Watch Repair Tools for an Absolute Beginner

[Ben S.]

Hello all,

I’m interested in getting started in the field of watchmaking / repairs. I’ve purchased a few resources, but have yet to purchase any tools. I’m hoping you can help.

When going though the online catalogs, I see there are literally thousands of tools, and variations of tools. What would you suggest for beginner’s tools? (I don’t need the most expensive tools, but I’m also not looking for cheap Chinese junk either. Good quality, but maybe not top of the line.)

A side note: are there any wholesalers for watch tools / supplies?

Thank you!

 

[Kevin W.]

If you do a search on this web site, this has been discussed before.

 

[Ben S.]

Hi Kevin,

Thanks for replying. I did a search as you suggested, and found a bunch of info; thanks!

Here’s another question. What brands of tools are good, and which should I stay away from? I didn’t see anything in the threads about that.

Also, all the threads say “screwdrivers.” What sizes specifically are we talking about? (Most commonly used.)

Still looking for a wholesaler....

 

[Kevin W.]

Buy good screw drivers, thats very important. Thee are many good used watch repair tools for sale, such as Ebay.

 

[Ken2469]

Buy good screw drivers, thats very important. Thee are many good used watch repair tools for sale, such as Ebay.

Yes and check amazon.com they have some good screwdrivers there too

 

[karlmansson]

Hi Kevin,

Thanks for replying. I did a search as you suggested, and found a bunch of info; thanks!

Here’s another question. What brands of tools are good, and which should I stay away from? I didn’t see anything in the threads about that.

Also, all the threads say “screwdrivers.” What sizes specifically are we talking about? (Most commonly used.)

Still looking for a wholesaler....

Your best bet for buying bulk (that came awful close to an alliteration...) is to find a watchmakers estate or buy tools from a retiring watchmaker.

You need to get watchmakers screwdrivers, not just drivers of the right size. Replaceable, re-dressable blades and a ferrule on the end. There are hundreds of brands out there. The ones still in business today are Bergeon, Horotec, VOH and then most watch material houses sell their own, generic tools. I’m sure I missed a bunch of maker right there but those are my top of mind apparently.

Get used, vintage tools to start with. For tweezers it’s hard to beat Dumont in my opinion.

Again: search this forum and the watch repair forum and you’ll find loads of info. There is a parallel thread to this one right now discussing screwdrivers.

Regards
Karl

 

[piedmontg]

Hi


I am just getting into this also. I just took two of the courses at the watch museum ws 111 and ws 201. I have also been purchasing tools, both new and used (eBay). At the classes the importance of some good quality tools became very apparent. You need to know my hobby for the last 40 years has been building scale models of all kinds so I appreciate the value of a quality tool vs buy what I can afford (in my younger years). I purchased lots of tools twice ie what I could afford and then what really should have been purchased. So here is list of what I initially purchased the numbers are for Bergeon, the FB numbers are Otto Frie, these are just for reference get whatever you want but gets you a description. I purchased from

Otto Frie - http://www.ofrei.com/page235.html
Essilinger - https://www.esslinger.com/watch-repair-tools-4/
Amazon
eBay

Other suppliers:
Juels Borel - http://www.julesborel.com/
Cas-Ker - https://www.jewelerssupplies.com/tools/watch-tools.html

At the time I purchased Otto Frie had best prices for lots of the stuff new, ebay was a hunt and often I watched bids go for close to the new price, Amazon had a few items but usually more expensive. I still need some cleaning equipment. I had a real nice staking set K & D Inverto 18R from a long time ago. I figure if I purchase everything in a combination of new and used it will end up costing around $1000. I have all of the below and some additional little items.

I do not endorse any of these products just what I decided to purchase.

Good Luck

Bob

Screwdrivers
BERG-30081-S09 Buy 9 piece set and add the 3mm cost less
Berg-30081-300 3 mm screw driver
BERG-6899-m-300 3 mm screw driver blade

Tweezers
#5 fb-1802 anti-mag Style #5 Dumont Tweezers
#2 fb-1403 anti-mag Style #2 Dumont Tweezers
#3 fb-1503 anti-mag Style #3 Dumont Tweezers
#3C fb1605 non-mag Style #3C Dumont Tweezers
#7 fb2002 anti-mag Style #7 Dumont Tweezers
Brass 7422 Bergeon Tweezers (Bronze is better)

Loupe

(I purchased some B&L first then at the class saw the Asco, so now I am purchasing twice again, if you cannot see it you cannot fix it)

4x fb-603 Bausch & Lomb Watchmakers Loupes
10x fb-602 Bausch & Lomb Watchmakers Loupes
fb-601 Headband
MSA-00.003-10X Asco Swiss Watchmakers Eye Loupes


