Comment by donthellbanme

To those interested in becomming a Watchmaker I can offer this:

1. The school route is great, but after the two year program you still won't get a parts account from anyone. You will have no problem finding a job though.

2. Self-taught. It will take awhile, but it's a rewarding hobby/career.

Every budding Watchmaker should have books. Books by DeCarle, Fried, and Daniels are great.

There are old correspondence courses that are good to. Try to get Chicago School of Watch Repair, and Bulova School of Watch Repair. Hunt around for the best price.

The quality of internet videos on the internet are spectacular. You are lucky to have them. When I started their was only one guy who taught Watch Repair.

Tools:

#2, #5 Dumont tweezers. (any tweezers will do, even the cheap ones.)

Watch back removal tools. You will need various types, including Rolex, and universal tools.

small ultrasonic bath to clean parts. A mason jar filled with cleaning fluid, and rinse will suffice to hobbiests though.

oils. Moebius are recommended, but expensive. Personally I think they are overpriced.

Presto #1,#2 hand removers.

some Radico.

A mainspring tool. These can get pricy. Look for a old set of Marshall mainspring removal tools.

Decide if you want to work with a loupe, or a 10-40x stereoscope.

a band remover.

A staking set. (Look around. No need to spend more than $250.00

A jewelers lathe, mill, etc. come way later. The biggest mistake newbies make is buying every tool they thing they might need. Then again you wealthy boys can go crazy.

Too tired to go on, but I'm in the Bay Area under "I buy Watchmaker, jeweler, amd some Machinist's estates. I'm gearing up to do repairs. I hope to have a website soon. I'm thinking about teaching, but not sure if there's a market for it.