Tools & Equipment

At minimum you need a set of precision screwdrivers, anti-magnetic tweezers, a loupe (10x magnification), a case back opener, a movement holder, and Rodico cleaning putty. Bergeon and Horotec are the go-to brands for professionals. Budget around $300–$600 for quality starter tools that will last years.

Bergeon tools are Swiss-made with hardened, anti-magnetic steel and precision tolerances. Generic tools from Amazon or eBay often have soft metal that strips screws, magnetizes easily, and wears out quickly. Professional watchmakers universally recommend Bergeon, Horotec, or Dumont because a $40 screwdriver set that lasts a decade is cheaper than replacing $8 sets every few months.

Rolex and Omega watches require specific case back tools — a Jaxa-style wrench for screw-back cases (like the Bergeon 2819) and brand-specific die bits. You’ll also need a crystal press with appropriate dies, a waterproofness tester (Bergeon 5555), and a timing machine (timegrapher). Standard screwdrivers, tweezers, and hand tools are the same as general watchmaking.

For learning the very basics or a one-time battery change, a $20 kit can work. But if you plan to do regular repairs, cheap kits will frustrate you — the screwdriver tips strip, tweezers bend, and case openers scratch. Invest in individual quality tools as you need them rather than buying an all-in-one kit with 147 pieces you’ll never use.