Chandru asked if I could suggest some good books about watch repair and servicing. Unfortunately I haven’t read any. Most of my learning comes from the classroom and from asking questions — which is in my opinion the best way to learn. I have never been one to pick up a book and learn something from it. I learn much better in a lecture or practical situation.

In addition most of the good books on watchmaking were written many, many years ago — and while much of what they contain is still valid and useful information, the books themselves are out of print. Some good sources for horological texts are AWCI, eBay, and Simonin Publishing.

That aside, I will make some recommendations. UNLESS you are preparing for a certification exam or have a keen desire to learn exactly how a watch works I would NOT recommend the WOSTEP Textbook,
The Theory of Horology. It is a fantastic book and a great reference which I use all the time, but it does NOT tell you how to service a watch. It simply explains the theory of how watches work. To learn the techniques of servicing, AWCI has a suggested reading list to use in preparing for the CW21 Exam on page 34 of the Standards and Practices Document. Some of the highlights are as follows:

• Bulova School Training Manual – I have browsed this manual and it is well prepared.
• Henry Fried’s The Watch Repairer’s Manual, Fourth Edition
• Jendritzki’s The Swiss Watch Repairer’s Manual

In addition I would add:

• DeCarle’s
  Practical Watch Repairing
• George Daniel’s Watchmaking for techniques useful in restoration of timepieces.

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