Some watch movements are assembled from a hundred or more parts. Almost all operations, including setting the stones, adjusting the balance and lubrication, are done manually. This guarantees high quality Swiss watches. I had the opportunity to participate in the process personally. Unforgettable experience.
Frédérique Constant was founded in Geneva in 1988 by spouses Aletta and Peter Stas. Already at the beginning of the 18th century, Geneva was known as a leading center for the production of first-class watches. Most of the world's most famous companies are based there. Over the past 300 years, watchmakers have reached unprecedented heights in watchmaking.
Frédérique Constant carries out the complete production chain, from design to component production and assembly. Striving for the highest quality, the company's owners never stop investing in modern technological equipment, collaborate with highly qualified watchmakers and develop their departments so that they can control the production of watches at all stages, from concept development to final control. Since 2004, Frédérique Constant has received the right to call itself a manufacture.
Most of the parts of the clock mechanism pass through the englaze. The edges are chamfered and polished to a shine. Decorative finishing It is done primarily by hand and includes techniques such as filigree engraving, Côtes de Genève, perlage, rhodium plating and many others.
The production employs more than 150 specialists who carry out the production of watch movement parts, watch assembly and quality control. The face of the brand is Oscar-winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow.
The assembly shop receives individual parts for future watches: watch mechanisms, cases, dials, hands. The work is painstaking and requires special patience. The parts are fragile and miniature, every hand movement must be extremely precise.
The watch undergoes a series of control tests. Finally, the correct operation of all functions is checked. If at any stage of inspection the watches do not meet quality standards, they are returned to the production workshops for revision.
Watch movements, whether quartz or mechanical, need regular maintenance. maintenance, the frequency of which depends on the complexity of the model. All Frédérique Constant watches come with a two-year guarantee.
When creating each new model, the closest attention is paid to any, even the smallest detail, from the appearance of the watch to the comfort of wearing it on the hand. General aesthetics, hand-polished case, various types of guilloche on the dial, ergonomics - everything is brought to perfection to ensure maximum comfort.
The Frédérique Constant and Alpina brands are represented on social networks. The monitors show the activity of accounts and users in groups.
Let's take a closer look. The master disassembles the watch and demonstrates the parts so that he can put everything back together later. I had the opportunity to install several parts! It was unforgettable.
Now it's my turn. In general, everything worked out, but not the first time.
Fernando has iron restraint and angelic patience. I'm amazed.
A short video of the process. Just to illustrate the story. Look.
The company offers quality affordable prices. However, there are models whose cost reaches 40,000 euros.
The brand name Frédérique Constant is formed by the merger of two names: Frederique Schreiner and Constant Stas. Currently, the position of Managing Director of the company is held by Peter Stas. The brand's motto is LIVE WITH PASSION.
New model GENTS NOTIFY from the HOROLOGICAL SMARTWATCH collection. Quartz movement with smart and interactive functionality. A combination of classic Swiss watches and the most modern technologies.
For enough short term the company has become an important player in the watch market. There was a desire to produce a sports line. But Frédérique Constant is associated with classics, and the owners did not want to dilute the brand's image. In 2002, the company acquired the Alpina brand with history and reputation. There is also a new brand, Atelier de Monaco, which is very young.
There is a moon and stars on the dial. This is one of the gears that I installed :)
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Switzerland is famous for its beautiful landscapes, delicious cheeses and stunning watches. Many believe that Switzerland was at the origins of the watch industry. However, few people know that behind the history of Swiss quality there are completely different people: German and French masters hiding from religious persecution.
"Nuremberg Egg" and the French King
The first wearable watch as we know it appeared in 1510. They were created by the German locksmith Peter Henlein. He was the first to come up with the idea of using a mainspring in watches, which made it possible to reduce their size significantly. Until this point, clocks were installed only on towers. These were huge mechanisms that were driven by weights. Henlein became a revolutionary, because now you could literally carry a watch in your pocket. However, the design of the “Nuremberg egg” - this is how the watch was nicknamed because of its oval case - was not perfect. As in the tower clock, the “Nuremberg egg” had only one hour hand; in addition, the clock was not very accurate - the hand depended entirely on the degree of winding of the spring. However, from that moment on, the fashion for watches began to gain momentum.
