How watches are made. How Swiss watches are made

"Petrodvorets Watch Factory" is the oldest Russian company specializing in the manufacture of watches. 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 from the middle of the last century. Then the brand "Rocket" appeared, the appearance of which was timed to coincide with Gagarin's flight into space. Let's walk around the production and see how watches are made. By the way, to make one watch "from and to" you need at least six months. Today, the factory is practically the only company that produces all watch components in-house and assembles them 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 carrying out a full assembly cycle in Russia. Since 2009, the plant has been run by a Frenchman with Russian roots, Jacques von Polier. Just at this time, the plant began to be modernized and updated. The watch collection has also been updated. Today in it you can find such simple but cute specimens:
The company employs Swiss watch engineers who have collaborated with such well-known brands as 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 found out that the balance and the spiral, the most complex elements in the clockwork, are produced here, he decided to stay. In simple terms, a balance is an oscillatory mechanism that balances the movement of a watch's gear mechanism. To make this same balance, you need to do about 200 operations. One of them is performed by this woman.

The process of creating watches begins with the production of platinum - the part on which all movements are attached. This is what is in the box:
In order to reach the ready process, platinum must be on almost all the machines in this room.
Each machine will make the necessary holes in it.
The most recent operation on platinum is performed by a young man:
Well, here is the calibration. In other words, check and correct. Everything happens in a semi-automatic mode: put the part, pulled the handle, took out the part and threw it into the box.

If necessary, you can check how the finished part corresponds to what needs to be done. To do this, she is placed in a “magic” box, where a special device projects her 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.
One funny story is connected with this zero. Back in perestroika times, during Gorbachev's official visit to Italy, a photographer took a picture of his watch. It was a Raketa watch with a characteristic zero. The next day, the headline appeared in Italian newspapers: “In the USSR, they decided to start everything from scratch,” and a photograph of the Rocket flaunted next to it. In the room that bears the proud name of "Dial Area", there were, oddly enough, dials for every taste and color:


In the "arsenal" of the "Rocket", 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 takes place behind the door:
Here, people in white coats, with love, assemble a bunch of gears into a finished mechanism.
The work is hard enough. Just imagine, all day, all eight hours in a row, look through a magnifying glass, painstakingly collecting small details.

Some have been working here for over 40 years:
Curiously, the watch on the hand does not look like a "Rocket"
Workplace of one of the women:



But it's not enough just to assemble the watch. It is necessary to check the mechanism for the accuracy of the stroke and write everything down in a journal:
The running accuracy 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 hand down, hand up, and hand to the side.
In addition to checking the accuracy of the course, you need to check the watch for leaks.
These are all right. Withstand 5 atmospheres:
It is said that a few years ago a divers' club contacted the plant, whose members raised from the bottom of the sea a fairly rare Raketa watch that had lain there for several decades. The divers wanted to determine who was the owner of the chronometer. What was the surprise of the masters when, after they cleaned and started the mechanism, the clock started running again, as if those long years under water had not happened. All testing equipment is made in Switzerland. This is due to the fact that the "Rocket" is sold not only in Russia, but also in Europe, so the watch must comply with foreign standards. On the hand of the director of the plant, of course, "Rocket":
Almost the same as on the wall:
In general, work in production is really jewelry. Just imagine that these little purple pebbles need to be carefully placed somewhere without losing:
Prices for watches are not the lowest, starting at about 7,000 rubles. It costs no less than $50-60 to produce a simple Raketa mechanism without complications, while you can buy a ready-made mechanism of good quality for $20-40. This is the price of the mechanism alone. It is necessary to add another bracelet, a case and other details, wages for workers, etc. At such costs, one can still call the retail price humane. At the price of "Rocket" you can buy good Swiss watches, but the Swiss are not considered competitors at the factory. As Jacques von Polier says: "We are targeting those who want to buy something real, not fake, made in Russia." It is worth noting that in March 2011, for the first time in its 300-year history, the Petrodvorets Watch Factory took part in the well-known international watch exhibition in Basel, where the Raketa watch aroused the interest of visitors.

How are watches made?

The watch making process is incredibly interesting. After all, they consist of many small details, the manufacture of each of which is a real art. The process of rotating parts 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, Pakman, Pluto, Polet, Vostok-Gold, Russian Watches, Raketa and others. But only at the last enterprise, watches are made "from scratch" from parts produced here.

watch making

Watch production technology begins with the creation of platinum - a special blank designed to fasten all mechanisms. All machines participate in its production, on each of which holes are applied to it, which will be needed for the next part. In automatic mode, platinum is subject to adjustment. To do this, the operator places the part in a special machine and presses the lever.

