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How to learn about watchmaking and mechanical watches?
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Author:  Aadam [ Fri Sep 20, 2013 6:03 am ]
Post subject:  How to learn about watchmaking and mechanical watches?
I really want to learn more about watchmaking and mechanical watches. There seems to be a real lack of information on the internet. For a car there are countless manuals on how to build an engine to help you understand them, but I cannot see anything for watches.

Does anything like this exist? Is there a good starting point for learning?

Many thanks.
Author:  Roffensian [ Fri Sep 20, 2013 6:12 am ]
Post subject:  Re: How to learn about watchmaking and mechanical watches?
One of the best sources are the old correspondence courses that are available dirt cheap on eBay in digital format - Chicago School is a good one, as is the Bulova school. A copy of George Daniel's Watchmaking is also worth picking up, but will cost a little more.
Author:  Aadam [ Fri Sep 20, 2013 12:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: How to learn about watchmaking and mechanical watches?
Thank you.
Author:  joe6263 [ Fri Sep 20, 2013 1:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: How to learn about watchmaking and mechanical watches?
Hi

Their are a few books we are recommended to get as said by Roff George Daniels books are always good books to buy and
well explained. Then their is Theory of Horology by WOSTEP and this is fairly good but their is some mistakes in the book but it explains about movements and how they work and other points. But their are that many different techniques in watchmaking that some things change from book to book.
Author:  P51 [ Thu Oct 10, 2013 2:10 am ]
Post subject:  Re: How to learn about watchmaking and mechanical watches?
I agree with joe6263.

My beloved just surprised me a few days ago with a copy of the 3rd edition of George Daniels Watchmaking book. Surprised because I did not know she had heard of George Daniels let alone realise how much I admire him. I had never mentioned him to her expect in passing.

Just started reading it and already I can see that George must have been a very eloquent person in real life, if his writing style is anything to go by. The man makes a lot of sense too. In the first three pages he had my attention completely; on the state of watchmaking as he saw it, and the encouragement to all would be tinkers (like me) that making and servicing a watch is possible with moderate skills and reasonable equipment.

I am looking forward to reading this book, as I think it will turn out an epic story and yield some great benefits to a hack part time watchcase maker like me. All my watching making friends tell me its Childs play to strip and rebuild a movement, something I have always doubted. George’s book legacy might have just made the difference from now on.
Author:  TomP [ Thu Oct 10, 2013 2:13 am ]
Post subject:  Re: How to learn about watchmaking and mechanical watches?
If you enjoy that his autobiography is still in print too - All in Good Time: Reflections of a Watchmaker.
Author:  Roffensian [ Thu Oct 10, 2013 3:58 am ]
Post subject:  Re: How to learn about watchmaking and mechanical watches?
TomP wrote:
If you enjoy that his autobiography is still in print too - All in Good Time: Reflections of a Watchmaker.

And a new (and rather more complete) biography.
Author:  TomP [ Thu Oct 10, 2013 5:33 am ]
Post subject:  Re: How to learn about watchmaking and mechanical watches?
Roffensian wrote:
TomP wrote:
If you enjoy that his autobiography is still in print too - All in Good Time: Reflections of a Watchmaker.

And a new (and rather more complete) biography.


Viz, George Daniels: A Master Watchmaker & His Art (2013).
Author:  joe6263 [ Thu Oct 10, 2013 9:53 am ]
Post subject:  Re: How to learn about watchmaking and mechanical watches?
P51 I agree my teacher says the same that to disassemble and reassemble a movement is easy and anyone can learn it. But to make parts and make a watch from scratch is a different story I am very fortunate my teacher can make his own watch by hand and also I have had the honour of meeting some others like philippe dufour. Michael clerizo makes very interesting books.
Author:  P51 [ Thu Oct 10, 2013 2:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: How to learn about watchmaking and mechanical watches?
joe6263 wrote:
P51 I agree my teacher says the same that to disassemble and reassemble a movement is easy and anyone can learn it. But to make parts and make a watch from scratch is a different story I am very fortunate my teacher can make his own watch by hand and also I have had the honour of meeting some others like philippe dufour. Michael clerizo makes very interesting books.



Hi Joe,

Yes, I agree. I am not sure if my friends are trying to 'set me up' or not but every time they say, "you can do this", there is a smile on their collective faces. I always get worried when they do that. :lol:

I watched one of my watch maker friends making balance wheels from machined stock that I made for him. Fascinating stuff, but my fat fingers could never achieve what he was doing. But there again, I never thought I would get to a point where I had designed and made about 12 watch cases of my own design. Its been one of the best things I have ever done. :wink:
Author:  Dr J [ Thu Oct 10, 2013 5:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: How to learn about watchmaking and mechanical watches?
I'm taking the hands on approach and learning on a Seiko following this:

http://www.clockmaker.com.au/diy_seiko_7s26/
Author:  P51 [ Thu Oct 10, 2013 9:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: How to learn about watchmaking and mechanical watches?
Dr J wrote:
I'm taking the hands on approach and learning on a Seiko following this:

http://www.clockmaker.com.au/diy_seiko_7s26/


Hey thats great Dr. J. I think I might investigate this one as well. Tell us how you go.
Author:  Dr J [ Fri Oct 11, 2013 6:05 am ]
Post subject:  Re: How to learn about watchmaking and mechanical watches?
In about a mth or so I'll be starting a thread on here inviting ppl to do the project along with me and post pics as we go, feel free to join in. I just bought the kit from Labanda of the recommended equipment, and will start looking for a seiko to 'repair' soon.
Author:  onewatchnut [ Fri Oct 18, 2013 10:09 am ]
Post subject:  Re: How to learn about watchmaking and mechanical watches?
The Watch Repairer's Manual by Henry B. Fried, ISBN 0-918845-11-4
Bench Practices for Watch and Clockmakers by Henry B. Fried ISBN 0-9656219-0-1
Watch and Clock Making and Repairing by W. J. Gazeley ISBN 15: 978-0-7090-4995-1
The Joseph Bulova School of Watchmaking Training Manual, out of print but copies occasionally surface on eBay

Taking them apart is easy. Putting them back together is a little more difficult. Making them work correctly can be maddening! Finding parts can drive a person to drink. Sometimes you just have to make the part, something you never get your money for.
Author:  Supermoto [ Sun Jun 01, 2014 7:29 am ]
Post subject:  Re: How to learn about watchmaking and mechanical watches?
I am also very interested in movements and would like to take them apart and try to reassemble (I am thinking of old seiko's you can buy off eBay), my question is, is there a general tool kit available that would do that is reasonably inexpensive?

Thanks
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