Here is a full summary of all the lessons and topics found in Level 1 of this course, The Basics.
Level 1 of the Watch Repair Course provides more than 2 hours of teaching with 42 full high definition videos, plus access to our bonus videos specific to level 1 as well as full access to our back catalog of watch repair videos.
All the images you find below, and on this whole web page are actual screen shots from the lesson videos. Once you have gained access to the course level, you will have access to it for as long as you need – there are no time limits. This will allow you to go over and review all the course content as many times as you like, even after you have completed the course.
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42 High Definition Videos
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1 Certificate of Completion
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What you will learn in Level 1
You will be learning watch repair from the ground up over the course of several modules we call 'levels'. This is Level 1 and in this first level, we shall start by discussing your optimal working environment, then proceed to talk about some of the tools and equipment you will be using, giving you clear demonstrations on how to use them.
Everything you need to know in order to get started
We will discuss some of the consumable products you will need such as oils and greases. You will learn about the different types of watch cases, glasses, crowns, pushers, straps. Finally we will concentrate on the anatomy of the watch movement, and the different components. You will be shown how to identify watch parts and calibers of movement.
Level 1 Course Content
Please find below a detailed description of all the lessons and topics found within Level 1 of the Watch Repair Course.
C1.0.0 Introduction & Overview
This lesson includes two videos including an introduction to the course as well as an overview of the upcoming lessons.
C1.1.0 Work Environment
Discussing the importance of being in a quiet and stress free environment when working on watches. You can potentially be working for many hours on a project and so being comfortable and maintaining a healthy working position is absolutely essential to your well being and also to your productivity.
c1.1.1 Workshop Lighting
You will be working with your eyes very close to your work and so it is very important to have good lighting. We shall discuss the ideal lighting environment for your work area.
c1.1.2 Your Workbench
Discussing an ideal work bench setup including height. This will allow you to sit with your back straight whilst you are working. It is not desirable to sit for long amounts of time with your back curved whilst you are hunched over your work.
c1.1.3 Your Seating
As you will be sitting for long periods of time, it is also very important to choose your chair carefully.
C1.2.0 Essential Tools
There are so many different tools designed for different aspects of watch repairing, it would be difficult to go through them all. Some are essential from the start and others you can acquire as you progress.
c1.2.1 Watchmakers Screwdrivers
The top of the purchase list for your tools collection would have to be screwdrivers. And to be specific, Watchmakers Screwdrivers. This lesson provides an overview of the different kinds of screwdrivers and demonstrates their use.
c1.2.2 Watchmakers Tweezers
Just like screwdrivers, I would place equal importance on the acquisition of Watchmakers tweezers. This lesson discusses the options and recommendations when considering the addition of watchmakers tweezers to your initial watch repair tool kit.
c1.2.3 Optics
In order to see what you are working on, it is highly recommended to purchase a Watchmakers eyeglass (sometimes called a loupe).
This lesson goes over the different types and their usage.
c1.2.4 Dust Protection
No matter how clean your work environment is, the battle with dust is always a constant in the life of a watch repairer. The best way to protect your workpiece against dust contamination, especially when re-assembling a movement, is to make sure your bench is clean before every job.
c1.2.5 Benzine Jar
A common practice in watch repair would be to de-grease certain parts to remove old oil deposits. A traditional substance used for this purpose was Benzine, although it is considered a health risk these days and is quite difficult to obtain. There are modern substitutes available however, and the fluid will usually come in a large container. Hence the need for a benzine jar.
c1.2.6 Air Blower
When repairing watches, it is not good practice to blow on a watch movement with your mouth. But it is very tempting to do so if you spot a small spec of dust. It is much better to use an Air Blower or Bellows.
C1.3.0 Consumable Products
Discussing the tools you will need to have on hand a number of products to aid you in effective watch cleaning and repair. In fact, there are some products which are easily available and you may even have on hand. Whilst others are rather specialized to the horology trade.
c1.3.1 Pegwood
Pegwood – lengths of wooden sticks in various thicknesses used by watch repairers for several different cleaning tasks.
c1.3.2 Rodico
One Touch or Rodico, a brand name of Bergeon, is a little wonder product for watch repairers and can be used for many different tasks.
c1.3.3 De-Greasing Solutions
In order to effectively clean watch components you will need to have a de-greasing solution to hand. A de-greasing solution will help to soften and break down old oil and grease deposits, and this is absolutely vital when servicing a watch movement.
c1.3.4 Watch Cleaning Fluids
Discussing the various watch cleaning and rinsing fluids used when servicing watch movements.
c1.3.5 Paper or Tissue
After soaking or rinsing watch parts you are encouraged to dry them as quickly as possible. Of course, if you are doing this by hand you would be using a bellows or air blower. This lesson explains why it is useful to have a stock of paper or tissue handy when repairing watches.
c1.3.6 Finger Cotts
Although not entirely necessary when taking a watch movement to pieces ready for cleaning, it is very important to not touch the watch movement with your bare fingers when re-assembling or re-casing. Hence the need for Finger Cotts.
