The demonstration also included an explanation
imitation Corum watches
The demonstration also included an explanation of the features and mechanisms of two highly complicated RGM timepieces: the Minute Repeater Tourbillon with hammers and escapement visible from the dial side, and another minute repeater whose lovely chimes were demonstrated for the group. Other members of the RGM staff, including the lead designer and expert watchmakers, were on hand to demonstrate their wares, answer questions and share the enthusiasm of the attendees.
Day two was reserved for a horological tour de force hosted by the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (nawcc) in Columbia, Pennsylvania. Although many of the Convergence attendees are not nawcc members, Richard Robinson, director of development for the association, welcomed all and made available a full complement of resources. On hand to guide and inform the group were Daniel Nied, director of the School of Horology; Sharon Gordon, director of the nawcc Library; Nancy Dyer, archivist for nawcc; J. Carter Harris, curator of the museum; Diana Burnett, editor of nawcc publications; docent Joe Hill and other volun teers. The visitors were given an introduction to the library, which included the enormous archives that feature the most significant collection of documents from the former Hamilton Watch Company of Lancaster.
Convergence-goers were given a surprise when the group was detoured over to the former Hamilton Watch Factory. A magnificent and massive brick edifice, the old factory complex features two large clock towers dating from the 1890s and 1920s, respectively. Now housing offices, apartments and a school, the Clock Towers and its visual tale of success and expansion further stimulated the group’s enthusiasm and respect for the venerable American watch brand.
Day three was the busiest of the event and it is a testament to the dedication and passion of the organizers that such a rich program was arranged for the benefit of the group. Immediately following breakfast, the attendees were treated to a presentation by two watchmakers-in-training from the Lititz Watch Technicum, the Rolex-sponsored wostep watchmaking school, in an idyllic suburb of Lancaster.The two students, Robert Flood, whom Convergence 2002 attendees had previously met, and Jacob Sobell, a first-time Convergence attendee, shared their experiences in making their “class watches.” Each student is required to create certain watch parts from scratch and use them to assemble a wristwatch based upon the unitas 6497 movement. Only the pillar plate, gear train, balance and some winding/setting parts are kept from the original movement. The students must design and hand-make such items as train and balance bridges and setting levers; some even go so far as to make dials, screws, regulator indexes and chatons of their own design. The presentation covered such watchmaking aspects as centering of holes, tempering and bluing metal, movement design and surface finishing. Eight examples of the watches made by Lititz students were shown in the slide presentation and six of these watches were passed among the audience for close-up viewing.
This presentation was followed by a question-and-answer session featuring a panel composed of the heads of watchmaking and design companies, distribution and print media. Such topics as ladies’complicated watches, Internet vs. brick-and-mortar watch sales and the “big watch trend” were discussed.
After a lunch break, the group enjoyed a full afternoon at the Convergence Expo. Watch companies, including RGM, Girard-Perregaux, Daniel JeanRichard, Chronodeco, Kobold, Fortis, Epos, Yantar, Vollmer and Atlantic, were represented at booths in the exposition hall at the Eden Resort. Among the high-lights were the presence of Michael Kobold of the eponymous watch company and the unveiling of some new models by RGM. The watch
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