Vacheron & Constantin Pocket Watch - DIY Balance Staff! Amazing Restoration

[@anthonycarnevale7691]

Great job Chris! It was very interesting seeing you have the confidence to stretch your skills in making the balance staff, not something to be taken lightly. Thanks for your work and I'll appreciate the watch for years to come.

[@csspinner]

Thanks for the opportunity to work on this gorgeous time piece!! I really appreciate it.

[@octaviobarajas3980]

Beautiful watch!

[@Emilmarch]

You kidding me? Skip to the next chapter? That is the best part of the video. Great job. I really wanted the video didn't end. Loved it, awesome, awesome job.

[@smizmar8]

Yeh 100%, I wanted to comment this, but I was pretty sure someone would have already :)

[@citizaniac149]

I took this as irony when hearing it.

[@samrweall]

Awesome job. I appreciate your narration and experience.

[@jaylevine1483]

Wow, you clearly are entering the realm of watchmaker vs just a watch technician. Super impressive.

[@malposz326]

No words, absolutely brilliant. To make a balance staff from scratch is something completely different. Mad respect and loved the vid. Nowhere on KZbin can one find more detailed restorations with great quality, shots and explanations. And all that from a hobbyist? Brilliant, top notch!

[@WatchWithMike]

It was heartwarming to see the entertainment community's show of emotional support. Standing ovation! This was a class performance, Chris! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@peterreuter3890]

Thats a great idea. I need to take some time and go look for a similar hairspring to modify. I have many hairsprings on stock. Maybe I am lucky and find one that I can use...Thanks alot, regards, Peter

[@csspinner]

If the width and thickness are really close, and it starts off long enough, you have a good chance of getting it to work without needing to remove too many coils. I am working on a video that demonstrates how I do this on an old verge fusee

[@peterreuter3890]

@@csspinner Oh, I am sure that would help. I am leaving to Boston next Wednesday. I have to make sure to download some videos from you, so I have enough material for the long flight.😊

[@boydsargeant7496]

Thanks Chris, great episode! In this vid you did some really nice live chat as you were recording, rather than the narration later in production, I preferred this chat, you sounded more natural. Top marks making the staff, best bit of the video. You are right, my preference is fixing and over coming problems rather than straight servicing! Have you considered some episodes on tools and a workshop tour? I’m always jealous of your tools, I’d love to own some like yours, I think videos on what to consider when buying second hand tools would be excellent, maybe we could learn from your experience and mistakes. The tools are so expensive I know I hold back from buying some because I don’t want to buy a dud but I can’t afford to buy brand new. Ta.

[@seanobrien7169]

I am impressed with the quality of this watch. This has to be one of the best build qualities i have yet seen.

[@blister762]

That was a beautiful repair. A lot of channels show part replacement where you are actually repairing parts or as in this video making them from scratch. I'd like to see more like that. Love the wolf's teeth and the clicking as the watch was wound up. An excellent video.

[@ygrbooks]

Thank you for sharing this incredible restoration video of a really beautiful watch on KZbin: 👍👌👏. I am old and bored by such a lot of stuff (can't even watch TV any more 🤪), but do not ever think your work will not be appreciated here, so carry on ❤!

[@The_DuMont_Network]

iI really love pocket timepieces, and regularly carry my Great Uncle's 1920s railroad watch he wore until the day he died on the rairoad. I never met him, but I feel an oddly familial connection with him. I still take the watch and calibration card to the railroad approved watchmaker who always tells me he wants me to adopt him so he can inherit it; I'mm 77 and he is at least 80. I so much appreciate this episode, especially the fabrication of that infinitesimal part, freehand, no tool holder or cross slide. The song of the frogs merely adds to the beauty. And FINALLY, someone explained the functions on the timing machine, and the bumps on the periphery of the wheel! Thank you so much, looking forward to the next one.

[@tonyaxeman4381]

There are a select few watch makers that I will watch and you are on top of the list . There must be a way to adjust the banking pins for the pallet fork. Properly .

