Free-sprung Balance Tool

March 10, 2025

The new Model One movement uses a free-sprung balance. Alignment of the hairspring and impulse jewel required a new tool that allows me to “see” the impulse jewel at exactly the same angles as the escape wheel, i.e., if the jewel is centered in the “window” then it is aligned correctly (last photo). Note, the balance in the photo is the old balance that was used for testing the tool.

Close-up of a watch movement with a tool labeled DUMONT Swiss Made in the background, placed on a green surface.
Close-up of a metallic coin showing the edge and the coin's face, with part of the coin's face visible and a background of blurred colors.
Close-up of a coin leaning on a surface with a small metallic component visible beneath it.

Model One v2 Prototype

January 20, 2025

In December 2024 I decided to completely redesign the Model One movement, case and dial from scratch, retaining only the wheels and pinions from the original design. I wanted a new layout, free-sprung balance, new dial, new hands, new Texas alligator band, new 316L stainless steel case, and new finishing techniques on full display (mirror polished angelage on the bridges and wheels, pearlage recesses, specular finish to the top of the bridges using crushed ruby media blasting, hand sculpted hour/minute/second hands, pad printed chapter rings and a true guilloche dial). By January 5th (roughly 1 month later) I had redesigned, built and tested 5 new prototypes, and had a near final product (see photos). While the photos still show the old balance, the overall appearance has achieved my goal of a new design that I will retain.

A precision CNC machine engraving intricate designs into brass or gold metal.
Close-up of a watch movement being manufactured or assembled, with gold-colored gears and mechanisms on a metal work surface, surrounded by dust and metal shavings.
Various small metal and wooden gears and parts, some numbered, on a blue surface, with tweezers visible on the left.
Close-up photo of a metal plate with engraved hologram numbers, used for identification or security purposes.
Close-up of a metal mechanical part with screws, a textured circular component, and various small pins on an industrial machine.
Close-up of a Royalson wristwatch with gold accents, multiple dials, and a black strap on a green surface.
Close-up of a mechanical wristwatch showing gears, springs, and other internal components with a leather strap.
Close-up view of the intricate inner mechanism of a mechanical watch, showing gears, screws, and jewel bearings.
A wristwatch with a cream dial, gold numerals, with two subdials, one for seconds and another for minutes, and a blue leather strap, with the brand name 'ROySDON' on the dial.

Guilloche Watch Dial

August 26, 2023

We are considering making a small run (4 pieces), version 2, of the Roysdon Model One. This new version will have a guilloche dial completely handmade by Dr. Roysdon. The video documents making a dial from a practice dial blank in brass. The final dial will use silver.

The straight-line engine (photo below) was acquired thanks to help from both David Lindow and Josh Shapiro. Thank you both!

Close-up of a metallic microchip with a textured surface and two small black holes, placed on a teal background.

Mainplate & Bridges

August 18, 2023

We are considering making a small run (4 pieces), version 2, of the Roysdon Model One. This includes machining the mainplate and bridges on our new 4th axis fixture.

When we machined the v1, the mainplate took nearly 10 hours to machine, because the mainplate requires at least 3 setups: top, bottom, and one side (drilling the hole for the stem). However, our new 4th axis fixture (and new CNC machine) has reduced this process to less than 1.5 hours!

Enjoy the videos!

We used Fusion 360 for CAD and CAM, and the NS CNC Elara 4-axis Mill for machining.

Metal component clamped on a machine for precision machining or testing, with a circular opening and mounted on a metallic base.
A person's hand holding a gold-colored watch movement plate near a metal lathe machine in a workshop.