Practical Watch Repairing

by Donald De Carle

With over 550 black-and-white illustrations and an approach that assumes no prior watch-repairing experience, Donald de Carle’s classic book is essential for any beginner or experienced horologist. It’s been called "the best illustrated book on practical horology ever written"— Horological Journal The absorbing and everlasting subject of watch repairing has been dealt with in books in many languages throughout the years. But when Practical Watch Repairing was first published in the middle of the twentieth century, he intended to create a book "that a watchmaker can understand, even if he can't read." For the readers in his audience, de Carle has provided well-informed discourse on every topic a watchmaker, or aspiring watchmaker, needs to know. He With Practical Watch Repairing , even a layman can become a watch-repair specialist.

Genres: Reference, Nonfiction

336 pages, Paperback

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.