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[Repair Gear] Demagnetizing and Regulating (alien.top)

submitted 1 year ago by graduation-dinner@alien.top to c/watches@style.land

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I recently purchased another antique watch and it seems to be running well besides running quite a bit fast. I am interested in learning repairs as a hobby, so this doesn't bother me - I'd like to learn how to fix it. I tested with a compass which deflected about 8 degrees, so my hunch is magnetism is the problem, but I'd also like to regulate it.

I'm wondering if there is a decent demagnetizer out there that that anyone could vouch for. I'm seeing ones that only cost $10, $15 on amazon. I know it's just a coil, but are these really good enough?

For regulation, I'd like to be able to measure beat error. I've seen a whole host of possible tools to do this. What's a good entry level tool? Are smartphone options legit?

Lastly, I have some watchmakers flatnose pliers (knipex) already from another hobby, but what are some screwdrivers and other useful tools to have? I noticed in one of my other watches, the angle to reach the screw to adjust the regulator is kinda rough.

Any other tool recommendations or general tips on beginning watch repair are welcome!

TIA

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[–] MyNameIsVigil@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

The cheap demagnetizers are fine. Magnetization is extremely rare, so you won't need it often. To measure timekeeping, you'll want a timegrapher. The common, cheap Weishi 1000 ones are good. The smartphone apps are crap. The fundamental watch repair tools are screwdrivers and tweezers. Get a few screwdrivers from 0.8mm to maybe 1.6mm, and a #2 tweezer. I'd suggest starting with cheap tools and then upgrading if you wear those out. You'll need a loupe if you want to start working on wrist watches.