Spare screws - set/kit

[Jonno65]

Hi All

I broke a screw a while back and bought another movement to get a replacement which is fine, but I now have a spare movement without a screw (and a bridge with a broken screw - remover on the way) but it would be good to have spares.  Over time i'm sure I will collect spares, and thats already happening, but it would be good to have a set of spares to select from.  I have searched and found vintage screws but all weird sizes and in rusty condition or with other useless stuff included.  It would be good if I could find an ETA set or similar.  Any ideas/suggestions?

[tomh207]

I got an assortment really cheap from cousinsuk, any material house will stock them. It can be a faff trying to find one to fit but what is watch repair but an exercise in practicing patience?

 

Tom

[rossjackson01]

Jonno65

Hello.

Like you as a hobbyist I needed spare screws. Usually it was not the plate screws, but the specialist ones, reverse thread crown screw, long threaded barrel spring screw. These I had usually broken at the head as I have been too heavy in my locking. Like Tom I did initially purchase a set of spare screws rom an ebay seller.  I have used only 1 since purchase, but it is god to have them in my spares box. Unfortunately the only way I have been able to source the required replacement damaged screws, has been to source the same movement from ebay.

Can sometimes take months.  

As pensioner learning such a brilliant hobby it's  problem being at the low end of the wealth ladder for hobbyist. I have £10 a week which I limit my self to use for the hobby. Therefore it can be a few weeks before I can even make an offer for an item. I do look for offers of multiple movements so that I have the opportunity to obtain a special part. Initially I would get 1 movement only to find that the actual part I needed was not actually there, or was damaged. 

Two things of note. One good, one not so.. Since I started at Christmas 2021 I have noticed that,  apart from ladies watches, the price of mechanical watches and movements  has nearly doubled. Makes life difficult. However, the price of tools has actually reduced marginally.  Tools make the hobby so much easier. The right tools for the job.  

What has helped, is the Youtube videos of in depth watch restoration. I have learned so much. Know so little.

Great fun

Ross

 

Edited April 8, 2023 by rossjackson01

[mikepilk]

Cousins sells a range of different types of watch screws for specific purposes, Balance screws, Bridge screws etc : https://www.cousinsuk.com/category/screws-wristwatch-movement

But I've also bought their cheap selection of screws. Some are new but some obviously removed from watches.  I've found a suitable replacement screw many times.