The first serious watch production arose in France, where in 1544 King Francis I signed a decree on the creation of a watch manufactory. The first customers were nobles - few could afford watches that were masterpieces of jewelry.
Religion is the engine of the watch industry
France did not remain the center of watchmaking for long. In the middle of the 16th century, the country was engulfed in religious clashes. Hiding from persecution, Huguenot watchmakers fled to Switzerland, where Protestant views flourished. In fact, Protestantism created the Swiss watch industry. The fact is that the theologian John Calvin, who had great influence on the Church, set strict standards and introduced a ban on an idle lifestyle. Theatres, music, dancing, holidays - all this came under strict restrictions. Moreover, bright clothes and Jewelry were also banned. However, somehow the wearing of watches did not fall under church prohibitions - on the contrary, watches were recognized useful item. Jewelry craftsmen from Switzerland teamed up with watchmakers from France and began to help them in the manufacture of watches. Moreover, the demand for watches as high-quality and beautiful product was constantly increasing.
Masters of the mountain cantons
By 1600, there were at least 500 watchmakers in Geneva. To improve interaction, in 1601 the masters united into a guild of watchmakers. Geneva flourished, and the spread of Protestant ideas attracted more and more Huguenot craftsmen to this country. However, if a few years ago, watchmaking in Switzerland was just in its infancy, now serious competition has arisen. The watch guild, whose masters stood at the origins of watchmaking, simply did not want to give up their position. The newly arrived craftsmen were forced to disperse to other cantons of Switzerland. Interesting fact: ordinary peasants became followers of the masters. Their work was seasonal, and free time In order to keep themselves busy, they simply began to study with Huguenot masters. Thus, watchmaking from Geneva spread throughout Switzerland.
Swiss blacksmith and English traveler
In turn, all innovations in the watch industry accumulated in England. From the very beginning, English craftsmen focused on the perfection of the mechanism, and not the appearance. Already in the 17th century english watch were different high accuracy. All watch improvements - pendulums, anchors and reinforced springs - were also developed in England.
Switzerland could have remained catching up forever, but everything changed with the advent of Daniel Jean-Richard. This man became interested in watches completely by accident. While still a young man, he worked as a blacksmith for his father. One day an English traveler came to them, he was interested in crafts made of silver and iron. Admiring the art, he took his broken watch out of his bag and asked for it to be repaired. The young man did the job. A little later, Jean-Richard, having memorized the English mechanism, was able to completely reproduce it.
In 1698, Jean-Richard opened his own manufactory. Moreover, he constantly improved the clock mechanism, studying the technologies of English and French masters. In addition, Jean-Richard was able to standardize production: he established cooperation with craftsmen who made mechanisms and accessories, and created a full-fledged commercial network. Eventually, Jean-Richard begins to invite students so that knowledge can be passed on to other generations. By 1730, Jean-Richard's enterprise became the largest in Switzerland and the first to engage in mass production. It was the mass production and constant improvement of quality that ensured worldwide fame for Swiss watches.
Mass production is the key to success
In the 1800s mass production allowed Switzerland to take a leading position in the watch world. Other countries simply could not keep up with its production volumes. Much later, mass participation will help the Swiss industry maintain its leading position. In the 1970s, Swiss watchmakers abandoned the production of digital watches, thereby making a big mistake. Over the course of several years, Asian manufacturers have filled the market with a variety of quartz watches and simply captured it. Actually expensive Swiss Watches have become unnecessary to anyone. The industry could have ceased to exist if not for the intervention of one person. It turned out to be Lebanese businessman Nicholas Hayek. It was his consulting company that Swiss banks turned to to evaluate the watch industry. It was planned that it would be sold to the Japanese, but Hayek proposed a project to revive watchmaking. The banks agreed to this idea, moreover, Hayek took on most of the investments. Believing in the success of Swiss watch brands, he united two leading concerns into a single company and thereby saved many of the oldest companies from ruin. Previously, each company produced watches independently; now the factories were divided into manufacturers of universal spare parts and watch assemblers. The merger reduced costs and increased production turnover.