[@tedcoons1264]

Cutting a balance staff is what separates the men from the boys. Screws such as you make already set the stage for you to advance & elevate you to a master. From what I have seen in your videos, I have every confidence that you can take & pass the AWI Certified Master Watchmaker examination; go for it.

[@Jyarber102]

Hahaha I got confused when you put the main spring back in I thought I was watching one of Marshall's videos 😂.. The most satisfying sound!!😂

[@WatchRestorationCottage]

Chris, your fretting over the balance staff was hilarious! And yet, in the end, you made it look so easy. Incredible.

[@taijifank3875]

One of the many things I love about this video is seeing how the sophisticated construction of this VC movement contrasts with the rough hand construction of the verge fusee you restored previously (my other favorite video). Also seeing the text instructions for making the balance staff next to the reality of the delicate, minute, painstaking work was amazing. Thanks so much for doing these videos!

[@kuglepen64]

I love that your format is without music and without hyperbole. I would love to see you moving into making (spare) parts. I feel it’s the logical next level for you.

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

Bravo Chris! Your videos keep getting better and better. I want to be you when I grow up one day! Your lathe work is impressive. I keep putting aside my lathe restoration project, and then you put out a video like this one! Excellent watchmaking, splendid videography (I'd love to get a peek at your lighting & filming rig), great voice work, and you had me laughing with your 'nod' montage! Kudos sir.

[@csspinner]

Thanks, Adam! That really means a lot! - Chris

[@monkeyock4575]

Hey I found your channel because I wanted to see a deep dive into a verge-fusee style movement and yours was one of the only videos on YT showing that kind of watch. I am a jeweler myself and what I love seeing in watches like this Vacheron and the verge watch is the metalwork, it’s just breathtaking considering the technology available at the time. The hand-made parts of the verge watch were awesome to see as well. There are other watchmaking channels on YT and I watch quite a few of them, but I have never, EVER seen anyone else fabricate a balance staff from scratch. Bravo!

[@AnalogDave]

Incredible work on the balance staff! As a side note, I haven't seen a real office in over a decade. I didn't know companies still had them 😂

[@cartoonfan925]

Only two attempts at that staff. You are my watchmaking hero by a considerable margin.

[@Dominic.Minischetti]

That was epic! I was glued to the screen as you were turning! Absolutely amazing! 👍🏻❤

[@gioc4596]

So happy to see a new video from you Chris. I said it before but must be said again, looking at what you do is like watching art happen. So cool to see it. BTW I loved the nodding of approval bit. Great details also. Thanks for the video! Suggestion for next videos, maybe do some watches with Japanese movements like an Orient watch?

[@loch1957]

I was a machinist for 50 years, no way I was skipping ahead of the lathe work great job.

[@patrickstarnes2355]

@@loch1957 I wouldn't believe possible to turn this so small. Maybe with a cylindrical grinder! Top marks.

[@YZoxK52m]

Great video, thanks for showing the process of making a balance. The nodding sequence was funny. It's good to have a mix of technical details and humor.

[@LtDan-fy7lc]

That bit at 24:10 was totally unexpected and had me gasping for air xD nicely done

[@andypughtube]

I think that's the most beautiful click mechanism I have seen. One part, only one wear surface, and utterly bombproof.

[@joe2mercs]

Sharing your journey of discovery of making a balance staff was especially interesting. We should not be surprised when something works but when it does there is always a celebratory fist pump moment validating the sum of time, effort, attention to detail and iterative testing.

[@stephenbridges2791]

When I worked, I thought I worked to a high level of precision. I can see, now; I was in error. You are on another level. Well done.

[@DC-id2ih]

Wonderful as always!! Am afraid one of the takeaways from videos like this is that I know I could never do this myself lol! (i.e. I am literally "all thumbs" when it comes to any kind of precise/meticulous work that requires steady hands). No worries though - because I really enjoy watching craftsmen such as yourself bringing these engineering marvels back to life ( I also really like the technical deep dives you do on various aspects of the watches that you service..especially when you rebuild missing or damaged components from scratch). Thanks again for sharing...cheers!

