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Found this article - thought it might be useful to some people: http://www.eternaltools.com/27-of-the-finest-clock-and-watch-schools-around-the-world/

Well guys, I've just joined the Elma crew. Reputed to be in excellent working condition with a couple of accessories. I haven't seen this model before, but as long as it all works I'll be happy. It'll be on it's way from Germany tomorrow, so fingers crossed it's all OK. I know you like photos, so here are couple.

I may have an issue making the space on my bench for that one Pete. :D

Wow looks fantastic. Your wife & my wife must have been chatting, because mine to bought me a gift she also managed to get $1 change. Unfortunately it was from $4 he he

You don't have to be a brain surgeon to work on watches, but it helps! Sorry - couldn't resist it :)

I don't usually use my microscope in general disassembly or reassembly; for that I use a clip on magnifier attached to my glasses that has a lens for each eye so I retain stereo vision. The microscope comes into its own for inspection, oiling, and hairspring work, where the higher magnification really makes a difference. It's also great for detailed cleaning and restoration on dials partly because of the magnification but also peering down a microscope cuts out all of the peripheral distractions so your total focus is on the job in hand. I do use a conventional loupe as well but that tends to be for inspection only as I find working without the ability to properly judge distance is less than ideal. Also, I work at desk height rather than bench height (something that I have to sort out as it's not so good for my back) which means that I am above the work, where the screw drivers need to be, so higher magnification loupes (with correspondingly closer working distances) are less than practical. As and when I eventually get a bench sorted out loupes may become a more viable proposition. What I have in mind is to have the working surface more or less at shoulder height when I am sitting upright. This would place the work in front of my eyes not below so there would be no competition for space with tools.

Hello Steve and welcome to the forum....I see you've met some of the members already. These guys can be very helpful, encourAGING, AND EVEN HILARIOUS at times. Great forum: You'll have alot of fun and indulge your pathological need to buy old watches, take them apart, and screw them back to together again-Perfect! JC

By tweezers big ones,just put a roidico beneath to prevent 1.234.345.234.567-th flight of a watch part into oblivion br emso p.s sent from my sh**y phone, so sorry for typing mistakes

That makes sense. Well done :)

finally had a bit of time to cut out some stainless steel. needs a lot of work thinning it down & cleaning it up, but its a start! I ordered some diamond files, degussit & some other bits & pieces now to see how patient I am! Lets just hope I don't get a "do you know where all the knives have gone" comment at some point! Lee

wow thats a fabulous link. I brought a few bits & pieces & have done another hand in alloy to get the proportions rights (and some practice) but I'm a long way off producing something I'd be happy to put on my watch so far. I have an engraving machine that I'm using to cut the ruff hand out off which saves an immense amount of time, but once you get up close & personal under the eye glass its a whole new ball game!

I use the diamond files from Eternal Tools as they tend not to drag. Give Lucy a shout at http://www.eternaltools.com/ she will help you.

What I find interesting about this link is what is included over what is not included! They have listed the school that I'm attending in the fall (a small non-certified, non profit night study program called Norwest School of Horology that will cost me about $1200) over a program that is located in the same city that is recognized as a formal degreed program AND sponsored by Rolex and the Swiss American Watchmakers Training Alliance (SAWTA), The Watch Technology Institute @ North Seattle Community College($14,000). Not sure if they didn't know about this formal program but I bet it has really "Ticked" off(pun intended) Rolex!