The second watch becomes the first
The most important step in saving Swiss watches was the creation of the Swatch brand. Nicolas Hayek decided to move away from centuries-old developments and instructed engineers to create cheap but high-quality watches. The result was the legendary Swatch - a simple dial in a thin plastic case. The product turned out to be bright and cheap. In addition, it stood out from its competitors because it guaranteed European quality. For Europeans, Swatch was more elite than its Asian competitors. In the end, good sales were not long in coming - by the early 90s, more than 10 million Swatch watches were sold.
Nicolas Hayek became a real savior of the Swiss watch industry, and his name is firmly entrenched in history. He did the impossible - few believed that cheap watches could be created in Switzerland High Quality. However, it was Swatch, which, according to many, could “kill” the entire industry, became its savior.
How are watches made?
The process of creating watches is incredibly interesting. After all, they consist of many small parts, the production of each of which is a real art. The process of rotating the parts itself is also fascinating. We invite you to take a short excursion into the world of these amazing mechanisms and find out how, who and where watches are made.
Factories
In Russia there are many factories that produce watches: “Vostok”, “Pacman”, “Pluto”, “Polet”, “Vostok-Zoloto”, “Russian Watches”, “Raketa” and others. But only at the latter enterprise are watches made “from scratch” from parts produced here.
Watch making
Watch production technology begins with the creation of platinum - a special blank intended for fastening all mechanisms. All machines are involved in its production, on each of which holes are applied to it that will be needed for the next part. In automatic mode, the platinum can be adjusted. To do this, the operator places the part in a special machine and presses the lever.
The next stage is creating the necessary content for the watch. The machine tool masters are given the project created by the designers. Based on the design sketches, they stamp everything necessary details. Any mechanical watch has four main groups of components. Different manufacturers will have their own characteristics, but the pattern of division is the same:
- a spring that acts as a motor;
- gear wheels forming the impulse transmission mechanism;
- a regulator that ensures uniform movement of the watch;
- distributor or drain. It performs two functions in a watch. Firstly, it ensures the transfer of impulse from the spring to the regulator, which supports its oscillations. And secondly, it subordinates the movement of the wheels, and therefore the action of the spring, to the oscillation of the regulator.
To ensure that all parts are made correctly, they can be inspected. To do this, the parts are placed in a container. In it, using a special device, a shadow is projected onto a panel with a sketch applied. All parts must fit perfectly, otherwise the watch will not work.
Let's understand further how watches are made. The next stage is no less important - assembly. It is made by hand. Most often, women are hired as pickers, whose thin and fast fingers are better suited for such work. This process requires extreme precision, attention and good vision from workers. A watch assembled according to all the rules will work for many years.
Finished watches must be checked. Each plant places demands on them for precise running. For example, a Raketa watch should not deviate beyond the limits of - 10 and + 20 seconds per day. The accuracy control itself is carried out in two stages, which allows manufacturers to be responsible for the quality of their goods. The first time the watch is checked immediately after its assembly, and the second time - a day later.
The accuracy of the stroke is checked in three different positions. After all, in Everyday life our hand can be raised up, down and extended to the side.
You can learn about the first inventors of watches from the article.
If you are interested in the process of assembling a watch and want to make it yourself, check out the article. With it you can build interesting gift yourself or loved ones.
Petrodvorets Watch Factory is the oldest Russian enterprise specializing in watch production. The plant was founded by Peter I in 1721 as a factory for cutting precious and semi-precious stones, but began to deal exclusively with watches in the middle of the last century. Then the Raketa brand arose, the appearance of which was timed to coincide with Gagarin’s flight into space. Let's take a walk through the production and see how watches are made. By the way, it takes at least six months to make one watch from start to finish. Today, the factory is practically the only enterprise that produces all watch components independently and carries out assembly in one place. It would be much cheaper to buy a mechanism, for example, from Swatch, but the company is faced with the task of implementing full cycle assembly in Russia. Since 2009, the plant has been led by a Frenchman with Russian roots, Jacques von Polier. It was at this time that the plant began to be modernized and updated. The watch collection has also been updated. Today you can find the following simple but cute specimens: 
The company employs Swiss watch engineers who have collaborated with such famous brands like Rolex, Breguet and Hautlence. They say that when one of them came to look at the plant for the first time, he immediately refused to work. But when he learned that the balance and hairspring, the most complex elements in a watch mechanism, were produced here, he decided to stay. In simple terms, balance - an oscillating mechanism that balances the movement of the clock's gear mechanism. To make this very balance you need to do about 200 operations. This woman is doing one of them. 
