When it comes to repairing luxury watches, no tool is as valuable as the knowledge and skills we’ve acquired over the years. However, the tools we use for watch repairs are still a pivotal part of the work that we do. We rely on these tools to help us handle the tiny, delicate interior parts of a watch and ensure that our work is flawless. Want to learn more about the tools of the trade? Keep reading to find out what tools we most commonly use for watch repairs.
Glasses and Loupe
Glasses with an attached loupe are the most central tool we use when working on watches. Without them, those tiny pieces are nearly impossible to properly examine. You’ve probably seen glasses with a double loupe attachment before. Loupes are like tiny magnifying glasses, and most watchmakers and repairers have two attached to offer different levels of magnification, depending on the type of work we’re doing.
Single Loupe
Occasionally, we will opt for using an older style of loupe known as a single loupe. These are separate devices that are placed on one eye like a child’s kaleidoscope and will magnify the watch we are working on. A single loupe doesn’t necessarily provide any different functionality than a loupe attachment on a pair of glasses; it’s simply a matter of personal preference and magnification level offered by the different loupes.
Case Wrenches
We can’t repair your watch if we can’t open the watch case! That’s where case wrenches come in. Rolexes typically require a different type of case wrench, so we have both a Rolex case wrench and a standard adjustable case wrench for use in our shop. The adjustable case wrench works on virtually all other watch types, excluding Rolexes.
Crystal Lift
If a crystal must be removed from your watch, we want to do so with the utmost care. That’s why we use a crystal lift, which looks like a many-clawed foot. The tiny claws in a crystal lift can securely grab onto a crystal so that we can remove it from the watch without fear of dropping and losing this small—but essential—part of your watch. A black knob on the bottom of the crystal lift allows us to tighten the claws just enough to grab and remove (and later, install) the crystal.
Pliers
Yes, we do use some tools that you might have in your own toolbox as well! Pliers a commonly used tools for watch repair shops, though we likely have a much higher-quality set of pliers than you’d find at your average home maintenance store. Pliers allow us to manipulate small parts and move them as needed for repairs.
Broaches
No, these aren’t the broaches your grandma wears to church. The broaches we use are long, pointed tools that are somewhat similar to an icepick in their shape. They come in different sizes and are used to clean out or enlarge holes in a watch case, as well as for other types of maintenance and repairs. Broaches have a surprising number of uses in a shop like ours.
Grinding Wheels
Occasionally, a watch part needs to be sharpened, shaped, or polished. That’s where grinding wheels come in. We affix a grinding wheel of an appropriate size and coarseness to a flexible shaft, and use them in much the same way any metal worker would. We also have grinding wheels that are used for refinishing watch cases.
Buffing Wheels
Speaking of refinishing a case, if your watch’s case has scratches or needs to be polished, we’ll use one of our buffing wheels. These are somewhat larger than grinding wheels, but we attach them to the same type of flexible shaft and control them at a slow speed so we can monitor the level of polish on your case.
The Right Tools Make a Difference
There’s a reason that you should only take your watch in to a watch repair expert: We have all of the essential tools, as well as the specialized knowledge required to repair and restore your watch. Without these tools, your watch simply can’t be repaired to the level that it should be. We rely on these tools on a daily basis to perform repairs of all types, from simply maintenance to total restorations of old, non-functioning watches.
If you have a watch that needs to be tuned up, repaired, or completely restored, contact Wrist Watch Fix today. We’ll use our tools and experience to get your watch ticking perfectly and shining beautifully in no time at all.
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