Looking to get into repair/restoration
I've worked with small electronics a bit, and love watches, and have now watched probably 60 hours of repairs videos...
The more I watch the videos the more I feel that I can do it, so I'm going to start out with some pocket watches, as I hear that is the way to go with starting out, since they're large, cheap, and usually parts are available. I have a bunch of the tools I need already, though I'm going to need a crystal clamp, some hand levers, a better set of screw drivers, oils, and probably a non-marring pair of tweezers. I've got pretty much everything else, and the rest I'll just order as I need them. I've reconditioned a bunch of old quartz watches, light polishing, cleaning, new battery, and have been listing them on eBay to get some startup capital, so as that stuff sells I plan to funnel that money back into the hobby.
My big question is are there any particular watches, brands, models, movements, etc. that y'all can recommend to start with that have a bunch of availability. Like really common models of pocket watches type of thing. That would be very helpful, thank you!
Long time watch wearer, but more recent watch collector.
I had also heard the advice to start with pocket watches, but I chose to go straight to wristwatches since I have little interest in pocket watches. I think watching watch repair videos prepared me very well.
As far as brands, I really like Hamilton because they tend to have simple movements and can be had for reasonable prices. Any brand will probably be ok but stick to 17 jewel hand wind movements with no calendar works at the beginning. Also be aware that any watch with lume from the mid-60's and before will likely be using radium, which requires some extra precautions. Best to avoid those for now.
My best advice is to take lots of pictures when disassembling the movement. Also, don't get discouraged if a part goes flying across the room and you can't find it, that's part of the experience 😂. Have fun!
@GasWorks does wonderful repairs and restorations and may be able to help.
@GasWorks does wonderful repairs and restorations and may be able to help.
Thank you @Deeperblue .
I would recommend starting with a Seiko 7009 movement or similar after your venture into pocket watches. It's a relatively straightforward movement (not hacking or handwinding) and there are plenty of parts available... mostly in a box in my office/workshop.
Happy to help
You may already have watched them but I would recommend @myretrowatches. Mike is a fellow "tinkerer" so explains things in a language that is easily understood.
I'd always recommend my mate Joe the Nekkid Watchmaker too... he's annoyingly talented and you will learn much. He owes me at least £1.20 in commission by now ;)
Thank you everyone! I really appreciate your time to give me some advice!
I will definitely look for both Hamilton and Seiko 7009 movements! Watching a lot of those videos with the more complicated movements is a bit daunting, so starting simple is VERY appealing!
I'm going to take photos, and I'll probably also set up a camera to record video as well, will take a lot longer to go through afterwards, but might catch an important detail!
Also, one of the things I know I'm going to struggle with, is how in the hell do I keep track of the screws, like which one goes where? For electronics I've used numbered parts trays that I drop them into as I go, then I just work backwards for assembly. I guess that could work here as well? Do I need to be cleaning the screws as well typically?
Thanks for posting this @Patterson_TM , I’ve been having similar thoughts recently. Those restoration and repair videos are addicting!!
Keep sharing your progress, it’s good motivation.
Thank you everyone! I really appreciate your time to give me some advice!
I will definitely look for both Hamilton and Seiko 7009 movements! Watching a lot of those videos with the more complicated movements is a bit daunting, so starting simple is VERY appealing!
I'm going to take photos, and I'll probably also set up a camera to record video as well, will take a lot longer to go through afterwards, but might catch an important detail!
Also, one of the things I know I'm going to struggle with, is how in the hell do I keep track of the screws, like which one goes where? For electronics I've used numbered parts trays that I drop them into as I go, then I just work backwards for assembly. I guess that could work here as well? Do I need to be cleaning the screws as well typically?
I always clean the screws. Honestly, I doubt it really makes much of a difference, but that seems to be standard practice.
As far as keeping track of the screws, whenever I remove something from the movement I place the screws for that object next to it. Once everything it disassembled, I take some pictures of the disassembled parts so that I can see which screws go with which sections of the movement. It helps to have a tray with some dividers so that you can keep related things together.
Once you do it a few times, you start to get a good idea of which screws go where. It's actually not as hard as you would think. Calendar & Automatic works tend to complicate the screw situation which is why I would recommend avoiding them at first.
I always clean the screws. Honestly, I doubt it really makes much of a difference, but that seems to be standard practice.
As far as keeping track of the screws, whenever I remove something from the movement I place the screws for that object next to it. Once everything it disassembled, I take some pictures of the disassembled parts so that I can see which screws go with which sections of the movement. It helps to have a tray with some dividers so that you can keep related things together.
Once you do it a few times, you start to get a good idea of which screws go where. It's actually not as hard as you would think. Calendar & Automatic works tend to complicate the screw situation which is why I would recommend avoiding them at first.
Awesome info! That tip about the photo of the screws next to the corresponding part, that's gold! Also, yeah definitely going to try and stay away from complications at first!