The next step is to create the necessary filling of the clock. The machine tool masters are given a project created by designers. According to the sketches of the project, they stamp all the necessary details. Any mechanical watch has four main groups of components. Different manufacturers will have their own characteristics, but the division pattern is the same:

• a spring that acts as an engine;
• gears that form the transmission mechanism of the impulse;
• a regulator that ensures the uniformity of the movement of the clock;
• distributor or descent. In the watch, it performs two functions. Firstly, it provides the transfer of momentum from the spring to the regulator, which maintains its oscillations. And secondly, it subordinates the movement of the wheels, and hence the action of the spring, to the oscillation of the regulator.

To make sure that all the details are made correctly, they are subject to verification. 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 be perfectly fitted, otherwise the clock will not work.

Let's understand further how the clock is made. The next stage is no less responsible - assembly. It is produced by hand. Most often, women are hired as pickers, whose thin and quick fingers are better suited for such work. This process requires workers to be extremely precise, attentive and have good eyesight. Assembled according to all the rules, the clock will work for many years.

Finished watches must be checked. At each plant, they put forward requirements for the accuracy of the course. For example, a Raketa watch should not deviate beyond the limits - 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 after a day.

The running accuracy is checked in three different positions. Indeed, in everyday life, our hand can be raised up, lowered 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 watches and want to make them yourself, check out the article. With it, you can make an interesting gift for yourself or your loved ones.

The other day, with a group of colleagues, I managed to visit one of the oldest watch factories in Russia - the Petrodvorets Watch Factory "Rocket". Looking ahead, I want to say that the enterprise is unique and has a very long history, which makes the plant not only interesting, but also a historical place. I suggest that you take a walk with me and see how mechanical watches are made.

Back in 1721, Peter 1 founded the Peterhof Imperial Factory and it was from that time that a history of almost three centuries began. At first, the factory processed precious stones, but a little later the factory began to work with stone, which was necessary for the construction of palaces, fountains and museums. Over the years, the factory produced various products, from knobs for umbrellas and walking sticks, mosaics for the throne of the Naval Cathedral in Kronstadt, tombs for the Peter and Paul Cathedral, to ruby ​​Kremlin stars.

At the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, the plant was evacuated to the Urals, but 33 people in the completely destroyed building of the plant, being between the two front lines of Besieged Petersburg, continued to work and produce the simplest products. In 1949, the plant was restored and it was from that time that it began to produce watches and already in 1954 it received its current name - the Petrodvorets Watch Factory.

The former territory of the plant is huge and this is not surprising, because since 1961 the plant has been producing watches for the civilian population, as well as for polar explorers (I want such watches for myself !!! and it’s old school), astronauts, submariners and for the army and navy. By 1980, the plant produces about 4,500,000 watches a year and about 8,000 employees work on its territory. Directly at the plant, not only a private hospital was built, but also a school, shops, a stadium and even a cultural center.
Alas, after the events in the early 90s, the plant slowly "dies" until 2009. Now more than 90% of the buildings are occupied by various LLCs, individual entrepreneurs, cafe-bars, car washes and car services.

The plant itself is hidden in a small, inconspicuous brick building and only this sign gives it away.

Since this year, the plant has a small museum-shop. Two Nastenkas tell visitors about the history of the plant and what is happening at the moment, and even about the future for the most curious. If you ask very well, you can even feel and turn some exhibits from the past in your hands. By the way, you can easily sign up for a tour here.

Until 1961, the plant produced watches under the name Pobeda, but in 1961 it was decided to be renamed "Rocket". Guess why?

Now the plant produces about 13 collections - Academic, Atom, Ballerina, Petrodvorets classic, Pilot, Polar, Motherland, Sailor, Sonata, Sport, Vodianova Star, Winter, Yalta and two more are on the way - Pobeda and Amphibian. There are also quite unique ones - for example, watches for the Vympel special forces.

Each watch produced has a serial number and the more expensive ones come in beautiful boxes. By the way, the price is quite humane, as far as I understand, the most expensive serial watches on sale have a price tag of about 40 thousand rubles, which is not so expensive for a mechanical watch assembled by hand. They told me in confidence that it was planned to release watches made of precious metals and with various stones =)
In 2012, Jean-Claude Quesnet, the former director of production of the balance-spring (the most complex part in watch movements) of the Rolex company, came to the factory.

