Watchmaking Tools
Every watch fan is aware that when it comes to storage, watches are the least of your worries. Your watch usually arrives with a box and instructions.
If, like me, you’re a strap nerd, your drawer (or other storage location) will be stuffed with them. In the home library, magazines, catalogs, and watch books all take up more space than a shelf.
Not to add the things we frequently enjoy collecting (hoarding? ), such window displays, antique travel clocks, and other trinkets.
And if there is still room in your drawer, here are our list of the Top 10 Tools Every Watch Man Needs. Perhaps you already have some of them.
Or maybe you have better, more recent, or more sophisticated ones. Don’t view the items on this list as being required to be checked off. It functions more as a buyer’s guide for available watch tools.
10 Best Watch Tools
1. Bergeon 6767 Spring Bar Tool
To be clear, you require a good spring bar tool. I am aware that some websites provide one away when you purchase a strap, but let’s be honest—those are not high-quality.
I’ve used my fair share of inexpensive, Chinese tools, so you can believe me. They’ll snap eventually. Yet as you try to change the strap on your beloved watch, they will first scratch the lugs.
Without a doubt, using a good tool does not guarantee success while trying to replace a strap without damaging your watch. But it lessens the likelihood of error.
The Bergeon 6767 is a reasonably priced but high-quality tool (around $15–20). After all, a lot of watch makers employ Bergeon for everything from straightforward machinery to small tools (like the 6767).
Make sure to order a 6767 with a straight end for push pins, 1mm and 3mm fork ends, and both.
2. Case Back Knife
Case backs are typically screwed in today. They may occasionally be bolted to the casing.
It is a secure and reliable method of defending the movement. It guarantees that your watch won’t leak water.
However, you need to purchase a solid, high-quality case back knife for all the antique men with press-in case backs.
Recall the last time you brought your vintage chronograph to the watchmaker, and how he removed the back using a tool akin to a Swiss Army knife.
That is what we are referring to. In reality, a Victorinox Classic is a very simple swiss army knife with a blade that is intended for back openings.
There is frequently a small area on the sides of vintage watches. Put the blade there and firmly but cautiously press down until you feel the blade go beneath the back.
To pop the back, move the knife up and down.
3. Case back ball
A case back knife won’t help you with your vintage diver watch or really any other current timepiece, of course. Press-in case backs are not used in modern watches anymore.
Often, it is fastened or screwed into the case itself. Of course, if you have a great pair of screwdrivers, the bolts are no problem (more below).
But, a LYECUN case back ball would work just well with the typical screw-in case back. It resembles other rubber balls in appearance and feel.
It must be inflated to make it firm enough to maintain its shape even when squeezed and pressed against the case back.
The back will then unscrew for you if you carefully spin it in a counterclockwise direction. given that it isn’t too firmly stuck.
Then only a watchmaker or professional opener may assist. An opener ball for a case back costs about $5.
4. UV light
An enjoyable and practical instrument is a TactEagle UVA-T1 (if you know how to use it). It is a cheap device that is frequently referred to as “blacklight” and can be useful at times.
Especially if you wear vintage clothing and want to examine your watch’s lume. Activated by a UV light, lumin, whether it be tritium, radium, or Super-LumiNova, will glow.
If the dial still has its original lume, you can check. It is also useful to examine how the lume appeared when the watch was brand-new.
Last but not least, it is a useful tool for confirming the legitimacy of the currency you receive when selling a watch.
Putting aside jokes, a UV lamp is a cheap gadget that you can bring to a GTG and be the focus of attention.
5. Demagnetizer
In a lengthy piece here from not too long ago, I discussed the subject of magnetization.
As I explained back then, we are surrounded by so many technological items on a daily basis that can magnetize our timepieces that we aren’t even aware of it.
In order to keep the watch in good condition, it is advised to see if it became magnetized and, if so, to demagnetize it.
Using simple and convenient apps like Lepsi, you may check the state of your watch. If it appears that your favorite vintage item or everyday garment is magnetized, there is a fix.
A demagnetizer is extremely affordable (around $8–10) and widely accessible. You can purchase it at your neighborhood electronics store, Amazon, or eBay.
Connect it, set the watch on top of it, press the button, lift the watch after 10 seconds, and then let go of the button. I’m done now.
