Great videos! Beautiful watch! No offense, but I felt kind of cheated after watching an hour of fine hand work only to see the really accurate stuff be cut by a CNC mill. Wouldn't it be more accurate if cut on a lathe (where roundness is concerned)?
TJ I don't think anyone made any implications that he didn't know what he was doing, it was the method used which seemed to take away from the artistry, a descent analagy would be like watching Davinci paint 95% of the Mona Lisa by hand and then watch as he removes the painting from the easel, places it into a machine, presses a few buttons and watches as a computer controlled robotic arm equipped with an airbrush completes the last 5% of the painting. It would still be the Mona Lisa but it wouldn't be quite the same after that. Now going back to him knowing what he is doing, I don't question his ability but typically when people use CNC machines to produce high precision parts, the machining is one of the last things you do because you dont want to heat a precision machined part like that because heat warps the metal which totally defeats the purpose of machining in the first place. A better way would be to do all of the heating first and then the machining, that way the part would have less chance of warping out of spec.
I was pretty bored watching a lot of this, not knowing why Roger was doing some things with so much care. Boy, when I saw it taking shape in part 6 and the final product in part 7 it was a great reward. I haven't seen a watch that comes near to this standard. Also, the workshop (to me) looks more like a diesel mechanics yet it produces finer watches than (in my opinion) Germany or Switzerland . Good job
As a watchmaking student, your videos are pure art. Also, your work and story is a huge inspiration of mine. Can't wait to see one of your watches in person one day... It will be an absolute honor.
I guess 18 people do not appreciate the art of watchmaking. This is beyond unbelievable. I love Horology. I was introduced by my great grandad, who was a tinkerer of pocket watches. He used to buy broken and beat up ones from flea markets, etc and revive them. The appreciation of brands such as Patek, Vacheron and A.Piguet lead me to devour books and videos on the subject. This guy is a genius and is so humble, much like this mentor, Dr George Daniels.
Absolutely mind blowing attention to detail. The Watchmakers apprentice was a truly riveting film. Be assured, when I manage to bank a few mill. I'll be in contact to purchase one of your magnificent time pieces :)
Where was the stage that the strap bar location holes went in the lugs? We can see the holes so how did you put them in? Drill through and solder over the outside? Do these have your own movements? I sort of felt that the series was more along the lines of “these are the patronizingly easy bits” and missed out the complex or fiddly bits like how does the movement secure in the case and tapping the holes.
Amazing work though I think he could get the same results but much easier if he were to cast the case rather than mill/turn it. You would still need to machine the cast piece to get it to the final shape but I think it would be easier then bending and soldering the gold rods.
How were the holes for the strap pins made after the lugs were soldered on? Also, was there any work done on the inside of the middle to fit the movement? Thank you for a wonderful video!!
Does the top part of the case screw through the middle part and in to the top part to keep it together? If not, how does the top part of the case stay on there?
fire was focus only on pendant tube for soldering tube and 4 lug solder will not mealt in low temperature as we saw in vidio. I am gold smith in india.
Amazing. I'm so glad that UA-cam's algorithm occasionally gets it right and gives me something truly remarkable to watch. I watched all 7 episodes, and have subscribed for more. Bravo! What an absolutely beautiful watch.
So many questions. About how long to complete watch from start to finish? What make of CNC machine is it? How long did you study with Master Daniels? And lastly, thanks for the fine videos. Thoroughly enjoyable.
I didn't realize the process of soldering was so involved and happened so many times. To make something shiny, oxidize it, and repeat the process shows excellence in your craft where removing a wrong bit could be catastrophic to so much work. Thanks for the look into the old craft...and mixing it up with some CNC where appropriate.
Thank you for the great vids. Stunning watch, the case really works, especially the 2 central bands. Dial and hands combo is best I have seen from you. Overall nicest watch I have seen from you. Great stuff
Such workmanship. I have seen all seven videos and I have learned much. One of the things is the use of borax as a flux fro gold and silver. If ever I get to IoM I am definitely visiting Rogers workshop if only to see George's apprentice. Magic Roger thank you for showing the vids.
