Do you want to literally know what makes a watch tick? Or have you already sussed that out, and now you'd like help adjusting that pesky hairspring? Either way, we'd be happy to help!

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Repair Class 101: Diagnostics, the Basics

No experience needed to take this class, just a willingness to learn! We will provide each student with a movement (generally the ST3600) that has some or all of the problems we will be discussing, and the chance to fix those errors. We will also provide all the tools and parts needed to work on the movements. The movement will be yours to keep, but we will not be casing the movements. If you want to build your own watch, please take a Build Your Watch class with us!

• 9 hours, over 3 days

• Basic parts identification

• Diagnosing simple errors, such as:

  • Balance broken

  • Mainspring broken

  • Is it magnetism or oil on hairspring?

  • Debris lodged in gear teeth

  • Dirt and its cousins, Sticky and Missing Oil

  • Loose cannon pinion

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Repair Class 102: Diagnostics, Beyond Bed, Bath and the Basics

This class is meant as a continuation of our Diagnostics 101, however, if you already have experience with watch movements, this class may be right for you. Please keep in mind at least some experience with watch movements is needed to make this a good time for everyone. We will provide each student with a movement (generally the ST3600) that has some or all of the problems we will be discussing, and the chance to fix those errors. We will also provide all the tools and parts needed to work on the movements. The movement will be yours to keep, but we will not be casing the movements. If you want to build your own watch, please take a Build Your Watch class with us!

• ​9 hours over 3 days

• More complex issues that go beyond the basics, such as:

  • Beat error issues (hairspring collet manipulation)

  • Pallet fork issues (choppy beat on one jewel, banking pins/division errors)

  • Cracked jewels and replacement

  • Bent gears and how they affect timing

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Repair class 103: Case Finishing Techniques and Tools

This class will introduce you to the finishing techniques you may want to employ for your current watch or future watches you may acquire. We will provide you with a stainless steel case to practice on (stainless steel case for the ST3600 movement), which is yours to keep; you can also bring in a case you already have if you have a project you are working on.

• 3 hours, one day

• Using polishing motor

  • Recommended compounds

  • Various wheel types and effects, such as brushed and matte finishes, high polished finishes, and burnishing

• Using sandblaster

  • Recommended media and effects, such as bead blasting and aluminum blasting

• Using masking agents

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Repair Class 201: It's just not running!

Do you have a watch that "just isn't running" after all your hard work? Bring it in, and let's walk through it together. We will be using a pocket watch (or wristwatch) of your own that you have previously worked on. If you do not have a pocket or wristwatch of your own, you should get one, and then choose a different class!

​This class is designed for the hobbyist who is fairly confident they know what they're doing, but need a sounding board and direction for finishing the repairs. This is an advanced class, so experience is absolutely necessary. There is a (short) verbal pretest to make sure this is the right fit for you (it will not go on your permanent record, probably).

• 15 hours, over 5 days

  • Running through options for repair (do we repair or replace those parts? Which will offer the best chance for success?)

  • Narrowing down the possibilities for failure

  • Repair if possible

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Repair Class 301: Restaffing a Balance Through the Tears In Your Eyes

Have you dropped your watch, and now the balance staff is broken? That was silly, wasn't it?

We will provide each student with a movement with a broken balance, and a new balance staff to replace it*. We will also provide access to the staking set needed to restaff the balance, as well as other tooling you might need. You can always bring your own tools if you want to, though!

*if you really, really want to, you can bring your own movement, balance wheel, and staff. We would STRONGLY encourage you to bring extra balance staffs if you're BYOB'ing.

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• 9 hours, over 3 days

• Restaffing a balance

  • Finding proper staff to fit

  • Removing hairspring and roller table

  • Using staking set to remove and replace staff

  • Replacing balance into watch and checking correctness using a whole movement

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Modification classes​​

Mod Class 101: Modification Time! Heat Treating, Chemical Etching

This class will introduce you to the uses of heat and chemicals to change the appearance of your watch case. We will provide you with a case to use as practice, or you can bring your own. Please note that if you bring in your own case, we cannot guarantee the success of plating your watch case, but we're game if you are.

• 6 hours, over 2 days

• Heat treating techniques using a torch and quenching methods

• Etching techniques using salt water and acid baths

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Mod Class 102: Modification Time! Intro to Cerakote, Kliar nano-ceramic e-coating, and Electroplating

In this course we will be introducing you to Cerakote epoxy coating and Kliar nano-ceramic e-coatings. We will provide each student with 3 cases, one for Cerakote, one for Kliar, and one for electroplating. Please note the cases will need to be picked up at a separate time, due to the time needed to bake the coatings.

• 9 hours, plus separate pick-up time, over 3 days

• Introduction to using a sandblaster for surface prep

• Introduction to using a paint gun (Cerakote)

• Electroplating techniques (Kliar e-coating)

• Electroplating (using nickel, copper, or gold* chemical solutions) *PLEASE NOTE: there is an additional charge for gold plating.

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Mini courses:

These courses are perfect for someone who doesn't want/need a full course. They are each 3 hours, and will cover a smaller portion of the material covered in the full classes, generally taking one subject from the full class and focusing on that topic.

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Mini course 1: Polishing

We will use the polishing motor, various wheels and compounds,  and an ultrasonic to put a final finish on your piece. We will have cases available for purchase if you do not want to provide your own. Class size limited to 2 people.

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Mini course 2: It's just not running

Bring your watch in for some 1 on 1 time with our watchmaker to discuss problems and solutions to your watch woes. We will happily help attempt to repair your piece while you are here, or help you find solutions on your own if we cannot. Class size is limited to 1 person.

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Mini course 3: Plating all the things

We will be using chemicals to plate your watch case or movement bits with nickel, copper or gold* (there is an additional charge for gold plating). We will have cases available for purchase, or you can use your own. We cannot guarantee the success of plating your own case, but we can all learn from the experience.
 

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