QUARTERBACK Josh Allen – Buffalo Bills
Today, we will talk about a project centered around sports, specifically American football.
QUARTERBACK
Josh Allen – Buffalo Bills
Josh Allen – Buffalo Bills
Sports are an integral part of human life. They have a multifaceted impact on our health, help shape character, and promote the strengthening of social interaction.
Fans and supporters hold a special place in the world of sports. They fill stadiums, creating an atmosphere that makes sporting events unforgettable. Their support inspires athletes to achieve great things, and their loyalty and passion give sports a special significance.
One such devoted fan of the American football team Buffalo Bills from Buffalo, New York, and a personal supporter of one of their players – quarterback Joshua Patrick Allen – approached us with the idea of creating a wristwatch dedicated to this club. Naturally, we agreed to help him.
To start, we studied the history of the subject a bit. This is always useful for a deeper immersion into the theme and for determining the details of the future project.
Fans and supporters hold a special place in the world of sports. They fill stadiums, creating an atmosphere that makes sporting events unforgettable. Their support inspires athletes to achieve great things, and their loyalty and passion give sports a special significance.
One such devoted fan of the American football team Buffalo Bills from Buffalo, New York, and a personal supporter of one of their players – quarterback Joshua Patrick Allen – approached us with the idea of creating a wristwatch dedicated to this club. Naturally, we agreed to help him.
To start, we studied the history of the subject a bit. This is always useful for a deeper immersion into the theme and for determining the details of the future project.
The Buffalo Bills are a professional American football team based in the Buffalo-Niagara Falls metropolitan area. The Bills compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the American Football Conference (AFC) East division. The team plays its home games at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York. Founded in 1960 as a charter member of the American Football League (AFL), they joined the NFL in 1970.
In 1962, the team's helmet featured a standing red bison as the logo. In 1973, it was replaced by a blue charging bison with a red streak flowing from its horn. This logo is still in use today. The team's colors are red, white, and blue.
One of the most renowned and popular players of the club is quarterback Josh Allen. During his tenure with the Bills, he has led the team to five playoff games, four consecutive division titles, and five postseason victories. In 2023, Allen led the NFL in total yards and touchdowns.
After assimilating this information, our artist sketched the dial and the engraving on the mechanism of the future watch. The designs include the club's logo, the team colors, and elements of American football – a helmet and a ball. After making some adjustments, the designs were approved by the client.
In 1962, the team's helmet featured a standing red bison as the logo. In 1973, it was replaced by a blue charging bison with a red streak flowing from its horn. This logo is still in use today. The team's colors are red, white, and blue.
One of the most renowned and popular players of the club is quarterback Josh Allen. During his tenure with the Bills, he has led the team to five playoff games, four consecutive division titles, and five postseason victories. In 2023, Allen led the NFL in total yards and touchdowns.
After assimilating this information, our artist sketched the dial and the engraving on the mechanism of the future watch. The designs include the club's logo, the team colors, and elements of American football – a helmet and a ball. After making some adjustments, the designs were approved by the client.
It should be noted that the mechanism for this project was selected by the client in advance. Among the options we offered, he chose a vintage Swiss movement with a central seconds hand – a rather rare complication for its time. This movement was produced by the firm "Alphonse Boichat & Cie" from Fleurier (Canton of Neuchâtel, Switzerland) during the period of 1910-1923, specifically for the English market.
The mechanism, with a diameter of 45.0 mm (20'''), is crafted in the so-called "English style," featuring a three-quarter lower plate and a stepped balance bridge. It uses a Swiss lateral lever escapement (French: ancre de côté) with the axes of the balance, lateral lever fork, and escape wheel positioned at right angles. The mechanism is gold-plated and assembled with 15 ruby jewels. Noteworthy is the unusual finishing of the lower plate, which features intersecting circles creating a fish-scale effect. An interesting aspect of this caliber is the presence of a hacking function, explained by the fact that such watches were marketed by the manufacturer as medical watches. One of the company’s trademarks was even called "Medical Service."
In our project, in agreement with the client, we decided to forgo this function for several reasons: the primitive implementation scheme; the need for an additional hole in the case for a button, which would reduce water resistance; and the lack of practical necessity in the future watch.
This mechanism was equipped with an enamel dial featuring an additional outer seconds scale with 0.2-second increments, confirming the use of these watches for medical purposes for precise time interval measurements. The design of such a dial was officially registered by A. Boichat & Cie in 1914.
In our project, in agreement with the client, we decided to forgo this function for several reasons: the primitive implementation scheme; the need for an additional hole in the case for a button, which would reduce water resistance; and the lack of practical necessity in the future watch.