How about making a constant force watch with a tourbillon above the three quarter plate /like John Arnold/ and fusee and chain mechanism arising from the main plate in the space not covered by the three quarter plate. That would be incredibly three dimensionally looking. An enamel dial with overlapping small seconds dial. Ahh, it is nice to dream... :-)
Thank you for taking the time to film and explain the process. I would love to see the hand-work on wheels, bridges, dial and hand fabrication. Are there links you can add? It would also be educational to see the draftsmanship and design decisions. Where will mechanical watches go next?
Like others I just watched all 7 videos back to back. Absolutely wonderful to watch you work. Fascinating and such a beautiful final piece. I loved the way that your design developed by eye as you worked and the adapted needle file, although simple on the face of it was a brilliant solution. Pure genius. A privilege to be able to see your work.
Hi Roger, I have been watching all your videos and they are so informative and interesting that I watch them over and over. Your watches are really dream watches and the quality of work is superb. I havnt seen any video where you are making wheel blanks for the gear train, tooth cutting of escape wheel or the process of making beautiful screws that you use in your watches. Please do upload videos for those too. Thanks.
Being a case maker myself this video series is ...well .... gold Thank you so much for posting this. I so wish I could spend some time peering over your shoulder. Again thank you xtrememarcus
Love these videos, and a little surprised to see you using a CNC machine, but I totally understand why. So cool to see inside your manufacturing process, thank you.
Hi Roger, second question about case making, you are soldering and in no time I see a clean case, how do you clean it, in acid? Every time it's cleaned with acid the surface is etching down and on the end it has to polished.
Great combination of different stages and procedures . The middle of the case should be very hard to polish especially around the lugs.Very impressive work,and super skilled craftsman.
I have spent most of my free time model engineering, its good to see your watch making using the same technology for producing shapes , etc as we use on our fabrications, not that we use gold. More to Silver Solder is the nrarest we would get, anyway great job now for me to get on with my unfinished skeletal clock. Best wishes.
Hi, may I ask what is gold like to machine? Could you draw a comparison to another metal such as brass or aluminium. I am a machinist but doubt strongly i will ever have to machine gold, but I am curious as to its nature. Thank you
Congratulations and endless thanks for sharing this with us. I learnt something new. I wanted to ask if the pendent needs to be changed as is done with all watches at service, how would one go about it if it is soldered in?? Also, have you ever made a case with a screw on back as opposed to using separate screws??? Regards, Charles
No matter what's tools he used to make the watch?as long he is building it with his love of making something. If you think you are better than him ? Upload your shit , and let the world see what you can do.
Beautiful wrist watch with the benefits of using modern machining practice when possible. Much nicer than a mass produced gold watch made from a casting.
Absolutely wonderful job, thanks for your time to show us! How do you make sure you don’t loosen the solder on the lugs when you are soldering the stem tube?
A gorgeous piece. What an amazing process (also watched the entire series on the finishing of the hands. Hope there is also one on how you made that amazing dial).
Really enjoyed this series. Thank you. It was fascinating to watch 3 pieces of square stock take shape and eventually end up as such a beautiful case with gentle curves.
Amazing Roger. Your watches are just spell binding. I've watched most of your clips numerous times and have seen your 'watch makers apprentice twice' :-) I have hankered after a No2 ever since I read a article in QP magazine in about 2003. You are indeed one of my heroes!
Richard Sherwin 3 years on and it’s like watching one of your favourite films all over again. Case making series today, think I’ll re-watch the dial series next. All the best Roger Richard
I just watched all 7 parts back to back. All I can say is THAT IS AMAZING. STUNNING WATCH.
Thanks for your kind comments. regards, Roger
Beautiful. How long does it need to be serviced considering it is co-axial?
5 ATM water resistance?
You ignited and inspired my passion for watchmaking with these incredibly good videos thank you Roger!
Great videos! Beautiful watch! No offense, but I felt kind of cheated after watching an hour of fine hand work only to see the really accurate stuff be cut by a CNC mill. Wouldn't it be more accurate if cut on a lathe (where roundness is concerned)?
