Watchlords

Lords,
I have decided to teach myself how to change watch batteries. I went to Esslinger's there are eight pages of tools for batteries. I’m sure I won’t need them all. Can anyone suggest a good kit to buy or exactly what tools I will need I figure I can go on YouTube to learn how to change batteries any other suggestions would be helpful.

Here’s what I use. I also buy my batteries from Esslinger, Energizer brand.



Screw-down case backs:

Bergeon case opening ball. $8.99. I try this first on the screw case backs and can be used for unscrewing and tightening. It’s a few bucks more than the generics but it grips better.
https://www.esslinger.com/bergeon-8008- ... ning-ball/


Jaxa tool. $19.99. This opens the tight ones and gives the final snug.
https://www.esslinger.com/universal-wat ... axa-style/



Snap on case backs:

Case opener knife. $4.95
https://www.esslinger.com/watchmakers-w ... -4-inches/


Pry tool. $3.50. I use this more than the knife.
https://www.esslinger.com/watch-case-ba ... -3-inches/



Optional:

Gasket lube. $4.99. I lube every gasket.
https://www.esslinger.com/watch-gasket- ... ne-grease/


Finger cots. $12.75. Keep those greasy fingers covered.
https://www.esslinger.com/latex-finger- ... -or-large/


Tweezers. $2.95. Some have a retainer you may need to loosen or remove.
https://www.esslinger.com/mm-tweezer/


Case Press. $16.48. Some snap backs need more than a push to get back on, so a press may be in order.
https://www.esslinger.com/watch-tool-mi ... ylon-dies/


Micro screwdriver set if you don’t have one. $26.99. For battery retainers.
https://www.esslinger.com/watch-and-jew ... -set-of-9/


Bergeon 6767-F watch band tool. $17.88. You’ll need to undo a bracelet at some point.
https://www.esslinger.com/bergeon-6767- ... -bar-tool/



You may want a magnifying visor, but for batteries I just use a cheap pair of reading glasses if needed.

Racer-X wrote: ↑

January 30th 2023, 10:41am

Here’s what I use. I also buy my batteries from Esslinger, Energizer brand.



Screw-down case backs:

Bergeon case opening ball. $8.99. I try this first on the screw case backs and can be used for unscrewing and tightening. It’s a few bucks more than the generics but it grips better.
https://www.esslinger.com/bergeon-8008- ... ning-ball/


Jaxa tool. $19.99. This opens the tight ones and gives the final snug.
https://www.esslinger.com/universal-wat ... axa-style/



Snap on case backs:

Case opener knife. $4.95
https://www.esslinger.com/watchmakers-w ... -4-inches/


Pry tool. $3.50. I use this more than the knife.
https://www.esslinger.com/watch-case-ba ... -3-inches/



Optional:

Gasket lube. $4.99. I lube every gasket.
https://www.esslinger.com/watch-gasket- ... ne-grease/


Finger cots. $12.75. Keep those greasy fingers covered.
https://www.esslinger.com/latex-finger- ... -or-large/


Tweezers. $2.95. Some have a retainer you may need to loosen or remove.
https://www.esslinger.com/mm-tweezer/


Case Press. $16.48. Some snap backs need more than a push to get back on, so a press may be in order.
https://www.esslinger.com/watch-tool-mi ... ylon-dies/


Micro screwdriver set if you don’t have one. $26.99. For battery retainers.
https://www.esslinger.com/watch-and-jew ... -set-of-9/


Bergeon 6767-F watch band tool. $17.88. You’ll need to undo a bracelet at some point.
https://www.esslinger.com/bergeon-6767- ... -bar-tool/



You may want a magnifying visor, but for batteries I just use a cheap pair of reading glasses if needed.

Damn, thats like building a chicken coop, buying chickens and feed and waiting six months for the first egg that only cost you $5,000.

I have a Sears Micro screwdriver set (best Ive ever found but possibly not available any more) lube (not that kind) and a caseback tool from ebay. Best place to buy batteries is Swatchbatteries.com. Use scotch tape on case back slots and you will never scratch one.

I use something like this as opposed to a magnifying head band or visor.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Willstar-5X- ... /851816044

If you get one, make sure it has a good base clamp like this one, cheap clamps will just frustrate you.
It also helps reading the small print on dials and movements.
Sometimes I use it for pictures.

Esslinger is awesome and Rx offered a great list!

However, since you aren’t (at this point, anyway) going to conduct a CO&A on your mechanicals there may be no or minimal risk in checking out some of the low priced options on eBay.

Then, you can always upgrade down the road as you get more serious.

Sort of like getting a set of Harbor Freight tools before a big spend with Snap-On…

I was thinking of buying these two kits. I think almost everything is covered from list X posted

https://www.esslinger.com/make-my-own-watch-tool-kit/
https://www.esslinger.com/watch-back-op ... ing-tools/

Being the cheapo that I am: I bought many of my tools from eBay. Just kept looking around till I found the best pricing on what I wanted/needed. I got a plastic 'block' with holes to take link pins out, a small like 2-3 oz brass hammer, buy a couple of individual small screwdrivers from a hardware store - you don't need the whole set.
I also got a quality pair of tweezers and I bought a nylon pair of tweezers that I use to take out or put in battery (so I don't short them out).
The batteries I buy -- look for brand names on eBay and then buy like a six pack of them.
Get yourself a cross reference for battery swaps -- you would be surprised what will fit.
If you got a funky piece of metal holding in battery or spacer around the movement -- take a couple of pix of it. Don't ask me how I know this.
The case back taker offer is just a three prong adjustable tool that fits about 90% of all my watches. I think I paid less than 8 bucks for it on eBay.
Unless you got a business going on changing batteries, you don't need Cadillac tools when Kia tools will do same job.
I also bought a vertical tackle box from Bass Pro to house all the tools and batteries in.

“ Unless you got a business going on changing batteries, you don't need Cadillac tools when Kia tools will do same job.”