Watchmaking: Machining the Heart of a Watch

Regardless of being inefficient, that's still a beautiful piece of engineering!

I was searching Youtube a few days ago to find someone actually machining a watch from scratch and was surprised at how few results I got. A lot of people calling themselves watchmakers that only clean and reassemble watches, never making them. And now more videos from you, awesome.

The amount the weight drops each tick is directly related to the distance your escape wheel travels. It does not necessarily relate to the power required to run the mechanism, for example if the weight was smaller it would still travel the same distance, thus using less power. So while the spring surely does use more than it could, I feel that a smaller escape wheel / more teeth on the escape wheel would be the easiest way to increase the efficiency. Or making the barrel for the weight smaller. I wish I could make stuff like this, I've always liked watches and would like to make miniature steam engines and stuff too. Really fun watching people doing these things, especially largely by hand. Awesome video, thanks!

It's fascinating to see the other end of the spectrum of precision machine work. I manually machine stuff that is in the tens to hundreds of pounds that require 0.005" accuracy usually and it boggles my mind that people such as yourself have the steadiness and patience to craft such tiny and precise parts. Truly awesome in the original sense of the word, extremely well documented and presented craftsmanship.

As someone who started their working life as a Scientific Instrument Maker, your work is a joy to behold. Thank you for sharing your creative journey.

I just wanted to commend you on this video. The audio levels are perfect both for speech and background music throughout, the focus of the camera is spot on, and the pace is fantastic for the type of content. Thank you for sharing! 👍

I’m amazed at people who can work with such small items making even smaller items.

You guys are filling in the Clickspring-Shaped hole in my heart :) Wonderful work and beautiful camera shots, as always! Gorgeous mechanism and video!

This channel deserves more subs. People with skills like this with this level of attention to detail are extremely rare these days.

That was 38 mins well spent. Thanks for an informative and soothing dive into the spring detent escapement :) Cheers

Mate, you're like the British version of Clickspring. In order to become a watchmaker, you'll have a steady hand and a keen eyesight.

I recently read the book, longitude, which is roughly about the making of the first accurate time keeper for use in ship navigation. It was fascinating. As is this video. Just incredible to imagine the people of long ago making these.

Ooh, I didnt know I'd be learning about escapement mechanisms today 😊 Thank you for taking the time, and explaining everything in such detail

Premium, detailed, impeccable standards of a premier.

A gorgeous example of precision engineering in making the watch mechanism. I love the attention to detail and the exquisite camera work. A joy to watch and to learn from. Thank you!

36:34 the moment its heart beat for the first time - it lives! i request an asmr video of this thing running. just the thing. running. nothing else.

Glad to see this was re-uploaded. Thanks for sharing.

Sir, the meticulousness of your manual adjustment is extraordinary, the quality of the tool equipment that you operate is good, complete and, most importantly, carefully chosen. The treatment of the edges of each tool individually are so precise that I really only have to tell you that I admire your masterful hand in turning, filing and cutting, your final result and suitability to do so. I am a mechanical adjuster but I have never practiced the profession. I was extremely pleased to be able to appreciate someone who honors the profession and, although I do not practice it, I totally love it. Thanks for posting.

Wow about time.. lol. I've been watching < watchmaking videos now on YouTube for about a year. Not searching just when I see one and I'm in the mood I'll watch it. This Chanel so far is the best. There is another guy I won't mention by name but he... um.. I wanna be respectful so I'll leave it there. My dad was a watchmaker for almost 60 years and he taught me everything he could lol which by his library of knowledge was about 10%, I remember sitting and watching him make balance staff for a lady Rolex watch, it was mesmerising. His attention to detail was amazing in everything he did. I bet spending a day with you would bring back a lot of memories. Sadly he passed away before he could teach me watches but he did teach me everything I know about clock repairs I worked side by side with dad for 20 years and even right up to the end he amazed me with the skills he wielded. Some of these YouTube watchmakers Make me cringe. Well done and thank you for actually being a true pleasure to watch right to the end. It really is a shame that we are a dying breed.

What fascinates me is the amount of handwork that is involved in the making of many of your mechanisms!