After Chapter 1 and Chapter 2, it is the time for a new episode of Naissance d’une montre. Please check the press release below. This project is realised under the umbrella of Urwerk, Greubel Forsey, Philippe Dufour, Ferdinand Berthoud.
Philippe Dufour on the Importance of simple sticks
Sticks are humankind’s oldest tools. The fact that wooden sticks are still used in the manufacture of sophisticated machinery such as luxury watches is of particular fascination. Wood is uncomplicated, natural and has many near-magical properties. Of particular interest is that wooden sticks are used in one the most important aspects of high end watches — the fine finishing.
The workshop’s collection of carefully selected gentian stalks provides the raw material for a unique hand-crafted tool used to impart the finishing touches to a wheel chamfer.
Watch nerds can enjoy endless debates on the relative merits of boxwood and beech for polishing pinion leaves, and gentian stalks versus elder sticks to buff up chamfers. For maximum effect, should the wood be harvested in spring, in autumn, or even at midnight during the full moon? It’s an endless debate because there is no one correct answer.
A fast spinning wood disk polishes the steep valleys between the leaves of a tiny pinion, barely visible on the brass holder. The amount of pressure on the lever needed to polish the floor of the valley without ruining the piece can only be felt.
Dominique Buser and Cyrano Devanthey had the opportunity to learn more about using wood for hand finishing by the master himself, Philipe Dufour. They joined Mr. Dufour in the Vallée de Joux to share his knowledge and experience, taking a seat at the workbench, by the master’s side. Cyrano Devanthey explains, “To gain Mr. Dufour’s trust, you have to show enthusiasm and seriousness. But once he is convinced, he opens up to you and shares his knowledge without restraint. Mr. Dufour hid nothing from us, and on the contrary, he revealed many of his secrets and techniques that make his timepieces so sought after. Mr. Dufour explained that you have to use all of your senses, including touch and sound, when aiming for perfection.”
Tip from Philippe Dufour: use a piece of wood with dry rot to remove the polishing paste from screw heads without marking their mirror finish.
Gentian wood is used for the final polish. Its hard shell makes it resistant and its softcore is perfect for the final shine. Elderberry marrow with alcohol is then used to remove polishing residues because it doesn’t mark the gleaming surface beneath.
The wood used here is a present from Philippe Dufour himself.
