Watchmaking... is it too risky to try on my watches?

I hesitate to say "mod" but if it's something I think I can accomplish I might give it a go. Cost of items at risk is also a consideration.

I responded A, but I bought eBay cadavers to learn on, then restored a few mid-century vintage finds before I braved any of my regulars.

It can be a struggle, patience is the key, knowing when to, walk away.

A guy I worked with was a clock repairer in his past life. He tried to repair watches, but found them too small to cope with. Still gave me some great insight into watch maintenance though.

"knowing when to, walk away."

So true!

It's a little bit tricky. Sure, I can do it once. Can I do it 20 times without making any mistakes? The latter is the level I would need to be at in order to work on a watch that matters to me, and not just performing a movement swap.

For most of what I would consider watchmaking I'm still in training.

Also, having the ability to troubleshoot problems is another level of experience.

Although I selected A, I'm really not there yet. I'm learning how to service watches. I've taken working movements apart and re-assembled them. But I never took a non-working watch and brought it back to life. Hopefully in a few months I will be able to say that I can service watches.

"Also, having the ability to troubleshoot problems is another level of experience."

That´s why I keep my day job! this is only a hobby.

I leave it to the real professionals whose training goes far beyond DIY amateurs with extensive "you tube" training. I don't care how adept you are at fixing things or how your success has been on cheap AE movements. You won't even get close to any of my watches unless you are a well trained and experienced certified watchmaker. I gladly pay the extra for the work of a professional. There are far too many amateurs om this site that seem to think that they are capable of equaling the work of actual watchmakers.

My opinion.

Get a CNC machine, a rose engine and just build the watch of your own design!!

I would be torn if I messed up an expensive watch. With them I would only trust a professional.

But there is no harm if you want to be a weekend mechanic and work on your car. You can do basic maintenance, but you would not do an engine rebuild.

But then again, watchmaking is a dying practice. Most watches will never be repaired. Most modern mechanical watches are assembled by machines, unless they are very high end (over $30.000-$50.000 retail and above) and even then, human input is minimal.

I can fully appreciate why professional watchmakers charge so much!😬

This is how the Seiko5 was running before the repair:

And this is after replacing the balance wheel and regulating:

I feel it got a second chance to be loved and worn!

I only have a lupe, a pair of tweezers and some micro screwdrivers. no more than $30 spent on tools (all China made)...no need to get crazy buying equipment!

Even though I only do straps and bracelets. I’m going to be working with a watchmaker on a watch idea that will be quite unique.

If I couldn't regulate my mechanical wrist watches, I'd probably never would've gotten into this hobby

Haha, I posted a similar question earlier this evening:

https://www.watchcrunch.com/Pallet_Fork/posts/can-you-work-on-watches-322028

Way to go!

If you would do some servicing on your watches I suggest to get a cheap watch from eBay. Try your luck with that one before messing up one of your watches.

I‘m also learning and I‘m confident I will be able to service simple three-handers in the future. But I would limit myself to inexpensive watches. Anything above € 1k I‘d think twice about disassembling them on my own. So my Tudor and Omega will likely be sent to professional for service also in the future.

I would buy pocket watches, bigger movements, easier to work on. take them apart, and put back together....and repeat.

Similar results.

I regulate all my watches, very fine and precise work. Some will not do it because you can really get ugly. My watch guys says its a pain.

Formal training is a must. Watchmaking was passed on from master to apprentice. There a few formal courses where con can get accreditation, but they will not get you to the level of designing and building your own movement. This requieres true talent, determination, and of course a great teacher.

I would not call watchmaking, servicing a watch. you are not making anything, just an oil change and replacing some parts (out with the old, in with the new); this is what Rolex is charging you for.

95% of watchmakers work today consists in battery and strap changes.

But then again, I do not endevour on any difficult task without checking out a youtube video.

I'm really keen to learn to service a watch. I won't do it on my fancier pieces, but my Sellita movements I'd like to.

If you have experience, go for it. If not, buy a cheaper busted up watch to practice on so that if you mess up it won't be of any great loss.

Ah, what can a Chinese CNC cost? $5000. And a rose engine $10000. You’ll be the only one on watch crunch. You just have to not eat for a while. 🤣

I would venture into servicing the 2824 ETA movement as well as the Sellita SW-200, which have similar arquitecture. Parts are available, and also chinese clones of them. They are featured in most microbrands as much as the Seiko NH-36.

I'll probably do the SW200 but I'm more keen on the SW330-2 as I own a few of them.

I think those are the kind of skills where it is easier to transfer from smaller to bigger than the other way around.