The watchmaker assembly a prototype for testingReading Time: 6minutes
On Thursday, 7th of November, I was invited by Girard-Perregaux to visit their freshly refurbished manufacture. The tour was organised on three different brand’s sites: the manufacture at Rue des Crêtets, the Haute-Horlogerie Department at Rue Numa-Droz and, the final destination of the tour, the Girard-Perregaux villa. I will not be able to explain all the things that I saw but I hope it will offer you a glimpse of how things are done at the La Chaux-de-Fonds brand. The article will contain, in the end, some words about the new logo, the vision and the future of Girard-Perregaux.Image and video-heavy article.
Movement in the assembly phase
Before going into more details, I invite you to have a look at the Girard-Perregaux history on their official Heritage & Duty webpage. A short crush introduction of this article can be seen in this 2017 official video below (available from the same webpage).
The joint manufacture at Rue des Crêtets
The manufacture tour started on the location at Rue des Crêtets. There, Girard-Perregaux and Ulysse Nardin share production spaces and lines. During the production, the spaces are well delimited between the brands. The same policy applies to the management and marketing departments, well defined and separated.
A meeting room that serves both brands. As some might have already noticed, the Girard-Perregaux new logo is used.
At the location, I was welcomed by Anna Lundstrom CMO of the Girard-Perregaux (communication and marketing) and Olivia Klay. The Rue des Crêtets serves as the production site for the brand’s core collection.
Where all starts
The first step in the creation of a new watch is the computer design. After the model is digitally created, simulated and tested, a prototype is manufactured. This one is tested in real-life situations but also in advance conditions. Only after a full working and reliable model is achieved, the new piece goes into production.
The first visited was the Development Department: movements, cases, digital simulation and process and aspects related to the developmentThe Development Department takes care also of the testing the characteristics of the new products, as part of the development processThe watchmaker assemble a prototype for testingThe testing facility is used during development but can support the production department, also help in case of issues during the productionA testing bench: a movement is tested by accelerating wear and ageingThe testing assembleTesting routine and measurements are digitally programmed and measured – a high precision can be achievedAnother view of the testing apparatus
The R&D development team makes not only the digital design of new movements and cases. The production’s process is part of the R&D. Several tests are done to ensure the best quality in the new products: mechanical, thermal and even X-rays. The new materials for cases and movements are part of the investigations fulfilled by the R&D.
Machines used to manufacture small components
Gears and small parts
An entire room of the facility takes care of the production of small components – like the gears. In a room full of special machines, the gears and other round components are cut from metal roads. The raw pieces are then finished under the microscope.
Pins – working with this kind of components requires attention. Imagine spiling the box all over the place, the batch becomes unusable.Milling and CNC machines used to manufacture gearsIn production: various gears in different production phases and finishesAll the components are rigorously verified to ensure the best qualityA semi-automatic machine used to cut gear’s teethThe part specifications on displayThe operator feeds the machine and checks the final part for conformity
Various gear typesVarious gear types
When machines need human expertise
In the high-quality production, the final touch to a component is done by an experimented human hand. For example, these pins are machined produced and then rectified and checked by an expert.
Rectifying machineA closer look at the machineRaw componentsA closer look at the machine
Raw component under the microscopeFinished component under the microscope
Milling and CNC machines save a lot of time and produce high-quality components:
Requirements, specifications and parts in different manufacturing stagesMain plates waiting to be milled from their manufacturing plateA modern computerised milling machine – CNCSome CNCs need a human operator for feeding and quality control
Another view of the CNCMilled partsInspection of the milled main plateAnother example of CNC usage: The bridges are milled to a micrometric precise height.CNC machineAnother type of milling machineA multi-head milling/drilling machineA set of drilling and milling headsAn entire team of engineers create and improves the software controlling all the manufacturing machines and CNCs.
Checks & finishes before the final assembly
After the basic components are made, several operations must be fulfilled before going to be assembled. Some components need to receive and extra finishing step. Other need to be verified against the rigorous specifications.
Checking the milled parts:
The components produced by milling are checked using an optical model and human experience.