I'm thinking he kinda knows what he's doing so.....
totally agree. Why not cnc the whole case. Re use the waste gold. I don't think Mr. Daniels had a cnc. Basic plumbing over a sink..
TJ
I don't think anyone made any implications that he didn't know what he was doing, it was the method used which seemed to take away from the artistry, a descent analagy would be like watching Davinci paint 95% of the Mona Lisa by hand and then watch as he removes the painting from the easel, places it into a machine, presses a few buttons and watches as a computer controlled robotic arm equipped with an airbrush completes the last 5% of the painting. It would still be the Mona Lisa but it wouldn't be quite the same after that.
Now going back to him knowing what he is doing, I don't question his ability but typically when people use CNC machines to produce high precision parts, the machining is one of the last things you do because you dont want to heat a precision machined part like that because heat warps the metal which totally defeats the purpose of machining in the first place. A better way would be to do all of the heating first and then the machining, that way the part would have less chance of warping out of spec.
Your videos have inspired me to strive for a higher level of perfection in my work as a double bassist. Thank you.
I was pretty bored watching a lot of this, not knowing why Roger was doing some things with so much care. Boy, when I saw it taking shape in part 6 and the final product in part 7 it was a great reward. I haven't seen a watch that comes near to this standard. Also, the workshop (to me) looks more like a diesel mechanics yet it produces finer watches than (in my opinion) Germany or Switzerland . Good job
Massively inspiring to do better in my work: such a delightful harmony of form, purpose and method. Thank you for sharing.
Roger,
Thank you for making this series! It was wonderful to watch and I hope to see more in the future.
As a watchmaking student, your videos are pure art. Also, your work and story is a huge inspiration of mine. Can't wait to see one of your watches in person one day... It will be an absolute honor.
The watch is simply amazing, youre brilliant!!
Maybe next you could go into detail about how you make a tourbillion. I've heard it's one of the most difficult things to master.
I guess 18 people do not appreciate the art of watchmaking. This is beyond unbelievable. I love Horology. I was introduced by my great grandad, who was a tinkerer of pocket watches. He used to buy broken and beat up ones from flea markets, etc and revive them. The appreciation of brands such as Patek, Vacheron and A.Piguet lead me to devour books and videos on the subject. This guy is a genius and is so humble, much like this mentor, Dr George Daniels.
absolutely a work of art. you are a master, roger. i enjoyed this series. you have a command of teaching as well, making the process clear to me.
Absolutely mind blowing attention to detail. The Watchmakers apprentice was a truly riveting film. Be assured, when I manage to bank a few mill. I'll be in contact to purchase one of your magnificent time pieces :)
What a master. Thanks for making these videos. Gonna be watching all 7 videos once again.
Where was the stage that the strap bar location holes went in the lugs? We can see the holes so how did you put them in? Drill through and solder over the outside?
Do these have your own movements?
I sort of felt that the series was more along the lines of “these are the patronizingly easy bits” and missed out the complex or fiddly bits like how does the movement secure in the case and tapping the holes.
The movements he uses are based on George Daniel's co-axial movement but modified.
I have looking for case making video for such a long time .Thank you!
Do you have a watchmaking course available? I searched on udemy and can't find a single one. Would be a good opportunity for you
Amazing work though I think he could get the same results but much easier if he were to cast the case rather than mill/turn it. You would still need to machine the cast piece to get it to the final shape but I think it would be easier then bending and soldering the gold rods.
Absolutely fascinating!!! Every part of this series !!
How were the holes for the strap pins made after the lugs were soldered on? Also, was there any work done on the inside of the middle to fit the movement? Thank you for a wonderful video!!
Bravo Sir ! An Absolutely magnificent creation of horological mastery 👏
Great series. I imagine that greater care in collecting the swarf is taken there than in my shop.
wonderfuul videos, is there any chance you make video of making a case of steel? as if it was a basic level
would be the same process.
Unbelievable, thank you for posting these and including us in the process. Much respect and I hope to see one of your masterpieces in person one day.
Does the top part of the case screw through the middle part and in to the top part to keep it together? If not, how does the top part of the case stay on there?
How about a video making a single wheel coaxial escapement? 😊
Does the gold warp from the heat or is it pretty stable?
