I love how the dude has a loupe coming out of his forehead like some fucking steampunk rhino, and he's just all like "what? I make $200,000 watches, jog on."
I didn't watch the whole video, but what you're looking at is a "repeater." It's a mechanical watch with something of an alarm function that will sound the time at the touch of a button. Repeaters were originally conceived to aid the visually impaired, and to make the watch useful in pre-electricity days when light wasn't something you could have at virtually any time.
A repeater is somewhat complicated to produce, and therefore a testament to the watchmaker's ability. More than that, however, only a few watchmakers left in the world have the technical and intellectual property to produce a movement that includes repeater functionality, so it's also valued for rarity amongst collectors. Most have obviously moved on to bioluminescent powders (e.g. superluminova), backlighting, or come to rely on the ubiquity of electric light.
My watchmaker grandfather, in the endless time and boredom of retirement, decided to hand-build an entirely wooden grandfather clock. He never got around to building a case and body for the clock, but the dial is complete and the clock's movement is completely functional. Every last bit of it is wood with the exception of the drive weights (metal, obviously) and the string used to suspend it.
In his declining health, he can now no longer wind or operate the clock, and it now lays boxed up in his garage, but it will always be to me his greatest achievement and a true display of his skill as a watchmaker, even in his old age.
If you've thought about trying an automatic watch but been a bit leery of buying from some eBay vendor, woot has some automatic Timex for sale today. They should take a lickin' and keep on tickin'
I had a laugh about this very thing over the weekend. Happened by a jewelry store and spun through the watch section. Almost every single mechanical watch there was quickly identifiable as having a Chinese movement. Hand spacing and dial placement, as well as "sweep" hands for those that had been looked at recently.
For those interested, the planning for the 2014 Chinese Mechanical Project Watch is underway over on WatchUSeek. Lots of cool ideas being tossed around. If you've ever wanted to take part in the design process for a watch, now is the time to get involved.
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BTdubs, did anyone see the white faced HMT pilot project watch on WUS? It's a hottie for under $60.
http://accessories.woot.com/plus/red-line-compressor-mens-watches
http://accessories.woot.com/offers/i-by-invicta-mens-watches-6-styles
A repeater is somewhat complicated to produce, and therefore a testament to the watchmaker's ability. More than that, however, only a few watchmakers left in the world have the technical and intellectual property to produce a movement that includes repeater functionality, so it's also valued for rarity amongst collectors. Most have obviously moved on to bioluminescent powders (e.g. superluminova), backlighting, or come to rely on the ubiquity of electric light.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Repeater_(horology) for the lazy who want to learn more.
@Lincoln, bug report: _( breaks links when left to its own devices.
TAKE ALL MY MONEY
http://woodworkessence.com/?p=1862
WOOD. WATCHES.
My watch
In his declining health, he can now no longer wind or operate the clock, and it now lays boxed up in his garage, but it will always be to me his greatest achievement and a true display of his skill as a watchmaker, even in his old age.
http://accessories.woot.com/plus/timex-watches-3
Fuck you. I want my watch.
Sincerely, Me.
http://www.woot.com/plus/timex-weekenders