Watchmaking: Machining a Watch Gear

I'm a computer engineer who has spent my entire life developing cutting-edge digital technologies in a world where the mechanical side didn't appeal to me much. However, I've recently taken on the challenge of restoring two pocket watches that have been in my family for almost 200 years. So, I decided to learn about restoration processes myself, and as a result, I've become passionate about horology. Currently, I repair and restore antique watches with complex gears, and I do this out of passion, where I've learned to connect with the old values ​​of manual mechanics and machining systems. I must admit I'm very impressed with your videos and would like to thank you for sharing your work, which inspires me to learn more and enrich my knowledge. I wish you success!

@4:59 You say "I'm lazy..." After watching you create watch parts from scratch, I don't think anyone believes you are lazy. Very nice video. Thanks.

As a 75 year old long retired toolmaker, I always saw watch/clock making as a dark art form! I still do! Great to watch the process though! Fine engineering at its best! I did actually use a scaleable engraver to make miniature hand assembling tools for the Plessey 9ta Sonotone audio cartridge, which was trying enough, but this is just sublime! Cheers

my grandfather was a watchmaker in Montreal. He came over from Denmark years earlier to start a new life here. I used to go to his shop in the 70's as a child and just be amazed at all the machining and fine work he did. He worked on large clocks (like the town clock) all the way down to small watches. I remember him hunched over his lathe with a brass billet in it. Not sure what he was up to but it required his full concentration, and some serious talking to himself in Danish. Being a little kid I always loved it when all the clocks went off at the hour at the same time. It was always a hoot. Its really nice to see your work here. He would have been keen to watch.

I'm 62 and wish I could go back 40 years and know that this was a way to earn a living. Watch making wasn't even something I knew existed back then. I tinker with watch restorations but this is light years ahead of anything I'm capable of.

I have an office job and have never learned to use a lathe, and I cannot keep my eyes away from your videos... they give me satisfaction from deep inside my heart. I am seriously considering going into this matter in my sparetime (modeling being my hobby), I am just not sure how 60+ eyes can keep up. For the fascinating experience, thank you a lot!

I'm a seasoned software engineer and do a lot of CNC and hardware engineering. I was humbled by the ingenuity and engineering displayed here, just incredible.

Fascinating! Makes you wonder how they did it hundreds of years ago!! Definitely a set of skills I wish I had!

It's very satisfying to see someone do something very difficult, or challenging, and do it well. I especially like the creative ways of holding tiny things. Without proper tools, I made a device to put hands back on a watch I never wear anymore. It's nice to know it works.

This is absolutely outstanding content, I’m so thankful I found this channel as a hobby watchmaker it’s just amazing

Incredible skill and precision, brilliant close up photography and video production.

I'm endlessly fascinated by watchmaking, have been since I was a child. The precision displayed is simply breathtaking.

This video was amazing, I hope you keep producing quality content like this so you can grow to be huge!

When I left school in the late '50s I did a 5 year apprenticeship here in New Zealand. My tutor often worked manually making wheels, etc. He was an amazing craftsman, not so much myself. I left the trade in the mid '70s to go into Christian Ministry. Now that I'm retired I spend quite a bit of time watching Youtube content, often watchmakers. Love them, bringing back great memories. Thanks so much for your contribution.

Such a brilliant video! The work, the photography and the audio are all spot on. A really interesting demonstration of a great way of doing this. Subscribed!

Delicate work, making watch gears. Impressive level of patience! Great content!

This was a masterclass in every way, truly magnificent videography, lighting and editing, and with superb presentation and narration. Likewise, the narration was perfectly timed to the video content being displayed. As a viewer unfamiliar with watchmaking I really appreciated the Watchmaker explaining the process. I cannot imagine a more difficult engineering challenge than to make everything to such tight tolerances in miniature! The Watchmaker displayed meticulously precise attention to detail and very high levels of craftsmanship were evident in the component he made. I am delighted to have found your channel and to have subscribed.

You just put together so many of the things I've learned and loved in a completely different way... Machining and Designing with a bit of hobbyist maker mixed in that gives me tons of inspiration and ideas... if only i had the space. I absolutely want to get a watchmakers lathe like that in the future for small projects.

Thank you for sharing your passion and expertise. Your machine tool and appliances are worthy art in their own right.

The amount of time and equity that goes into making this tiny part is frankly incredible. And, that doesn't even take into account the time and equity put into the making the tools used to make the piece in the first place!! Mind blown! Cheers T