Overview
This watch will be built using a mix of modern and traditional watchmaking techniques, and it will feature a recommissioned AS1012 movement at its core. I’m building ten of them.
This watch is in the later stages of the design phase. There’s no prototype yet: just a few CAD assembly screenshots and the concept sketch:
There were a few movement candidates that had my eye, but this one has a vice-grip on my heart:The Movement
Brand: A. Schild
Caliber Number: AS 1012, AS1012
Movement Type: Manual wind, mechanical
Diameter: 13mm x 15.15mm
Height: 3.5mm
Jewels: 17 (common), 21 (rare)
Power Reserve: ~44 hours
Vibrations Per Hour: 18,000 bph
Escapement: Anchor w/ pallets
Hands: 1.00 / 0.55
Display: Hours, minutes
Country of Origin: Switzerland
Production Years: 1936-1960
The Other Stuff
The Dial
The dial is going to be an octagon:
I’m going with Baton-style indices for 3, 6, 9, and 12, with dots on the intermediates.
The Case
The case is going to be a two-piece skewed octagonal design, with a stainless steel caseback:
Rough dimensions I’m aiming for:
H: Between 35mm and 39mm
W: Between 28mm and 32mm
D: Between 5.5mm and 7mm
The Hands
Dauphine Style Hands. They will look something like this:
The Crystal
I am planning to source this component pre-made for the sake of efficiency. If I find a good deal on a sapphire crystal then I’ll jump on it, but for now I’m planning on acrylic.
The Strap
I am planning to source this component pre-made for the sake of efficiency. It may not be Italian leather, but I’ll make sure you don’t get a low quality strap.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this watch for men or women?
Yes.
Will you ever expand this watch into its own brand and make more?
No
This watch is too big/small/narrow/wide: can you make it smaller/bigger/wider/narrower?
In theory: Yes. In practice: No.
I'm restricted by pre-existing dimensions on some of my sourced components.
With this in mind, I'm seeking to avoid:
a) a ton of dead weight in the finished piece
b) ridiculously skewed proportions, and
c) a watch that feels like a feather on the wrist
Why the AS1012?
I bought a set of 10 for no other reason than I just liked the shape and size, and I wanted something different to practice with at school.
Instead, I fell in love with them for their simplicity, for their age, and for the very fact that they've been so unloved.
I can’t think of any other reason for picking this one in particular, other than it gives me a simple joy to imagine them back in the world and telling time again on someone’s wrist.