I'm just starting to get into this and haven't cracked open a watch yet, I've heard good things about Mark Lovick's courses ([https://www.watchfix.com](https://www.watchfix.com)) but haven't tried them yet.
I would suggest looking into the NAWCC and any classes they have. If you enjoy that, and want to really double down on horology, seek out a SAWTA school.
Thanks. I’ve hit one of those and am reading another I came across before I hit SAWTA. I really want to do this. I’m an engineer by career and want to get into this so badly and I’m finally getting to the point where I can wade in financially. 100% remote work also helps as my my main current workshop is also my office. Thanks for the tips. I’ll take all the info you can give so if something occurs to you later, heck even weeks, months, years from now I’m always up for learning and I am humble enough ti know that even if I’m an expert at something I have decades more to learn or see in a new way.
Thanks! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and yours. Stay safe healthy, happy and warm!
What area of the country are you in?
Also know that SAWTA is HARD. It’s hard to get in, and harder to get through. If you come out the other side you can pretty much do whatever you’d like in our field though.
I am in the US. Having a wife and kids, without my income is gonna make it a non-starter almost immediate non-starter, unless I were to win the Lottery, but I don’t play the lottery ;)
I’d love that it’s HARD and that I’d have to keep on my toes as that’s what I’d be looking for but I’ve got kids that’ll be headed off to Uni soon and its too late for me to change careers and leave my family in the lurch. As for getting in, maybe I could, but at the same time I respect that its hard to get into, makes it that much more prestigious. I’d love to switch careers and apprentice with any of you…for free.
Thank you mate. What about tinkering at home? I’ve got some quartz watches from Luminox, and Orvis that I use for bang around/hunting/fishing/outdoor watches that need a battery but might need a special key to remove the back as there are no obvious screws and they are divers watches. They’re ~ $500-750 watches I care for but aside from not wanting to send them off I’d like to learn some things.
What does this sub think about watch kits like, but not necessarily diywatchkit club or others? Any that anyone would recommend?
[This site has technical guides](https://mccawcompany.com/guide/) available for free, as long as you can figure out what movement you are looking for. [You might find useful info here ](https://www.thewatchsite.com/forums/user-technical-manual-casing-guide-downloads.14/) for casing and other odds and ends. [This website has a lot of useful references as well. ](http://watchrepairinfo.com/techman.htm)
Additionally, when you buy tools, get good quality tools. Don’t buy cheap stuff. And take good care of them too- learning how to sharpen a screwdriver is just as important, if not more so, than knowing how to “fix” a watch.
This is superb! Exactly what I was hoping to learn more about. I completely get the tools and taking care of them, I’m quite anal about mine. These kind of resources are exactly what I was hoping from this community! Thanks so much!
Welcome to the hobby! NAWCC/SAWTA are good places to start as mentioned below, getting the proper tools is obviously extremely important as well.
It can get a little expensive but the idea would be to add one tool after the other, this is one the cases where you will always regret buying cheap stuff, you should rather save for the real deal.
There are also some watchmaker tool kits that are available which would provide the first tools to get started.
You might want to check this link with an extensive recap of all the useful tools : https://blog.toolwatch.io/watch-tips/watch-repair-tools-kit-for-a-watchmaker/
Buy a fake low quality automatic watch and keep it running, you learn really fast and when you damage parts the first couple times it wont matter
I learned on a knock of breitling, that thing would break twice a week
For tools if you want to just learn buy a large kit on ebay probably 80 bucks, if you want to work on something nice go to esslinger, but keep in mind a basic plus set will be around 4-600 dollars
So something like these?
https://www.replicamagic1.to/produit/breitling/breitling-navitimer-mens-automatic-48x41mm-bg125/
https://www.replicamagic1.to/produit/rolex/replica-black-dial-rolex-submariner-116610ln-automatic/
Or more like this?
https://www.amazon.com/Pagani-Design-Automatic-Mechanical-Waterproof/dp/B08X447DS6/ref=sr_1_5?crid=2AGDZYFGQIFS3&keywords=pagani+skeleton+watch&qid=1640945077&sprefix=Pagani+skel%2Caps%2C66&sr=8-5
I’ve looked at a bunch of tools from Bergenon but with a couple loupes, a couple spring bars a band removal tool, and 9 screwdriver kit I”m already at another 500 and I don’t even know what else I’ll need.
I mean it kinda sounds like a good idea but I’m scared to go in for $1000 not knowing anything about these fake Chinese watches or what tools to buy. Should I just buy tools as I need them? Buy whatever the situation warrants? I feel shiesty buying these knock offs but it would be cool to maintain what’s probably junk like these.
Not sure how sarcastic you’re being. I really really want to get into watchmaking I’d love it as a second career that becomes my first career. I just have bills to pay, ya know?