This mechanism was equipped with an enamel dial featuring an additional outer seconds scale with 0.2-second increments, confirming the use of these watches for medical purposes for precise time interval measurements. The design of such a dial was officially registered by A. Boichat & Cie in 1914.
The name printed on the dial, "JOHN RUSSEL / LONDON," belongs to a watchmaker and retailer from Sheffield who relocated to London in the early 20th century. During this period, many English merchants bought watches from Swiss manufacturers and sold them in England under their own names.
Pocket watches produced by A. Boichat factories were sold in similar gold and silver cases of the Lépine and Savonnette types, featuring a round winding crown and a side slider for the hacking function.
Pocket watches produced by A. Boichat factories were sold in similar gold and silver cases of the Lépine and Savonnette types, featuring a round winding crown and a side slider for the hacking function.
Below are advertisements from 1922 and 1923 for the production of watches with central seconds hands of various sizes. It is particularly noted that the watches are made "specifically for the English market."
The movements in the watches were installed with gold plating (yellow and red gold, with circular finishing and without) and nickel plating.
Regarding the company that produced the mechanism and the watches in general, the founder of this watchmaking business was Alphonse Boichat from Le Bois (Canton of Bern), who registered the eponymous watchmaking company "Alphonse Boichat" in Fleurier in 1894. In 1899, he was joined by his sons Virgile Boichat and Alphonse Boichat Jr., and the firm was renamed "Alphonse Boichat & Cie." In 1904, they registered the design of the watch movement described here with the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property under No. 11289.
In 1911, Alphonse Boichat Jr. left the family business and established his own company in Fleurier, named "A. Boichat-Jeanrenaud et C°, Isola Watch C°," following the Swiss tradition of adding his wife's surname to his own. Interestingly, both firms produced the same products, possibly exchanging blanks and components. In 1913, likely to reduce competition, Alphonse Boichat Sr. moved the headquarters of his company Alphonse Boichat & Cie to La Chaux-de-Fonds.
In 1911, Alphonse Boichat Jr. left the family business and established his own company in Fleurier, named "A. Boichat-Jeanrenaud et C°, Isola Watch C°," following the Swiss tradition of adding his wife's surname to his own. Interestingly, both firms produced the same products, possibly exchanging blanks and components. In 1913, likely to reduce competition, Alphonse Boichat Sr. moved the headquarters of his company Alphonse Boichat & Cie to La Chaux-de-Fonds.
In the same year, Virgile Boichat, along with two other sons of Alphonse Boichat Sr. – Aurèle and Charles – established a new company in La Chaux-de-Fonds called "A. Boichat & Cie," to which all assets and liabilities of Alphonse Boichat & Cie were transferred. The latter was liquidated in 1917 by the sons of Alphonse Boichat Sr., and its registration was annulled in 1922.
It seems that after transferring the business to his sons, Alphonse Sr. decided to focus on public and educational activities. In 1915, he joined the commission of the School of Watchmaking and Mechanics in Fleurier, and from 1924 to 1930, he led it.
Alphonse Jr. was also active in public life, being a member of the Radical Party, elected as the 1st Vice President and President of the General Council of Fleurier, an honorary chairman of the Catholic parish, and for several years, he chaired the board of directors of the Consumers' Society of Fleurier and its surrounding areas. He died in 1956 at the age of 81. Subsequently, the watchmaking firms were managed by the next generations of the family and produced watches at least until the 1970s.
Having delved into the historical background of the presented mechanism, let's return to the project.
The mechanism was meticulously measured. Based on the results, engineers developed a three-dimensional model of the future watch case. The client desired it to be made of titanium. According to the specified dimensions, a lathe operator crafted a traditionally round case with straight, rounded lugs, measuring 52.8 mm in diameter. It features two sapphire crystals, resistant to mechanical impact. The front bezel snaps shut, and the back cover is threaded. The winding crown and pusher for setting the hands are also made of titanium.
It seems that after transferring the business to his sons, Alphonse Sr. decided to focus on public and educational activities. In 1915, he joined the commission of the School of Watchmaking and Mechanics in Fleurier, and from 1924 to 1930, he led it.
Alphonse Jr. was also active in public life, being a member of the Radical Party, elected as the 1st Vice President and President of the General Council of Fleurier, an honorary chairman of the Catholic parish, and for several years, he chaired the board of directors of the Consumers' Society of Fleurier and its surrounding areas. He died in 1956 at the age of 81. Subsequently, the watchmaking firms were managed by the next generations of the family and produced watches at least until the 1970s.
