I'm Making a Mechanical Watch from Scratch - This is Why
Making a mechanical wristwatch from scratch may seem like a pretty crazy endeavour, and doing so using only traditional methods (no CNC machining for example) may well take this craziness to another level.
I don't want to get too deep into philosophy on life goals here as this isn't what this site is about, and it also varies greatly from person to person. But the short version of the story is that I've always been terrible at things for which I don't have a passion (I was initially a school drop-out) and yet I do have the ability (through sticking at things) to do reasonably well at endeavours I enjoy. I've self-taught myself quite a few things which have given me reasonable success in life my some people's measures. Making a working mechanical watch from scratch, which requires mastery of around 14 different trades, takes this philosophy to another level and if achieved will act as a living proof not only to myself but to others that education is something which can be attained independently of state systems. And while a finished watch is both a work of art as well as a mechanical feat, the success of the mechanical part can be measured accurately and unambiguously in many different ways, thus is a good substitute (for formal exams) for measuring whether or not such self-education has been successful.
But this is far from the only reason. I'll list some other motivations here, not in any special order:
- An example to my children when they grow up as to what can be achieved independently with staying-power.
- To have something on my wrist which I can be proud of and tell a story about. I have never invested in an expensive watch, not because I don't think they are worth it, but I don't really care for what can be perceived as status symbols. This would be a different kind of symbol, one which embodies the type of person I am and my character as an engineer.
- To become a competent watchmaker, and go on to build more watches of increasing innovation once I've learned the basics.
- To continue a craft which may otherwise become entirely lost over the coming years (this is also most of the motivation for creating this site). This would also include training my children when they grow up (if they are interested).
- To inspire others.
- To have an enjoyable and intellectually challenging hobby.
- To learn more about the word we live in, in particular materials and mechanics.
- To learn about precision manufacturing.
- To learn about art.
- To be more mindful and present through an activity.
End Goals for the First Watch
- Develop Competence: Design and build in a way which will make me a competent watchmaker.
- Craft Everything: Build almost every part from scratch (including wheels, pinions, pivots, screws, face, hands, case, etc). I probably won't make my own hairspring or mainspring, but every other part will be handmade from raw stock metal.
- Accurate: The final watch should be at least as good at time-keeping as a commercial equivalent, not more than +/- 6 seconds per day, although I want to strive for within +/- 2 seconds per day.
- Showpiece: Be both a work of art and a showpiece for the engineering effort. It must look great when worn.
- Robust: designed to be worn like any other good watch without fear of breaking it.
- Template: Serve as a base design to refer back to and modify for subsequent watches with more complications.
- Traditionally Made: Be entirely made using traditional watchmaking manufacturing by hand methods (no CNC on the final product for example).
- Timeline: (non-goal) I intentionally won't give myself any artificial time pressure. With a full-time job and as a father of two children, this will have to flex around other commitments. But I commit to stick at this over time to completion.
