First Tests with the NSCNC Elara: Wax Milling Adventures!

The day has finally come—my first tests with the NSCNC Elara are underway, and I couldn’t be more excited! 🎉 This is my very first experience with milling, and I decided to start with wax as the material for these initial tests.

The Elara is an absolute marvel to work with. Even as a complete beginner, I’m amazed at how intuitive the setup feels and how precise the machine operates. Watching the spindle carve through the wax with precision is an experience like no other. 😊

While I’m still learning the ropes, this first test has been incredibly encouraging. Wax is a forgiving material to work with, which makes it the perfect starting point for understanding the machine’s capabilities and refining my technique.

I can already see how this machine will open up countless possibilities for creating intricate watch components. These early steps are just the beginning of what promises to be an incredible journey!

Stay tuned as I continue exploring, learning, and sharing updates from these exciting first days with the Elara. 🚀

Blueing Metal Test: First Experiments

Today, I embarked on my first test in blueing metal, and it was an exciting learning experience! I started with O-1 steel in 1/16" thickness, which I sourced recently. (I’m still on the hunt for W-1 steel, so I’ll test that once I manage to find a reliable supplier.)

For this experiment, I also put my new Evenheat KH Series 13.5" oven to work, and with the guidance of ChatGPT, I developed the following steps for the process:

• Step 1: Ramp rate: 300°C, Setpoint: 300°C, Hold time: 10 minutes
• Step 2: Ramp rate: 137.38°C, Setpoint: 300°C, Hold time: 18 minutes
• Step 3: Ramp rate: AFAP (as fast as possible), Setpoint: 150°C, Hold time: 45 minutes

The results? To my surprise, they turned out better than expected! 🎉

The steel developed a beautiful, uniform blue finish that exceeded my initial hopes for this experiment. This was a great first step toward mastering the blueing process for watch components, and I’m eager to refine the technique further. 😊

Stay tuned as I continue testing with different materials and tweaking the steps. If you have any tips or insights, I’d love to hear them!

Cool! 😊

The Elara 2 Has Arrived: A World of Possibilities!

I'm thrilled to announce the arrival of our new Elara 2 machine! 🎉 This advanced 4-axis CNC mill, equipped with the E3000 controller and the 3060 AQC spindle, is set to revolutionize our production capabilities. 😊

The Elara 2 boasts a redesigned frame for enhanced stability and durability, along with an updated control system for more intuitive operation. This precision powerhouse allows for unparalleled accuracy, making it perfect for crafting intricate components for watchmaking.

With the E3000 controller and 3060 AQC spindle, the machine is capable of handling a variety of materials, from soft metals like brass and gold to tougher materials like stainless steel and titanium. Its 4-axis capabilities open the door to complex geometries and unique designs, making it ideal for producing one-of-a-kind timepieces or restoring hard-to-find parts.

Another highlight is the Elara 2's compatibility with high-precision workpiece holders, such as the MaxxMacro system, ensuring every detail is machined with meticulous accuracy. I’m particularly excited to see how it performs on delicate parts like gears, bridges, and even custom decorative elements.

The possibilities feel endless, and I can’t wait to put this machine to work. That said… there’s a catch. It turns out I need an air compressor to run the spindle properly, and I don’t have one yet. 😅

So, while the Elara 2 is here and ready to go, I’m currently on the hunt for the perfect air compressor to unlock its full potential. If you have any recommendations, feel free to share—I could use the help! 😊

Stay tuned as I sort this out and get the machine up and running. Here’s to precision, innovation, and, hopefully, finding an air compressor soon! 🎉

😊

Exploring KIF and Securing the Wheels

I’ve heard great things about KIF systems, so I decided to dive in and do some hands-on investigation. After some research, I went ahead and implemented two models: the 9131-5903 (Sous, for the dial side) and the 9131-5904 (Sus, for the plate side). These components are known for their excellent shock absorption, and I’m excited to see how they perform in the movement design.

While working on this, I also noticed one of the wheels felt a bit insecure. To address that, I added an additional leg to give it more stability. It’s always rewarding to spot potential weak points early and strengthen them before they become an issue later on. 😊

With these updates, the movement is feeling more robust and ready to take on its next challenges. As always, learning and iterating is part of the fun—stay tuned for more progress soon!

