Tool at the watchmaker's bench

Watchmakers' tools are small, precise and specialized. It is about being able to handle very small parts without damaging them and about seeing what is too small for the naked eye.

Tweezers and watchmaker's screwdrivers in many sizes are daily bread. They must be in good condition: tweezers with a skewed tip or a screwdriver that doesn't fit damages the parts and you yourself.

• 01Tweezers in various sizes and shapes
• 02Watchmaker screwdrivers adapted for small screws
• 03Magnifying glass or microscope for magnification
• 04Holders and trays to keep track of parts

You cannot work precisely with what you cannot see. Good lighting and magnification — from a simple magnifying glass to a microscope — are a prerequisite for fine work.

For cleaning, suitable agents are used, often in special equipment, and for lubrication, machine oils are used that each suit specific places in the engine. Knowing the difference is part of the craft.

The craft has also gained new tools over the years. You learn to use contemporary equipment and stay current so you can work with both old and new watches.