Having delved into the historical background of the presented mechanism, let's return to the project.
The mechanism was meticulously measured. Based on the results, engineers developed a three-dimensional model of the future watch case. The client desired it to be made of titanium. According to the specified dimensions, a lathe operator crafted a traditionally round case with straight, rounded lugs, measuring 52.8 mm in diameter. It features two sapphire crystals, resistant to mechanical impact. The front bezel snaps shut, and the back cover is threaded. The winding crown and pusher for setting the hands are also made of titanium.
Thanks to the precise fitting of the parts to the bushing and the presence of rubber seals, the case achieves a high level of water resistance. Subsequently, the case was sanded and polished.
Based on the approved sketch, a prototype was developed, according to which the master crafted the dial from a brass sheet using laser cutting and engraving. After cutting, it underwent fitting with the mechanism in the case. The dial is partially skeletonized, providing a view of the gears and bridges of the mechanism. The central feature is the buffalo from the Bills logo. BUF 716 is the area code for the western region of New York State, covering Buffalo and its environs.
Based on the approved sketch, a prototype was developed, according to which the master crafted the dial from a brass sheet using laser cutting and engraving. After cutting, it underwent fitting with the mechanism in the case. The dial is partially skeletonized, providing a view of the gears and bridges of the mechanism. The central feature is the buffalo from the Bills logo. BUF 716 is the area code for the western region of New York State, covering Buffalo and its environs.
All dimensions were adhered to, and the dial, along with the mechanism's components, which the watchmaker had previously disassembled, went to the jeweler-engraver for manual refinement. The bull figure was further detailed, with the master adding texture and depth.
By the way, if you noticed, these watches are intended to be worn on the right hand. A rare option in our projects.
The main and lower three-quarter plates of the mechanism, as well as the pallet fork bridge and escape wheel, were manually skeletonized and engraved, so to speak, in a "comic book" style, with an abundance of flame tongues and an image of a football helmet and ball on the lower plate. Such work requires significant effort from the master, precision of movements, and undoubtedly, artistic talent.
By the way, if you noticed, these watches are intended to be worn on the right hand. A rare option in our projects.
The main and lower three-quarter plates of the mechanism, as well as the pallet fork bridge and escape wheel, were manually skeletonized and engraved, so to speak, in a "comic book" style, with an abundance of flame tongues and an image of a football helmet and ball on the lower plate. Such work requires significant effort from the master, precision of movements, and undoubtedly, artistic talent.
Looking at the result, it can be stated that our engraver has done an excellent job with everything mentioned above. The bison looks alive: its head is lowered, the fur on the neck is bristling, and the tail is tense. It almost seems like steam will burst from its nostrils, it will strike with its hoof, and rush into attack. I also want to draw your attention to the intricacy of the details of the helmet – the protective grille and the Buffalo Bills logo.
In addition to the dial and the plates of the mechanism, the barrel wheel was also skeletonized, which will be visible from the dial side.
In addition to the dial and the plates of the mechanism, the barrel wheel was also skeletonized, which will be visible from the dial side.
After the engraving operations, the parts were polished and buffed. The mechanism, like our dial, is made of clock brass.
Next, the electroplating master coated the mechanism with silver and blackened it, and then applied black rhodium with an electroplating pencil in certain areas to add contrast and expressiveness to the composition.
Now it was the turn of the enamel artist to give the dial its final appearance. The base was coated with enamel in the colors of the Bills club: white and blue in the center, and blue on the hour ring. The hour markers, made from birch bones, and minute markings were filled with red enamel. After this, the dial underwent a fitting on the mechanism.
The next step was to select the color of the hands. We received a "native" set of "Poires Anglaises" hands in black. Initially, we tried them on in their original state.
However, it was generally agreed that black hands clashed with the other colors of the watch, especially with the case color and the bull figure, drawing attention away from the dial. It was decided to polish them to metal. This option pleased everyone - both us as the executors and the customer.
We sent photos of the assembled watch to the client. It's worth noting that this is our usual practice - all intermediate results and work moments are photographed, and the pictures are sent to the clients. All our clients are always informed about the progress of their project and at which stage it is. All details and nuances are discussed with them first, and then implemented in practice.
So, we sent photos of the watch to the client for approval. And we received a comment in response: he didn't like that the satin-finished steel overlay bridges of the barrel and winding mechanism, visible in the apertures of the dial, stood out too much against the overall background.
For us, the client's wish is law. Our watchmaker disassembled the watch and mechanism. We polished the mentioned bridges and blackened them. The watchmaker assembled the mechanism again, secured the dial, and installed it in the case. The next set of photos was sent to the client.