Dust Blower
fb 301 Dust Blowers


Hand Levers
BERG 5430 Hairspring collet levers ( recommended as dual purpose hands and hairspring)
BERG-7982-60 protection sheet
BERG-6938 protection sheet


Oil Cups
BERG-6885-3s oil cups
ol-354b oilers


Lubricant (recommended in class hand out)
M-9010 fb-917
M D-5 fb-916
M 8300 m-8300-20
M 9415 fb-931
KT-22 fb-901

Cleaning
FB-308 watch paper
af18580 rub off
fb-309-1 Rodico


Miscellaneous

10 tray w/lid Watch Repair Tray with Locking Cover 10 Compartment
Finger cots Latex Free Nitrile Finger Cots Packages of 144 Medium Extra Large
Screw Driver Sharpening tool - I designed my own
Mainspring Winder K & D 126 I got on ebay
Mainspring Let Down bench Key See ebay
Jewel pusher K & D get on ebay
Cannon Pinion Remover Try and find a M-C Cannon Pinion Remover on ebay
India Sharpening Stone Fine/Course For Tweezers and Screwdrivers

 

[Ken2469]

Hello all,

I’m interested in getting started in the field of watchmaking / repairs. I’ve purchased a few resources, but have yet to purchase any tools. I’m hoping you can help.

When going though the online catalogs, I see there are literally thousands of tools, and variations of tools. What would you suggest for beginner’s tools? (I don’t need the most expensive tools, but I’m also not looking for cheap Chinese junk either. Good quality, but maybe not top of the line.)

A side note: are there any wholesalers for watch tools / supplies?

Thank you!

If you do a search on this web site, this has been discussed before.

I'm following str/watchpartsrus on ebay they also have web site watchpartsrus.com.they got some tool on auction starting low . this is a good time to get some high-priced tools at a low price

 

[technitype]

Hello all,

I’m interested in getting started in the field of watchmaking / repairs. I’ve purchased a few resources, but have yet to purchase any tools. I’m hoping you can help.

When going though the online catalogs, I see there are literally thousands of tools, and variations of tools. What would you suggest for beginner’s tools? (I don’t need the most expensive tools, but I’m also not looking for cheap Chinese junk either. Good quality, but maybe not top of the line.)

A side note: are there any wholesalers for watch tools / supplies?

Thank you!

Your best bet is to buy the best tweezers and screwdrivers that you can afford- they are worth the investment.

 

[ridaco]

Your best bet for buying bulk (that came awful close to an alliteration...) is to find a watchmakers estate or buy tools from a retiring watchmaker.

You need to get watchmakers screwdrivers, not just drivers of the right size. Replaceable, re-dressable blades and a ferrule on the end. There are hundreds of brands out there. The ones still in business today are Bergeon, Horotec, VOH and then most watch material houses sell their own, generic tools. I’m sure I missed a bunch of maker right there but those are my top of mind apparently.

Get used, vintage tools to start with. For tweezers it’s hard to beat Dumont in my opinion.

Again: search this forum and the watch repair forum and you’ll find loads of info. There is a parallel thread to this one right now discussing screwdrivers.

Regards
Karl

Hello. So I'm about to get my first expensive watch and I'd like to make sure I have a way to fix it when it inevitably needs service. How do you pick a good watch repair place? How do you know if the watch maker knows what he's doing or will use the right parts? Every place I see she's to have good reviews. I have a feeling the answer is "ask around". If so, I'm stuck. I know literally no one here because I'm new in town lol. Also... Anyone know a good watch repair person

 

[gmorse]

Hi ridaco,

For professionally qualified watch repairers in the UK, have a look at the BHI website, where there are lists arranged by area.

If you're contemplating learning watch repair yourself, beginning on an expensive watch isn't the way to go. A better plan is to buy a few cheap movements online, preferably scruffy but running, and just practice dismantling and reassembling those until you're comfortable with all the mechanisms and handling the tools. If they run when you put them back together, you're making progress; I suggest running movements so that you can at least see whether there are other problems before you begin.

There are a few tools and materials houses in the UK, notably Cousins and HS Walsh, as well as the usual online auctions for new and used tools. Although it may be tempting to buy as cheaply as possible; however it's true to say that you buy cheap tools twice!

Regards,

Graham

 

[gmorse]

Duplicate post due to slow response from forum software!

 

[Dr. Jon]

I would recommend mid grade movements, jeweled watches. American pocket watches with 15 or more jewels. They are big and well made.


Really cheap, disposable watches are a lot different and not designed for repair.

Also ther are a lot of good YouTube videos showing dismantling and reassembly. Watch what tools they use.

 

[BCR]

If you do a search on this web site, this has been discussed before.

