch Repairer's Manual: https://amzn.to/3knrwdG
Watchmaker's Lathe: https://amzn.to/3D02WGb
Tools:
Caseback Opener/Closer Tool: https://amzn.to/43Gn8Kr
Mainspring Closer Tool: https://amzn.to/4mwaCE1
Micrometer: https://amzn.to/4pcvBNv
Micrometer Stand: https://amzn.to/3vPPuUy
Microscope: https://amzn.to/3ZrQ3Pn
Movement Holder (pocket watches): https://amzn.to/3H9JBUv
Movement Holder (wrist watches): https://amzn.to/3JeG2iv
Ceramic Tipped Tweezers: https://amzn.to/3QP1qMH
Finger cots: https://amzn.to/3CXbXzJ
Micrometer: https://amzn.to/3QNGN3C and Stand: https://amzn.to/3iIyF86
Rodico: https://amzn.to/3kr5RBb
Tweezers: https://amzn.to/3GNFEVi
10X Loupe: https://amzn.to/3iLfome
Levers: https://amzn.to/3XB4RZG
Demagnetizer: https://amzn.to/3ZINUhS
Budget Screwdrivers: https://amzn.to/3Xr7gqo
Better Screwdrivers: https://amzn.to/3SZRGkY
Cleaning:
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Ultrasonic: https://amzn.to/3wcO7wg
Mason Jars: https://amzn.to/3WkUfgB
Cleaning Solution: https://amzn.to/3XwQ16I
Rinsing Solution: https://amzn.to/3wdgAlA
Cleaning Brushes: https://amzn.to/3QPnSp8
Lubrication:
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DX Grease: https://amzn.to/3ZO0kVU
Moebius 941: https://amzn.to/3Hf6g2X
Moebius 9010: https://amzn.to/3CVGM7Y
Moebius D5: https://amzn.to/3ITqikE
Buffing and Polishing:
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Polishing Compound: https://amzn.to/3QQ1r33
Bench Buffer Polisher: https://amzn.to/3OlcW2E
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Chapters:
0:00 Intro and Setup
1:50 First Chips!
3:52 Mainspring Barrel
10:19 Train of Wheels!
21:27 Serious Plate Business
35:38 Ratchet Hardware
39:30 Pallet Fork and Such
46:12 The Balance
54:19 It All Comes Together