Alright, so, I’ve been messing around with this watch project for a while now, and let me tell you, it’s been a journey. I got this idea to try and imitate the Jaeger-LeCoultre JLC Duomètre Sphérotourbillon. Yeah, that super fancy, high-end watch. I know, I know, it’s a bit ambitious, but hey, why not give it a shot?
I started by diving deep into research. I spent hours looking at pictures, reading articles, and watching videos about the Duomètre Sphérotourbillon. I wanted to understand every little detail about it, from the way the tourbillon moves to the design of the dial. It’s a seriously complex watch, with all sorts of intricate mechanisms.
Gathering Materials
- First off, I needed a basic watch case. I found one that was around 40.5 mm, similar to the real deal. It wasn’t anything special, just a regular, plain case.
- Next, I had to figure out the movement. Obviously, I couldn’t get my hands on a real Duomètre movement – those things are crazy expensive and complicated. So, I settled for a standard automatic movement that I could modify.
- The dial was another challenge. I decided to design it myself, taking inspiration from the Duomètre’s classic look. I used some graphic design software to create a layout that had a similar vibe. Then I printed it out on high-quality paper.
- For the hands, I picked up some generic watch hands that had a somewhat elegant style. They weren’t an exact match, but they were close enough for this project.
The Assembly Process
Putting it all together was the real test. I carefully disassembled the watch case and removed the original dial and hands. Then, I attached my custom-designed dial to the movement. It took some fiddling to get it to fit just right, but eventually, I got it in there.
Next, I installed the new hands. This was a bit tricky, as I had to make sure they were aligned correctly and didn’t interfere with each other’s movement. After a few attempts, I managed to get them in place.
Finally, I reassembled the watch case, putting everything back together. It was a bit of a nerve-wracking moment, hoping that I hadn’t messed anything up during the process. But, to my relief, the watch started ticking!
The Result
Okay, so, it’s definitely not a Duomètre Sphérotourbillon. Let’s be real, it’s nowhere near that level of craftsmanship or complexity. But, I think I managed to capture some of its classic style. It’s got that same elegant vibe, with a clean dial and simple hands.
It’s been a fun project, and I’ve learned a lot along the way. I’m still not 100% there. There are definitely things I’d like to improve, like finding a better movement or refining the dial design. But for now, I’m pretty happy with how it turned out. It’s a unique piece that I can wear and enjoy, knowing that I put my own personal touch on it. I just wanted to share this with you guys, maybe someone will repeat this. Why not, right?