Watch this

I studied, read, and taught myself how to build a wrist watch from manufactured parts.

I only build mechanical movement watches, the wind up kind for those not into watches.

My first watch was a B-Uhr observer, gunner wristwatch copy of a German WW2 

issued watch..it actually looks good and works. It actually keeps excellent time.

I am starting on my 2nd watch build--this will be more of a large, sturdy, dress watch if there can  be such a thing?

Swiss Unitas 6497 manual movement that i got for a really good price.

Flieger pilot case with coin rolled edge, exhibition case back.

Guilloche silver dial face with seconds sub dial.

Breguet blue anodized hands.

Paneri style black leather band with stainless steel buckle.

Today I received the last parts ordered for the next watch and I now have all the parts i need to begin construction.

The next step is to mic everything for size, then test fit the dial to both the movement and the case. 

Once i am assured that everything is with specifications and should fit, I will

mount the hour washer and the dial to the movement.

Then fit the hands to the hour and second posts, and test run using the temporary

stem that come with the movement.

The initial test run is for operation, I know the movement works--but the

initial test is to insure the hands move properly, have clearance from

each other when passing and while in motion.

Regulating the movement for time accuracy will come later once i have

everything installed and working in the case.

As i go through this process i will take the best photo's i can for the blog but 

forgive me if they are mutt quality.

I am worried about installing these Breguet hands. They are extremely

thin and delicate.

Installing hands properly on a watch is tough enough with

diver or military watch type hands but--I bought two sets of these just in case 

of the oops factor and i am glad I did after seeing them.

It will probably be several days before i can actually sit down and begin work 

on this project. I try to make sure that when I work on watches 

there are zero disturbances and I can focus for a couple of hours straight

without interruption.

It does take a bit of concentration.

"Time moves in one direction,

memory in another."

William Gibson