Hi there all metalsmith friends,
Watch making is in my DNA. My family history of watch and clock makers trace way back.
I made this titanium gold watch for me for special occasions, like when you meet the Queen and stuff.
Sadly, the British Queen outlived my watch by a couple of years.
At the time, I didn't have equipment to solder titanium. I worked around this limitation by filing the watch out of solid stock.
I treat titanium as I would any other metal, in that I heat and quench it to make it softer.
I also heat it red hot and then forge it, like one would do mild steel.
Titanium files about like stainless steel, which is to say it is quite hard and tough. It requires some careful filing, because there is only one chance to get it right.
I took pictures during the making process.
Here is a link describing the steps.
The fold-over clasp is the most secure and my preferred clasp for watches. Making it in titanium required some planning and work-rounds.
I have a tutorial showing how to make a fold-over clasp over here.
This fold-over clasp is one of the strongest and most reliable clasps that can be made.
Fold-Over Clasp Tutorial - US$18
I used an ETA movement and I already had the crown gasket, seal and shaft and all that stuff.
I made the face out of mokume-gane red and white and yellow gold and rolled it down to 0.5 mm thick.
I like a distance of about 1.2 mm so that the hands have plenty of space and don't touch the glass on the inside.
I've always been interested in watches and started making them as a young goldsmith. These are samples of some of my earlier watch designs.
This titanium ring is made on a traditional goldsmith workbench without the aid of a puk or laser welder. It requires a few inventive tricks to hand fabricate titanium.
Designer Titanium Ring Tutorial - US$25
These wedge links are suitable for bracelets, chains and earrings.
Wedge Link Chain Tutorial - US$27
In this jewelry tutorial you will be making a hidden ring in a ring. The outer ring opens up with a hinge. Both rings can be worn separately.
Ring in a Ring Tutorial - US$30
This tutorial shows making a square hollow bangle with a hinge and catch. Accurate soldering and filing is important when working with right angles and squares which is great for skills training.
Hollow Square Bangle Tutorial - US$35
The face in the watch I made, is mokume-garne. I've always loved the wood grain patterned effect.
I set out to create a mokume-garne effect with titanium, however soldering those metals together is not an option.
I refer to this method as composite compression metal work. It is not traditional mokume-gane, nor soldering lamination of metals in respect that the metals are physically joined. They are not physically joined. They are simply compressed onto each other, very tightly, with the help of a drawplate.
Here, I describe all the steps to make this circle pendant.
This pendant is made from tubing. I have a free tutorial on how to make tubing.
Always infuse a childlike curiosity and let your joy shine through your creations.
My heartfelt gratitude and warmest regards,
Hans
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