Homage Forum

Yoda wrote: ↑August 3rd, 2023, 1:35 pm I am not completely sure, but I have a faint sense of the movement being a calibre in the 700 or 800 series, the absolute last American movement from Lancaster Pennsylvania.

I really miss the independent makers and detest ETA and Swatch Group and the other idiots.

I totally agree and I can understand what you feel when you have one of these Lancaster movements in hands:
One can see the craftmanship and the love of Art they put in each piece.
I'm afraid that this time has gone now,
nowadays, very few people can recognize the talentous craftmanship and realize the time involved.

A few independant watchmakers are specialized in manual finishing,
but fact is we can't afford the cost of such craftmanship...

Here are 2 guys I'm following on Instagram, I'm sure you'll appreciate to see them at workshop:
felipe_pikullik
3hands_studio

3hands_studio is also doing incredible machines, and I like the way he's inventing his own tools.
Have a look, you won't be disapointed.

DSN lefty

...

PAM_BOY wrote: ↑August 4th, 2023, 3:49 amDSN lefty

I think see where you’re coming from on your dislike for ETA and Swatch group @Yoda , they’ve made some bad decisions from the back and forth of if they will or won’t sell movements to other groups, the sad downgrading of Longines and a whole bunch of other WTF things they’ve done. I will admit though, they’ve made a lot of good stuff. Not old craftsmanship by any means, but when I get a vintage watch on the bench and it’s stamped ETA, I breathe a sigh of relief. I know the parts will be plentiful and reasonable cost, it’ll all come apart and go back together without too much fuss and it’ll run reliably.

The old USA movements are wonderful to work on, and the machining and materials quality is excellent. Just comparing a screw from an old Hamilton or Illinois to a Swiss screw seems like they are for different machines altogether. I wish my country still made things as well as we used to. Aside from Zippo lighters and a few leather goods companies it can be tough to find anything American made that isn’t disappointing. On the good side, there are still craftsman around that do amazing stuff, just not at the heavy industry level.

All that said, nothing compares to building a custom watch with excellent parts from all over. Rather than seeing Swiss, USA, China, Great Britain, Japan or Germany on the bottom of the dial, it would be cool to just see Earth.

PAM_BOY wrote:DSN lefty

Nice catch Bro!

NortON wrote:

20230727_125449-01.jpeg

Good looking Kampf!

Nottingham wrote: ↑August 4th, 2023, 5:43 am

PAM_BOY wrote:DSN lefty

Nice catch Bro!

PAM_BOY wrote: ↑August 4th, 2023, 3:49 amDSN lefty

Great photo

SDREW1976 wrote: ↑August 4th, 2023, 12:06 am Gen Tudor PO1

Excellent strap!