So, we sent photos of the watch to the client for approval. And we received a comment in response: he didn't like that the satin-finished steel overlay bridges of the barrel and winding mechanism, visible in the apertures of the dial, stood out too much against the overall background.
For us, the client's wish is law. Our watchmaker disassembled the watch and mechanism. We polished the mentioned bridges and blackened them. The watchmaker assembled the mechanism again, secured the dial, and installed it in the case. The next set of photos was sent to the client.
This time everything suited him, and the watchmaker proceeded with the final assembly of the watch. The mechanism was lubricated and adjusted, and all the elements took their place.
After assembling the watch, it was time to choose a suitable strap. From the options provided, the client chose a bright red and black strap made of iguana leather, harmonizing with the colors of the dial. It was handcrafted to order for our watch studio and has a stainless steel buckle.
After assembling the watch, it was time to choose a suitable strap. From the options provided, the client chose a bright red and black strap made of iguana leather, harmonizing with the colors of the dial. It was handcrafted to order for our watch studio and has a stainless steel buckle.
All our watches undergo accuracy and power reserve duration testing on a timing machine, and this project was no exception. During testing in various positions, the watch showed a decent result, considering the century-old age of the mechanism: the accuracy ranged from -22 to +75 seconds per day with a power reserve of over 24 hours.
In addition, the finished watches are mandatory checked against the technical specifications and internal quality standards developed in our watchmaking studio. Quality control is a critically important stage where any flaws are identified and rectified. The project manager, production supervisor, and one of the company's executives sign the corresponding document, and only then can the watches be handed over to the client.
Another project is completed. The tasks set by the client are accomplished, their wishes are taken into account, any difficulties encountered are overcome, and technical issues are resolved. This is the most gratifying moment - the moment of triumph and satisfaction.
Another project is completed. The tasks set by the client are accomplished, their wishes are taken into account, any difficulties encountered are overcome, and technical issues are resolved. This is the most gratifying moment - the moment of triumph and satisfaction.
Creating custom wristwatches is an engaging and complex process that involves numerous stages, from the initial concept to the final assembly. The completion of such a project symbolizes the culmination of the work of a team of professionals, their creative efforts, and technical expertise.
However, completing the project does not signify the end of collaboration with the client. It is important to receive feedback to understand how well the result meets expectations. This helps improve processes in the future and offer even more quality and unique products. A satisfied client is the best indicator of a project's success and ensures future orders.
If our QUARTERBACK has inspired you, don't put your dream on hold. Feel free to contact our watch studio, and we will gladly assist you. You can always order luxurious men's skeletonized watches from us, which will reflect your individuality and style, or purchase ready-made ones from our inventory.
We create watches based on antique, vintage, and modern movements from well-known watch manufacturers such as Vacheron Constantin, Patek Philippe, Ulysse Nardin, Piaget, Rolex, ETA, and many others. The choice of case and dial materials depends solely on your preferences and financial capabilities. It can be stainless steel, silver, gold, or brass with gold plating. We can adorn your watches with gemstones, including diamonds.
Certainly, you can purchase watches from famous brands at brand stores, but they will be just one of many identical products for the mass market. We believe that everyone deserves more than just timekeeping devices – they deserve a work of art that reflects their personal tastes and values.
Time is a priceless resource, and we are confident that your new watches will help you appreciate every moment of your life. Our watch studio offers a unique opportunity to create the watch of your dreams, embodying your boldest ideas and desires.
The studio pays special attention to the quality and reliability of our products. We only use proven mechanisms and materials that ensure the durability and impeccable performance of our watches.
We create watches based on antique, vintage, and modern movements from well-known watch manufacturers such as Vacheron Constantin, Patek Philippe, Ulysse Nardin, Piaget, Rolex, ETA, and many others. The choice of case and dial materials depends solely on your preferences and financial capabilities. It can be stainless steel, silver, gold, or brass with gold plating. We can adorn your watches with gemstones, including diamonds.
Certainly, you can purchase watches from famous brands at brand stores, but they will be just one of many identical products for the mass market. We believe that everyone deserves more than just timekeeping devices – they deserve a work of art that reflects their personal tastes and values.
Time is a priceless resource, and we are confident that your new watches will help you appreciate every moment of your life. Our watch studio offers a unique opportunity to create the watch of your dreams, embodying your boldest ideas and desires.
The studio pays special attention to the quality and reliability of our products. We only use proven mechanisms and materials that ensure the durability and impeccable performance of our watches.