[@gabrielcupertino6527]

"Feel free to skip if you don't want to watch me do the staff"... My man, I came here just for that! Nice work! 😂

[@hendlers7071]

What a Great Job !!!! Thanks a lot

[@colepdx187]

I'm glad you decided to film this repair. This is the first time I've seen a movement with those design features and I found it fascinating. The balance staff fabrication was my favorite part of the video. Thanks!

[@翠花-d5e]

The layout of the movement is very beautiful. I like the spring very much.

[@Vandal_Savage]

Very Nice, thanks for the upload 🙂

[@mlsproject]

The balls on this guy! Seriously, though, good work. I'm about a year behind you and feeling okay about replacing balance staffs but no way would I want to tackle making one yet. Thanks for the video!

[@michaelpthompson]

Great job, great video. Love the narration.

[@jlinkels]

I did not see videos in previous style, narration or with added music. This current style, no high speed playback, interesting and relaxed narration, tool sounds and no music is just perfect.

[@samgrant83]

As VC collecter I love seeing something like this being brought back to life. If you have the £/$/etc VC is one of the few brands where you can just send in any of their watches/clocks from whenever and let them get on with it to bring it back to factory condition (for a fee of course). I've had a very rare pocket watch perfected with an original piece that was still knocking around in a parts bin from the early 1930's.

[@matchboxoffice1989]

I’m fairly new to watch repair videos on KZbin, and it’s just jaw dropping to me the precision involved in this craft. And the even crazier thing is the precision tools you own to ply your trade. Niche equipment or what? Funnily enough, I saw a few eBay listings for Vacheron Constantin Balance Staff Watch/Pocket Watch Various Calibres NOS today too. Yours for a tenner. But having the skillset to make your own is surely priceless 👌

[@k__c__]

Great video, and you are not wrong, I tend to skip basic service videos unless I need to check for details on that watch/movement. Thank you for keeping it interesting.

[@ashhavan4345]

All I can say, that was really awesome watch making. You can count yourself as one of the mystical watchmaking monks with magical carbide fingernails and infinite patience. Congratulations!

[@patriot_III_tinman]

Your restorations are beyond the other channels. Thanks for sharing journey.

[@timkoontz6693]

Bloody genius! 👍🏻

[@marka.schlueter9918]

Fantastic. Making that piece on the mini lathe? Genius. Great watch and great service. Love it.

[@polosandoval]

You did an excellent job. Congratulations!

[@samnova450]

Fantastic job Chis on that watch. From making screws and balance staff from scratch, your skills are so great for keeping historic horology going.

[@JoshHefnerX]

Watch is really beautiful, inside and out. And you made a balance staff from scratch!! I have a large metal lathe and watching you use the cutters by hand like a wood lathe is interesting and amazing on something that small. Fantastic job!

[@33dww]

Talented watchmaker!!!

[@Firebird1005]

What an incredibly beautiful movement and watch. Great work on the balance staff.

[@erikhoffa966]

Unbelievable details,,,,,, the craftsmanship is astonishing,,,,,, art,,, i see the precision, the solutions

[@tk_customwoodworks]

Absolutely incredible, I'm in awe every time I watch. Thanks for the video

[@SkyBlue-le7cd]

More amazing than making the balance staff from scratch are your acting chops … Awesome content. Thanks.

[@davisciannidovale2990]

Bom dia Spiner,quero lhe dar denovo os parabens se nao é perfeito como disse é quase perfeito falta pouco,adoro ver as ferramentas especiais que usa,abraços.

[@TheKhopesh]

That was RIVETTING from start to finish! I really enjoy your narration and how you make your own parts, or burnish parts that seem like they'd need replacing!

[@Mtlmshr]

I’m a metal fabricator that works on Race Cars and what’s interesting is that we do exactly the same thing with the exact same type tools the only difference is that you do it on a macro level and that I can appreciate very much! I have machined what I thought was “tiny” parts in the past but they are HUGE compared to what you machine, good on ya and the other watch makers! A very skilled profession!

