Workshop Wednesday 29/10/14

Longcase clocks on test

After a long summer break, we are back in full swing with the third years working hard on their final masterpiece, the second years starting their portfolio of work and the first years on their cube and mini clock. It's been so busy we haven't had time to update the blog so we'll ease in gently with some pictures of what's going on in the workshop.

Watch Case Refurbishment

This week I've been polishing cases on watches that are being serviced. It's not something that's normally done by watchmakers unless they own their own shop, but is a great skill to have. I've documented the process of refurbing a Tag Carerra for you to see how it works. At the end are before and after shots of a selection of other Tag Heuer watches, too!

BHI Practical Exam - Second Year

Over the last few weeks Rosie and I have been working on the BHI practical exam, in which you are given a technical drawing for a multi-part item made from different materials and finishes with tolerances of 0.05mm, and required to make it - this year it was a cock and plate. You're given three weeks, but this is to allow you time to make mistakes. I was definitely glad for the excessive time last year, but this year having made a more similar, but much more complex, practical piece as part of the degree, I found this exam to be largely straight-forward. See after the break for a picture diary!

Class of 2014 Final Clocks

Sadly this is a short post, as we have just two students leaving us. We do, however, still have two excellent clocks to show!

Rosie's Horizon Clock

Another clock design for you to have a look at. My design is very different to James' who has posted below so it's good to have a preview of the variety of clocks that will be on show in 2015.

What's the course like? BCU interview.

The university recently conducted a number of interviews with students to allow people considering the courses a brief insight into what they have to look forward to. You can find the two minute video for horology after the break:

Designing a clock.

This is Just a brief insight into some of the work I've done to work toward my final year clock project. We had this year to do all the design work so we could have everything planned for next year, giving as much time to work on them as possible.

BHI Automatic Watches Course

 Over the Easter break a number of students from second year visited the BHI for a week long (four days for us due to good Friday) course on automatic watches, which looks at both Swiss and Japanese movements. We had John Murphy as a tutor, a very knowledgeable watchmaker who was an excellent (and patient!) teacher! Here's a few photos from the course.