Think Big - top-level watchmaker training at Sinn Spezialuhren
Think Big - top-level watchmaker training at Sinn Spezialuhren
Training the next generation of watchmakers is a high priority at Sinn Spezialuhren. Lothar Schmidt, owner of Sinn Spezialuhren, has committed himself to "promoting the use and preservation of traditional craft techniques" as one of the company's six fixed objectives.
"We have been training watchmakers for years. We promote their further training and qualification with a great deal of commitment, right up to the master craftsman's certificate," says Lothar Schmidt, pointing out the line that is also intended to secure the company's continued existence.
The great importance SINN attaches to training the next generation of watchmakers is also demonstrated by its support for the watchmakers' mobile of the Central Association for Watches, Jewellery and Timekeeping.
The high quality of training at Sinn Spezialuhren is demonstrated by the fact that the company's trainees repeatedly emerge as chamber and state winners in the watchmaking trade in the state of Hesse, for example. SINN always combines the latest technologies with the skills of traditional watchmaking.
The best example of this is the large clock project, which is unique for German training companies and was realised by the trainees under the expert guidance of training manager Jessica Schmitt and trainer Hermann-Josef Müller at a professional level in every single processing step.
And for the very first time in the training history of Sinn Spezialuhren: from the movement to the case, from the hands to the pendulum bob.
Problem-solving skills, creativity and a lot of resourcefulness were required.
It is important to realise that watchmaking training starts with pure metalworking. Filing, milling, grinding and turning are the first skills that are fundamental to the trade.
Large clocks are best suited for this, working on and with small clocks takes place later in the training.
Hermann-Josef Müller also recognised another advantage:
"Usually, the trainees perform these skills on workpieces or models that no longer play a role in practice after machining. However, if the machined parts are used for a large clock that the trainees create themselves, these activities take on a new significance. The motivation is also different. Both of these factors carry the trainees through the entire training programme."
"Being a watchmaker means staying curious, breaking new ground and being able to rethink. When building a large clock, we learn a lot of things that we can't read up on. Ultimately, everyone involved lays the foundation for understanding mechanics as a whole," adds Jessica Schmitt.
Project with unforeseen challenges
Rope pull, Graham escapement and counter-clockwork: These were, among other special features, the core components that Hermann-Josef Müller envisioned for the large clock to be built by the trainees.
No sooner had the decision been made than the first challenges became apparent during the preparation and planning phase, which began in summer 2021. The search for a template for their own designs turned out to be more difficult than expected.
An old regulator from a colleague finally met the planned criteria. However, there were no technical drawings and plans on the basis of which the trainees could manufacture the clock professionally.
So what to do? Hermann-Josef Müller dismantled the watch into individual parts and documented everything photographically. "Armed" with a caliper gauge and other measuring tools, he took all the important measurements from the movement and instructed the employees in his own development department to record the more than 100 movement parts in technical drawings.
Acquisition of machines
The implementation phase began with the 2022 training year. However, the enthusiasm of those involved was initially curbed. The reason: the lack of machines and the difficulty in finding them.
"We needed a special, rarely used wheel cutting machine. With patience and luck, after a long search in Switzerland, we were literally able to find one last example. It was getting on in years, but still in working order. We also had to purchase another watchmaker's lathe and a precision bench drill. Lothar Schmidt approved the investments in the interests of the project without much hesitation."
However, the gear cutting machine lacked the accessories needed to produce gears and drives. The team organised the corresponding plans in a roundabout way. In the SINN workshop, the missing parts were then produced without further ado on the basis of these plans.
Finding creative solutions
Further challenges were not long in coming. "Firstly, we lacked a lot of practical experience with the construction of large clocks. So we had to acquire the expertise. That meant learning by doing. In the beginning, for example, we had to manufacture some parts several times, so we actually had to learn by doing. On the other hand, unexpected problems kept cropping up that required a lot of improvisation. And yet, nobody was discouraged, which makes me particularly happy," explains Hermann-Josef Müller.
Seminar for the housing
At the same time as solving the technical tasks, the question of the appearance and construction of the housing also arose. The first step was for Hermann-Josef Müller to design a plan, which was then drawn using CAD.
Based on this drawing, a carpenter produced kits in oak, walnut and cherry. Master carpenter Frank Leipold, trainer Jessica Schmitt, trainer Hermann-Josef Müller and the trainees then came together for a seminar. Surface treatment, sanding and oiling took centre stage. The trainees were thus given a crash course in woodworking "on the side".
The participants also worked together to acquire the expertise required to assemble the housing and produce a special holding frame for gluing the front screen to the wooden strips of the door.
One hundred per cent vertical integration
It can be deduced from the framework conditions for production that every large clock created by an apprentice is unique and differs in details such as hands and dial, among other things, because the freedom of individual design is given here.
"We actually achieve one hundred per cent vertical integration in our own training workshop. And let's be clear: a project like this, with all its demanding activities, is carried out at master craftsman level. The production of the large clock, as we carry it out, goes far beyond the training framework of the watchmaking trade. It is true that future master watchmakers also work with large clocks at the master school. However, the gear train is provided, while our trainees manufacture it entirely themselves. We realised everything ourselves right from the start. The skills acquired and the problem-solving expertise required are the ideal preparation for the journeyman and master craftsman examinations. In this respect, our trainees have advantages over other companies where this does not take place," explains Hermann-Josef Müller.
"The fact that our trainees often achieve above-average results shows how high the quality of our training is overall."
Hermann-Josef Müller
The grandfather clock and its features
- H 80 cm x W 25 cm x D 14 cm
- Cable pull regulator with loose pulley, ball bearing mounted
- Counter lock for continuous power transmission during the lift process
- Graham escapement
- Carbon pendulum rod with adjustment table for fine adjustment
- Finishing of the blanks with pearl finish (outside and inside)
- Polished and blued screws
- Polished and cambered hands
- Solid wood housing in walnut, oak or cherry with side glazing
- Nickel silver dial with self-made, gold-plated appliqués
- Preservation of the watchmaking trade
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