Creativity and Patience
Manufacturing watch parts “the Finnilä way” requires, more than anything, patience and creativity. One has to develop manufacturing processes, design and make special equipment and, of course make the components. It is most definitely a much more difficult approach than just ordering parts and assemble them. But it is so much more rewarding.
What Does Handmade Mean?
Today, no computer-aided machines are used in the workshop – only manually operated ones and hand tools. This is a very rare approach. In fact, it is unlikely that any other watch brand in the Nordics today applies this philosophy.
Typically, the following parts are made by Levenaig entirely from scratch:
Case
Cases are normally made from scratch in Levenaig’s workshop (“scratch” meaning, for instance, a solid bar of bronze, brass, titanium, steel). The model MN42N, however, is an exception since the rough machining of its titanium case has been done by another company. But the remaining machining (still a lot) is done by Levenaig.
Lugs
The lugs are mentioned separately as they are normally manufactured as separate components which are later brazed to the main part of the case.
Caseback
In general, the caseback is made of either titanium or 1.4404 stainless steel in order to avoid allergic reactions.
Crown
Levenaig makes both assembled and solid crowns. Screw-down and basic. But regardless of their design, it is preferable to use titanium for the area around the o-ring to avoid leaks due to corrosion.
Crown tube
This component is crucial for the water resistance of the watch and is therefor normally made of titanium.
Dial
Dials are normally made from an aluminium bar och sheet, and may require a wide range of processes, such as turning, milling, drilling, grinding, polishing, painting, gluing, anodising and engraving.
Movement carrier
Hands
Levenaig’s watch hands are either made from solid pieces of brass or bronze, or separate components which are soldered together. Seconds hands are by far the most challenging as they are… …well, tiny.
Misc. components
Connection pieces, bezels, etc. are also made in-house when a design requires these.
Box
Levenaig’s watches come in wooden boxes which are made in-house. Occasionally, ELN in Malmö, Sweden, has provided some of the box interior.