The process of creating watches begins with the production of platinum - the part on which all mechanisms are attached. This is what is in the box: 
To reach the readiness process, the platinum must visit almost all the machines in this room. 
Each machine will make the necessary holes in it. 
Most last operation over platinum produces a young man: 
Well, here they carry out calibration. In other words, check and correct. Everything happens in semi-automatic mode: put the part down, pull the handle, take out the part and throw it into the box. 
If necessary, you can check how much finished part matches what needs to be done. To do this, they put it in a “magic” box, where special device projects its shadow directly onto the drawing: 
A distinctive feature of the Raketa watch is the presence of the number 0 on the dial, instead of 12. 
Associated with this zero is one funny story. Back in perestroika times, during Gorbachev’s official visit to Italy, some photographer took a photo of his watch. It was a “Raketa” watch with a characteristic zero. The next day, a headline appeared in Italian newspapers: “The USSR decided to start everything from scratch,” and next to it there was a photograph of “Rocket.” In the room bearing the proud name “Dial Area” there were, oddly enough, dials for every taste and color: 
In the "arsenal" of "Raketa", my attention was attracted by several types of watches for polar explorers, with a 24-hour dial. Indeed, at the North Pole it is sometimes difficult to understand whether it is day or night. 
The final stage of production happens behind the door: 
Here people in white coats, lovingly, assemble a bunch of gears into a finished mechanism. 
The work is quite hard. Just imagine, looking through a magnifying glass all day, eight hours in a row, painstakingly collecting small details. 
Some have been working here for over 40 years: 
It’s curious, but the watch on my wrist doesn’t look like a “Rocket” 
Workplace of one of the women: 
But simply assembling the watch is not enough. You need to check the mechanism for accuracy and write everything down in a journal: 
The accuracy of the movement is checked in three positions, first immediately after assembly, and then again after 24 hours. Why three? Because for the most part, we wear our watches in a hand down, hand up, and hand to the side position. 
In addition to checking the accuracy of the movement, you need to check the watch for leaks. 
These are okay. Withstands 5 atmospheres: 
They say that several years ago a diving club contacted the plant, whose members recovered a rather rare “Raketa” watch from the bottom of the sea, which had lain there for several decades. The divers wanted to determine who owned the chronometer. What a surprise the craftsmen were when, after they cleaned and wound up the mechanism, the clock started running again, as if it had never been there. for long years under the water. All testing equipment is Swiss. This is due to the fact that “Raketa” is sold not only in Russia, but also in Europe, so the watch must meet foreign standards. On the hand of the plant director, of course, is “Rocket”: 
Almost the same as on the wall: 
In general, the work in production is truly exquisite. Just imagine that these little purple pebbles need to be carefully placed somewhere without getting lost: 
Prices for watches are not the lowest, starting at about 7,000 rubles. It costs at least 50-60 dollars to produce a simple “Rocket” mechanism without complications, while you can buy a ready-made mechanism of good quality for 20-40 dollars. This is the price of the mechanism alone. We also need to add a bracelet, a case and other details, workers’ salaries, etc. At such costs, one can still call the retail price humane. For the price of a “Rocket” you can buy a good Swiss watch, but at the factory the Swiss are not considered competitors. As Jacques von Polier says: “We focus on those who want to buy something real, not fake, made in Russia.” It is worth noting that in March 2011, the Petrodvorets Watch Factory, for the first time in its 300-year history, took part in the famous international watch exhibition in Basel, where the “Rocket” watch aroused the interest of visitors.
To create cozy home, there are many details that need to be thought through. First of all, this applies to interior and decorative elements, such as curtains, lamps, clocks and pillows. Today we propose to consider how to make a watch with your own hands. Anyone can make them. The main task is to install a large working mechanism; it is usually bought in a specialized store. Having an old watch will greatly simplify the task, because you can use its mechanism. Everything else depends on your skill and imagination.
Wall clock using decoupage technique (MK)
You can make a clock for the kitchen with your own hands from scrap materials. But, if you want to create an original product, then the decoupage style will become ideal solution . These watches look elegant and will become a unique decoration for your home interior. We offer an interesting master class that will help you create your own wall clock at minimal cost.
