Fun fun fun

[cyberface]

To most people on watch forums, there's a lot of knowledge about various brands, their movements, different versions of model, etc. and some can get very anal about the whole thing. There's also the subsection of 'snobbery' loitering around some forums (this one's pretty good i.e. not much snobbery) about the fact that very fine mechanical watches are *very* expensive and the mere ownership of one denotes the wealth of the owner. Also, as with all expensive items that can be considered 'jewellery' to those who don't 'understand' the average car enthusiast who also likes watches (nearly always due to the engineering brilliance involved in such tiny mechanisms) - there is the argument about taste, 'bling', etc. etc.

So I'm taking it on a different angle. Who here has actually bought a bunch of tools and had a go at pulling these things apart?? I've loved watches for ages, was chuffed to bits when I bought my first Omega, then my first Rolex, then the Daytona I always wanted, etc. The Rolexes have been sold, I now have a small collection of mostly reasonably priced watches and one 'special' one that cost a little more. Having paid hundreds of pounds for each service of the Rolexes, I thought this was a bit of a rip-off.

Further delving on forums, and I decided that I don't just want to see the movement spinning merrily away behind a glass back, and nor do I want to be sold a fake Rolex so why the hell not get a set of tools and a few knackered old watches and learn more about them?

I've now got two sets of tools (learnt *very* early on that you simply NEED the correct tool for the job, bodging is not an option with watch movements) which were quite cheap from Germany (probably Chinese like the fake watches... they're making fake tools to go with them too).

I haven't had the balls to open up my Breguet and I'm not bloody likely to but I've opened a couple of the others and seen how most of them work, bit of silicone lubricant for the seals and they're probably more waterproof than before. A mate had a watch that one of the quarter-hour markers had fallen off and got stuck between the second and minute hand, seizing the movement. I pulled it apart, re-attached the marker and reassembled, watch now running perfectly.

Now I'm not claiming to be a watchmaker, I've had these tools about a week and I've trashed a couple of old fakes (I asked around my mates whether they had old mechanical watches...) and all I'm doing is really simple stuff. I doubt I'll get far beyond disassembly, cleaning and lubricating and reassembly - reattaching hands is one thing I'm having trouble with at the moment but it's fascinating.

But it's bloody good fun. Anyone else here do more than just buy and appreciate?

(it's also the simplest way to spot a fake Rolex. Fake Submariners are now so damn identical to the real thing that the only way you'll tell it's a fake is by unscrewing the back and seeing the wrong movement in there)

[toohuge]

It's like cars really, some people drive things like Aston Martin's and Ferrari's as daily drivers, similar to people using a rolex etc as a daily wearer. Some people love to get involved with cars and others just like to drive. All a matter of opinion.

[Family Guy]

I worked with a guy during my apprenticeship 'MOG the machinist' who was always fixing watches while his machine was on auto pilot. For years he had helped an old watch repairer during the weekend, and when the old fella passed away he left MOG all his tools (workshop full including a lathe). I gave him my fathers old Longines as it never kept time. He had the back off in seconds and it was then i found out how complex these things we wear on our wrist really are.

As for the car/watch connection, i have gone the other way. After years of simply buying and driving many sorts of cars i have bought my self a project. Something to tinker with on the weekends, to get oily and dirty as i did when i was a teenager and 'repair it yourself' was the only way of keeping it on the road.

Good luck to you Cyberface in your new hobby and enjoy

[medieval]

Not actualy done anything with watches per se but I have stripped, cleaned, reset etc a number of early weight driven clocks including long case and 30 hours.

Very rewarding particularly when the clocks in question were not running prior to my work done.

[Maxf]

Great thread! I was looking for some very basic tools on watchtools.de and think I might end up getting something a little more comprehensive instead.

Where are you learning from? Didnt timezone do an online course?

[CatMatt7]

Over on a different forum (Timezone) they actually run a watch school, where you can undertake a basic watch school. They will sell you the necessary tools and also watch movements to work on. The movements, all ETA, are surprisingly cheap - all under $200.

It is something that I would love to do when I have a little more time, no pun intended.

[Maxf]

Just bumping this. I'd be really interested to hear from the OP - where are you learning from and where did you buy your tools?

I'm very keen to give this a try and will probably sign up to TZ watchschool and buy one of the movements from their shop. I want to avoid import duty on the tools though (Id buy them all at once) - where did yours come from?

[S4E Jord]

how strange! i love watches and i am also very keen to understand the workings more. i have just this morning purchased some old pocket watch movements from ebay (10 i think) to see if i can get them working by stripping them down and hopefully putting them back again!

cost of the movements? £10 on ebay. bargin for the first attempt!

just needs some tools and stuff now

later in life i would love to make my own watch so i think this is a start of things to come.

[Maxf]

S4E Jord said:

later in life i would love to make my own watch so i think this is a start of things to come.

Thats my aim, although I will be using a bought movement. I'm sure with the right equipment I could make something very special (to me) and probably unique. My aim would be to make maybe 5 or 6 for family members.

[S4E Jord]

Maxf said:

S4E Jord said:

later in life i would love to make my own watch so i think this is a start of things to come.

Thats my aim, although I will be using a bought movement. I'm sure with the right equipment I could make something very special (to me) and probably unique. My aim would be to make maybe 5 or 6 for family members.

and one for me if it goes well :P

I think i will take pics etc of the units to see how i get on. if it anyone is interested ill post them up :P

[cyberface]

Maxf said:

Just bumping this. I'd be really interested to hear from the OP - where are you learning from and where did you buy your tools?

I'm very keen to give this a try and will probably sign up to TZ watchschool and buy one of the movements from their shop. I want to avoid import duty on the tools though (Id buy them all at once) - where did yours come from?

I have some from watchtools.de (the premium kit that's around £100 is all you need for most stuff except Rolex backs) and I'm just learning from stuff on the Internet so far. The TZ watch school is too much of a time and money commitment at the moment - I'm just having fun at the moment pulling old watches and fakes apart to see how they work.

For tools to remove Rolex backs you either need the expensive set or the counterfeit one - I think watchtools.de sells them both, being EU I didn't pay duty.

I fancy getting some random fake with an ETA which is already well made, then making a custom dial and finish the movement, and fit a display back. It wouldn't be a fake any more (no branding) but it'd be cool to do the opposite of what the fakers do but with the same base watch...

Also I'll be able to service my own watches, given time.