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Luxury watch chapter ring, reproduced to measure

A chapter ring acting as a spacer between the dial and the case of a luxury watch — with accuracy better than a tenth of a millimetre and an impeccable finish.

  • Luxury watchmaking
  • Reproduction
  • SLA · Resin
  • May 2025
Luxury watch chapter ring, reproduced to measure
// ClientPrivate individual
// SectorLuxury watchmaking
// TechnologySLA 3D printing
// CompletedMay 2025

Client's need

1

Precise, meticulous modelling of a luxury watch chapter ring

The client wanted a chapter ring made for a luxury watch, acting as a spacer between the dial and the case. Although thin, this part had to meet very high requirements in terms of precision and finish.

  • The drawing supplied served as a starting point but, after testing, proved not to match the real dimensions of the case
  • The project demanded: accuracy better than a tenth of a millimetre, on a very small part
  • A perfect fit, with no play or stress
  • A finish free of visible lines, allowing for clean painting
Precise, meticulous modelling of a luxury watch chapter ring
2

Precise support and a premium finish on a small run

The chapter ring played a dual role in the watch:

  • Functional, acting as a retaining spacer between the dial and the case
  • Aesthetic, as it is visible through the crystal and had to offer a clean, uniform finish, ready to be painted
Precise support and a premium finish on a small run
3

Adapting the method to achieve a flawless result

This project presented several critical technical challenges:

  • Extreme precision on a very small part
  • The fragility of the model, due to its minimal thickness
  • An unsuitable original drawing, which led to non-conforming results from the very first attempts
Adapting the method to achieve a flawless result

Our response

1

A complete restart from the real watch and a switch to SLA

Modelling was first carried out from the drawing supplied, but this did not allow us to obtain the exact dimensions needed for a correct fit. To overcome this obstacle, we:

  • Collected the client's watch directly
  • Took precise measurements from the real part
  • Entirely recreated the 3D model, adapted to the observed tolerances
A complete restart from the real watch and a switch to SLA
2

SLA precision and managing the risk of fragility

SLA printing made it possible to reach the required level of fineness and detail, but it highlighted the part's natural fragility:

  • Possible breakage when removing the supports
  • Fragility also observed when fitting it onto the watch
SLA precision and managing the risk of fragility
3

Compatibility achieved, mixed feedback and a reflection on pricing

The part was handed over in person, with particular care given to the presentation:

  • The part was fitted directly onto the watch
  • Cleaning of the case before handover
  • Additional parts delivered in protective packaging, with tissue paper
Compatibility achieved, mixed feedback and a reflection on pricing
Conclusion

The precision of watchmaking, in resin

A chapter ring accurate to a tenth of a millimetre, with an impeccable finish: stereolithography serves the most demanding parts, right into the world of the luxury watch.

In pictures

The project in pictures

Luxury watch chapter ring, reproduced to measure — photo 1
Luxury watch chapter ring, reproduced to measure — photo 2
Luxury watch chapter ring, reproduced to measure — photo 3
Luxury watch chapter ring, reproduced to measure — photo 4
Luxury watch chapter ring, reproduced to measure — photo 5
Luxury watch chapter ring, reproduced to measure — photo 6

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