Product Description: Horology expert Donald de Carle reveals how to repair and adjust the modern watch.
The absorbing and everlasting subject of watch repairing has been dealt with in books in many languages throughout the years. But when de Carle first set out to write Practical Watch Repairing in 1946, it was with the intention of creating a textbook "that a watchmaker can understand, even if he can't read." With over 550 instructional black-and-white illustrations and an approach that assumes no prior watch-repairing experience, this book achieves and surpasses that lofty mission, and has been touted as "the best illustrated book on practical horology" (Horological Journal) ever written. For the readers in his audience, de Carle has provided well-informed discourse on every topic a watchmaker, or aspiring watchmaker, needs to know. With Practical Watch Repairing, even a layman can become a watch-repair specialist. 553 b/w illustrations.
Not for Novice Watch repairmen Practical Watch RepairingMuch to detail and busy text for the novice user. Pictures are to small to really be very useful in simple repairs.
Practical Watch Repairing (Hardcover) I wanted a book that would help me understand and at the end allow me to repair or clean, oil and adjust a watch. This book didn't do it. It says you can start as a beginner. Wrong. Regardless of what other reviewers say, you will not end up disassembling and reassembling a vintage wristwatch. The material is too old and does not cover how you can do the tasks mentioned in the book with today's technology. You'll wind up falling to sleep.
Maybe not so Practical As a watchmaker by Trade, i bought this out of curiosity. From the techinques of openning a watch case to the description of indiviual watch parts is grossly outdated. New technology in watch production rendered this book obsolete and would only be suited to someone whose advanced in their studies as a watchmaker rather than a novice.
Practical Watch Repairing Book This product, though very good, was not what I expected. It is apparently a very early book on watch repair (updated through the years), written by a watch repairman. The book targets persons wanting to begin a watch repair business, so it included the ideal work space, all the tools necessary to begin an ultimately profitable business, all good information but more than I wanted or needed. It is sometimes difficult to read because a few sections are quite technical and include jargon, but I was also able to locate and understand the information I needed for my own home watch repairs.
Mechanical watch repair I am amazed that this book (my edition printed in 2006) is an exact copy of a 1971 printing. Mechanical watches of today are readily described in this 35 year old text.
The 1971 dust jacket has hand drawn lettering. The 2006 dust jacket has been cleaned up by computer aided drawing. It was amazing to find out that the author passed away in 1989. He unfortunately lived long enough to see the Japanese demolish the mechanical watch industry.
This book does have a place in today's world...The mechanical Swiss Watch is making a comeback, although limited to those willing to invest in a $400 and up watch. But if you buy a good Swiss mechanical, it can be passed down and repaired by your heirs.. This book will probably still be available, when your heirloom is in need of repair...
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