[@brianperkins7036]

The beauty and pure craftsmanship of this watch was amazing to see thanks to the high quality close up filming. Furthermore your personal skills are worthy of the highest praise and l congratulate your achievements. 👏👏

[@NaNByZero]

Great video and great achievement. I loved the movie scenes. 🕐⚙️🍸

[@aserta]

On suggestion: i'm curious as to how you'd handle... a disaster. A watch deemed one bridge too far. But at the same time, i recognize that it's not something anyone sane would tackle, so it's just a suggestion. That said, always fun watching your journeys! (even if yt randomly decides to pop in the video a day late in the subbox)

[@soundmindtv2911]

Thank you for this video, Chris! So many questions were answered in one video! I enjoy your methodical troubleshooting as problems present themselves, and your calm approach in solving them. The video editing is also engaging and does a good job of presenting the complexity and time investment while also trimming it down into a digestible portion. Thanks again!

[@maggs131]

Thank you for providing a new addiction. Just found your channel a few hours ago and alread binging as a loyal new subscriber

[@inashedhorology5360]

great job on a fabulous watch i think your video gives inspiration to us others to up our game and tackle more complex tasks to watch repair

[@slim2429]

Exceptional work! Positional variances were incredible for a watch of this age - so cool to see pieces this old performing this well.

[@todds2248]

Masterful work! You are giving me some courage. I have a V&C pocket watch that was gifted to a Great Great Uncle for his retirement from the Aluminum Company of Canada. The catch is, the entire watch, everything possible, is made of aluminum! The case and even the watch chain are aluminum. Apparently, only a few hundred were commissioned and only given as gifts to aluminum manufacturing employees. The movement looks very similar to this one. It's a terrifying experience to even open the case for fear of scratching the soft aluminum. The watch does not run and has been wound tight, probably for decades. There is no sign of anyone ever having serviced it. I tried to at least let down the mainspring, but it will not release (has that same style click). The prospect of disassembling a fully powered super rare watch with unobtanium parts is frightening to say the least. It is spotless inside and I'm assuming the 90 year old lubricants have turned to glue. I really want to get it running but sending it to V&C is financially out of the question. Hopefully as I gain more skill and knowledge from great videos like this one, I will be able to tackle it someday.

[@MLampner]

Wonderful Chris. I am amazed by your machining of parts starting with the screws and now with the balance staff. I look forward to more of these.

[@nyckhampson792]

At 23:26: 'Making a balance staff', we feel your pain. However Chris, "no pain, no gain" in your already excellent skill set 📐 Awesome channel btw 👌loved the edits, plenty of nods of approval as one gazed out the window 🪟 in contemplating the task ahead...nice touch

[@sonnymoorehouse1941]

this watch is amazing. the craftsmanship of each part is breathtaking. the design and engineering made me watch this video again. Chris Your repair work is absolutely fantastic. your attention to detail is perfection. Bravo !!!!!

[@42Hertzer]

Amazing work! You asked what I want to see. Perhaps there is a reason for this but I have not found any watchmaker videos where it starts with a mediocre (but OK watch) and then "pimp" the watch by beading, damaskeening, chamfering, polishing and refining the parts so it ends up with a unique "artisanal" watch in the end!

[@michaelkeats1313]

Wow! You had me hooked for every second of your video. Truly magnificent work. I love seeing these fantastic pocket watches serviced so keeping a piece of history alive. Thank you for taking the time to make these videos.

[@k-ozdragon]

Those screw under-cutters are awesome. I always wondered how they work. It's cool seeing them create a lip so that the position of the screw doesn't change. I thought they removed the entire base material, which would change the position of the screw. This of course, would change the balance of the watch. The way those work is a very cool solution to the problem.