Hand polishing for components:
Hand polishing is part of the manufacturing process
Spring tests:
Checking balance springs using the computerThe spring tester
Balance wheel preparation:
Machine used to mount and test balance wheel counterweightsBalance wheel without counterweightsThe weights mounting is a semi-automated process saving a lot of timeThe balance weights are regulated using a precise computerised toolOperating the machine requires a lot of patience and agile hands not to bent or damage the balance wheel
Perlage: for some components, the perlage is realised using a specialised computerised machine. After decoration steps, all components go to electroplating (usually rhodium plating).
Mainplates before and after perlage
Automated processes
Some of the processes can be done fully automatic, like mounting the jewels in their sink. For that, a robot arm is used. This takes the jewels from a tray and precisely fit and press the jewels with micrometric precision.
Assembly line for movements and complete watches
The Girard-Perregaux assembly line is ultra-modern and combines the commodity of the machines with the knowledge and experience of the employees. The assembly lines use a robotic machine on which the movements are feed. The movements travel between the assembly stations and each watchmaker is doing its own steps. The movements that passed all the stations go further for hands mounting and encasing. Before being finally put in a case, all the movements are tested by a complex robot.
Final assembly roomThe movements are placed into the holders and feed to the assembly lineFeeding tower for the assembly lineAssembly lineA loaded assembly line: the movements are divided between the working stationsEach watchmaker receives the movements that are dedicated to its station for certain objective
Assembly operation is done by experienced watchmakersAfter each step, the watchmakers feeds back to the movement to the assembly and it is moved forward to the next watchmaker/assembly. In this case, mounting the main bridge.Movement assembly
Movement assembly is a delicate operation that needs a clean and dried environmentBetween the assembly steps, the watchmakers test the function to observe that everything is OK.Mounting the bridges requires several mini screws
Testing the movements is a process that requires a lot of time. This time can be shortened by using a specialised robot that can test the movement using precise sensors. The chronometry is, in this way, fully automatic tested.
The biggest and scary winder I have met
The hands of time the watch
One of the final operation done for a watch is attaching the hands. This are manually inserted. Some of the hands need to be manually bent to follow the top crystal curvature. The watchmaker does this operation with exceptional precision gained in the years of experience. The hands’ movement is tested between each step.
An almost complete watch – the 1966 Collection with calibre GP03300-0030Chrono-hand placement on a Laureato ChronoHands mounting on LaureatoBetween the steps, the watch functionality is testedBending by hand the chronograph seconds’ hand
The final inspection before casingThe final step is to mount the calibre into the caseBefore closing the case, the watch is checked for dust particlesPreparing the top crystalA fully assembled Girard-Perregaux Laureato ChronographThe final checkCompleted watches
The Haute Horlogerie Department will be presented in the second part of the article.
Girard-Perregaux Manufacture: Rue des Crêtets visit Gallery
A meeting room that serves both brands. As some might have already notice, the Girard-Perregaux new logo is used.
The first visited was the Development Department: movements, cases, digital simulation and process and aspects related to develpment
The Development Department takes care also of the testing the characteristics of the new products, as part of the development process
The watchmaker assembly a prototype for testing
A testing bench: a movement is tested by accelerating wear and ageing
Another view of the testing apparatus
Testing routine and measurements are digitally programmed and measured – a high precision can be achieved
The testing assemble
The testing facility is used during development, but can support the production department, also help in case of issues during the production
Machines used manufacture small components
Pins – working with this kind of components requires patience and care
Milling and CNC machines used to manufacture gears
In production: various gears in different production phases and finishes
All the components are rigorously verified to ensure the best quality
A semi-automatic machine used to cut gear’s teeth
The operator feed the machine and check the final part for conformity
The part specifications on display
Rectifying machine
A closer look to the machine
Raw components
A closer look at the machine
Finished component under the microscope
Various gear types
Various gear types
Checking balance springs using the computer
The spring tester
Machine used to mount and test balance wheel counterweights
Balance wheel without counterweights
The balance weights are regulated using a precise computerised tool
Operating the machine requires a lot of patience and agile hands no the bent or damage the balance wheel
The weights mounting is a semi-automated process saving a lot of time
Another view of the CNC
A modern computerised milling machine – CNC
Some CNCs need human operator for feeding and quality control
Parts waiting to be milled
CNC machine
Another example of CNC usage: The bridges are milled to a micrometric precise height.
