AP 3120 movement finishing question

[danw-rolex]

Can anyone clarify if the 3120 is finished by hand or machine? I’ve read that it’s a combo of hand and machine finishing. What does that mean exactly? If some parts are finished by hand, is it with motorized hand tools(electric burr or something similar) or really by hand?

How about the new movement. Any different in the finishing technique?

[leisen]

Originally Posted by danw-rolex

Can anyone clarify if the 3120 is finished by hand or machine? I’ve read that it’s a combo of hand and machine finishing. What does that mean exactly? If some parts are finished by hand, is it with motorized hand tools(electric burr or something similar) or really by hand?

How about the new movement. Any different in the finishing technique?

I read somewhere some time ago that the rotor on the 3120 with crest arms was stamped by machine and subsequently finished by hand. I'm not sure if this information was correct.

[Tommeke94]

Exactly, it's finished by hand.

[gretch6364]

Not directly this at anyone in particular...but sometimes the obsession with "hand finishing" gets a bit over the top. The reality is (IMHO) many times machines can do a better job on certain parts.

I get that it takes more labor for each watch to do it by hand and that adds cost/value to the piece...but some of these machines also cost millions of dollars, which does the same thing.

Additionally...that hand tool used do the work is just that...a tool. If a tool is electrified and then controlled by hand...how is that different from a quality standpoint?

I feel it should be about consistency, beauty, precision, accuracy, sharpness...what ever you want to call it. I can hand make an entire watch with just my hands, fire and some rocks. It would suck and likely not work...but still.

[Bpan]

Originally Posted by gretch6364

Not directly this at anyone in particular...but sometimes the obsession with "hand finishing" gets a bit over the top. The reality is (IMHO) many times machines can do a better job on certain parts.

I get that it takes more labor for each watch to do it by hand and that adds cost/value to the piece...but some of these machines also cost millions of dollars, which does the same thing.

Additionally...that hand tool used do the work is just that...a tool. If a tool is electrified and then controlled by hand...how is that different from a quality standpoint?

I feel it should be about consistency, beauty, precision, accuracy, sharpness...what ever you want to call it. I can hand make an entire watch with just my hands, fire and some rocks. It would suck and likely not work...but still.

I think people are talking about things that machines currently cannot do, e.g. anglage with sharp interior angles, where the bevel is not 45 degrees but curved, and done by hand using a piece of wood (perhaps from Philippe Dufour's backyard) with diamond paste at the end. If it's just rounded interiors at 45 degrees then arguably yes, you might as well use a machine because it will be more consistent.

[leisen]

Originally Posted by gretch6364

Not directly this at anyone in particular...but sometimes the obsession with "hand finishing" gets a bit over the top. The reality is (IMHO) many times machines can do a better job on certain parts.

I get that it takes more labor for each watch to do it by hand and that adds cost/value to the piece...but some of these machines also cost millions of dollars, which does the same thing.

Additionally...that hand tool used do the work is just that...a tool. If a tool is electrified and then controlled by hand...how is that different from a quality standpoint?

I feel it should be about consistency, beauty, precision, accuracy, sharpness...what ever you want to call it. I can hand make an entire watch with just my hands, fire and some rocks. It would suck and likely not work...but still.

You're right. But do not forget that tradition, and therefore handwork, is a plus in fine watchmaking. For that reason, the time dedicated to finishing a caliber is valued, even only in the romantic aspect of it. Just my 2 cents.