Experiences/Tips on getting started with servicing for myself?

ErichKeane · 2025-01-13T10:22:00-0600

Hi all-
I've started to get addicted to watch servicing videos on Youtube, and, as someone who is pretty mechanically inclined, I like to do this sort of thing/know how to do this sort of thing. So far, I've done a couple of Seiko builds, though they are now in my son's toybox.

As far as tools, I believe I have everything I need except for: 1- bins for the ultrasonic to keep the parts organized, 2- a mainspring winder, 3- Oils/oilers/oil holders.

I think for #1 and #3 there, I can find inexpensive ones from the usual suspects that are reasonable. For #2, I will either do the "buy a new mainspring" thing, pick up a cheap mainspring winder, or make my own for whatever movement I end up working on.

HOWEVER, I have a few issues/questions.

1- In general, I think I'd like to start with a watch I would like to wear, or would wear some day. The inexpensive Seiko or Chinese movements don't really do this for me, so practicing on one of those movements I might do, but I won't really have interest in as a watch. So I'd like to start with something vintage Longines/Omega/etc.

2- Where I can find those sorts of watches? I have been keeping an eye here, on reddit, and WUS, but older watches in the ~$500 range that need a service are rare (most I see in that range are 'oh, this is recently serviced'!). I would love to find a "needs a service, but is otherwise in nice shape" watch that I would wear (read: 34+mm, round, good looking, good brand) or be nice enough to give away as a meaningful gift, but I don't really know if there is a place I should be looking?

3- When I DO shop for parts, mainsprings, etc, is there any good shops anyone could suggest? Or for most of the vintage, is looking on Ebay about as good as you can do?

Thank you all in advance, I realize I'll never be a watchmaker, but would love to service/do a few repairs a few times as entertainment.

dsstephens · 2025-01-13T12:22:12-0600

as a complete novice myself, I recommend either going through multiple of the online courses that are available with the inexpensive and infinitely replaceable movement they suggest (ie the st36 / 6497 clone) and taking it apart and putting it back together multiple times, as well as, if feasible, attending some of the in person classes with organizations like AWCI. At that point, you'll be ready to mess up your first nice movement because you didn't practice with your tweezers enough... but most things are fixable, if you can get the parts. 😀 That's just my experience.

sheepdoll · 2025-01-13T13:16:35-0600

Nothing beats first hand instruction. Find someone to mentor you.

One of my mentors would say reading the books is like looking over the shoulder of the author. The head often gets in the way. This is not to say books do not have value. I like books, and the old trade magazines. A lot of my opinion comes from such. I was however in a position to meet the authors. Many of their opinions are of a prior generation and may not apply in this day and age. Dial painting and case polishing was seen to be an advantage.

There is a temptation to go for cheap non working stuff. After 30 years I still have a lot of cheap non working stuff. So my recommendation is to get a good working watch that is in tip top shape and use that. Of one does not know how it should work, then no amount of time will be able to overcome this.

I have no affiliation with https://diywatch.club/ I do like to refer people to that site. If you do not like the prices, then this is not the hobby to pursue. A good practice watch will be in the three figures. Vintage watches have 50, 60 or more years on them, and can be quite tricky to start with.

Getting the basics down, such as how to sit, how high the bench should be (You will be sitting at such for long periods of time.) As noted how to hold the tweezers. How to hold a file. What makes a quality tool. Do not be tempted by cheap tools. They are expensive for a reason.

Some courses have one just spending time using a screwdriver to insert and remove 100s of screws. A lot of damage can be done in this area alone. Hairsprings are easy to mess up. A lot of the beater out there have messed up hairsprings. Unless one has access to good ones it is hard to figure out what is wrong, when there is a subtle bend, that is not obvious. There is little mass in these parts, so they do not move as one would expect. Centers of gravity are not where one expects. The slightest breath or sweep of the hand can send parts flying.

The YT vids are a lot of fun. I like watching them myself, but they are for entertainment and to gather clicks and keep one watching. There is a lot of editing. Many of them are simply opinion blogs, where the person talking just likes talking and telling stories. I often turn the sound off.

Danimals · 2025-01-13T21:13:34-0600

Pocket watches can be a cheap way to get some practice. Fairly available on eBay for decent prices, and parts are bigger on them making it easier to start

ErichKeane · 2025-01-13T21:17:18-0600

sheepdoll
Nothing beats first hand instruction. Find someone to mentor you.

One of my mentors would say reading the books is like looking over the shoulder of the author. The head often gets in the way. This is not to say books do not have value. I like books, and the old trade magazines. A lot of my opinion comes from such. I was however in a position to meet the authors. Many of their opinions are of a prior generation and may not apply in this day and age. Dial painting and case polishing was seen to be an advantage.

There is a temptation to go for cheap non working stuff. After 30 years I still have a lot of cheap non working stuff. So my recommendation is to get a good working watch that is in tip top shape and use that. Of one does not know how it should work, then no amount of time will be able to overcome this.

I have no affiliation with https://diywatch.club/ I do like to refer people to that site. If you do not like the prices, then this is not the hobby to pursue. A good practice watch will be in the three figures. Vintage watches have 50, 60 or more years on them, and can be quite tricky to start with.

Getting the basics down, such as how to sit, how high the bench should be (You will be sitting at such for long periods of time.) As noted how to hold the tweezers. How to hold a file. What makes a quality tool. Do not be tempted by cheap tools. They are expensive for a reason.

Some courses have one just spending time using a screwdriver to insert and remove 100s of screws. A lot of damage can be done in this area alone. Hairsprings are easy to mess up. A lot of the beater out there have messed up hairsprings. Unless one has access to good ones it is hard to figure out what is wrong, when there is a subtle bend, that is not obvious. There is little mass in these parts, so they do not move as one would expect. Centers of gravity are not where one expects. The slightest breath or sweep of the hand can send parts flying.

The YT vids are a lot of fun. I like watching them myself, but they are for entertainment and to gather clicks and keep one watching. There is a lot of editing. Many of them are simply opinion blogs, where the person talking just likes talking and telling stories. I often turn the sound off.

Unfortunately finding first-hand instruction is difficult, particularly in rural America 😀 My local city (biggest in my state!) only has 1 watchmaker, and he' ssuper busy!

I DID do a diywatch club build, plus a few ali-express builds. So I have their tools/knowledge of hands/dial install, plus casing/etc. So i was hoping to dig in a little more.

The rest, great advice, thank you! I decided to order a few of the things I don't have, and just take the NH movement apart that I have and see how it goes. It is Ali-express fresh (from a watch build I never started), so perhaps a service isn't a bad idea 😀 And maybe I'll keep an eye out for a nice looking vintage 3 hander or pocket watch as @Danimals suggests!

Experiences/Tips on getting started with servicing for myself?

ErichKeane

dsstephens

sheepdoll

Danimals

ErichKeane

Similar threads

getting started with vintage Longines...

What should I get done on my 1962 Omega?

Omega Speedmaster 145.022-69 with an Amazing Dial on an auction last Saturday!!

A Watchmaker Photo Guide to Omega Seamaster Cal 1020 Repair

My new to me SMPc with a decision

What's the deal with my 7005-8030?