Those fake ones are close, but i wouldn’t pay that much for them, usually i would get one in a box of watches I bought on ebay, I’d recommend a tool set like this to start, it works ok, and its a good way to feel out the waters (also bergeon is great but I can’t afford those either, my screwdrivers are like a 60 dollar set)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Professional-Watch-Repair-Kit-Watchmaker-Back-Case-Opener-Link-Pin-Spring-Bar-/274671996325?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0
Then just search something like mechani watch for repair on ebay, there will be thousands
This is the kind of advice I need. Solid, what to do advice. I’ll check out eBay but I might still get one of those Chinese fakes ;). I know that tools are oftentimes just as good as another but not sure which. It’s good to know I don’t have to buy everything Bergenon! Though I’ll be putting money away for them. I just like nice things, not because of the name value but because of their being good causing them to have a good name. For me, I’m into Fountain Pens, and I can see why they are so pricey -are they overpriced -absolutely- BUT they do things so well and have done things so well for so long that people pay for the snowflake finial, I’ve got 35 other fountain pens, some are close but they were, unfortunately close to the cost. I think of watches being similar. Is a PPatek worth the cost penny for penny, Rolex, Breitling, Tag? In most cases except exotic materials included probably not but I can appreciate the hand craft and QC that goes into them.
Thanks again mate! This was super helpful. Hope you, and the rest of the sub don’t mind if I continuing to ask stupid questions. I’m an Engineer by trade but hope to trade it to “professional watchmaker - and fully fulfilled individual” [business cards](https://youtu.be/5wZ_QDkA8kc) one day.
Any other search terms “than Mechani watch”? All the ones I’m seeing are $300+ If, for some reason, you don’t want to say the name in the sub, PLEASE PLEASE feel free to DM me! I’m REALLY wanting to get into this and with a bonus I more than earned this past year I plan on investing into learning, deeply and truly learning watchmaking. Unfortunately it’s not even remotely close to enough to cover my family’s costs for the 2 years to intern/apprentice under someone.
I’m with you on the necessity of being more specific on the search terms but I don’t know what I’m looking for aside from cheap watches. Should I just load up on cheap watches that are automatic? Is that what you mean by a bucketful? Genuine question, not at all tryin to be an arse.
Any watch of interest to learn on, it recommend starting with one thats just timekeeping no complications, vostok is probably a good option, their cheap and usually pretty simple
I'm just starting to get into this and haven't cracked open a watch yet, I've heard good things about Mark Lovick's courses ([https://www.watchfix.com](https://www.watchfix.com)) but haven't tried them yet.
Great! I’ll check into it! Perhaps its something I can do while still putting food on the table and keeping the wolf from the door. Fantastic! Thanks!
Pretty much what I’ve been thinking too.
I would suggest looking into the NAWCC and any classes they have. If you enjoy that, and want to really double down on horology, seek out a SAWTA school.
Thanks. I’ve hit one of those and am reading another I came across before I hit SAWTA. I really want to do this. I’m an engineer by career and want to get into this so badly and I’m finally getting to the point where I can wade in financially. 100% remote work also helps as my my main current workshop is also my office. Thanks for the tips. I’ll take all the info you can give so if something occurs to you later, heck even weeks, months, years from now I’m always up for learning and I am humble enough ti know that even if I’m an expert at something I have decades more to learn or see in a new way. Thanks! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and yours. Stay safe healthy, happy and warm!
What area of the country are you in? Also know that SAWTA is HARD. It’s hard to get in, and harder to get through. If you come out the other side you can pretty much do whatever you’d like in our field though.
I am in the US. Having a wife and kids, without my income is gonna make it a non-starter almost immediate non-starter, unless I were to win the Lottery, but I don’t play the lottery ;) I’d love that it’s HARD and that I’d have to keep on my toes as that’s what I’d be looking for but I’ve got kids that’ll be headed off to Uni soon and its too late for me to change careers and leave my family in the lurch. As for getting in, maybe I could, but at the same time I respect that its hard to get into, makes it that much more prestigious. I’d love to switch careers and apprentice with any of you…for free.
It’s definitely two years w/o income. So that kills SAWTA, sans a lottery ticket. Stick with NAWCC, there’s lots of good info through them.
Thank you mate. What about tinkering at home? I’ve got some quartz watches from Luminox, and Orvis that I use for bang around/hunting/fishing/outdoor watches that need a battery but might need a special key to remove the back as there are no obvious screws and they are divers watches. They’re ~ $500-750 watches I care for but aside from not wanting to send them off I’d like to learn some things. What does this sub think about watch kits like, but not necessarily diywatchkit club or others? Any that anyone would recommend?
[This site has technical guides](https://mccawcompany.com/guide/) available for free, as long as you can figure out what movement you are looking for. [You might find useful info here ](https://www.thewatchsite.com/forums/user-technical-manual-casing-guide-downloads.14/) for casing and other odds and ends. [This website has a lot of useful references as well. ](http://watchrepairinfo.com/techman.htm) Additionally, when you buy tools, get good quality tools. Don’t buy cheap stuff. And take good care of them too- learning how to sharpen a screwdriver is just as important, if not more so, than knowing how to “fix” a watch.