An entire team of engineers create and improves the software controlling all the manufacturing machines and CNCs.
A set of drilling and milling heads
A multi-head milling machine
A multi head milling machine
Requirements, specifications and parts in different manufacturing stages
Milled parts
Inspection of the milled main plate
The components produced by milling are checked using an optical model and human experience.
Hand polishing is part of the manufacturing process
Mainplates before and after perlage
Final assembly room
The movement are placed into the holders and feed to the assembly line
Feeding tower for the assembly line
Assembly line
A loaded assembly line: the movements are divided between the working stations
Each watchmaker receives the movements that are dedicated to its station for certain objective
Assembly operation is done by experienced watchmakers
After each step, the watchmakers feeds back to movement to the assembly and it is moved forward to the next watchmaker/assembly
Movement assembly
Movement assembly is a delicate operation that needs a clean and dried environment
Between the assembly steps, the watchmakers test the function to observe that everything is OK.
Testing the movement is realised with the help of a specialised robot
An almost complete watch
Hands placement on a Laureato Chrono
Hands mounting on Laureato
Another view
The final inspection
Bending by hand the chronograph seconds’ hand
Before closing the case, the watch is checked for dust particles
The final step is to mount the calibre into the case
Preparing the top crystal
A fully assembled Girard-Perregaux Laureato Chronograph
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4 Comments
Very interesting tour and great insights!
I would love to know if the cases and the dials are made in-house too, or if GP outsourced this?
More particular, I am interested to know if the anglage at the caliber 01800 is done by hand or by machines?
Wow that is so kind, I can’t wait to know the response of GP. Thank you so much!
The case finish on the Laureato for example is quite complex and finely executed, however doing it equally well in ceramic, as they do, requires diamond coated tools. Not even to mention the new sapphire cases… I am curious.
As the GP 01800 in its basic version is not part of the high horology branch that you showed in part 2, I wonder if they also autmatised the rounding and polishing of the plates’ edges. I personally doubt it, as I think to remember seeing a super macro video of a 01800 where the anglage was varying in width to a slight degree. This should not happen with a robot executing and I thought it was a good sign.
I have asked GP and the answers are:
– Not all cases and dial are made in-house. The ones externally made are in collaboration with local artisans, for instance, the full sapphire pieces like the Quasar (from the area around the Manufacture to a maximum of 100km away).
– As for movements though, these are always made in-house including all R&D – and this is why GP is a true Manufacture
– The chamfering is always done by hand at GP in general, not just on the 1800 calibre and is true of both external and internal angles.
Very interesting tour and great insights!
I would love to know if the cases and the dials are made in-house too, or if GP outsourced this?
More particular, I am interested to know if the anglage at the caliber 01800 is done by hand or by machines?
Thanks a lot, Alexander
´Hi Alexander,
I am glad you liked the article. Since I don’t remember all the details, I will ask GP.
I will come back to you with an answer.
Have a great day,
Andrei
Wow that is so kind, I can’t wait to know the response of GP. Thank you so much!
The case finish on the Laureato for example is quite complex and finely executed, however doing it equally well in ceramic, as they do, requires diamond coated tools. Not even to mention the new sapphire cases… I am curious.
As the GP 01800 in its basic version is not part of the high horology branch that you showed in part 2, I wonder if they also autmatised the rounding and polishing of the plates’ edges. I personally doubt it, as I think to remember seeing a super macro video of a 01800 where the anglage was varying in width to a slight degree. This should not happen with a robot executing and I thought it was a good sign.
Hi Alexander,
I have asked GP and the answers are:
– Not all cases and dial are made in-house. The ones externally made are in collaboration with local artisans, for instance, the full sapphire pieces like the Quasar (from the area around the Manufacture to a maximum of 100km away).
– As for movements though, these are always made in-house including all R&D – and this is why GP is a true Manufacture
– The chamfering is always done by hand at GP in general, not just on the 1800 calibre and is true of both external and internal angles.
My best regards,
Andrei