I'm retiring after 33 years fixing clocks. I have spare parts, Bergeon bushing tools, Watchmakers lathe and misc., escape wheel tooth straightener, ultrasonic cleaner, etc. Would like to sell all to one buyer, but whatever. Oh, also have restored affordable clocks. Can I sell my stuff on this forum?

 

[Joey7408]

Hi


I am just getting into this also. I just took two of the courses at the watch museum ws 111 and ws 201. I have also been purchasing tools, both new and used (eBay). At the classes the importance of some good quality tools became very apparent. You need to know my hobby for the last 40 years has been building scale models of all kinds so I appreciate the value of a quality tool vs buy what I can afford (in my younger years). I purchased lots of tools twice ie what I could afford and then what really should have been purchased. So here is list of what I initially purchased the numbers are for Bergeon, the FB numbers are Otto Frie, these are just for reference get whatever you want but gets you a description. I purchased from

Otto Frie - http://www.ofrei.com/page235.html
Essilinger - https://www.esslinger.com/watch-repair-tools-4/
Amazon
eBay

Other suppliers:
Juels Borel - http://www.julesborel.com/
Cas-Ker - https://www.jewelerssupplies.com/tools/watch-tools.html

At the time I purchased Otto Frie had best prices for lots of the stuff new, ebay was a hunt and often I watched bids go for close to the new price, Amazon had a few items but usually more expensive. I still need some cleaning equipment. I had a real nice staking set K & D Inverto 18R from a long time ago. I figure if I purchase everything in a combination of new and used it will end up costing around $1000. I have all of the below and some additional little items.

I do not endorse any of these products just what I decided to purchase.

Good Luck

Bob

Screwdrivers
BERG-30081-S09 Buy 9 piece set and add the 3mm cost less
Berg-30081-300 3 mm screw driver
BERG-6899-m-300 3 mm screw driver blade

Tweezers
#5 fb-1802 anti-mag Style #5 Dumont Tweezers
#2 fb-1403 anti-mag Style #2 Dumont Tweezers
#3 fb-1503 anti-mag Style #3 Dumont Tweezers
#3C fb1605 non-mag Style #3C Dumont Tweezers
#7 fb2002 anti-mag Style #7 Dumont Tweezers
Brass 7422 Bergeon Tweezers (Bronze is better)

Loupe

(I purchased some B&L first then at the class saw the Asco, so now I am purchasing twice again, if you cannot see it you cannot fix it)

4x fb-603 Bausch & Lomb Watchmakers Loupes
10x fb-602 Bausch & Lomb Watchmakers Loupes
fb-601 Headband
MSA-00.003-10X Asco Swiss Watchmakers Eye Loupes


Dust Blower
fb 301 Dust Blowers


Hand Levers
BERG 5430 Hairspring collet levers ( recommended as dual purpose hands and hairspring)
BERG-7982-60 protection sheet
BERG-6938 protection sheet


Oil Cups
BERG-6885-3s oil cups
ol-354b oilers


Lubricant (recommended in class hand out)
M-9010 fb-917
M D-5 fb-916
M 8300 m-8300-20
M 9415 fb-931
KT-22 fb-901

Cleaning
FB-308 watch paper
af18580 rub off
fb-309-1 Rodico


Miscellaneous

10 tray w/lid Watch Repair Tray with Locking Cover 10 Compartment
Finger cots Latex Free Nitrile Finger Cots Packages of 144 Medium Extra Large
Screw Driver Sharpening tool - I designed my own
Mainspring Winder K & D 126 I got on ebay
Mainspring Let Down bench Key See ebay
Jewel pusher K & D get on ebay
Cannon Pinion Remover Try and find a M-C Cannon Pinion Remover on ebay
India Sharpening Stone Fine/Course For Tweezers and Screwdrivers

How did you build your mainspring winders? I have a K&D universal winder but could use something for pocket watches.

 

[piedmontg]

How did you build your mainspring winders? I have a K&D universal winder but could use something for pocket watches.

Joey
I did not build a winder, I noted I got one off ebay, and it works just fine for pocket watches. Here is one :

Vintage K&D No. 126 Mainspring Winder | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Vintage K&D No. 126 Mainspring Winder at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Bob

 

[Richard.W]

There was an advertiser that used to be listed in the sidebar, who sold all sorts of used watch and clock tools. I found him very reasonably priced, with a wide selection that constantly changed, and he shipped fast and packed carefully.

Dave's Watch Parts and Tools

 

[Joey7408]

Joey
I did not build a winder, I noted I got one off ebay, and it works just fine for pocket watches. Here is one :

Vintage K&D No. 126 Mainspring Winder | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Vintage K&D No. 126 Mainspring Winder at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Bob

Ok sorry I misunderstood, I thought someone back in the thread said they designed their own mainspring winders but I probably misread. Thanks for letting me know I was really wondering how you would make a set. Sorry for the misunderstanding.