[@alantinker9879]

Brilliant instructional video. I have asked several other channels to show how to turn a balance staff but with no success so thank you it was great to see. I have the same book showing how but it is totally different actually seeing and with the aid of the book. Great work much appreciated. I just need to pluck up the courage to try😊👍🤓

[@alaindrolet_atlt_2019]

Geez !! What a pieces of arts !!! Each parts was made for of course the functionality and design in an artistic ways it’s so impressive !! Chris rename your video…”the arts of watchmaking”. You’re doing an amazing job in each video you launch. And of course it’s so educational. So thanks for sharing, it’s really appreciate ! Best regards Mr. Chris ✨👌

[@magintysmaw]

Absolutely amazing workmanship……well done! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 the workmanship of the watch is outstanding. Thank you

[@ShiroArctic]

These old Vacheron Constantin movements were so far ahead of their time.

[@stevenstewart3414]

AMAZING! I have several favorite watch servicing sites on KZbin, but NONE of them build tiny, delicate, PRECISION parts from scratch... except you! And I love your mastery of the fabulous specialty tools you have collected! You could create a full watch with multiple complications from stock metal!

[@sealofthesea5233]

Beautiful movement, love the click and rachet wheel system, reminds me of the modern Laurent ferrier classic, as well as the three screw 4th wheel cap jewel, incredible watch and incredible work by you!

[@PuckPuggy]

Fabulous job, Chris! I’ve done some very simple machine work but nowhere near this small and detailed.

[@richardkisala356]

Beautiful movement. It's ashame that it's not visible to appreciate without disassembly. I think that I appreciate the movement workmanship more than the assembled timepiece. Love them both. Good work. I could never even attempt what you do.

[@phillipyannone3195]

Excellent job my friend, I don’t think it could be any better.😊

[@davidmosford5429]

Fantastic work. I really appreciate just how tricky that job was. We'll done.

[@peterreuter3890]

Absolutely fantastic again. I enloyed it very much. Great!!

[@Watchonwrist_wow]

Well done! What a fantastic piece of history! Its an honor to work on these old pieces.

[@Djtylerwallace]

Wow. That movements amazing, and super watchmaker friendly. Great job making that balance staff. Always impressive to watch you work.- tyler

[@tiberiuvincze8288]

Wow ! very nice and great job! true amazing!

[@gloubiboulgazeblob]

I don't even have a watch but your videos are awesome ! Fascinating ! Thanks a lot for sharing !

[@Jesselovespinball]

One of my favorite repairs to date . Thank you for showing us the entire balance staff construction . Was VERY impressed.

[@adfpv1153]

Great video dude 👍👍 well done 😊

[@rweeks8879]

You are truly a master of your trade! It is always a pleasure to watch you repair the things others would deem undoable!

[@patrickstarnes2355]

Amazing lighting image quality is incredible.

[@billcochran1940]

Really liked watching the detailed machining of the balance staff, and the servicing of this beautiful watch.

[@OP-vz1yl]

Incredible!!! I love your job!

[@danijelparadzik8336]

thank you because I learn something new from each of your videos

[@bmen6401]

Great work and a great video.

[@Chris-just-Chris]

Bravo! I am very impressed with your dedication to the task of making these old watches work as well as their original designers and makers intended. Your work deserves the same level of respect that their designers have earned. Cheers from Chris in Canberra.

[@brendaowens2466]

What a lovely delicate watch. Thank you for letting us join you on your journey.

[@Lando452]

Fantastic work on that pivot, loving your videos

[@Forest-iv5vm]

I might not have been there in the silent days, but watching you become the next Donald de Carle in a metamorphosis to the image of a Swiss monk with carbide fingertips and infinite patience is something I’ll surely remember. Your channel truly is one of the few to show techniques, so if you get criticized just know the others didn’t even try or, if they did try, they hide how they did it! They fear the critics which you invite by showing everything, but I hope they always come across as tips or ideas to try - if what you did worked then it worked, and if not you learn.

[@csspinner]

@@Forest-iv5vm thank you! I really appreciate that.

[@oldprof4296]

I'm not a watchmaker, but I find your videos educational and entertaining. Your narrations add greatly to the videos. I watched this to the end and I think it is your best yet. I am in awe of your skills.

[@pgreenawalt]

You sir, are a madman! Amazing work.