Everything is Soviet - strictly and concisely. Clock 1966-1970

1961 - 1965

Printed circuit board (if I'm not mistaken) - it is used to make platinum (the carrier system of the clockwork)

And here is a quartz watch, only I don’t remember the year.

The factory produced not only wristwatches, but also alarm clocks. I'm sure some of you had one when you were a kid. =)

Alena Zavarzina (bronze medalist of the Olympic Games in Sochi) is depicted next to this watch for a reason. She is not only the face of the company, but also a member of the board of directors (although I don’t quite understand how and why), and her husband Vic Wilde (two-time champion of the same games in Sochi) became the director of strategy.


From the 2012 collection

But these watches will only soon appear on the shelves of watch stores. The plant will officially produce watches for the 70th anniversary of the victory.


Victory - Crimea - 2014 ..... symbolic, however, with a double meaning. Of course, the watch was released for the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Crimea from the Nazis, but a slight trolling of the events of 2014 can still be traced. The watch was released in a limited series and cost 5500 pe per piece (not official data), but I think the price after the entire small batch was sold out rose significantly.


And here is another interesting watch - a model made for the Olympic Games in Sochi. The plant turned to the Olympic Committee with a request to allow the production of watches with the symbols of the games in Sochi, but businessmen from the Olympic Committee requested 5 euros for entry, so to speak, the plant with a staff of about 200 people, of course, could not cope with such an amount and Omega became a partner of the games. The designers did not lose heart and came up with such a design, without official symbols, but the Olympic Committee decided that this was not according to their rules and turned to the right place, the model was ordered to be discontinued. Only 500 pieces of these watches were produced at a price of about 7,000 rubles, and after such a PR, the entire batch was swept off the shelves, they say that now these watches cost about 70 thousand !!!. If a watch is overgrown with history or a legend, and even if it is released in a limited edition, then its value increases significantly.

Polar watch 2014 with updated design from 1969.

And this is a self-winding watch. The new hand-assembled mechanism looks very cool, of course, and this is not China for you, which can fail at any moment.


The reverse side of the model from Natashka Vodianova =)


There are even watches made of precious wood, I don’t know how practical it is, but it looks very unusual.

As I said, the plant produced not only watches, but also stone products.


The process of creating a watch is not easy because there are several hundred parts in the watch.

To be honest, I expected to see some kind of space machines and an almost automatic process, but I could say I was pleasantly surprised. A real "old school" and even the smallest details are made by hand.


We arrived at the moment when most of the employees had gone on a break and we, like cockroaches, scattered around the shop and began to twist and turn everything, and the remaining employees had to endure us and answer our myriad of questions.

Anastasia has platinum on her hand, a part on which all other mechanisms are attached.

Before becoming platinum, this small detail passes through almost all the machines in the factory, after which it undergoes automatic adjustment.

The rocket is one of the five factories that produce a balance - a spiral, that very important detail.
"The balance-spring is the most complex part of the mechanism, the watch will not work without it, the accuracy of the course depends on it. The spiral itself is thinner than a human hair and is made of a special alloy, each company has its own. Usually, when the temperature rises, the shape of any material changes. If the alloy for the spiral is chosen incorrectly, over time, the spiral lengthens, which leads to a failure in accuracy.Therefore, the alloy from which the spiral is made is kept a big secret.The second point is the complexity of the production process, the most accurate calculations are needed.The error should be a maximum of 0.5 micron."

"After the crisis of 1975, when the world market was flooded with cheap quartz watches from Asia, many Swiss companies reduced their production of mechanical watches. As a result, in 1975, only the Swatch group, a group of 15 brands, including Rado, became involved in the production of balance-springs, Tissot, Swatch, Breguet, etc. Later, other companies began to produce their own spirals. Now Swatch group, Rolex, Bovet (Dimier SA), SANDOZ, Festina make their own balance spirals.
the rest of the companies mainly buy from the Swatch group, even the most expensive watch brands. The situation is the same with movements, most companies in Switzerland buy movements from ETA (Swatch group). Someone finalizes these mechanisms, someone simply inserts them into the case.
Production "from beginning to end" is not handled by anyone, except for the Swatch group, Rolex and a couple of other companies."