C1.4.0 The Watch Case
A watch, whilst being a scientific instrument serving an important purpose in our day to day lives, would also be considered a piece of jewellery or even a fashion accessory.
For some, it is more important for the watch to be a reliable and accurate timepiece and for others the style and design is the primary concern when choosing a watch.
c1.4.1 Watch Glasses
Watch glasses can be made from several different materials depending on the function and style of the watch. In this lesson, we discuss the most common types.
c1.4.2 Winding Crowns
The winding crown is attached to the movement via the winding stem. The crown allows the user to wind up the spring in the watch, and with most modern watches it is also used as a means to alter the time.
c1.4.3 Case Pushers
Another common component of the watch case is the watch pusher or corrector. Typically these will be installed for watches with additional complications such as chronographs, calendars or moon phase mechanisms.
c1.4.4 Watch Straps & Spring Bars
Watches can be worn in various ways. A pocket watch, for example, will be attached to the wearer, perhaps to a waistcoat, with a chain hooked to the pendant called an Albert chain. Fob watches on the other hand will usually be attached to a chain and worn as a necklace.
C1.5.0 The Watch Movement
Now that we have covered the basic requirements to get started in watch repair, we go on to discuss the watch movement itself. The mechanical watch movement is a mechanism which has a set of connected components engineered in order to ultimately present the time in as accurate a manner as possible.
c1.5.1 The Power Source
A mechanical watch will need to be running under its own power. And for this, a long spiral of spring steel, themainspring, will be installed into a specially formed wheel, the mainspring barrel (or Going Barrel). The outer coil of the mainspring is secured to the outer wall of the barrel, whilst the inner coil of the spring is hooked to the barrel arbor.
c1.5.2 The Train of Wheels
The train of wheels in a mechanical watch provides two functions. First of all the train delivers power from the power source in a uniform and controlled manner by use of a specific reduction ratio in the gears. The train of wheels will deliver this power to the oscillator through the watch escapement.
c1.5.3 The Watch Escapement
So we have established that a watch will have a power source, the mainspring and barrel, and this power source causes the train of wheels to turn until the power is depleted. The watch escapement regulates the rate at which the wheels turn. This lesson shows you how.
c1.5.4 The Motion Work
In order for the mechanical watch to display the time there must be some form of additional gearing to utilise the rotation of the train of wheels. And for this we have the motion work.
c1.5.5 The Keyless Work
In this lesson we discus the sub-mechanism within a watch movement responsible for both allowing the user to wind the watch up as well as control the position of the watch hands - The Keyless Work.
c1.5.6 Identifying Watch Parts
Even with the most basic of mechanical watch movements, the amount of parts may seem a bit overwhelming. In this very comprehensive lesson we will identify and name all the parts of the basic mechanical watch movement.
c1.6.0 Summary
Following your assessment, this final video lesson provides a summary and conclusion of Level 1.
Recent Reviews For Level 1
Here are some of the most recent feedback comments we have received for Level 1 of our Watch Repair Course. If you are enrolled on any of our course levels, you can send us feedback via a link found on your account dashboard.
The Watch Repair Course Levels !, 2 and 3
Submitted on: January 26, 2024
By: livelywe on Level 1: Getting Started
I was looking for a online course for watch repair when I came a cross this one on YouTube and WOW what a course it is, It is everything you…
In depth guide to the basics
Submitted on: January 26, 2024
By: atlithor on Level 1: Getting Started
This course was recommended by Marshall, the creator of the YouTube channel “Wristwatch revival” and I can’t thank him enough! This is exactly what I was looking for as I…
Getting started
Submitted on: January 26, 2024
By: rclaudet54 on Level 1: Getting Started
I really like the approach to this schooling. He breaks the information down and builds understanding of the tools, workplace and movement systems in a way that isn’t boring or…
