Watchmaker tool list for beginners

[Karbon74]

self update. I got my AliX tools. They serve perfectly fine for what I have to do,
hands and dial changes.

My learnings :
Cheap bracelet tools are not worth it. Buy the swiss ones.
Same for screwdrivers. Cheap ones are not good to even dangerous.
Case openers. Buy the three point ones. The two points are worthless.
Even the best tweezers don't compensate for shaky hands

 

[cotti-rottie]

great list, thankyou for your efforts, very interesting, just wish i knew how to use them all

 

[DS836158]

Thank you!

 

[intransit]

As a new member these threads with information on how to build my toolkit are indispensable! Thank you for putting my future wishlist together.

 

[Adam_Smith]

The "amazing cleaning cloth to get rid of fingerprints and other stuff without scratching your surface" is no longer available. Do you know what else I could buy? Ideally if it's available on Amazon.

 

[Fabulously]

The "amazing cleaning cloth to get rid of fingerprints and other stuff without scratching your surface" is no longer available. Do you know what else I could buy? Ideally if it's available on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.de/dp/B000F2SRFS/

 

[RiskyGabagool]

Damn you went all out with this one. Thanks

 

[jax_teller7]

Domanda da neofita, per rimuovere il cristallo del 116610LV occorre smontare da dalla cassa orologio? o si può estrarre direttamente il cristallo da sopra con un attrezzo? se si quale?

 

[jax_teller7]

Question from a neophyte, to remove the crystal of the 116610LV is it necessary to remove it from the watch case? or can you directly extract the crystal from above with a tool? if so which one?=

 

[AlexDelarge]

Thanks everyone for putting together this thread; really interesting since I am planning to buy some basic tools and start 'playing' with watches.

I just have two quick questions:

- has anyone bought Bergeon tools from Aliexpress?

- If yes, have you had any issue?

Thanks in advance

 

[Karbon74]

the real issue is that you have zero guarantee if those will be genuine Bergeon. It helps to buy from a seller where a member has bought before...but even then

 

[AlexDelarge]

Karbon,

don't those items come sealed in they original package??

 

[Karbon74]

Karbon,

don't those items come sealed in they original package??

asking this on a rep forum.
Making a fake packaging is the easier thing on earth for a chinese factory

 

[AlexDelarge]

Yeah, I thought it was silly to ask, as soon as I asked the question.

 

[dieguezzz]

thank you for this list, I am beginning this jurney repairing an AR60015 armani watch. I have one problem with comfort in regards to the magnification lupe. I have to get extremely close to the movement to actually get focus and see the magnified image, is this normal? Is there a lupe that magnifies at about 10-8cm from the subject? I have to be at 1cm from the movement to see it magnified.

 

[Karbon74]

thank you for this list, I am beginning this jurney repairing an AR60015 armani watch. I have one problem with comfort in regards to the magnification lupe. I have to get extremely close to the movement to actually get focus and see the magnified image, is this normal? Is there a lupe that magnifies at about 10-8cm from the subject? I have to be at 1cm from the movement to see it magnified.

this is enough for most things
Just found this amazing item on AliExpress. Check it out! US $10.71 50％ Off | Magnifier Glasses With LED Light, Headband Illumination Magnifier Loupe With 5 Lens, Magnifying Glass for Reading Repair Craft

https://a.aliexpress.com/_EI5gfAv

You need to know that the more the magnification, the closer you need to be.
You probably bought a 15x or 20x thinking "the more the better"

5x is the most a hobbyist needs. Else you can go for a digital microscope.

 

[Patj44]

Head Lamp Magnifier

Amazing deals on this Head Lamp Magnifier at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

Check out this. Also
This

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805447129293.html?srcSns=sns_More&spreadType=socialShare&bizType=ProductDetail&social_params=21317048682&aff_fcid=5e2f113fab3c4e62aeb5db64e61e2df6-1702077307172-05871-_m0C8qhq&tt=MG&aff_fsk=_m0C8qhq&aff_platform=default&sk=_m0C8qhq&aff_trace_key=5e2f113fab3c4e62aeb5db64e61e2df6-1702077307172-05871-_m0C8qhq&shareId=21317048682&businessType=ProductDetail&platform=AE&terminal_id=c63ce0ed0c20409a9deed95d3d6492e0&afSmartRedirect=y&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa4itemAdapt

This has the opposite problem. The focus is a little too far away. But the price and quality is very good .

 

[dieguezzz]

yes indeed I have the 20x lupe, and my ignorance on focal lenght (or anything about watch repair for that matter) is laughable at best
thanks for the enlightment

 

[Watch Hunter]

Is this spring bar tool ok?
can anyone see any issues or recommend another cheap option?

1X(Watch Spring Bar Plier Tool Set, Watchband Pliers, Spring Bar Tweezer6511 4711787075858 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 1X(Watch Spring Bar Plier Tool Set, Watchband Pliers, Spring Bar Tweezer6511 at the best online prices at eBay!

www.ebay.com.au

 

[Cheesegrater]

Is this spring bar tool ok?
can anyone see any issues or recommend another cheap option?

1X(Watch Spring Bar Plier Tool Set, Watchband Pliers, Spring Bar Tweezer6511 4711787075858 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 1X(Watch Spring Bar Plier Tool Set, Watchband Pliers, Spring Bar Tweezer6511 at the best online prices at eBay!

www.ebay.com.au

Cheap is gonna mess with your watch and you’ll end up spending more because cheap Chinese tools break very easily.