How To Buy a Watch to Repair: A Beginners Guide

In this Video I am going to show you how to Not make many of the mistakes that new watchmakers make looking for watches to fix, saving you money and frustration.
Thanks for watching
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[Dudden]

I'm a university professor with a background in watchmaking (in my first life). I'd like to take two minutes to tell you how well-made your videos are, full of practical advice and common sense. Thank you so much!

[completegolf]

As a starter watch to repair, I bought the ST36 on eBay for about $30. It was the exact same watch you are using in your lessons. I then followed your tutorials exactly as you instructed. If I got lost along the way, I replayed the video as many times as needed until I got it right. I also bought the case that matches the movement exactly for $30. I added service tools as needed for the “restoration” process. Since it is a new running movement, It didn’t need restoration. It’s a whole lot of fun taking it apart and putting it back together.

[mqqkryl]

Thank you Alex - very useful insights. I would love to see your microscope setup and a video on sourcing parts.

[ramazanbaris]

Thanks for this great video, man! I made my local watchmaker rich by first buying a working vintage watch movement from him, trying to dismantle it and putting the parts back together, I broke the balance spring and went back to him for getting it fixed! He calmed me down by saying it is totally okay to screw up, because that's how you learn!

[kyproset]

Watching this a second time. In my case, I have a watchmaker friend who trained at Piaget and he gives me watches to fix for free. It's a mutually benefitting situation. I get free advice, parts and watches or clocks to fix and he gets back the finished product. The other day, he made me the ultimate compliment. I fixed two 400-day clocks he was unable to fix for years. Having said this, I'm sure he didn't put in the time to figure them out as he is mainly concerned with expensive wristwatches.

[jeffreydheere]

I'm just proud to have been able to open the case and change the battery on a Pulsar that I've had sitting in a drawer for 40 years. It was a high school graduation gift from my cousins. Once the battery died, I put it aside. Now I can do it myself. YEA. I AM starting to collect a few watches and movements to learn how to do service. I have my grandfathers Hamilton automatic that I'd like to get in to. It'll run for a few seconds and then stop. I figure it's going to be gummed up with old oils or maybe even a tired mainspring. I haven't even figured out how to get the back cover off, so no danger of messing anything up yet.

[ODPwcca]

Thank you so much for your valuable information.
I've taken your advice here and ordered a used watch.
Looking forward to see where it goes from there and hopefully get a feel for it.

[robb]

Another great video! I would love to see a video on sourcing parts and another on your microscope setup. Thanks for continuing to put out this great content.

[sundown]

Your videos are gold man and my standard go to for lessons. I've been concentrating on the Seagul st36, and the Soviet 3602's to begin with. At a flea-market I found a rare Swiss Montandon pocket watch that needs a balance staff. Will send that to a more advanced watchmaker hopefully to make a new one! Thanks again! 💯

[ஓம்நமசிவாய-டவ]

I would love to see the microscope setup and how to go about getting a decent one and set it up

[John-wxoy]

I've just begun to get involved with watchmaking, as in I've yet to even service a movement yet. Right now, I'm slowly acquiring tools/consumables and bought some old scrap movements to practice on. This answers the questions of what my next step should be and what I should be looking for as my skills progress. Thank you for a very informative video. I'm now subscribed.

[dustaone]

Just dipping my toes in to watch repair/restoration and this was a great help, thanks!

[raypedia]

Amazing, this is exactly the information I've been looking for. Indeed, I've asked a bunch of YouTube watch repair folks for exactly the tips you provide in this video. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[amritsidhu]

Great Info. I'm starting to acquire the tools to get into the hobby and would appreciate your input on microscopes and the use of digital microscopes (i.e. with a video screen). Thanks.

[andrewwebster]

Hi a video showing how to source parts would be great, I have an ST 3600 to practise on and will be getting a NH36A soon

[kyproset]

Great lesson, thank you. I tend to gravitate towards mechanical movements rather than quartz.

[AWDTurboPOWAH]

Another terrific video, thanks so much Alex! Also, love the increased production quality on the channel! New intro, B-roll footage to support your discussion points, etc. -- it's really coming along nicely. A microscope video would be amazing as well. Always like to get more info on everyone's setups, and I think people should just budget in a microscope from the start. 🙏

[georgegonzalez-rivas]

Would love to see video on parts sourcing... I started backwards and have bought several "for parts or repair" watches on auction. (I know, I know...).

[billyg]

Spot on again Alex, i would say sourcing what i need is the most challenging and enjoyment i get from this hobby. i was given a eta7750 in dire need of help, and your advice has been a great help. cheers.

[rossjackson]

Ha! You've been watching me since I started. Now every one knows what I did. - - - . Lots of great information. Well worth watching.