Beginner Watchmaking: How to Build Your Very First Watch: Volume 1

I've read many negative reviews from people complaining that this book doesn't teach you how to construct watch parts, well the problem with this is that this book is aimed at the total novice and the construction of movement components is a very advanced subject for the seasoned watch repairer, not to mention a costly hobby. What this book sets out to do is guide you through your first steps into modifying and custom building your first watches using off the shelf parts, and it does this very well indeed. It's not confusingly technical and it's never boring, unlike many other books this one is packed with large images making everything simple to follow. Personally as someone who has been repairing watches for a long time I didn't learn a great deal as far as technical skills, what I did get though was the drive to built my own watch from scratch, and where this book has been very valuable to me is in the links it's provides to parts suppliers. I knew where to get hold of generic parts such as crystals, movements and replacement hands but had no idea where to get custom dials and cases etc... Also when you get this book your provided with a link to the author's website where you can download updates and any new guides that the author has written.All in all I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it.

Excellent informative guide, would have given five stars but some of the images are a bit dark. On the whole a very worthwhile read.

Great book for beginners. I was contemplating whether to give it four or five stars because of the real poor quality of the images, but after considering that the book is very well put and the even though the images are bad nevertheless it was done right and greatly put for the Beginner, and for a very basic book I would add that I am sure each reader will find this part or another too basic (reading some of other customers reviews) because it is not an individually tailored to you or me but as I've said I have found it so much better than "Watch Repairing as a Hobby" which has very confusing illustrations and sometimes when the writer refers to an illustration he won't mention the page nor illustration number and it doesn't even try to talk about Quartz Watches. Save your money and buy the Beginner Watchmaking: How to Build... and in addition, you will have the entire book online plus updates and very quick and prompted response from the writer or team as it was done with me.

On the plus side, it's a quick read (took me about an hour) and it has some useful information for those with no background in what makes watches work. Also, it gives you access to a website full of updated information and a colour PDF version of the book, which is highly commendable.On the down side: it's not very well written; it starts talking about watch parts well before explaining what they are and the photography is very poor in places.The title is also a little misleading. If you are expecting a book that will explain how to make a watch from scratch, tiny cogs and all, then this is not the book for you. If, however, you fancy changing the dial, hands or glass on a pre-bought watch, then this book will be useful.If you get the print version, it is in black and white and the paper quality is pretty awful - after reading it for half an hour, the front cover remained curled almost to the vertical.Overall? Probably just about worth it.

Great book for many reasons.Very easy to read and not overly complicated writing style.Step by step simple walk through of what things are and chronological order of assembly or inspection.Offers viable and cheap places to buy all parts and tools described as you go along so you can keep your inventory up to date with the text.The photos that go with each stage are in great definition and are perfect for what is being described.Lastly the book doesn't run before it walks. It takes things at he exact appropriate pace to a beginners level.All I would say is to have a cheap watch handy whilst you read so you can follow along in real life.

Well informed book. Quick delivery. Thanx

the diagrams, repair examples and content are aimed at the amateur who, at most, might want to replace hands, dials or movements in cases bought online or 2nd hand watches; for hobbyists not professional watchmakers

Ideal and with more visuals and pictures very easy to follow