Help me choose a watch repair kit!
I'm in the market for a light-duty watch repair kit. Just something to change batteries and size bracelets, maybe tinker with some cheap watches and try out swapping hands and the like. I'm looking to spend about $30.
One of the things I'm unsure about is what kind of watch press to go for. The kind you squeeze it the kind you crank? What do you folks prefer? Can you recommend a specific kit to get started with? Thanks!
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Rei
Jack of all trades, master of fun. Casio fan, 80s kid, polymath, all-around nerd. Beware: I use watches for their intended purpose. 😱
Louisiana, USA
Member since
Last active: 1 month ago
15.24 cm
I have the kind on the right, it works pretty well. I'd recommend the one on the left if you can secure it to a desk or table.
I have the one on the right too. It feels cheap, but does the job if you're just going to change batteries and play with cheap watches.
Be carefull with old watches and Tritium and Radium lume though.
I tried out both and with the left one you have more control over how hard it's pressing and how fast you want it to press, big con though is that you have to have something in between the watch itself and the device since it can turn the watch as well and cause scratches on the case, caseback and crystal. In other words (precise but fiddly). I have a few rounds pieces of baking paper to make sure that it doesn't happen and that does the trick for me.
The right one is simple, faster and doesn't have the tendency to scratch but it you squeeze harder then it was needed you could damage the caseback or crack the crystal.
In the end it's up to you to decide.
I bought a lever type which was cheap and did not last very long, so went for the left hand wind in type, which is far superior and gives you more control when removing and replacing crystal.
The right one look mire convinient but the levt is probably the better choice for more fine work
I also have a lever style, and having used it a few times, I would very much like to try the screw style. My lever style press doesn’t exactly instill confidence in it operation lol
If I was going to buy a toolkit again, I’d buy this one probably. I like the hard shell case and how everything has its own slot. The zip up pouches you normally get tend to wear out soon.
H&S Watch Repair Tool Kit - 155pcs - Tools for Pin Link & Back Removal and Strap Adjustment - Comes in a Box Case https://a.co/d/9AMcLfp
And I’d want the screw down press.
I have a lever-based press. To be honest, it has worked well enough for me. In my limited experience the fit of the components, and the pre-seating of the crystal by hand, makes more of a difference than the press.
I use the one on the right and does the job well.
I have the one on the right because it was cheap. I think the other one is better.