Mechanical Watch (2022) • Hacker News Board

Re: Mechanical Watch (2022)

#61

Post by naet » Mon, Dec 11, 2023, 4:45 PM UTC

cloogshicer wrote: post #18

I've been a long time admirer of the interactive animations on this site. What tool/library would you pick to create similar ones yourself? Looking at the source [1], the author seems to hand-craft them using the canvas API, but man, that seems really difficult! [1] https://ciechanow.ski/js/watch.js

Bartosz does an amazing job of making custom interactives and animations to support his articles. It looks like he uses custom canvas with webgl for the 3d renders.

There are 3d engines in JavaScript like three.js (https://threejs.org/) that can abstract some of the 3d rendering work for you.

Re: Mechanical Watch (2022)

#62

Post by KaiserPro » Mon, Dec 11, 2023, 4:50 PM UTC

There are semi-electric versions of mechanical watches based on "tuning fork" movements. They are cheap and accurate, and are a stepping stone between mechanical and quartz from the 60s/70s

I don't have the skills or machinery to make a wristwatch sized version, but I did make a _big_ sized version: https://www.secretbatcave.co.uk/projects/electromechanical-c...

Re: Mechanical Watch (2022)

#63

Post by jrockway » Mon, Dec 11, 2023, 4:50 PM UTC

fellerts wrote: post #32

This blog is what got me into the fabulous hobby of watch repairing. Well, this blog and Marshall's awesome repair videos over at Wristwatch Revival: https://www.youtube.com/@WristwatchRevival Watch repairing is a very rewarding hobby. It requires copious amounts of patience, but there's something fundamentally satisfying about disassembling something to its individual components, cleaning them and reassembling them…

That is a great channel. It's definitely made me consider getting into that hobby. Seems very relaxing.

Re: Mechanical Watch (2022)

#64

Post by quakeguy » Mon, Dec 11, 2023, 4:51 PM UTC

samgranieri wrote: post #9

This was the most engrossing article I’ve read in a while.

Check the whole blog, the amount and detail of JS animations on all the different topics is awesome.

Re: Mechanical Watch (2022)

#65

Post by lvl102 » Mon, Dec 11, 2023, 4:51 PM UTC

criddell wrote: post #38

lvl102 wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Grand Seikos are some of the best mechanical watches. Their quartz line is also exceptional. Very underrated and much prefer them over overpriced Rolex.

Many Rolex models seem expensive, but they are easy to sell and you will get much of your money back or even turn a profit.

I agree with you. I used to stock up gold Rolexes as investment but sold them when their value peaked during the pandemic. For collection purposes? Rolexes are duds.

Re: Mechanical Watch (2022)

#66

Post by bluescrn » Mon, Dec 11, 2023, 4:52 PM UTC

graphe wrote: post #56

bluescrn wrote: post #55

Earlier quoted context omitted.

3D printers have very little mechanical complexity. It's all in the software. If it wasn't for the computing power/software complexity required, hobbyist 3D printers could probably have been a thing in the 70s or 80s

They’re not complex, just easily taken apart and meant to be repaired by humans. The software isn’t particularly complex either, the reason for their surge recently was due to patents expiring for additive manufacturing. https://futurism.com/expiring-patents-set-to-improve-3d-worl...

Yeah, I suppose the software to control the printer is the relatively straightforward bit, the complex part is the software that slices the model and converts it into an efficient set of G-code commands for the printer. (That and the software used to create 3D models to begin with...)

Re: Mechanical Watch (2022)

#67

Post by shepherdjerred » Mon, Dec 11, 2023, 4:55 PM UTC

steezy13 wrote: post #14

I have been torn between wearing mechanical watches and smart watches. I don't need/want/like notifications on my wrist, but I really enjoy the activity and heart rate tracking of the Apple Watch. I have been reluctantly wearing a Samsung Withings watch that looks mechanical but is actually smart, but a mediocre compromise (you need to wear it higher up the wrist than I usually do, and I don't believe it gives accura…

Is there any reason you don't just disable notifications? That's what I've done on my Apple watch and I've loved it.

Re: Mechanical Watch (2022)

#68

Post by Aaronstotle » Mon, Dec 11, 2023, 4:56 PM UTC

I have an Oris Aquis Date that I purchased for myself a few months ago, I love looking at the flywheel movement and hearing the tick when I put it up to my ear.

Re: Mechanical Watch (2022)

#69

Post by maxerickson » Mon, Dec 11, 2023, 4:58 PM UTC

MeImCounting wrote: post #60

fellerts wrote: post #32

This blog is what got me into the fabulous hobby of watch repairing. Well, this blog and Marshall's awesome repair videos over at Wristwatch Revival: https://www.youtube.com/@WristwatchRevival Watch repairing is a very rewarding hobby. It requires copious amounts of patience, but there's something fundamentally satisfying about disassembling something to its individual components, cleaning them and reassembling them…

Pocket knives! Nice modern pocket knives should be disassembled and maintained regularly.

I have a Kershaw Leek, which while it isn't particularly expensive, is easily on the "cost exceeds direct utility" side of things, is easy to take apart, and I can't imagine what I would regularly take it apart for.

Re: Mechanical Watch (2022)

#70

Post by aidenn0 » Mon, Dec 11, 2023, 5:00 PM UTC

KaiserPro wrote: post #62

There are semi-electric versions of mechanical watches based on "tuning fork" movements. They are cheap and accurate, and are a stepping stone between mechanical and quartz from the 60s/70s I don't have the skills or machinery to make a wristwatch sized version, but I did make a _big_ sized version: https://www.secretbatcave.co.uk/projects/electromechanical-c...

For a clock, could a worm drive provide the necessary reduction without the microscopic teeth? Tamiya sells small drives with a 150:1 reduction ratio.