Master’s in Glass, Brightwork and Analogue Instruments Engineering — VDO/Smiths/Jaeger Gauges, Fine Restoration
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in glass, fittings and analogue instrumentation engineering — VDO, Smiths and Jaeger clockwork and fine restoration. 12 modules covering mechanical and electrical period instruments, dashboard clocks, dials and bezels, classic automotive glass, seals, body fittings, electroplating and discreet replacement electronics, with an assigned technical tutor.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Recognise Smiths, VDO, Jaeger and Veglia instrumentation by period and model.
Repair and calibrate mechanical speedometers and rev counters.
Restore dashboard clocks and period electrical mechanisms.
Conserve or reproduce dials, bezels and glasses with ethical judgement.
Replace glass and seals while respecting the original glazing.
Recover fittings through electroplating and investment casting.
Document reversible interventions in line with FIVA criteria.
Who it's for
- Classic instrumentation technicians
- Restorers of fittings and chrome work
- Specialists in glass for historic vehicles
- Electroplating technicians
- Managers of fine restoration workshops
- Technical advisers to marque clubs
- Engineering or science graduates looking to move into classic-vehicle restoration
What you'll work with
- UN ECE Regulation No. 39 (speedometers and odometers)
- UN ECE Regulation No. 43 (safety glazing materials)
- Real Decreto 892/2013, Reglamento de Vehículos Históricos (Spanish Historic Vehicles Regulation)
- FIVA Charter of Turin (2013) (international guidelines for the preservation of historic vehicles)
- Regulation (EC) 1907/2006 (REACH) (registration and restriction of chemicals)
- ISO 2178 (measurement of coating thickness)
- ISO 4042 (electroplated coatings on fasteners)
- Autodesk Fusion 360
- Artec Studio
- Inkscape
- KiCad
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Smiths Industries and the Chronometric range1.2VDO and German instrumentation1.3Jaeger in French classics1.4Veglia Borletti in Italian classics1.5Dial codes and manufacturing dates1.6Magnetic, chronometric and electrical instruments1.7Instrument panels and bezels1.8Spare-parts catalogues and technical literature1.9Original versus reproduction1.10Case study: identifying a Smiths speedometer
2.1The eddy-current principle2.2Magnet, drag cup and hairspring2.3Drive cable and turns ratio2.4Odometer and trip meter2.5Smiths chronometric mechanism2.6Removing needles without damage2.7Lubrication with watchmaking oils2.8Turns-per-kilometre constant2.9Adjustment after a final-drive or tyre change2.10Laboratory: bench calibration of a speedometer
3.1Bimetallic gauges and voltage stabiliser3.2Fuel gauges and tank senders3.3Bourdon-tube capillary thermometers3.4Ammeters and voltmeters3.5Electronic replacement of the 10 V regulator3.6Original senders and sensors3.7Dial illumination and bulbs3.8Testing with a variable power supply3.9Diagnosing intermittent faults3.10Practical: repairing a capillary thermometer
4.1Jaeger eight-day mechanical clocks4.2Self-rewinding electric clocks4.3Quartz conversion: advantages and drawbacks4.4Balance wheel, hairspring and rate regulation4.5Ultrasonic cleaning of components4.6Rewind contacts and their wear4.7Amplitude and timekeeping accuracy4.8Radium luminous paints and their risk4.9Basic watchmaking tools4.10Workshop: full overhaul of a dashboard clock
5.1Screen printing and pad printing of dials5.2Restoring or reprinting a dial5.3Chrome plating of bezels and rings5.4Instrument glasses in glass and acrylic5.5Instrument seals and sealing5.6Needle painting and modern luminescence5.7Period colours and typefaces5.8Technical photography for documentation5.9Patina and ageing: ethical criteria5.10Practical: restoring a Jaeger dial
6.1Toughened versus laminated glass6.2Laminated windscreens and historical markings6.3Curved rear windows6.4Manufacturer marks: Triplex and Sekurit6.5Polishing scratches with cerium oxide6.6Delamination and chipped edges6.7Custom-made glass manufacture6.8UN ECE Regulation No. 43 on glazing6.9Fitting with a rubber seal and locking strip6.10Case study: reproducing a flat windscreen
7.1Rubber profiles and extrusions7.2EPDM versus natural rubber7.3Windscreen seals with locking strip7.4Bonded glass versus gasket-mounted glass7.5Water-tightness testing7.6Window felts and scrapers7.7Door and bonnet weatherstrips7.8Quality of reproductions7.9Ozone ageing7.10Workshop: fitting glass with a locking-strip seal
8.1Period locks and handles8.2Crank and cable window regulators8.3Hinges, pins and bushes8.4Zamak die-castings and their degradation8.5Decorative nickel and chrome plating8.6Reproduction by lost-wax investment casting8.73D scanning of fittings8.8PVD coatings as an alternative8.9Lubrication and adjustment of mechanisms8.10Practical: restoring a zamak handle
9.1Copper-nickel-chrome bath sequence9.2Hexavalent versus trivalent chromium9.3Preliminary mechanical polishing9.4Zinc plating and passivation of fasteners9.5Anodising aluminium9.6Thickness measurement by magnetic induction9.7Hydrogen embrittlement9.8Management of electroplating waste9.9Occupational exposure to chromium VI9.10Laboratory: measuring coating thickness
10.1Concealed sensors for speedometers10.2GPS-to-cable signal converters10.3Concealed electronic rev counters10.4Warm-tone LED lighting10.5Basic electromagnetic compatibility10.6Reversibility of modifications10.7Legalising instrumentation changes10.8FIVA criteria on modifications10.9Record of interventions10.10Case study: GPS speedometer in an original instrument panel
11.1Organising an instrumentation workshop11.2Test benches and reference standards11.3Metrological traceability of measurements11.4Quality-control records11.5Packing and shipping instruments11.6Warranties and claims11.7Rates by type of intervention11.8NOS spare parts and suppliers11.9Working with marque clubs11.10Case study: speedometer calibration service
12.1Selecting the assembly to restore12.2Historical documentation of the instrument12.3Diagnosis and intervention plan12.4Mechanical and electrical restoration12.5Associated glass, seals and fittings12.6Calibration and validation tests12.7Reversibility record12.8Economic valuation of the intervention12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
The programme is 100% online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so it can be combined with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Autodesk Fusion 360, Artec Studio, Inkscape and KiCad, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: bench calibration of speedometers, reproduction of dials and bezels and fitting glass with rubber seals. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: UN ECE Regulation No. 39; UN ECE Regulation No. 43; Real Decreto 892/2013, Reglamento de Vehículos Históricos; FIVA Charter of Turin (2013); Regulation (EC) 1907/2006 (REACH); ISO 2178; ISO 4042.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- University degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent proven professional experience.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with Autodesk Fusion 360, Artec Studio, Inkscape and KiCad, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the Master's Thesis. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
A university degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a computer able to run the software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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