Best jewellery engraver entry level

[m_c]

Frank,

have a look over on the CamBam forums, in the Members Projects board (http://www.cambam.co.uk/forum/index.php?board=9.0), for the watch threads (there's two that I know of) by Arie kabaalstra. I know his current machine is reasonably expensive, but that was an upgrade after he started producing watches commercially.
His posts give a good insight into fine work, which I'd think would give you a good insight into the process (design, work holding, tooling etc)

There was also a ring maker over on the mach support forums, however I can't remember his username, and it's been a few years since I noticed him post.

Regarding machines, it'll depend on if you want something turnkey, or to convert something your self. If you want turnkey, of the top of my head I'd suggest looking at a Seig KX1 (Arc Euro Trade sell them), or there's a Swiss company who do a good range of smaller milling machines including CNC options, but I've forgotten their name!