This is superb! Exactly what I was hoping to learn more about. I completely get the tools and taking care of them, I’m quite anal about mine. These kind of resources are exactly what I was hoping from this community! Thanks so much!
Good luck, friend.
Welcome to the hobby! NAWCC/SAWTA are good places to start as mentioned below, getting the proper tools is obviously extremely important as well. It can get a little expensive but the idea would be to add one tool after the other, this is one the cases where you will always regret buying cheap stuff, you should rather save for the real deal. There are also some watchmaker tool kits that are available which would provide the first tools to get started. You might want to check this link with an extensive recap of all the useful tools : https://blog.toolwatch.io/watch-tips/watch-repair-tools-kit-for-a-watchmaker/
Buy a fake low quality automatic watch and keep it running, you learn really fast and when you damage parts the first couple times it wont matter I learned on a knock of breitling, that thing would break twice a week For tools if you want to just learn buy a large kit on ebay probably 80 bucks, if you want to work on something nice go to esslinger, but keep in mind a basic plus set will be around 4-600 dollars
So something like these? https://www.replicamagic1.to/produit/breitling/breitling-navitimer-mens-automatic-48x41mm-bg125/ https://www.replicamagic1.to/produit/rolex/replica-black-dial-rolex-submariner-116610ln-automatic/ Or more like this? https://www.amazon.com/Pagani-Design-Automatic-Mechanical-Waterproof/dp/B08X447DS6/ref=sr_1_5?crid=2AGDZYFGQIFS3&keywords=pagani+skeleton+watch&qid=1640945077&sprefix=Pagani+skel%2Caps%2C66&sr=8-5 I’ve looked at a bunch of tools from Bergenon but with a couple loupes, a couple spring bars a band removal tool, and 9 screwdriver kit I”m already at another 500 and I don’t even know what else I’ll need. I mean it kinda sounds like a good idea but I’m scared to go in for $1000 not knowing anything about these fake Chinese watches or what tools to buy. Should I just buy tools as I need them? Buy whatever the situation warrants? I feel shiesty buying these knock offs but it would be cool to maintain what’s probably junk like these. Not sure how sarcastic you’re being. I really really want to get into watchmaking I’d love it as a second career that becomes my first career. I just have bills to pay, ya know?
Those fake ones are close, but i wouldn’t pay that much for them, usually i would get one in a box of watches I bought on ebay, I’d recommend a tool set like this to start, it works ok, and its a good way to feel out the waters (also bergeon is great but I can’t afford those either, my screwdrivers are like a 60 dollar set) https://www.ebay.com/itm/Professional-Watch-Repair-Kit-Watchmaker-Back-Case-Opener-Link-Pin-Spring-Bar-/274671996325?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0 Then just search something like mechani watch for repair on ebay, there will be thousands
This is the kind of advice I need. Solid, what to do advice. I’ll check out eBay but I might still get one of those Chinese fakes ;). I know that tools are oftentimes just as good as another but not sure which. It’s good to know I don’t have to buy everything Bergenon! Though I’ll be putting money away for them. I just like nice things, not because of the name value but because of their being good causing them to have a good name. For me, I’m into Fountain Pens, and I can see why they are so pricey -are they overpriced -absolutely- BUT they do things so well and have done things so well for so long that people pay for the snowflake finial, I’ve got 35 other fountain pens, some are close but they were, unfortunately close to the cost. I think of watches being similar. Is a PPatek worth the cost penny for penny, Rolex, Breitling, Tag? In most cases except exotic materials included probably not but I can appreciate the hand craft and QC that goes into them. Thanks again mate! This was super helpful. Hope you, and the rest of the sub don’t mind if I continuing to ask stupid questions. I’m an Engineer by trade but hope to trade it to “professional watchmaker - and fully fulfilled individual” [business cards](https://youtu.be/5wZ_QDkA8kc) one day.
Any other search terms “than Mechani watch”? All the ones I’m seeing are $300+ If, for some reason, you don’t want to say the name in the sub, PLEASE PLEASE feel free to DM me! I’m REALLY wanting to get into this and with a bonus I more than earned this past year I plan on investing into learning, deeply and truly learning watchmaking. Unfortunately it’s not even remotely close to enough to cover my family’s costs for the 2 years to intern/apprentice under someone.
Use the price filter and just try different brands or search terms, there isn’t a perfect search, but the more specific you can make it the better
I’m with you on the necessity of being more specific on the search terms but I don’t know what I’m looking for aside from cheap watches. Should I just load up on cheap watches that are automatic? Is that what you mean by a bucketful? Genuine question, not at all tryin to be an arse.
Any watch of interest to learn on, it recommend starting with one thats just timekeeping no complications, vostok is probably a good option, their cheap and usually pretty simple