Hello from Canada

[Jessye]

I am a complete novice who enjoys watchmaking as a hobby but am now fairly convinced that if I came into a large amount of money, I would be enrolling in watchmaking school.  I started taking cheap watches apart as a kid, none of which ever worked again but I never lost the fascination.  I knew nothing when I started, sorry I knew how to break pivots and mangle springs and I’m still pretty good at that.  Most of what I now know I learnt from google and YouTube as where I am there aren't many watchmakers much less parts suppliers.   I am a member of my local NAWCC but most of the members are more into clocks, which is where I started in horology and what I switch back to when my eyes need a break     

Not sure if I'm alone in this feeling but the tools are one of the best parts of this hobby, just wish they were more affordable.   The cost of some of the tools is eye watering for a hobbyist and even the used market is now pretty pricy.  Just have to keep saving my pennies, well we don’t have pennies anymore but you know what I mean.

Most of my watch and clock collection consist of vintage/antique pieces, personally I feel like new watches all look the same unless you have the funds for some of the fabulous independent creations.   It makes it tough finding parts but it’s more than worth it. 

I don't know how much I don't know but I can't wait to find out! 

 

Edited December 10, 2024 by Jessye
wrong photo

[RichardHarris123]

Hello and welcome from Leeds, England. 

[eliphaz]

I'm Eliphaz from Uganda. There are very few watch enthusiasts here. I love automatic watches. Those on the Ugandan market are not the real deal but they make me happy.

So my Patek Philippe automatic stopped working(balance wheel can't even shake) today so I came online looking for a solution and here I am

I'm a total beginner in watch repair 

[RichardHarris123]

24 minutes ago, eliphaz said:

I'm Eliphaz from Uganda. There are very few watch enthusiasts here. I love automatic watches. Those on the Ugandan market are not the real deal but they make me happy.

So my Patek Philippe automatic stopped working(balance wheel can't even shake) today so I came online looking for a solution and here I am

I'm a total beginner in watch repair 

Hello @eliphaz, please could you repost under the introduce yourself section. 

Edited December 11, 2024 by RichardHarris123

[CYCLOPS]

Welcome, start with good lighting, magnification, tweezers and screw-drivers, you can get the rest later.....