Watch repair tools
Discussion
Hi all.
I’m looking to get into repairing watches as a hobby. Wind up only, I like mechanical things! Too much time on YouTube! I already play with quite complicated locks and other small mechanisms so hoping it’s not too much of a crossover.
I already have a reasonably selection of generic small tools but are there any recommendations for specific watch stuff. Somewhere between Bergeon (which looks lovely but expensive) and cheap eBay crap (which just looks crap!)
Got my eye on a nice (non-running) Omega De Ville to start with. Would that be too much for a beginner?
Lastly, I’ve been viewing Wristwatch Revival on YouTube. Any other recommendations?
Many thanks.
I’m looking to get into repairing watches as a hobby. Wind up only, I like mechanical things! Too much time on YouTube! I already play with quite complicated locks and other small mechanisms so hoping it’s not too much of a crossover.
I already have a reasonably selection of generic small tools but are there any recommendations for specific watch stuff. Somewhere between Bergeon (which looks lovely but expensive) and cheap eBay crap (which just looks crap!)
Got my eye on a nice (non-running) Omega De Ville to start with. Would that be too much for a beginner?
Lastly, I’ve been viewing Wristwatch Revival on YouTube. Any other recommendations?
Many thanks.
Edited by Oceanrower on Thursday 20th October 21:56
Edited by Oceanrower on Thursday 20th October 22:07
I like watching Marshall, he does make it look quite easy! He did a video about tools, which you can get away with cheap stuff and where the expensive bits work better. He found the chinese mainspring winders ok for instance.
I also think decent and clear magnification will make a a huge difference. The videos are done at significant mag so make it look easy. Pocket watches are suggested as a good place to start as they are larger and cheap to buy.
I also think decent and clear magnification will make a a huge difference. The videos are done at significant mag so make it look easy. Pocket watches are suggested as a good place to start as they are larger and cheap to buy.
Servicing should be relatively easy. It's something I need to learn to do. Tools needed:
Non magnetic screwdrivers
Non magnetic tweezers
Ultrasonic cleaner (they're so cheap, you may as well)
Movement holder.
Hand puller & resetter
Oilers
Magnification
Consumables:
Finger cots
Pegwood
Oil
Cleaning fluid.
Fixing broken watches will I think take a wee bit more skill. To identify the problem and to source a replacement part.
I've inherited a ladies pocket watch that needs a service. One day when the house is finished I'll get around to it. But first I have a shed to build, the rafters in the hallway, two bedrooms and the bathroom need replacing. The bathroom need taking back to bare brick and everthing inside needs replacing and I have two large wooden bay windows to make and install.
Non magnetic screwdrivers
Non magnetic tweezers
Ultrasonic cleaner (they're so cheap, you may as well)
Movement holder.
Hand puller & resetter
Oilers
Magnification
Consumables:
Finger cots
Pegwood
Oil
Cleaning fluid.
Fixing broken watches will I think take a wee bit more skill. To identify the problem and to source a replacement part.
I've inherited a ladies pocket watch that needs a service. One day when the house is finished I'll get around to it. But first I have a shed to build, the rafters in the hallway, two bedrooms and the bathroom need replacing. The bathroom need taking back to bare brick and everthing inside needs replacing and I have two large wooden bay windows to make and install.
I would be grateful if someone could provide a link to some decent but affordable watchmaking screwdrivers for adjusting bracelets and removing links etc.
I always like to adjust/swap my own bracelets, and I have had couple of cheap screwdriver sets from Ebay, they have been ok for a while and then promptly broken in one way or another usually by the tip beginning to rotate within the screwdriver shaft, or a chip breaking off the tip.
I always like to adjust/swap my own bracelets, and I have had couple of cheap screwdriver sets from Ebay, they have been ok for a while and then promptly broken in one way or another usually by the tip beginning to rotate within the screwdriver shaft, or a chip breaking off the tip.
Lord Marylebone said:
I would be grateful if someone could provide a link to some decent but affordable watchmaking screwdrivers for adjusting bracelets and removing links etc.
I always like to adjust/swap my own bracelets, and I have had couple of cheap screwdriver sets from Ebay, they have been ok for a while and then promptly broken in one way or another usually by the tip beginning to rotate within the screwdriver shaft, or a chip breaking off the tip.
Cousins UK seems to be the go to place. These seem good quality, just depends what you mean by affordable but the pointy bit is replaceableI always like to adjust/swap my own bracelets, and I have had couple of cheap screwdriver sets from Ebay, they have been ok for a while and then promptly broken in one way or another usually by the tip beginning to rotate within the screwdriver shaft, or a chip breaking off the tip.
https://www.cousinsuk.com/product/cousins-swiss-st...
The trouble with the Cousins website it’s it’s got sooooooo many shiny things…
Oceanrower said:
Lord Marylebone said:
I would be grateful if someone could provide a link to some decent but affordable watchmaking screwdrivers for adjusting bracelets and removing links etc.
I always like to adjust/swap my own bracelets, and I have had couple of cheap screwdriver sets from Ebay, they have been ok for a while and then promptly broken in one way or another usually by the tip beginning to rotate within the screwdriver shaft, or a chip breaking off the tip.
Cousins UK seems to be the go to place. These seem good quality, just depends what you mean by affordable but the pointy bit is replaceableI always like to adjust/swap my own bracelets, and I have had couple of cheap screwdriver sets from Ebay, they have been ok for a while and then promptly broken in one way or another usually by the tip beginning to rotate within the screwdriver shaft, or a chip breaking off the tip.
https://www.cousinsuk.com/product/cousins-swiss-st...
The trouble with the Cousins website it’s it’s got sooooooo many shiny things…
The 9 piece steel set seems good value at £30.
Any one have any luck with the tools like QD-10/QD-20 quartz line tester from chinese maker Biaozhun ? I've seen them working on YT.
Could be useful for quartz issues.
For myself - I have a stainless Rotary that I don't believe is worth the value for repair ( and don't particularly like the style which is too dimunitive so would rather invest in something I liked like a divers style or automatic rather than Quartz )
but I do like the idea of trying to restart it as it was bought for me brand new.
I mentioned if they had such a tool to a local watch tester and they acted gone out as if they didn't know they existed ( perhaps they don't and just replace batteries or say "broken" if they don't simply start).
Could be useful for quartz issues.
For myself - I have a stainless Rotary that I don't believe is worth the value for repair ( and don't particularly like the style which is too dimunitive so would rather invest in something I liked like a divers style or automatic rather than Quartz )
but I do like the idea of trying to restart it as it was bought for me brand new.
I mentioned if they had such a tool to a local watch tester and they acted gone out as if they didn't know they existed ( perhaps they don't and just replace batteries or say "broken" if they don't simply start).
Just found this thread, watching the latest wristwatch revival video atm find it very relaxing to watch. Always amazed by the mechanics of watches esp the automatic mechanical chronograph watch. I wanted to start learning how to pick locks after lockdown and watching lockpickinglawyer.
I've always thought a binocular stereo microscope would work well.
No stage , you just focus on the table below which gives plenty of working room. I imagine plenty would allow photography/video too, there may even be a mobile phone attachment and app.
This sort of thing
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/143648266600?epid=28027...
No stage , you just focus on the table below which gives plenty of working room. I imagine plenty would allow photography/video too, there may even be a mobile phone attachment and app.
This sort of thing
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/143648266600?epid=28027...
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