Does collecting inspire you to make or repair?

You know, I have to admit that I have been interested in learning more about  watchmaking. I have been considering ordering one of the kits from DIY Watch Club, as I think that might be a good start.

That is a great idea. Do they have different types of kits?

They do have several different kits. Here is a link: https://diywatch.club/. 

They even have some pretty decent designs! I'm interested in their vintage dress watch kit that has the heat bluing kit with it!!  I know its an 8 series Miyota movement, but it has the option to "upgrade" to the 8315 which has 60 hour PR!

Yes, I would strongly suggest trying a kit first, or following online videos on the topic, and using inexpensive watches to start. It's somewhat humbling and satisfying at the same time.

Glashütte for example has an easy 3-year full-time course, as part of a German apprenticeship program. I doubt you'd be ready to touch a production watch after that, or maybe just specific aspects of the process.

Watchmaking not properly. There is lot of knowledge and effort behind. Watch-reparing YES. I have successfully repaired some old watches with my "poor" repairing kit. But it finnished there 😜

My poor repair kit did just fine on my sapphire swap yesterday! 

You are the man !!!

There are some seriously nice kits on here. It would be cool to see some names partner with them. Orient or seiko watch kits straight from them.

Watch collecting has never made me want to be a watchmaker, however it has made me want to have a better understanding of how a mechanical watch works. 

If that's something that interests you, you should check out this YouTube channel called Chrono Talk. Most of the videos are in Portuguese, but there are several in English, and I found them extremely informative. I also really enjoyed the Watch&Learn series from Marc at Long Island Watch. Needless to say, there is lots of other similar content available for free online, but these two stood out for me.

If I had steadier hands and better eyesight, I'd be tempted to take a basic course in watch repair to allow me to feel confident taking on some basic service tasks on my own. As it is, I'm OK with leaving things to a competent professional. 

Well understood and thanks for those video suggestions. I will most definitely  be looking them up.

From what I have seen on watch repair, I must admit, it is overwhelmingly intimidating.  Then again I know very little and feel like whatever I did, I would have to record just to be sure I could remember where it had came from.

Watchmaking is not an occupation I'm aspiring too, and frankly my motoric skills are not up to the job anyway. But moving on from owing "a" watch to several turns you into a watch enthusiast, and that means that you should be able to do certain watch jobs yourself, such as changing a battery or a strap, perhaps even regulating the time on your automatics.

"Should" is the operative word here, because my recent performance when replacing a mesh with a strap on one of my watches was a real-life impersonation of Mr Bean. Nevertheless, I will prevail. I will try to replace a battery on a supercheap Infantry watch against my better judgement, and as far as straps go - quick-release is the way to go.

I agree. I feel like owning watches should come with the at least the minimal diy. Changing bands and batteries ought to be in all our wheelhouses. That said I have changed batteries before and yesterday was the first time I have ever had an issue. Anytime a watch is rendered useless ought to be a damn shame, but this was an old timex weekender. Took the battery out and went to place the caseback on and managed to snap the crown from the stem. How could such a simple task end so horrifically.

on UT there’s a channel called The Watch Repair Channel run by a guy called Mark he was a UK based watch repairer. He also has online courses they appear to be very good you can do basic intermediate or advanced. 

Looks like I have some viewing to do

I really wanted to pursue watchmaking professionally, but the amount of education required versus the modest salary is hard for me, especially so early in my life.  I like that with the internet and not a ton of cash, one can enjoy watchmaking as a hobby.  There's a good reason new watchmakers are in huge demand in the US, and it's not because people don't want to live that kind of life, the numbers involved are just tough.  That said, later in my career, who knows?!

Go get one, i got mine already 🙌🏼 would be a good start. 

Something like that is unfortunately not uncommon. I lost a watch once, because a bridge was under tension, and launched a small part across the room, never to be found again. This is one reason while I mod, but don't touch the movement itself. At this point in my life I don't have the time to learn a movement to the degree I should. Just picking up small screws with tweezers is something you should practice a few hundred times in a row, prior to working on the actual movement, and I can't dedicate that much time in this phase of my life.

Very well said and I agree. I think modding will be the furthest I go to be honest.

I have looked into the odd course, and I would really like to be able to repair some of the older watches I own when the time comes. I do have some serious concerns that some of my watches will end up obsolete once all the watch repairers I know retire, and the companies limiting part supply stop supplying parts (you know who you are). 
I have also considered modding projects and building watches from parts, but have never pulled the trigger because it would probably end up like most other projects I start - unfinished.

If I ever win the lottery, my next step is to apply to watchmaking school (bills and kids and stuff). Until then, I’m excited to progress from modding to hobbyist watch repair.