Would you take the risk starting self studying watchmaking?

S.H.

I'd say having some good background in general mechanics (not horology itself) would really help you to have a good and broad understanding of what is going on in a watch. Afterwards a small but more focused book to understand the basics of horology. Then for the practical and specific skills involved, they aren't found in a book... you'd have to practice under the watch 😉 of a pro imho.

Beginning with a practical repair book does not strike me as a good introduction, but YMMV...

Kargol

Thank you for replying!!
Is there a book or another way you would recommend?

S shah@123

I am a novice (infact a baby) in this area and would be really interested in the recommendation. Coincidence that this thread was started by the person who will most probably be the first person i buy a vintage from,

Archer

What path to take depends entirely on what your goals are, so without knowing those, it's difficult to give much advice.

If you just want a better understanding, in order to communicate with your watchmaker, then reading a few books, learning the nomenclature, etc. will be enough.

If you want to tinker as a hobby, then there might be better ways of getting started.

If you want to repair watches for others, then that's a different thing entirely.

Archer

What path to take depends entirely on what your goals are, so without knowing those, it's difficult to give much advice.

If you just want a better understanding, in order to communicate with your watchmaker, then reading a few books, learning the nomenclature, etc. will be enough.

If you want to tinker as a hobby, then there might be better ways of getting started.

If you want to repair watches for others, then that's a different thing entirely.

Archer

Start here:

https://watchprint.com/en/technical-insights/356-the-theory-of-horology.html

This is the standard textbook used in watchmaking schools. It is NOT a watch repair book, but just as the title suggests, talks about theory and how the various parts of a watch work.

Cheers, Al

Canuck

Depending on how far you want to pursue this watchmaking urge, you might just choke when you find how much you might have to spend to get into the craft. In my view, you should stay away from vintage or antique watches that you are wanting to preserve. When you have an “accident”, you might just end up with a parts watch you can’t repair. Stick with Chinese stuff. It won’t matter if you destroy one.

STANDY

Write your initials on a grain of rice and see how you go with the little stuff. Because there is a lot of little shit in a watch 😁 ( take my hat off to the watchmakers out there )

Fishing reels are as small as I go with pulling things apart and getting them back together.

SpeedyPhill

Just look at the watch repair channel step-by-step videos... how hard can it be ?
😁 😁 😁
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