First Time Wristwatch Teardown - Mistakes Were Made!

This is my first ever attempt at tearing down and rebuilding a wrist watch.
There were a few catastrophes, but I did get it back together – sort of.

I'd love to see your tips in the comments as to how I can improve.

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Also check out my other channel @audionautica6843 which is mostly about HiFi with some nautical content.

[wgsoundtrack]

I’ve been a hobby watchmaker for about a year now. I love the part of this video when the mainspring jumped out of the barrel, it brought back fond memories of my first (and second) disassembled movements. Our mistakes are our greatest learning resources. Enjoyed the video. Thanks for sharing.

[kingofcastlechaos]

Kudos to you for filming from the start of the journey. When I see people like Marshall pick up a wheel and place it into the jewel on the first try, I am 100% certain that did not happen overnight. Keep up the good work!

[dr.s.p.]

What a lovely honest and pleasant presentation and perhaps reminders of our own first baby steps, or just maybe more importantly, showing the potential pitfalls in time for us to learn!

[livefree]

I have to say I’ve learned more about watchmaking from this video than all the professionals. I’m trying to make a run at this hobby, because it sounds really fun. Watching the professionals and then seeing the same problems I’m experiencing is super encouraging and helpful. The first watch I pulled apart I snapped The reverse thread on the crown gear. Yep game over for screw. Last week I pulled apart my first pocket watch and got it back together and it runs kind of. Thanks for the video👍

[Van_Der_Lay_Industries]

Love your work. I feel your pain. I've just started my first tear down and rebuild. Picked up so many pieces off the floor, but getting a bit better every time I work on it.

[ikeman]

I really enjoyed watching your work, and that you were kind enough to let us see your first repair. You got the skills and the tools and the desire. The sky is the limit from here. I wish you a world of luck and good fortune in your journey.

[dr.s.p.]

All the books mentioned that to remove the barrel arbour, apply a little clockwise turn, while pulling gently upwards. A question. A well known YouTuber said that purchasing and using a microscope was a big game changer. Did you find this? One of Roger Smith’s watchmakers told me that he prefers a loupe.

[JustANobody]

I’ve watched dozens of YouTube videos and I’m just about to start my watchmaker journey. Your video was so instructive and inspiring. Knowing I’m going to make mistakes along the way doesn’t seem so daunting now. Thanks and I look forward to seeing more.

[haping]

Great video. To get the pivots in the (jewel) holes in one time, you need better magnification as you said it yourself. And practice, practice, practice on large movements. Some tips: To better grip the parts, modify your pair of tweezers so that only the very end can grip the parts. Yours are bend open an parts fly out under the pressure you put on the tweezers. About a quarter of the oil is way enough. And finally, the thread length of the crown wheel is shorter than the one of the rachet wheel. That's how you can easily see the difference. Stay relaxed and looking forward to your next video 🖖

[ForestWoodworks]

The fact that this looks like the same stuff I'm buying off eBay very late in the evening, very early in the morning, makes me think there's a conspiracy going on. Anyway, let's watch and see how you did...

[dathanweldon]

If you’re struggling to place the mainspring arbor you can always use a pin vise to hold it while twisting it in with a little downward force.

[leewriter]

Just a small tip... Instead of trying to maneuver the balance into the movement, try this...
Hold the balance very still with your tweezers. Pick up the movement, and maneuver the movement onto the balance.
Just do all the maneuvering with the movement rather than the balance. It seems to help with me.

[costantinoproietti]

Yes. Positioning the bridge on the wheels is a real nightmare. On a ST 69-21 movement there is just a bridge for 4 wheels!

[archloy]

Really interesting ! I watch sometimes wristwatchrevival and seeing a beginner is also a good thing because we can see problems, difficulties etc that disappears with experience (like removing main spring). A good video ! thanks :)

[aricbergren]

Cool video! Ive been a watchbreaker for a while now too. I think for a split second there (48:26) you had the balance just right but then bumped it and it came back out. Did the staff end up breaking at some point after? Anyways, great video. Fun to watch. I kept forgetting its a recording and kept saying out loud, no no no hold on a second….lol!

[vonkruel]

This is a great hobby for those with patience (including you most definitely). I think it's tremendously valuable to give a realistic idea of what early attempts at servicing are like. As you said, not to scare anyone away from a great hobby, but just to set expectations appropriately. I think we struggle a lot more when our expectations are unrealistic, but when we know _"what we're in for"_ we can take various mishaps in stride & just press on. By the way, Cousins sells a decent scope that won't devastate your bank account. Thanks for a great video & Happy New Year to you! 👍

[AstonColey]

Hi Stephen - Great video for a newbee. Your electronic experience on smd components will certainly give you tweezer use knowledge. Do get yourself some really good quality tweezers such as Dumont. Very light action when handling small parts. Also get some angled tweezers as they will help with small screw placing and balance manipulation when assembling. I started 3 years ago my first watch was an ETA 7750 and boy was that an experience.

[monte]

Great video! Im getting something from everyone on here. Knowing the name of parts is where I'm at. Loved the video and new subscriber.

[fightnflight]

Hey Mate! Not far ahead of you in terms of my practice, but a tip for those watch hand removers is to sand down the backs a little flatter on a stone or fine sandpaper and you will get under the hands quite a bit easier! Thanks for posting!

[garyhill]

Very informative video Stephen. I´ve been watching many videos by expert watchmakers, and it´s really nice to see the differences between a noob and an expert attempting this noble craft.