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phydaux
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phydaux Watch Enthusiast

phydaux

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So let's say I manage to buy a bunch of ETA movements.  And then I buy some cases and hands and bracelets.  And I get some sterile dials, or better yet some custom dials with MY name on them.  And I assemble a bunch of watches.  Then I sell these watches at local craft fairs and such.

Am I doing anything shady?  Or am I now sort of a watchmaker?

I mean I get that if I tried to pass them off as Rolexes then I'd be doing something shady, or perhaps even outright illegal.  But if they're sterile, or they have my own name on them, is this kosher?

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manodeoro WRT Addict

manodeoro

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So let's say I manage to buy a bunch of ETA movements.  And then I buy some cases and hands and bracelets.  And I get some sterile dials, or better yet some custom dials with MY name on them.  And I assemble a bunch of watches.  Then I sell these watches at local craft fairs and such.

Am I doing anything shady?  Or am I now sort of a watchmaker?

I mean I get that if I tried to pass them off as Rolexes then I'd be doing something shady, or perhaps even outright illegal.  But if they're sterile, or they have my own name on them, is this kosher?

Kosher I don't know but definitely NOT shady.

As long as you don't copy a brand or a deposit design, and of course ... I would say you do what you want.

Of course, do NOT pretend being SWISS and your watches SWISS MADE [emoji39]

 

BTW ... where would you get a BUNCH of ETA movement ?

Real ETA I mean ?

If you get a bunch of Asian 2824-2 or 2836-2 don't pretend they are ETA of course and just say they are Asian copies (legal but still not real ETA).

 

Envoyé de mon Moto G (5) Plus en utilisant Tapatalk

 

 

 

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JohnR725 Distinguished Member

JohnR725

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I always find the term watchmaker an interesting term. So providing he don't violates somebody's copyright patent or something else you can make your own watch. The problem will be making money making your own watch. Then if you make money you also probably find that you might need a business license because are now running a business depends on where you live. But making the money that's going to be the biggest problem.

then if you need funding and have a unique idea you could try kickstarter.com I have a link below you can see what all sorts of other people are currently trying to get funding for some successful some not.

https://www.kickstarter.com/discover/advanced?ref=nav_search&term=watch

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watchmaker

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oldhippy Distinguished Member

oldhippy

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In my book you are not a watchmaker but a watch repairer. A watchmaker has been taught in his or hers apprenticeship the art of making certain parts for a watch. You should be able to make a stem, balance staff and re-pivot a wheel. Also how you describe what you would like to do you might say you are a watch assembler, because everything is new and there is no repairing involved.     

I do not know the law in America so I cannot comment on that.

 

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anilv Distinguished Member

anilv

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Basically you'll be doing what a lot of brands are doing. Breitling, Longines, Panerai, Oris yadda yadda...all of them do it.  You would be an assembler.

ETA itself does not sell finished watches so I don't think they'll take exception.

Anilv

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Tmuir Distinguished Member

Tmuir

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As long as you got all the parts through legal channels it would be all good.

Nothing wrong with getting a dial on it with your own brand name on it as long as you don't say you made the movements.

As what anilv says lots of companies buy ETA movements and fit them to their cases.

But I also agree with oldhippy that you couldn't call yourself a watchmaker, a watch assembler what probably be the more correct term, unless you already have the skills to make watch parts.

I call myself a 'Student Watchmaker' because I have yet to manage to make a balance staff, I'm just starting to learn now.

Until I have managed to make a balance staff, fit it, true it, balance it and get the watch running I haven't finished my course so can't call myself a watchmaker.

But even once I have completed my course I will still be on the very bottom rungs of what a watchmaker is.

I do know people that have made watches from scratch and this is a whole other level.

I know one person that wanted to make a silver engine turned dial for the watch he made, so he went and made himself a watchmakers rose engine from scratch and even he still considers he has a lot to learn.

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