A well-equipped watchmaking tools box is essential to every watchmaker’s success. Over the years, your tool kit will gradually expand as you make additions to your collection. However, when you are first starting out in watchmaking, it can be tricky to know where to begin and exactly which items will be beneficial to your watchmaking journey. As your watchmaking journey progresses, you will undoubtedly encounter numerous hurdles and challenges which require further tools to tackle. To help you decide which tools are worth investing in and how to use them, this essential guide to watchmaking tools is your ultimate resource with tips, tricks and reviews of the best watchmaking tools on the market as well as how to repurpose household items for a budget-friendly addition to your kit.
The Essential Watchmakers Kit
When you begin your watchmaking journey, it is best to start off small rather than diving in deep and ending up with an extensive tool kit of items you never need or use. As your passion and skill progresses, tools will naturally be added into your kit, keeping it to essential and useful items only. Whilst every watchmaking journey is different, as a novice, there are a handful of must-have items that you need to begin.
Watch Case Back Removal Tools
When working on a watch, you will need a case back removal tool and there is a tool to suit every watch type, budget and skill level. This guide outlines the best case back removal tools available as well as how to use them and where to purchase tools to fit every budget.
Essential Finger Cots and Watchmaking Gloves
Watchmaking is a delicate process and elements such as watch movement can be thrown out of balance by contamination. There are many options available to provide a barrier between your skin and the watch parts that can be found within the essential guide to finger cots and watchmaking gloves.
Watchmaking Loupe and Options
Even with perfect vision, the intricate and delicate parts of a watch can be incredibly small and difficult to see. Your ultimate guide to vision enhancers can be found here.
Watchmaking Screwdrivers
What is a toolkit without a set of screwdrivers and watchmaking is no exception. As your most used tool, a selection of watchmaking screwdrivers is essential to watchmaking and this guide provides you with all the tips, tricks and details you need for using and purchasing watchmaking screwdrivers.
Watchmaking Tweezers
Alongside screwdrivers, watchmaking tweezers will be one of your most used tools. Check out this guide for all the important information on this toolkit essential.
Watch Hand Removal Tools
Removing the dial is an essential part of watchmaking, both for protection of the dial and to access the dial side of the movement.
Cannon Pinion Remover
Trying to decide whether to use a tweezer or presto tool as your cannon pinion remover? This guide will help you out.
Watchmakers Dust Blower
For a cheap investment, you can avoid the watchmaking cardinal sin of blowing on a watch movement by effectively removing dust particles, lint and dirt.
Magnet
A magnet on hand at all times is essential for any watchmaker. Find out why a watchmaker’s magnet is a toolbox essential.
Watchmaking Oils and Greases
Each watchmaker prefers different oils and greases with trial and error a crucial part of the watchmaking process. Here at Watchmaking & Me, we have tried and tested a variety with recommendations of which you may find beneficial.
Movement Holders
Watch parts are exceptionally delicate and fragile, therefore it is essential to have movement holders to protect watch parts from damage or contamination. Your guide to movement holders can be found here.
The Advanced Watchmakers Kit
As you move from beginner to more advanced levels of watchmaking, it is important you have a kit of essential tools up your sleeve. Through trial and error, you will develop a collection of the ultimate tools but to speed up your process and help you avoid costly mistakes, the following guides are the watchmaking tools that are must-have additions to your kit.
Watch Parts Containers
Whilst not considered essential by some, once you use watch parts containers, you will never look back. You can use any type of container for storing your watch parts but through trial and error, here at Watchmaking & Me, we know exactly what makes a good watch parts container.
Watchmakers Dust Covers
As your journey of watchmaking progresses, you will quickly learn how important it is to avoid contamination. Many watches take more than one sitting to work so protection between sessions is crucial.
Watchmaking Bench Mat
A non-essential item to your watchmaking but a worthy and beneficial investment. This guide offers great help and advice on selecting a bench mat.
Movement Case Cushions
This incredibly useful tool will enhance your watchmaking as your journey progresses.
Watchmakers Pegwood
Whilst you can compromise and use alternatives, there is no comparison to pegwood in watchmaking. Useful for a variety of watchmaking processes, pegwood makes a difference.
Watchmakers Pith Wood
Why you should add pith wood to your watchmakers toolkit for cleaning and holding.
Watchmakers Putty
The most versatile tool you can add to your kit and the many ways to use it.
Watch Dial Protectors
The dial is a key part to protect and any good watchmaker will make dial protectors an important element of their toolkit.
Watchmaking Tool Reviews
Weighing up which tool to purchase or whether to splurge or save? Here at Watchmaking & Me, we have tried the best watchmaking tools on the market, we have tested the cheapest additions to the toolkit and we have reviewed them all to give you a head start on your watchmaking toolkit.
Beco Technic Spectacles Magnifier Review
Custom Watchmaking Tools
Throughout your watchmaking journey, there are many tools to purchase that are a toolbox essential, however, there are also many ways to cut costs and save money by making your own custom watchmaking tools. Many of these custom watchmaking tools are repurposed household items that do the job just as efficiently as a dedicated watchmaking tool.