6. Loupe
There’s probably no need to explain this further. As helpful as a UV light or a case back opening, a loupe is most likely.
You have a variety of options, ranging from a single-lens $10 version to a professional $200 piece. Again, wonderful locations to look for them include eBay and Amazon.
Check out Bergeon’s website if you want a professional version. Bergeon 1458-A-15 Loupes are a popular gift that watch companies distribute as part of their special events or new launches.
Upon picking up your new watch, you may occasionally be able to get one.
They make excellent photo accessories in addition to being ideal for verifying the serial numbers on movements or the ref numbers of end links.
Use it as a backdrop or lean the watch against it to create photos that seem truly professional. Or just use them to examine how intricate the movement in your preferred clock is.
7. Pin Pusher
The Bergeon 6767 has a pin pusher head, as I already mentioned while discussing the spring bar tool. You can use this 5mm long straight pin to adjust your bracelet claps’ vintage micro adjuster.
Unlike to more modern screw-style bracelets, older styles also use long pins to secure the bracelet’s component parts together. By pulling these pins out, you can edit or add a link.
A spring bar tool might not be the ideal option for that because its head length is insufficient. You must purchase a pin remover from Bergeon or similar reputable manufacturer.
Quality is unquestionably the key. Chinese tools can be found for a low price, but they often break or finally disintegrate. I can speak from experience here.
It won’t cost you more than $15, and a Bergon 7230 will be ideal for your requirements.
8. Caliper
My KYNUP digital caliper is something I use frequently, especially when I write watch evaluations. How helpful this little item can be around the house is beyond your comprehension.
Whilst I must agree that I use it most frequently for things like that, it’s not just in relation to timepieces. It provides you with precise measurements to start.
The lugs are frequently 18.5, 19mm, or other sizes rather than 18mm or 20mm. You need to know the precise measurements if you want to get the ideal strap for that specific piece.
Even better, the caliper might be able to provide you with those uncommon lug widths when you want custom straps created. I use it to gauge how far apart the watch’s lugs are.
Alternatively, the case’s breadth or thickness. Although you may feel that you don’t require these steps, if you wanted to sell a watch, they might help your sales advertisement.
9. Time graph
The worst error one may make is to believe that once a watch is purchased, there is nothing further to do and it will continue to function indefinitely.
We are aware that this is untrue. A watch is an extremely intricate mechanism that is attached to your arm and moves along with you.
It operates continuously, endures physical pressure, resists magnetization, and so forth. We must monitor it because its operation depends on how well it performs.
To monitor the movement’s state in this situation, it is actually a good idea to have a time graph on hand.
It doesn’t really matter whether you use a professional one ($400-500), a less expensive but still reliable one like this Lepsi.
You should be able to use the YaeTek Watch Timing Machine as long as you occasionally check the accuracy.
10. Top-notch spring bars
Another area where many people overlook the finer points is this NICERIO. The last line of defense between your (sometimes extremely costly) timepiece and the garage’s concrete floor is a spring bar.
Men are telling me they spent Several hundred dollars on an alligator strap to match their old Breitling or Gallet watch.
They frequently respond, “Oh, I bought them on Amazon,” when I inquire where they purchased the spring bars. All sizes, 10mm to 20mm, are available for just $15.
Now that you are aware of their origin and potential quality, you can make an informed decision.
Having high-quality spring bars is not only advised but practically required unless your watch has fixed lugs. They keep the watch on your wrist and, theoretically, are less prone to break.
11. +1 Screwdriver
The least amount of tools you’ll likely need is a set of Micro Precision Watch Screwdrivers. Yet, it is advised to have high-quality ones when you do.
Modern watches frequently substitute screws for traditional spring bars. Instead of push pins, modern bracelets (and occasionally vintage ones) contain screw links.
Bolted case backs were already discussed above.
Imagine how useful a nice pair of screwdrivers can be compared to some cheap, low-quality ones if a good spring bar tool can prevent you from damaging the watch lugs.
They damage the screw head and scrape its outside. I’ve done that and it’s not fun. They can also be used to tighten the hinges of other items, such eyewear.
A great set costs roughly $200 or more, but if you take good care of them, they will last you for many years.
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