This week’s blog post will continue showing you some of the tools and equipment that I use everyday to repair your watch.
I was very surprised at the level of interest in last week’s post and I am glad to see that everyone is interested in how your watch is repaired and how a normal day is at the “watch shop.”
Glasses and Loupe
My glasses and loupe are the heart of my job. Without my loupe, I am out of business. I started my career with a single-eye eyepiece loupe. That worked fine for about 10 years, but my eyes changed a bit and I needed to move on to glasses and my standard double loupe.
This system works much better for me. My glasses are a bit tinted to cut down on the glare of my bench lamp, so there is less eye strain.
I am using a Behr Loupe model #55 The loupe is 2 inches by 3-and-a-half focal length. That means when I am working normally, I just have one lens that I am looking through and the distance from the lens to the work area is 3-and-a-half inches.
When I fold down the outer lens, then the work distance is closer, down to two inches. The magnification is three power single and five power double.
This is also personal preference, so the distance to your work area can be shortened or lengthened by the different lenses that you use.
Mine is pretty standard. When you use both lenses at 2014 — for hairspring work, for example — you are now closer to the work and things get bigger, but it is also a bit tougher to “operate”.
One interesting note on my son Tom. He is left-handed, but right-eyed. It is very unusual to be able to work with your left hand while looking through your right eye to work!
Working on a watch with your left hand is also difficult.
Even watches are set up for us righties!
Case Wrenches
Starting off the process of repairing your watch, you need to first open the case.
On the left is a standard adjustable case wrench that is used on most screw-back cases, on the right is a Rolex case wrench.
Crystal Lift
This is a crystal lift. It is used when removing a standard plastic crystal.
The black knob on the bottom is tightened and that squeezes the crystal just enough to remove or install it.
Pliers
I use a standard set of pliers. These are made in Germany and a bit expensive, but the quality is outstanding.
Broaches
These broaches come in different sizes and are used to clean out or enlarge a hole in a watch case and more. Lots of different uses around the shop.
Grinding Wheels
These are an assortment of small grinding wheels that fit into my flexible shaft.
They are used whenever I need to sharpen, shape, or polish a watch part or in refinishing a watch case.
Buffing Wheels
These are larger buffing wheels that I also use on my flexible shaft. They are used in refinishing a watch case and can remove scratches or put the brush finish back on a case.
I use them at a slow speed so that I can control the level of polishing.
One Touch
If you are in my age bracket (over 50), you may remember “Silly Putty.” One touch is a soft, stretchy substance that is used in a variety of duties every day.
It can be used to remove oil or fingerprints from a watch movement, you can use it to hold or pick up a tiny spring or jewel or even a part in place on your bench.
It is a tool that has many uses and is always within easy reach on my bench.
Next week, I will show you my buffing, cleaning and timing machines. There’s lots of cool stuff to come!
CHARLEY PHOTO OF THE WEEK: She enjoys shaking paws, especially when there’s a chance she’ll get food in return.
