Practical Watch Repairing

by Donald De Carle

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.

Genres: Reference, Nonfiction

620 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 28, 1986

Reviews

[George · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a primer to a potential new hobby, this book disappointed a little in that it was apparently written for a journeyman watchmaker who had or had access to a great deal of equipment and facilities to which I do not have access. That said, it is clearly written and decently instructive.

[Serge Pierro · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good introduction to the art of horology. However, it is a bit dated as it does not include the methodology used by many contemporary practitioners, such as the use of finger cots, and could use an update on both techniques and equipment. It is clearly tilted towards someone who either has or has access to specific equipment - especially when talking about making replacement parts. Not many people I know have a lathe just sitting around.

Never the less, there is a lot of useful information contained within.