Idea Lab

How to Build your Custom Timepiece with Steve Soffa

1 min read

Here, I’m going to show you how we bring your concept to reality from creating a virtual sample through actual production and diamond setting.

As we profile your interests together and discuss the type of piece that you’re looking for, considering things such as, “Is it a anniversary piece?” or, “Is it a commemorative piece or legacy piece, with original source imagery derived from a photo, or maybe even, a logo?”

The next step we do is to create a ‘virtual’ sample, which is a digital graphic rendition we’ll present to you. This particular case shown was done for two executives who wanted to commemorate their company with two separate legacy watch designs.

At right is the very first of the two proposed timepieces, a diamond watch in 18 kt rose gold-plated, again with personalization on the dial, as well as upon the case back and personalized too, on the box. The logo is raised in black, and I painted the hands in orange to match.

Watch and Stone Selection – Drilling Process – Final Plating Process

Choosing the case and bracelet and the finishing process is the step which follows next:
The watch selected is one of my specially-tooled watch models crafted in silver stainless steel/automatic movement. The next step is to measure and determine the mm size of the stones to be set around the bezel and links. Once the measurements have been determined, and the stones have been selected, each hole is precisely drilled by hand to accommodate the exact layout as shown in the Virtual Sample.
After all the diamonds are set, your watch goes to our plating facility where it will be prepped for gold plating. This particular watch is plated in 18kt rose gold, two micron.
Once the plating is complete and cured, your watch is ready to be reassembled and time checked for accuracy.