And this is modern equipment, which is beginning to appear at the plant.

Everyone depends on the Swatch group, but Swatch, in turn, announced that it would stop supplying movements to third-party companies by 2013. It is very, very difficult to create a technological chain of balance-spiral from scratch, and Raketa will be able to meet the needs of many companies. Currently, the plant supplies the balance-spring to other companies, but their names are kept secret and they refused to disclose to us =)


Like I said, everything is done by hand.


Vooooon there in the center is a very tiny detail - no more than a millimeter in length.


The machines are mostly imported - Swiss, but there are also ours made during the Soviet Union.

nau_spb likes =)


big slicer


A special, Russian spirit hovers at the factory and it is everywhere, therefore the watches turn out to be so warm and dear!!

For clarity, the blank and the finished part. The font that you see on the background is a regular, drawing font and you can compare the scale by it.


Enlarged.


At the factory there is a school of watchmakers and anyone can enroll in it and at the same time training is FREE. In general, about 200 employees work at the plant, and many of them have been working at the plant for 50 years. But there is also "young" blood - relatively recently, a young guy came to the plant, who at school dreamed of working at this plant, and as soon as the last school bell rang, he packed his things and left his home and went thousands of kilometers (and he lived somewhere in the Far East) to get the job of your dreams.

Before entering the assembly shop, we were given disposable shoe covers, but permanent employees have their own lockers in which slippers are stored. The chairman of the board of directors also has his own locker =)


Almost complete silence reigns in the assembly shop, and even when our group appeared, no one broke away from the work process.


Each watch is checked for leaks with the help of such a device, which, by changing the pressure, checks whether the watch is suitable or not.


Model "Amphibian" - a watch for ice divers, which will soon appear on the shelves. This is one of the simpler versions of the updated model, the TOP model will be made of black, matte metal. The watch will withstand about 40 atmospheres, which will allow you to dive to a depth of about 400 meters. In my opinion, the design is very simple, but the factory honors the traditions and this model is an update of the old model of the 70s.


Details of future hours.


Assembly is the same as manufacturing - manual.

Well, where without sports at the factory? Well, you understand who is the first =)

The whole tour took us about two hours, I didn’t remember a bunch of the most curious facts while shooting, and it’s better you go yourself and look at how domestic watches are made.
Many thanks to the staff of the plant for the hospitality and such an exciting tour.

Some watch mechanisms are assembled from a hundred or more parts. Almost all operations, including stone setting, balance adjustment and lubrication, are done by hand. This guarantees the high quality of Swiss watches. I had the opportunity to participate in the process personally. Unforgettable experience.

Frédérique Constant was founded in Geneva in 1988 by 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 most famous companies in the world are based there. Over the past 300 years, watchmakers have reached unprecedented heights in watchmaking.

Frédérique Constant carries out the entire production chain, from design to parts production and assembly. Striving for the highest quality, the owners of the company continue to invest in modern technological equipment, cooperate with highly qualified watchmakers and develop their divisions so as to be able to control the production of watches at all stages, from concept development to final control. Since 2004, Frédérique Constant has acquired the right to be called a manufactory.

Most of the parts of the clock mechanism go through the angle. The edges are chamfered and polished to a high shine. The decorative finishes are predominantly handmade and include filigree engraving, Côtes de Genève, perlage, rhodium and many others.

The production employs more than 150 specialists who manufacture parts of watch movements, assemble watches and quality control. The face of the brand is Oscar-winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow.

The assembly shop receives individual parts of future watches: watch mechanisms, cases, dials, hands. The work is painstaking and requires a lot of patience. The details are fragile and miniature, every hand movement must be extremely precise.

The watch goes through a series of control tests. Finally, the correct operation of all functions is checked. If at any stage of the check the watches show non-compliance with quality standards, they are returned to the production workshops for revision.

Watch movements, whether quartz or mechanical, require regular maintenance, the frequency of which depends on the complexity of the model. All Frédérique Constant watches come with a two-year warranty.

When creating each new model, the closest attention is paid to any, even the smallest detail, from the appearance of the watch to the convenience of wearing it on the hand. The overall aesthetic, the hand-polished case, the varied types of guilloches on the dial, the ergonomics are all perfected to provide maximum comfort.

The brands Frédérique Constant and Alpina are featured on social media. 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 details, then to put everything back together. I had the opportunity to install a few parts! It was unforgettable.

