I see vintage watches repaired. When the case is opened the movements are so well-designed and engineered, with gear teeth cut to the 0.1 MM level and thin, perfect jewels. How is such mechanical precision possible from decades ago?
In: Engineering
Yeah, you’re just underestimating how good we are at making stuff. I was able to get those tolerances in a few months on a lathe from the 50s as a complete novice. We don’t do it by hand, we have setups to hold stuff in place and move stuff very smoothly and precisely and nothing is eyeballed. And we can use those tools to make even better tools. It’s a feedback loop.
Also, watch movements are made to be tuned after they’re made. So if it’s off a bit, you can adjust it.
Latest Answers