Thank you very much. A true craftsman indeed. My turn now :)
at 3:24 you are using a honey comb style ceramic under the case. Does it have a specific name?
How did you drill the holes on the inside of the lugs? Didn't catch it in the video.
looks AWESOME.
Bless your hands.
This watch looks thick and heavy, well made but too thick
Wait a minute - how did you do the holes for the bracelet pins?
oh wow, pretty interesting watch design!
I was worried when you soldered the pendant tube on Roger. Did you use lower melting point solder so as to not weaken the 4 lug soldered joints?
fire was focus only on pendant tube for soldering tube and 4 lug solder will not mealt in low temperature as we saw in vidio.
I am gold smith in india.
Amazing. I'm so glad that UA-cam's algorithm occasionally gets it right and gives me something truly remarkable to watch. I watched all 7 episodes, and have subscribed for more. Bravo! What an absolutely beautiful watch.
Hi Roger, I wonder what cooling fluid you are using here, looks like water to me.
And thanks for all de video's, it's time-consuming beside your work.
So many questions. About how long to complete watch from start to finish? What make of CNC machine is it? How long did you study with Master Daniels? And lastly, thanks for the fine videos. Thoroughly enjoyable.
I didn't realize the process of soldering was so involved and happened so many times. To make something shiny, oxidize it, and repeat the process shows excellence in your craft where removing a wrong bit could be catastrophic to so much work. Thanks for the look into the old craft...and mixing it up with some CNC where appropriate.
Thank you for the great vids. Stunning watch, the case really works, especially the 2 central bands. Dial and hands combo is best I have seen from you. Overall nicest watch I have seen from you. Great stuff
Love the content, hope to learn more in the future! :)
Such workmanship. I have seen all seven videos and I have learned much. One of the things is the use of borax as a flux fro gold and silver. If ever I get to IoM I am definitely visiting Rogers workshop if only to see George's apprentice. Magic Roger thank you for showing the vids.
How about making a constant force watch with a tourbillon above the three quarter plate /like John Arnold/ and fusee and chain mechanism arising from the main plate in the space not covered by the three quarter plate. That would be incredibly three dimensionally looking. An enamel dial with overlapping small seconds dial. Ahh, it is nice to dream... :-)
Thank you for taking the time to film and explain the process. I would love to see the hand-work on wheels, bridges, dial and hand fabrication. Are there links you can add? It would also be educational to see the draftsmanship and design decisions. Where will mechanical watches go next?
Like others I just watched all 7 videos back to back. Absolutely wonderful to watch you work. Fascinating and such a beautiful final piece.
I loved the way that your design developed by eye as you worked and the adapted needle file, although simple on the face of it was a brilliant solution. Pure genius. A privilege to be able to see your work.
Hi Roger, I have been watching all your videos and they are so informative and interesting that I watch them over and over. Your watches are really dream watches and the quality of work is superb. I havnt seen any video where you are making wheel blanks for the gear train, tooth cutting of escape wheel or the process of making beautiful screws that you use in your watches. Please do upload videos for those too. Thanks.
Being a case maker myself this video series is ...well .... gold Thank you so much for posting this. I so wish I could spend some time peering over your shoulder.
Again thank you
xtrememarcus
Why don't you use soft jaws in your 3 jaw chucks, it would allow you to achieve much greater concentricity between the O/D & I/D of the cases.
Love these videos, and a little surprised to see you using a CNC machine, but I totally understand why. So cool to see inside your manufacturing process, thank you.
Hi Roger, second question about case making, you are soldering and in no time I see a clean case, how do you clean it, in acid?
Every time it's cleaned with acid the surface is etching down and on the end it has to polished.
Great combination of different stages and procedures .
The middle of the case should be very hard to polish especially around the lugs.Very impressive work,and super skilled craftsman.
Are you using water asa coolant in the CNC machining? - it looks very thin...
Thanks for sharing your techniques - very enjoyable.
I have spent most of my free time model engineering, its good to see your watch making using the same technology for producing shapes , etc as we use on our fabrications, not that we use gold. More to Silver Solder is the nrarest we would get, anyway great job now for me to get on with my unfinished skeletal clock. Best wishes.