You also need to prepare:
- clockwork hands;
- wooden base (round or square);
- napkins and ready-made patterns on paper;
- acrylic paints;
- tassels;
- sponges and varnish.
Making a watch with your own hands in decoupage style is carried out in a certain sequence:
1. The workpiece is being processed . The base of the future product must be sanded using sandpaper and cover three times with white acrylic paint, it will serve as soil.
2. When the paint has dried, retreat a couple of centimeters from the edge of the workpiece and outline the future framework .
We outline the frame 3. The base is given texture , choose a paint color that best suits the interior. The paint is diluted and applied with a sponge in a chaotic manner to age the product.
Apply a second coat of paint 4. The frame of the future watch stands out more dark color , brown paint is ideal for this.
Related article: Do-it-yourself original lamps from various bottles (3 MK)
Painting the frame 5. From prepared rice paper pattern is cut out and applied to the workpiece . If a napkin is used, then it is soaked in water and applied to the selected place on the dial. Glue is applied over the image.
Glue the image 6. Now you need to use your imagination and make sure that the drawing fits organically into the surface. Paints of appropriate tones and a sponge will help here. With their help a smooth transition is created from the pattern to the surface of the dial. It is important to be extremely careful; if you cope with this task, then you are a great master.
Making a smooth transition 7. At this stage the product needs to be aged , to do this, apply a two-component cracking agent to the surface with a dry brush (you can buy it at a store that sells craft supplies).
Apply a layer of craquelure 8. After the craquelure dries, cracks will appear on the product, which will give it elegance. The workpiece is varnished as a protective layer.
Varnish At the end, all that remains is to install the arrows, the mechanism and glue the numbers (the latter can be drawn according to the template). Now the clock has a completed look; it can be used as decor for the kitchen, bedroom, or living room.
The finished result On video: making wall clocks using decoupage technique
Cardboard clock (MK)
Some needlewomen make their own kitchen clocks from cardboard.. Such a decorative item can become not just useful, but also an exclusive item. Before answering the question of how to make a clock out of cardboard, you need to make sure you have the appropriate materials.
To work you will need:
- thick cardboard;
- multi-colored caps or buttons;
- operating mechanism and arrows;
- compass;
- PVA glue.
To make your own wall clock, follow these steps:
1. Using a compass, make a circle on cardboard and then cut it out.
Cut out a circle from cardboard 2. Using glue, caps or buttons are glued in appropriate places.
Related article: Making decorative boxes with your own hands: some interesting ideas (MK)
Glue the lids to the cardboard 3. Numbers are depicted on the caps (use a marker or acrylic paint, depending on the material from which the parts are made).
Drawing numbers 4. A hole is made in the center of the intended circle to install the mechanism and hands.
Making a hole 5. The last step is to install the arrow mechanism. A battery is also inserted to operate the clock.
As you can see, you can make a clock out of cardboard very quickly and you don’t need any special skills, but such a decoration will complement the interior of the chosen room.
Quilling style product(MK)
A good option would be to make a watch in the quilling style. This type of arts and crafts uses paper strips of different widths and lengths.. They are twisted into patterns and a composition is formed. You can make a similar clock according to this scheme:
- The basis for the watch will be thick cardboard or plywood. Black paper is glued to the body. To create contrast, decorative elements are mainly created from white or light-colored paper. When choosing a color, take into account the interior of the room where the clock will be installed. They should fit harmoniously.
This is what the finished product looks like - Numbers are made from prepared strips of paper. To do this, use short strips. At the same time, decorative elements are twisted. Various compositions are used for decoration. These could be flowers or just patterns. It’s better to draw a sketch in advance, which will allow you to evaluate appearance future product.
We twist paper strips into patterns and numbers 3. Created figures and decorative elements glued to selected places using PVA glue.
Ready elements glue to the base 4. A hole is made in the center of the base and a mechanism with arrows is installed.
Installing the clock mechanism Ideas for creating wall clocks vary. Focus on the materials that you have available, but there may be a lot of them. Acceptable use additional elements, be it lace, satin ribbons, beads, rhinestones or even stickers. Wall Clock in the kitchen made of paper or other materials will allow you to always know the time. A made decorative element with my own hands will be pleasing to the eye.
