A Course in Wristwatch Repair The Gruen Horological Text and Technical Bulletins. Compiled by Mike Barnett, 105 pages, black and white illustrations.

The Gruen Horological Text was really a joy to read. As a young watchmaker who has been exposed mostly to modern repair techniques, I found it reassuring to know that fundamentals of watchmaking have not changed. That is, the concepts that I was taught were also being taught in 1948. Unlike the WOSTEP textbook The Theory of Horology, which is full of formulas and theory about how watches operate, the Gruen text is an instructional guide in servicing and repairing mechanical timepieces.

The text follows the order of instruction in a watchmaking course taught by the Gruen watch company at a school they operated on their campus. At the beginning it covers watchmaking tools, their use, and preparation along with the basics of micro-mechanics including filing, sawing, and turning.

In the first 78 pages everything is covered from the critical basics like fitting the dial and hands and cleaning and oiling to the more advanced techniques like positional and temperature adjustment. The text is full of well written descriptions, step by step procedures, and accompanying illustrations. Obviously, hands on practice and constructive feedback are also necessary when learning these techniques.

Additional topics covered include:

• Balance wheel staff replacement, truing, and poising
• Hairspring formation, manipulation, vibrating, poising, adjusting, and untangling
• Jewel replacement
• Mainspring handling
• Escapement theory and adjustment
• Gear train calculations as well as how to recognize and solve problems with depthing
• Balance staff and stem fabrication
• Isochronal Adjustment
• Tightening loose cannon pinions
• Fitting and adjustment of watch bands

In addition to the basic techniques critical to watch repair of all brands, the book includes technical bulletins from Gruen covering the specifics of several Gruen Autowind models for gents and ladies, calendar models, and stem interchangeability.

For the beginner watchmaker this book serves as an excellent guide for topics that should be covered in their study of watchmaking. However, some caution should be exercised. While 95% of what is taught is still considered to be good watchmaking, some of the techniques would not be considered good watchmaking by modern standards. These techniques could be applied in the repair of vintage timepieces where parts are no longer available, but should not be used on modern production calibers for which parts can be readily obtained.

For the young watchmaker with modern training this book serves to build confidence in the techniques taught in school, as well as to expose the watchmaker to other techniques that were perhaps not taught in school. In addition, the book covers some topics appropriate to older timepieces but sometimes overlooked in modern training like the replacement of bezel type jewels and the turning of a new jewel setting.

For the experienced watchmaker the book is a good review of the basic techniques and a resource for technical information specific to some Gruen calibers.

The Gruen Horological Text puts forth an excellent watchmaking course that, if followed by a diligent student who has access to an instructor or mentor to critique their work, could produce a well qualified watchmaker.

UPDATE: We have redirected all book links directly to the author’s web page. When you follow any of these links to gruenwrsitwatches.com and purchase the book, you are purchasing the book directly from the author and you help support Mr. Barnett in his endeavors. Watchmakingblog.com also gets a small commission. Please mention that you read the review here to show your support for the blog.

In addition, fans of Gruen wristwatches can find lots of valuable information and discussion at the author’s page gruenwristwatches.com

The History of Watches
by David Thompson
175 pages Hardcover with full color photographs, Abbeville Press 2008
Showcases the incomparable collection of watches at the British Museum
Includes bibliographical references, index, and glossary.

My father-in-law is the kind of person who, when he is at a museum, reads every plaque about every artifact. If you are like my father-in-law, then this is the book for you. After a fantastic introduction to the book and the history of watches in general, Thompson highlights 77 watches contained in the British Museum. The watches are arranged in chronological order and range from a 1560 tambour cased watch to a 2007 radio controlled wristwatch. Each chapter reads like a plaque that would accompany the watch in the museum.

The watches presented in the book are tremendous examples from watchmaking history and the photography (by Saul Peckham) is exceptional. The book serves as a fantastic reference for collectors or restorers as it surveys the work of many watchmakers, working mostly in London and Europe, pointing out the defining characteristics of each region, time period, and watchmaker with photographs of the watches inside and out.

The book is a history of the watchmaking profession as much as it is a history of watches. Thompson describes in much detail the circumstances of the watchmaker as well as case-makers, bell makers, pendant makers, enamelers, and all other tradesman involved in the art of creating fine timepieces. Thompson discusses the technical capabilities of each watch, but fails to describe how such feats were accomplished in a manner that would appeal to a watchmaker.

Whether you are a collector of historical timepieces, or just interested in expanding your knowledge of the history of our trade, this book is worth reading. My knowledge of the watchmaking trade was greatly expanded and I have a much greater appreciation for early watches. Should I ever need to date a watch from the 17th or 18th century or attribute it to a specific maker, I will definitely include this book among those I turn to as a reference.

Note: It wasn’t more than two weeks after reading this book that I came across an example of a watch very similar to one illustrated in this book and it proved very useful in identifying the piece.