An amazing AP Tour !!

[Halothane]

I was planning a vacation to Florida and wanting to look at some AP's but couldn't find a dealer. I decided to call the service center. Well, long story short, after a phone call and a few emails, I was set up with a tour at the AP Service center in Clearwater. The tour was so enjoyable I wanted to share a little with my forum friends, so here goes:

The entrance is very nondescript with some large beautiful trees out front. To give size perspective that is my Toyota LandCruiser dwarfed by the trees.


Walking up to the door, I was wondering if I was even at the correct building until I saw the large AP etched in the doors. I was let in by a security guard and led to a waiting area with some nice reading material. Wish I had more time to read but they were very prompt.


I was introduced to a few people and met my tour guide (straight from Switzerland). I was even given a AP labcoat to wear.


The first thing done when they receive a watch is take a high def video of the entire watch. Another high def video is taken when service is completed.


Then these guys look up each watch by model and serial # and produce an original parts list specific for that watch.


Then the watch is disassembled it's off to polishing for the metal and cleaning for all the movement pieces. This guy was trying to repolish a piece that had been severly over polished by an amatuer jeweler. He was having to recreate the bevels and the angles. It was a mess. He's been doing it for many, many years and he spends about 3 house polishing each watch. He polishes every edge of the case, bezel and bracelet. When you watch a professional like him though, he is able to create the perfect finish with removing very little material. After watching this and hearing stories I would never let anyone polish an AP but the AP service center.






Rarely, if a watch has become too polished and the screw holes might be breached metal can be added. Easiest if you have gold. Worst case they have NOS bezels and cases if it can't be salvaged. This machine lasers the new metal in place.



Here is a mainspring that was placed in its housing and a custom housing done by one of the watchmakers. This is the movement on a very cool oval watch he was servicing.



This is a practice tool for new watchmakers. The red pieces represent the jewels (Rubies) used in the escapement and balance wheel (I think, lol). Anyway, the reason jewels are used is because of less friction and metal would wear down too quick whereas jewels are hard but less friction and will last in these high frequency frictional portions of the watch. New watchmakers work to adjust the jewels to get the precise movement (the tick-tock) exact. It's not easy as I played with it and adjusting one piece will affect the others due to recoil, etc. It's like a puzzle getting it just right.


Watchmakers at work. Each movement is tested for accuracy in 6 different positions. Then it is tested for 72 hours on a winder to make sure it falls within spec.



Then on to quality control where one of 2 ladies are the last to touch and inspect your watch before it's sealed and shipped off for sale or to you.
One final round of testing and examined closely. Now you know why a service takes so long!!


Finally , I'll leave you with a special piece that was being serviced. A lady had AP make a gold coin into a locket type watch. They made a tiny indent on the side you press to open. Inside is a tiny watch that props up for viewing. It was commissioned and made in 1941. What an amazing family heirloom to pass down for generations.



This was an amazing tour. The people were all very welcoming and such wonderful hosts. Due to a suprise incoming when I left for vacation I wasn't able to purchase this trip but plan on very soon. AP is really a remarkable company with such great history and the service center seems top notch. I even got a little swag on the way out