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Watch Tools, Winding & Bracelet Adjustments  Rate Topic 
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 Posted: Sat Mar 21st, 2009 02:04 pm
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Rhino-Ranch
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Dear Fellow 3T members & moderators par excellance, especially -- Skipdawg, Paxman, Steve Laughlin, Oagaspar:

My modest collection currently includes ORSA Monstrum, Cave Dweller, Black Monster, Seiko Samurai.  Pre-order Benarus Moray.


At present, I am only wearing the Seiko, because I can't afford to keep running to the watchmaker to adjust bracelets and change straps.

  1. what tools do you recommend for changing straps and bracelets?  spring bar tool / what brand?  screw drivers?
  2. what tools should I have for adjusting bracelets, removing links?
  3. how do you keep your auto watches wound? 
  4. do you have watch winders? The watch winders that I've looked at are very expensive...
  5. is there a homebuilt watch winder that I am unaware of ?
Thanks.... I look forward to hearing from you all.

  ThumbsUp02.gif
Jim a/k/a  "Montauk" 

Manhattan, MT, USA

PS -- my apologies for not posting pictures, my Olympus C-7070 is broken, and I am waiting for my economic stimulus check before ordering a new camera.


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 Posted: Sat Mar 21st, 2009 02:26 pm
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Skipdawg
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Well I'm still very rookie with allot of this. Still take watches North of $1000 to my watch guy for bracelet and strap changes. :)

But most of the tools I have I bought from Doug. But several here know this game well and will likely pipe in. Good luck Jim. ;)

http://www.thewatchprince.com

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 Posted: Sat Mar 21st, 2009 02:38 pm
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Rhino-Ranch
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Skip -- thanks for the link, tools look good.  What do you about winding all your watches?

Jim

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 Posted: Sun Mar 22nd, 2009 12:18 pm
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Paxman
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Jim,

I am somewhat crippled mechanically, but I have learned with a little patience and practice I can handle most bracelet adjustments and strap changes with ease using very basic tools. the only thing I don't even mess with is my Rolex and that's only because the AD I purchased it from made it very clear that if I ever needed or wanted anything done to the watch I should simply bring it to them. That being said:

what tools do you recommend for changing straps and bracelets?  spring bar tool / what brand?  screw drivers?

I am very simplistic. Below you'll see my most used tools for adjustments. A no name mini spring bar tool, a Beregon micro screwdriver which came with my Doxa watches and a mini-pusher. I can do most anything with the micro screwdriver, though.



 

what tools should I have for adjusting bracelets, removing links?

See above. The pusher for friction pins. the micro screwdriver for screwed bracelets. A bracelet holder comes in handy. 

how do you keep your auto watches wound? 

I wear them!toon1.gif Winders bro!

do you have watch winders? The watch winders that I've looked at are very expensive...

I must admit to having cheap winders. Currently I have a 3 head A-Best, a 4 head eBay special and a crappy SWI winder I got when buying a Magico from Slop NBC. The A-Best is fully programmable as to the number of revolutions per day and my better watches go on this. This eBay special is somewhat programmable but I turn it off during the day and only run it over night so as not to damage anything. The SWI is somewhat programmable and I have it set to wind only counterclockwise as I put Miyota powered watches on this winder. It is so pitiful there is no danger of damage.:shock: If you want a good winder you will pay. I am not overly concerned with noise as my winders are set up in my home office. Here is a very affordable option from Orbita: http://209.61.152.60/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=SPA023

 

is there a homebuilt watch winder that I am unaware of ?

IXNAY HOMBRE!

For reference to find the specifics on your winding needs use the Orbita database here: http://www.orbita.net/pages/17100.htm

Hopefully some of this helps. Again, I am not overly mechanically inclined so I KISS (keep it simple stupid)!:D

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 Posted: Sun Mar 22nd, 2009 12:31 pm
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Skipdawg
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Montauk wrote: Skip -- thanks for the link, tools look good.  What do you about winding all your watches?

Jim

For my Asian movement watches I have some base line watch winders which I run for 15 minutes twice a day with a timer. For my Swiss watches I have Orbita and  3 generic winders that are like Orbita but you can't get them anymore. Spendy yes but if you have allot of watches and don't want to have always wind and set them every time it can be worth while. ;)

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 Posted: Sun Mar 22nd, 2009 12:37 pm
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Nabco
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Jim,

I agree with Pax, Keep It Simple, invest in a couple GOOD screwdrivers...cheap ones will cause you more problems than they are worth.

This is something I use for bracelet sizing with push pins....for the money it comes with everything you need..
http://www.internationalwatchman.com/tools/THECOMPBRACELETSTATION.html

And a tip when removing screws, especially when changing straps....cover the screw with a piece of masking tape and push the screwdriver through the tape to remove the screw....if the screwdriver slips you will hot the tape and not the case....saves on scratch repairs.

And finally TAKE YOUR TIME, don't rush it...if you think another pair of hands will help...get them...whenever the bracelet links have two screws I always employ my wife to hold one side while I loosen the other.....one slip otherwise and you will be ticked off.

Personally I'm not concerned about keeping the watches wound...it is really only a convenience so you don't have to reset it....spend the money on watches,  not winders.

Last edited on Sun Mar 22nd, 2009 12:39 pm by Nabco

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 Posted: Sun Mar 22nd, 2009 02:37 pm
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OldeCrow
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You can find all kinds of tools on ebay, buy cheap screwdrivers but then go buy good replacement tips for them and throw away the tips that come on them!


This is my favorite spring bar tool, buy a good one to begin with and an extra set of tips for when you break them!



I have no need for winders, they are too hard to carry around, I find just wearing the watch on your wrist keeps it wound! 
goofy



Seriously winders are a global conspiracy to rob your watch fund of money you could be spending on more watches but instead you waste it on winders and service for all the watches you wear out leaving them on the winders!
... wear is my foil hat... darnit low I've lost my foil hat...
happy1.gif


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 Posted: Sun Mar 22nd, 2009 02:45 pm
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Skipdawg
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I will say this, once the winders fail or die they will not be replaced. Watches will just be moved to a watch case if the Winder can't be converted to one easily. Live and learn. After awhile they loose their appeal. :cool:

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 Posted: Sun Mar 22nd, 2009 09:12 pm
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Rhino-Ranch
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Dear Skipdawg, Paxman, Nabco and OldeCrow

I truly appreciate your advice, pictures and recommendations.  3T is the best watch forum.   You guys really make me feel like old friends.

Bouncy.gifThanks!

Jim

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 Posted: Sun Mar 29th, 2009 12:13 pm
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roadkingrider
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You can find an excellent selection of watchmaker tools @ Otto Frei. Check out their website @ http://www.ofrei.com/page235.html

Thanks!

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 Posted: Sun Mar 29th, 2009 10:39 pm
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DannyOcean
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roadkingrider wrote: You can find an excellent selection of watchmaker tools @ Otto Frei. Check out their website @ http://www.ofrei.com/page235.html.

Thanks!

Edit the period out at the end of you link face4.gif then it will work:dude:

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 Posted: Sun Mar 29th, 2009 10:48 pm
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Skipdawg
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DannyOcean wrote: roadkingrider wrote: You can find an excellent selection of watchmaker tools @ Otto Frei. Check out their website @ http://www.ofrei.com/page235.html.

Thanks!

Edit the period out at the end of you link face4.gif then it will work:dude:

Took care of that URL works fine now. ;)

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