Hi, may I ask what is gold like to machine? Could you draw a comparison to another metal such as brass or aluminium.
I am a machinist but doubt strongly i will ever have to machine gold, but I am curious as to its nature.
Thank you
Fantastic.... that is real craftsmanship... thank you very much I really enjoyed watching your works..
Absolutely fascinating. Watched the 7 episodes and completely absorbed. Thanks.
Congratulations and endless thanks for sharing this with us. I learnt something new. I wanted to ask if the pendent needs to be changed as is done with all watches at service, how would one go about it if it is soldered in??
Also, have you ever made a case with a screw on back as opposed to using separate screws??? Regards, Charles
It is wonderful to watch Mr. Smith practice such excellent craftsmanship; such a steady hand. Thank you for sharing with us!
No matter what's tools he used to make the watch?as long he is building it with his love of making something.
If you think you are better than him ? Upload your shit , and let the world see what you can do.
Beautiful wrist watch with the benefits of using modern machining practice when possible.
Much nicer than a mass produced gold watch made from a casting.
Absolutely wonderful job, thanks for your time to show us! How do you make sure you don’t loosen the solder on the lugs when you are soldering the stem tube?
अद्भुत , सुंदर बहुत बढ़िया!
Fantastic series of videos on the case work, really enjoyed following them all Roger, look forward to you sharing more watchmaking techniques.
Now that is a thing of pure beauty. I would prefer to have that adorn my wrist as I would any other Smith or Daniels piece.
A gorgeous piece. What an amazing process (also watched the entire series on the finishing of the hands. Hope there is also one on how you made that amazing dial).
Thank-you. It’s a pleasure to be given a detailed demonstration by a master craftsman. I learned quite a bit.
Schaublin would be more than capable of doing anything the CNC can do! Beautiful work.
Amazing. Beautiful watch
Incredible, without doubt, the finest watches in the world. Thanks.
Amazing.....it is the combination of Art + Skill + Technology
PERFEITO TRABALHO PROFISSIONAL, BRASIL OK.
how do you drill the holes inside the lugs?
Really enjoyed this series. Thank you. It was fascinating to watch 3 pieces of square stock take shape and eventually end up as such a beautiful case with gentle curves.
A fascinating journey. Thank you!
Best wishes
If I win the lottery this is the first thing I'm buying!! A one off Roger Smith to me is as good as it gets!!
You just make the best watches. I hope someday I will have the opportunity to see one.
Amazing Roger. Your watches are just spell binding. I've watched most of your clips numerous times and have seen your 'watch makers apprentice twice' :-) I have hankered after a No2 ever since I read a article in QP magazine in about 2003. You are indeed one of my heroes!
Richard Sherwin
3 years on and it’s like watching one of your favourite films all over again.
Case making series today, think I’ll re-watch the dial series next.
All the best Roger
Richard
very nice. thanks for the soldering tips!
That watch is a legacy you should only over be proud of, its a work of art.
Simply beautiful!
Thank you so much for making this series. Beautiful work!
Absolutely exquisite. I can only marvel at your skill.
Very impressive! What is the final thickness of the walls of the case?
How did you drill the lug holes without going all the way through the lugs?
They were likely drilled at a slight angle
Im Ludovico . Brasil.
Hi, I need to prepare but what factors to be able to step into the wrist watch industry
Absolutely amazing. Thanks for taking the time to make these videos.
What an exquisite piece of machinery that is.Well done sir.
Great craftsmanship Roger. Thank you for sharing.
a true work of art ,,, would have liked to see how the spring bar holes were drilled too
My dream to own an R Smith watch
I think it's 18 karat gold with copper alloy only ?
MASTER/MASTER/MASTER 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
This is not for mass production.
good info for me
As i am a gold smith in india
Absolutely stunning talent and craftsmanship.
Do you do titanium watch cases
How did you drill the lug holes?
Tank you for sharing your work.
Thanks Roger. Brilliant series, looking forward to more!!
Great to see that it's not only the Swiss that can build a nice watch