Can someone explain finish?

[buddenfan]

I may love and collect watches but I am still learning daily. Alot of times the term finish gets brought up. Can someone explain it possibly with photos to help? To me all high end watches (price wise at least a few thousand and up) look quality so what it meant by finish. For example to me a Hublot Big Bang looks well put together from a look and design perspective but someone told me it has the finish of a 12 year old crafting it.

Others say a Moser Streamliner has great finish but to me it looks like another integrated bracelet watch (gorgeous bracelet) that is well brushed.

[EEpro]

These traditional finishing types articles are a good starting place.

https://watchesbysjx.com/2011/08/tra...-by-lange.html

https://monochrome-watches.com/a-tec...te-horlogerie/

[GB-man]

Typically people are referencing the polishing treatments to the movement. Anglage, perlage, chatons, jewels. The architecture of the movement itself is easily as important to me although wouldn’t be classified as finishing.

The dial imho is the next most intriguing area to display finishing in terms of the dial itself, indices, hands. Lastly the case, an area where AP has built its. business.

[unknown]

Please believe me an do buy this book if you really want to learn something

In fact most people should cause this book exactly explains what haute horlogerie means.

And THE difference between high end stuff and watches like the hublot you mention or cartier, Rolex…. Is exactly the level of hand finishing

This book explains all the techniques, shown with pics and text


I really have a couple of hundreds watch books but when you want to know more about hand finishing this is the book to buy

Here is a link, maybe you can find it cheaper elsewhere …. But do not look for a better source of information


https://watchprint.com/en/technical-...ecoration.html


This WILL help you a lot

[Ichiran]

Nothing beats a visit to Switzerland to observe independent watchmakers design, cut, finish, assemble and QC their case, dial and movements. Some smaller independents use a small device at the side of their desks to fire their enamels. 1 or 2 have engine turning lathe. You can see many other tools used for their watchmaking.

I have learned a lot from these visits.

[Ichiran]

This photo shows some beautifully carved and polished 3D spokes, vis-a-vis the size of a match head. While the picture alone doesn't explain finishing, it gives a sense of the difficulty in achieving something so miniature.

[Loujo]

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by Ichiran

This photo shows some beautifully carved and polished 3D spokes, vis-a-vis the size of a match head. While the picture alone doesn't explain finishing, it gives a sense of the difficulty in achieving something so miniature.

Wow, and yes a must-see in person.

[Loujo]

No hand polishing, all done by machine

[Ichiran]

Same parts - left side is finished and right side is raw.

[Loujo]

Originally Posted by Ichiran

Same parts - left side is finished and right side is raw.

Amazing!

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by Ichiran

Same parts - left side is finished and right side is raw.

Wow wow wow! Thx for posting those two pics, most impressive

[Ichiran]

The one on the left is raw. The one on the right is after a few hours of finishing, and still far from done.

[Ichiran]

Hand-polishing the bevel of the Romain Gauthier Insight Micro-Rotor using wood.

[Pw92676]

All the photos here are very nice. Great question and awesome responses. This is TRF at its finest!

[brandrea]

Outstanding insight and photos in the thread. Thank you

[Copasetic]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Outstanding insight and photos in the thread. Thank you

Absolutely! Thanks everyone for all your great posts, especially the photos.

[Ichiran]

Akrivia decorator polishing the spoke of a tiny wheel. See how small the wheel is compared to the joint in the middle of the finger.

These decorators use 10x loupe to file and polish these components.

[kunlun]

Originally Posted by unknown

Please believe me an do buy this book if you really want to learn something

In fact most people should cause this book exactly explains what haute horlogerie means.

And THE difference between high end stuff and watches like the hublot you mention or cartier, Rolex…. Is exactly the level of hand finishing

This book explains all the techniques, shown with pics and text


I really have a couple of hundreds watch books but when you want to know more about hand finishing this is the book to buy

Here is a link, maybe you can find it cheaper elsewhere …. But do not look for a better source of information


https://watchprint.com/en/technical-...ecoration.html


This WILL help you a lot

Thank you for this, it's a great reference.

[Ichiran]

The last component below is totally hidden but yet it is polished to that level. First one has an interior angle.

[joli160]

Beautiful pictures Michael, incredible craftsmanship

[Ichiran]

Comblémine carving interior angles for their client.

[enjoythemusic]

Loving the Polish Porn :)

[John Doyle]

Yeah, still doesn't justify the outrageous prices being asked by some of the "independants".

[Ichiran]

Originally Posted by John Doyle

Yeah, still doesn't justify the outrageous prices being asked by some of the "independants".

Absolutely not enough made to sell to collectors who are willing to pay for one.

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by John Doyle

Yeah, still doesn't justify the outrageous prices being asked by some of the "independants".

Well then, sounds like you should to start your own timepiece company and show them who you truly are and what pricing should be. Mr. Lamborghini did, and see where that got him. It'd be great to see a member of TRF step up to the plate.

PS: Plus the USA desperately needs more high-end watchmakers to create a 'brand'. What will you name your company John?

[ChetBaker]

:-)

[Easy E]

Originally Posted by John Doyle

Yeah, still doesn't justify the outrageous prices being asked by some of the "independants".

To you, which is totally fine. To some people it’s totally worth the ask. Otherwise there would be no market for such.

[ILoveFerrari]

Originally Posted by Ichiran

Absolutely not enough made to sell to collectors who are willing to pay for one.

+1

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[ILoveFerrari]

Originally Posted by Easy E

To you, which is totally fine. To some people it’s totally worth the ask. Otherwise there would be no market for such.

+1

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