Neophyte - what I've been buying (for better or worse!)

[OCB]

Following on from my intro + initial post, here's what my first round of "OCB fixes watches" tooling looks like:

Feel free to laugh/cry etc - don't worry, I most certainly don't take myself seriously 

First book arrived: "Repairing quartz LCD and analog watches, volume 3" by Scriptar, Lausanne. No ISBN.
Bought from formby-clocks.co.uk. I presume he's known on here?

I do regret buying the oil from amazon actually, and I've not even opened it!

On the active lookout for a decent screwdriver kit, non magnetic tweezers, some more books/PDF, 
Already have basic electronics kit, a microscope with x4 + x10 which will do for now, and even tempted to try the "smart phone microscope" kit one of my kids has.

Now I'm off to pop the back off a few of that lot of 100+ watches I bought and start to play!

[jdm]

Your tools look a lot like mine at the beginning. I still haven't bought better oilers and cups. 

Part of the fun is also finding which tools do work and which don't, and where is worth to save from 1 Euro to 1,000, with anything in between. Spoiler, that "caseback wrench", may get you very, very upset when presented to the "right" caseback. In that case (pun intended) the latter -albeit scratched- always come out winning.

Edited January 11, 2020 by jdm

[OCB]

Lol- yes. I just finished my first case opening (my Seiko/Feiko), and - even though it "did the job" - I can see how it could easily slip and rip a nice scratch along a case back.I'll post about that watch later on the repairs section.

The microscope didn't work out - not enough clearance. Fair enough, it's not built for that.
Not tried the kids smart phone "microscope" yet, but I did heavily use my iPhone camera.

Need to source gaskets - any recommendations?

+ different batteries. Of course, for the Timex I opened up - I don't have any CR2016.. 

 

 

 

[jdm]

10 minutes ago, OCB said:

Need to source gaskets - any recommendations?

+ different batteries. Of course, for the Timex I opened up - I don't have any CR2016.

I buy from Cousins UK but if you're not in the UK /EU that can be a bit slow for small orders. However it's true they have unrivaled inventory. Batteries are easily found at the hardware or electronics store.

[jdm]

Alright, some more spoilers. The yellow case holder is crap but the black one is damn good. Fit it in a vice or clamp it. The pin remover is also good. Punches, on pin and collar bracelets all you need is 0.8 or 0.9, and 1.1mm. Also urgently needed Seiko style (there are 4 types, pick based on your mood) caseback opener, which you may need to sharpen. A crystal press and lot of other cheap stuff. Some you can also use for electronic repair, some is just cute to look at. Once in there is no way out. Sorry. 
 

Edited January 11, 2020 by jdm

[watchweasol]

Hi  I am afraid jdm is right about most of it but as you get better at it and skill levels get better so will the tools, As for learning material Have a look at Mark Lovick( our founder) he has some very good watch training videos on U Tube to get you fired up. books are a plenty to be had on ebay "Donald De Carles" practical watch repairing is good for a starter.

[OCB]

Cheers gents.

No worries, to live is to learn

i found Mark’s vidéos via this forum - I didn’t realise it was “his” forum in fact!

I know perfectly well I’m going to make shed loads of mistakes, and if I’d spent shed loads of time reading forums etc I’d save a few quid.

Sure, I’d be happy if I’d had a “this is the perfect kit” link, it got delivered and it had all the “basics”, and the delivered kit was low cost but top notch.

I’m fighting lack of knowledge overall , lack of knowledge specifically with the tools, lack of knowledge on the terminology re: the various components.
 

Thats fine though! It is actually part of the fun.