10 Essential Watch Tools Every Collector Should Know
written by Mads – November 28, 2025
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The tools you need and don’t need.
Many watch collectors eventually reach a point where curiosity turns into hands-on interest.
Changing a strap, adjusting a bracelet or opening a caseback for the first time often leads to a deeper fascination with the mechanics of a watch. Having the right tools makes this process safer, easier and far more enjoyable.
This guide introduces ten essential watch tools that many enthusiasts eventually add to their workbench — from simple strap tools to more advanced equipment used when inspecting or regulating a mechanical movement.
1. Spring Bar Tool
For most watch enthusiasts, the spring bar tool is the first proper watch tool they buy. It allows you to remove or change watch straps safely and quickly. While very cheap tools exist, they often bend or slip, which can easily scratch the lugs of a watch.
Over time many collectors end up upgrading to a better tool. One of the most widely used models is the Bergeon 6767-F, a tool known for its reliability and precision. It features a solid fork tip and a pusher end that works particularly well on watches with drilled lug holes.
2. Screwdrivers
If you plan to adjust bracelets or work on movements, a proper set of screwdrivers is essential. Cheap screwdrivers often have soft tips that wear out quickly. When that happens, they can easily slip and damage screws or bridges inside a movement.
A small set with sizes around 1.6 mm to 2.5 mm covers most everyday tasks. Many enthusiasts eventually upgrade to higher-quality screwdrivers from brands like Bergeon, which are widely used by professional watchmakers.
3. Tweezers
Tweezers are one of the most frequently used tools when handling watch parts.
They allow you to pick up screws, wheels and other delicate components with precision. A good pair of antimagnetic tweezers is especially useful when working near the balance or hairspring.
Many watchmakers keep several types on the bench. Sizes #2 or #3 are versatile for general work, while finer tweezers such as #5 are designed for very delicate components.
Brass tweezers are also helpful when handling larger parts because the softer material reduces the risk of scratches.
4. Caseback remover
Opening the caseback is often the first step when inspecting or servicing a watch.
Many vintage watches, including numerous Seiko models, use threaded casebacks with small notches. A traditional caseback opener allows you to engage these notches and unscrew the back safely.
Another useful tool is a caseback friction ball. It works by creating friction against the caseback and can often remove it without any metal-to-metal contact. This reduces the risk of scratches and works particularly well when the caseback is not extremely tight.
5. Movement holder
Once a watch is opened, the movement should never simply be placed on the table. A movement holder supports the movement while protecting delicate parts such as the cannon pinion and the sweep second pinion. These components can easily be bent if the movement is handled incorrectly.
Universal movement holders such as the Bergeon 4040 or 4039 are widely used and can accommodate a variety of movement sizes. Using a proper holder makes working on a movement much more stable and controlled.
6. Rodico
Rodico is one of the most versatile materials used in watchmaking. It is a soft cleaning compound that can remove dust, fingerprints and small particles from watch components without leaving residue. Watchmakers often use it to clean jewel holes or to gently lift small parts.
Rodico is also extremely useful when handling delicate components that are difficult to pick up with tweezers. It may look simple, but it quickly becomes one of the most frequently used items on the workbench.
7. Oiling Tools
Proper lubrication is critical for the performance of a mechanical watch.
Special oilers allow watchmakers to apply tiny amounts of oil to jewel holes and pivots. Applying too little oil can increase friction, while too much oil can spread across the movement and cause problems.
Oil pots are also helpful for keeping different lubricants organized while working.
For hobbyists, a simple set of oilers is usually sufficient to get started.
8. Watch cushion
A watch cushion is a simple but extremely useful tool. It provides a soft and stable surface that supports the watch while you work on it. This prevents scratches and keeps the case from moving around while adjusting the bracelet or opening the caseback. Many collectors underestimate this tool at first, but it quickly becomes part of any comfortable watch workspace.
9. Loupe
A loupe allows you to see details that are invisible to the naked eye. Collectors often use it to inspect dial printing, examine case wear or read reference numbers inside the case. It is also invaluable when working on a movement.
Magnifications around 5x to 10x are usually ideal for watch work. Once you start using a loupe regularly, it becomes one of the most natural tools in the collecting process.
10. Timegrapher
A timegrapher is a more advanced tool used to measure the performance of a mechanical watch.
It records values such as rate, amplitude and beat error, which makes it possible to evaluate how well a movement is running. Professional watchmakers often use high-end machines, but hobbyists can already learn a lot from simpler timing machines.
Using a timegrapher helps collectors better understand how mechanical watches behave and how regulation affects accuracy.
Building Your Watch Toolkit
Most collectors do not buy all of these tools at once. A spring bar tool and a loupe are often the first steps. From there, curiosity gradually leads deeper into the mechanics of mechanical watches.
Over time the toolkit grows – and with it the appreciation for the engineering inside a mechanical watch. For many enthusiasts, working on watches becomes a natural extension of collecting them.