Now it's my turn. In general, everything worked out but not the first time.

Fernando has iron endurance and angelic patience. I'm amazed.

A small video of the process. Just to illustrate the story. Look.

The company offers quality at affordable prices. However, there are models whose cost reaches 40,000 euros.

The brand name Frédérique Constant is formed by the merging of two names: Frederique Schreiner and Constant Stas. The current Managing Director of the company is Peter Stas. The motto of the brand is LIVE WITH PASSION.

New model GENTS NOTIFY from the HOROLOGICAL SMARTWATCH collection. Quartz movement with "smart" and interactive functionality. Combination of classic Swiss watches and the latest technology.

In a relatively short period of time, 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 the classics, and the owners didn't 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 quite young.

Moon and stars on the dial. This is one of the gears that I installed :)

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To create a cozy home, you need to think through many details. First of all, this applies to interior and decor 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, usually bought in a specialized store. The presence of an old clock will greatly simplify the task, because you can use their mechanism. Everything else depends on your skill and imagination.

Wall clock in decoupage technique (MK)

You can make a clock in the kitchen with your own hands from improvised materials. But, if you want to create an original product, then the decoupage style will be the perfect solution.. These clocks look elegant and will be a unique decoration for the interior of the house. We offer an interesting master class that will help you create a wall clock yourself at minimal cost.

You also need to prepare:

• clockwork hands;
• wooden base (round or square);
• napkins and ready-made patterns on paper;
• acrylic paints;
• brushes;
• sponges and varnish.

Making watches with your own hands in the decoupage style is carried out in a certain sequence:

1. The workpiece is being processed . The basis of the future product must be sanded with sandpaper and coated three times with white acrylic paint, it will serve as a primer.

2. When the paint dries, a couple of centimeters recede from the edge of the workpiece and outline the future frame .

Outlining the frame

3. The basis is given an invoice , the color of painting is selected, the most suitable for the interior. The paint is diluted and applied with a sponge in a chaotic manner to age the product.

Applying 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: Original do-it-yourself lamps from various bottles (3 MK)

Coloring the frame

5. From prepared rice paper cut pattern 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.

Paste the image

6. Now you need to connect 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 creates a smooth transition 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 need to aging the product , for this, a two-component cracking agent is applied to the surface with a dry brush (you can buy it at a store where needlework products are presented).

Applying a layer for 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.

We cover with varnish

At the end, it remains to install the arrows, the mechanism and glue the numbers (the latter can be drawn according to the template). Now the clock has a complete look, they can be used as decor for the kitchen, bedroom, living room.

Finished result

On video: making wall clocks using decoupage technique

Cardboard clock (MK)

Some needlewomen make do-it-yourself clocks for the kitchen from cardboard. Such a decor item can become not only useful, but also an exclusive thing. Before answering the question of how to make a clock out of cardboard, you need to make sure that you have the appropriate materials.

For work you will need:

• thick cardboard;
• multi-colored caps or buttons;
• working mechanism and arrows;
• compass;
• PVA glue.

To make your own wall clock, follow the steps below:

1. A circle is made on cardboard with a compass, after which it is cut 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).

Draw numbers

4. A hole is made in the center of the intended circle for installing the mechanism and arrows.

Making a hole

5. The last step is to install the arrow mechanism. A battery is also inserted to operate the watch.

As you can see, you can make a clock out of cardboard very quickly and you don’t need special skills for this, but such decoration will complement the interior of the selected room.

Quilling product(MK)

A good option would be to make a quilling clock. In such arts and crafts, paper strips of different widths and lengths are used.. They twist into patterns, a composition is formed. You can make such a clock according to the following scheme:

• The basis for the clock will serve 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, the interior of the room where the clock will be installed is taken into account. They should fit in 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. It can be flowers or just patterns. It is better to draw a sketch in advance, which will allow you to evaluate the appearance of the future product.

We twist patterns and numbers from paper strips

3. The created numbers and decorative elements are glued to the selected places using PVA glue.

We glue the finished elements to the base

4. A hole is made in the center of the base and a mechanism with arrows is installed.

Installing the clockwork

Ideas for creating wall clocks are different. Focus on the materials that you have available, but there can be a lot of them. It is allowed to use additional elements, be it lace, satin ribbons, beads, rhinestones or even stickers.. A wall clock for the kitchen made of paper or other materials will always let you know the time. And the made element of decor with your own hands will please the eye.