April 20, 2024

Owning a timepiece can be a complicated affair. You should think of your duties as the owner of a chronograph, field or dive watch in the same way you do automobile ownership, or a relationship: some TLC is required. There will be strap changes — many of them. Batteries will need to be replaced, scratches buffed, bracelet links added, removed and added yet again. What would your Instagram followers say if they knew your timepiece was haphazardly strewn on a bedside table every night where the cat could knock it to the hardwood? #careless. It needs to be properly housed and, if it’s powered by a self-winding movement, wouldn’t it be nice to strap it up fully charged each and every morning? Here are the tools you need to keep that special timepiece in tip-top shape, so you can hand it down to junior one day with just the right amount of patina.

Ed. Note: For a beginner’s set aimed at more straightforward repairs, this 144-piece kit does the trick for $20.
More Watches twiw-gear-patrol-omegaThe Watch News You Missed This Weekgp-laureato-gear-patrol-lead-featuredGirard-Perregaux Revives a Forgotten Watch from the ’70sSmall-Square-Watch-Nomos-Gear-Patrol-Lead-FeaturedThe Argument for a Smaller Watch

watch-tools-gear-patrol-watch-winder

Versa Automatic Double Watch Winder $60+

watch-tools-gear-patrol-safe

Stockinger Chimera Watch Safe Learn More

watch-tools-gear-patrol-watch-roll

GP Watch Roll $175

watch-tools-gear-patrol-watch-box

Hawthorne Crafts Bespoke Watch Box Learn More

watch-tools-gear-patrol-case-opener

Bergeron Case Opener $762

watch-tools-gear-patrol-timewheel-02

JAXA Type Case Back Wrench $24

watch-tools-gear-patrol-back-case-opener

Turpro Case Back Opening Knife $8

watch-tools-gear-patrol-pliers

Reversible Fork Springbar Pliers $90

watch-tools-gear-patrol-screwdrivers

5-Piece Watchmakers Screwdriver Set $10

watch-tools-gear-patrol-grobet-soap

Optima Polishing Compound $13