Gross Watchmaking - Practice

With a duration of 7 months and biweekly attendance – in person – the course will be taught by Pedro Coelho and José Campos and guarantees the issuance of a certificate of attendance.

It was designed to offer complete training in wholesale watchmaking in a format that adapts to the professional and family routine of participants.

An important point to highlight is that no prior knowledge in the area is necessary. The main requirement to participate is an interest in watchmaking and a desire to learn, which makes this course accessible to both beginners and enthusiasts.

Objectives

• Identify the different types of watches and their characteristics.

• Perform disassembly, assembly and lubrication of pendulum clocks.

• Diagnose common faults and apply corrective solutions.

• Restore components such as bushings and wheels using appropriate tools.

• Develop a sequential guide for disassembling and assembling pendulum clocks.

• Perform complex repairs, including fitting bushings and tuning hammers and musical mechanisms.

• Apply advanced restoration techniques, such as the construction of bushings on 8mm lathes and the application of gold leaf.

  
  

  Program

  
  

• Module 1: Introduction to Gross Watchmaking (8 hours) - Pedro Coelho and José Campos

• Session 1 (4 hours) : Introduction to the different types of wall and pendulum clocks. Visit to a clock museum to see historical examples.

• Session 2 (4 hours) : Disassembly and assembly of a Junghans pendulum clock. Cleaning the mechanism with petrol and a brush. Lubrication of the components and creation of a sequential guide for disassembling and assembling the clock.

Module 2: Repairs and Tuning (16 hours) - Pedro Coelho

• Sessions 1 and 2 (8 hours) : Identifying common faults such as bent pivots and looseness. Replacing bushings, removing and reinstalling the mainspring using winches, and straightening pivots.

• Sessions 3 and 4 (8 hours) : Tuning of hammers and musical mechanisms. Precision adjustments and regulation of clocks.

Module 3: Practical Repair of Student Watches (8 hours) - Pedro Coelho

• Sessions 1 and 2 (8 hours) : Students bring their own watches for repair. Practical diagnosis and repair, supervised by the trainer. Practical test to identify and correct a fault in a watch.

Module 4: Restoration and Construction of Components (16 hours) - José Campos

• Sessions 1 and 2 (8 hours) : Construction of bushings using 8mm lathes. Restoration of clock wheels.

• Sessions 3 and 4 (8 hours) : Techniques for applying gold leaf to watch cases. Finishing and polishing.

Trainers

• Peter Rabbit

• Jose Campos