Another day, another deep dive into a shop space. This time it\u2019s the bench and tools of a horologist who specializes in vintage timepieces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I should say up front, I dabble in this world myself. Or more accurately, I dabble in watch modding. I love taking vintage watch parts, mostly Rolex and Tudor, mixing original components from different eras with a few well-made reproductions (read:fake), and building what I think of as hot rod watches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But this is a whole different animal. This is a guy restoring watches with tools and techniques I can\u2019t even pretend to understand. He\u2019s clearly trained, both through formal education and years of experience, and it shows. The level of precision and care is unreal, and the end result is a watch that\u2019s as close to new as a vintage piece can realistically get.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s not to say I agree with every choice he makes. I\u2019d never polish a vintage case, revisionist history just isn\u2019t my thing, and I\u2019d never remove an engraving either. Erasing history, even in the name of restoration, doesn\u2019t sit right with me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Still, watch this guy work. Take in the tools he\u2019s collected and mastered over a lifetime. This is seriously cool stuff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n