I blame Marshall!!!

[Bigjay]

Hi everyone, I’m Jason from the UK and I am a complete newbie to this forum and having watched Marshall from Wristwatch Revival for a couple of years, and received some old watches when my mum passed away recently, I have decided to throw myself wholeheartedly into this hobby.

My main problem is I never do things by half and have already amassed a collection of tools and expensive equipment that I do not know how to use properly (I fully intend on taking Mark’s courses!).  My better half is on the verge of leaving me as she thinks im having an affair with the Amazon delivery driver due to the amount of visits he is making!!

My biggest dilemma at the moment is trying to work out what cleaning solutions and rinse solutions I should use is a 3 jar ultrasonic cleaner process (see told you I am way ahead of myself!)

Anyway, great to be here and hope to get in to some great convos with some of you soon!

[RichardHarris123]

Hello and welcome from Leeds, England. 

[watchweasol]

Hello and welcome to the rabbit hole known as watch repair, you will in time develope a (Tool) addiction. Every job needs a special tool……. Enjoy

[Bigjay]

In Time?? Its happened already!!

[Kalanag]

Welcome to this great forum. Marshall is a member here too 

[Bigjay]

Good!  I hope Marshall reads this and feels very pleased with himself when he realises that his inspiration and encouragement to take up this hobby has got me hooked like a crack addict to buying expensive little tools and endless searches for vintage watches to aspire to buy, repair and own!  My other half is exasperated with the amount of parcels turning up at our house, but secretly she loves Marshall too!!  Cheers Marshall!!  

[eccentric59]

4 hours ago, Bigjay said:

My other half is exasperated with the amount of parcels turning up at our house

One of the things I've discovered is that restoring old watchmaker's tools is almost as satisfying as restoring a vintage watch. Using the restored tool to restore a watch is like winning the lottery the day after they repeal capital gains taxes.  The Mrs. has progressed from saying "what, ANOTHER watch video?" to rolling her eyes when the packages show up with "what did you order now?". I fully expect any day now for her to say "what can't you just watch porn like the other husbands?"  

Welcome to the obsession. 

[gpraceman]

Welcome Jason.  I was already one who likes good tools, as I do handyman jobs on the side.  What's worse, is that I have had the attitude that I should gather tools that I might need in the future, as opposed to what I need for the current project.  I like having the right tool on hand, when I need it, and not having to put a project to the side while I hunt for a deal on a tool. 

Some of vintage tools are projects in themselves, as they need some cleanup and restoration.  My staking set was a good deal of work, to meticulously clean and lightly oil each piece.  Find some missing pieces.  Refinish the case.  It's now a thing of beauty that I love grabbing when it is needed.  Then there was the Seitz tool set...

The expense is the other thing.  Fortunately, my wife knows that whatever hobby that I get into I will try to make some money off of.  So far, I've been flipping some tools (while keeping the best for myself).  Hadn't started selling any of the watches that I have serviced, but I'm sure that is coming.  Though, sometimes I do try to secret away the latest package to arrive, before my wife sees it so I don't get that "what did you buy now?" question.

Edited October 8, 2024 by gpraceman

[tomh207]

I am getting quickly to the belief that watch fiddling is only a cover for our tool addiction

 

Tom

[Bigjay]

On 10/8/2024 at 2:42 PM, eccentric59 said:

One of the things I've discovered is that restoring old watchmaker's tools is almost as satisfying as restoring a vintage watch. Using the restored tool to restore a watch is like winning the lottery the day after they repeal capital gains taxes.  The Mrs. has progressed from saying "what, ANOTHER watch video?" to rolling her eyes when the packages show up with "what did you order now?". I fully expect any day now for her to say "what can't you just watch porn like the other husbands?"  

Welcome to the obsession. 

I’ve had the same comment too! I’m just now of an age where tools and titties share equal interest!