😊

Fixing Yesterday's Rookie Mistake

Remember the little mishap I mentioned yesterday, where the barrel ended up on the opposite side of the stem position? 😅 Well, I’m happy to report that it’s all fixed now! 🎉

Thanks to Fusion 360’s joint system, repositioning the train of wheels and moving the barrel to the correct side was straightforward. It’s one of those moments where I’m grateful for modern tools making the process so much smoother than it could have been. 😊

This fix was a great reminder that every mistake—no matter how rookie—is an opportunity to learn and refine the process. With everything now back in place, I can confidently move forward with the plates and winding mechanism. Onward to the next challenge!

😊

Progress Update: Jewel Placement on fourth wheel

Today, I made a few adjustments to the watch’s tree structure and set the jewel in place for the fourth wheel. It was a straightforward, productive day—sometimes, the simplest tasks bring the most satisfaction!

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Rookie Mistake on the Plates

I started working on the plates today to prepare for the winding mechanism, but... I made a rookie mistake! 😅 The barrel ended up on the opposite side of the stem position—oops! 😂

Thankfully, Fusion 360’s joint system saved the day. All I need to do is reposition the train and move the barrel to the correct side. That’s inexperience for you, folks! Hehe, every mistake is just another step in the learning process.

😊

Progress Update: Adjustments and Jewel Placement

Today, I discovered that my mainspring barrel was a bit oversized, actually protruding through the case. 🔍 This meant I needed to rearrange the positioning of the wheels to make everything fit properly—fingers crossed, they won’t end up too tight!

On a positive note, it looks like I’ll be able to use the same type of jewels for the center, third, and fourth wheels, which simplifies things nicely. 😊

Today, I added jewels to the third wheel, and tomorrow, I’ll continue with the fourth. I’ll also begin planning the bridges and plates, bringing the design another step closer to completion.

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Choosing the Perfect Jewels for Our Watch Movement

Today, I wanted to dive into an aspect of our movement design that’s been carefully thought out: choosing the right jewels. It’s a vital step, and I’ve spent a lot of time weighing options to ensure each component performs flawlessly, following the NIHS (NIHS 04-04F, NIHS 94-10, NIHS-05-01, NIHS-05-03) standards for precision and durability in watchmaking.

For this design, I’ll be using straight jewels on the dial side and olive (also known as bombe) ring jewels on the plate side. Each type has its own advantages, primarily in reducing friction and wear, which is essential for ensuring smooth movement in the train of wheels. The NIHS standards provided key guidelines for evaluating each jewel type’s fit and performance within the system.

To give myself some leeway during production, I ordered 18 jewels of each type: the R53.30 and R50.80K from swissjewel.com. This flexibility will help address any fine adjustments we need to make as we finalize the fit and finish of the train. These jewels are precisely sized per NIHS tolerances, so having extras means we can adapt without compromising progress or quality.

It’s a small but critical detail, as every watchmaker knows, but one that will ultimately contribute to a smoother, more reliable movement. Stay tuned as I continue to refine this design, one jewel and shaft at a time, always with NIHS standards as our compass!

I'm also thinking of using the same jewels for the center, third and fourth wheels.

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Life Update and New Adventures in Watchmaking

Hello everyone!

It's been a little quiet on Fezuone.co recently, and I wanted to share why. My wife and I just welcomed our beautiful daughter into the world, and we’ve been soaking up every precious moment with her. It’s been an incredible experience, and I’m truly grateful for this new chapter in life.

But while I’ve had to step away from the workbench a bit, I’ve been putting any free moments to good use—diving deep into the world of tolerances. This focus on precision will be crucial as I work on designing the shafts and jewels for the train of wheels. It’s been a fascinating study, especially as I consider how these micro-measurements directly affect a watch’s reliability and performance.

Thank you for your patience, and I look forward to sharing more soon. In the meantime, know that this project—and my passion for watchmaking—is very much alive, just evolving alongside life’s latest adventure!