Practical Watch Repairing
by Donald de Carle
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Book Reviews of Practical Watch Repairing
Book Review: Very good resource but you will need more
Summary: 4 Stars
Mechanical watches are precision micro machines. It is unrealistic for anyone to think that it is possible to learn to repair mechanical watches just by reading books. There are drawn illustrations through out the book. However; the illustrations do not show step by step of the operations being discussed. On the other hand,in the age of the internet it is not difficult to overcome this problem. There are plenty information that can be found on the topic on the internet. There are documents showing step by step instructions to disassembled and reassembled a simple mechanical watch. However, even with these step by step instructions the only way to learn is through practicing. Together with information that you can find on the internet, you will then realize the gold that is hidden between the pages of this very affordable book. To Work on a mechanical watch you will need time, patience, steady hands and the right tools. The purpose of this book review is to help the interested readers to set realistic expectations of any book on watch repairing. Should you buy this book? If you are interested in mechanical watch repair then you must.Book Review: Practical Watch Repairing
Summary: 4 Stars
Here is a book that explains the mysteries of your average wrist watch in clear easy to read style.
Once the technical terms for the mechanics are mastered it is plain sailing, especially if you have some experience with things mechanical.An advantage also is a dexterity with hand tools.So while this book gives you all you need to know, if its the first time you have picked up a drill, a file or tweesers, then mastering watch repair will take more time.
The trick is to acquire some old worthless watches and practice on them. My first watch cost $1 so nothing to loose as I feel my way.
The only criticism is the quality of the printing which is not crisp, almost like its been photocopied many times.Also the drawings are a little hard to read at times.An update with photgraphs instead would vastly improve it.
In summary, an essential reference for the amateur watch repairer/collector or apprentice.
Book Review: Good for Pros
Summary: 3 Stars
This is an interesting book....it's like a textbook for watch repair for manual watches. If you've got a lot of time, and some expensive old watches--say pre-1945 Omegas and the like, this book may be for you. Anyone who's already a fine-watch repair person would like this book, if they don't already own it, it's got all the hard stuff in it. "Hard stuff" like winding mainsprings, bluing hands and screws, making parts from scratch, setting jewels in the movement just to mention a few.
If you only want to adjust the band and change the battery, or maybe advance the time or change a gasket, this book won't help you much, it's just too dated and complicated. I say, if you're a pro, give it a go, but if you're a beginner, it's not a winner!
Book Review: Watch Repair Book
Summary: 1 Stars
I ordered then promptly returned this book to Amazon. Save your money, folks. The pictures are antiquated and the commentaries of "how to" repair your watch are looooong. If you like visuals with 1, 2, 3 directions like this: "1. Get your tool, 2. Place it on your watch like this, 3. Turn it clockwise like this..." then you're better off googling the directions with your newly bought Watch Repair Kit which you undoubtedly are thinking of buying with this book. I paid shipping to get this book, then paid shipping to send it back. Almost the cost of the entire book. Ugh!Book Review: Incredibly useful book for watch hobbyists.
Summary: 5 Stars
This has been a very useful reference book for the various (and sadly often lost) tricks and secrets of the watchmaking trade. It's a bit dated, but then again so are the antique windup watches that a collector is likely to confront trying to make run again.
I just wish the book came with its own live watchmaker from 1946 to actually demonstrate the various techniques described in the book. I learned a lot anyway.