A watchmaker tool set sounds like a workshop, but in daily life it is mainly one thing: an inexpensive way to handle a few recurring small jobs yourself. Battery flat, metal bracelet too loose, leather strap worn through: you do not have to go to a specialist every time for any of this. A solid set with a spring bar tool, case opener, screwdrivers and a pin pusher covers these tasks and costs less than a single workshop visit.
The sets at a glance
Nine tools and sets, from the all-round recommendation to the specialist, sorted by purpose and editorial rating. The price classes are rough guides; actual prices vary by version and availability in the shop.
| Model | Parts / purpose | Material | Price range | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eventronic Set | 154 pieces, all-round | Steel, nylon pouch | low-priced | 4,1/5 |
| Los Gatos Reparaturset | 149 pieces, all-round | Steel, in case | low-priced | 4,0/5 |
| Jorest Werkzeuge Set | Battery, strap, spring bars | Steel | low-priced | 4,0/5 |
| Brüder Mannesmann M11760 | Complete set, loupe, opener, spring bars | Steel in aluminium case | Entry level | 3,9/5 |
| ORAGKE Uhrenpresse | Closing the case, 12 dies | Steel, plastic dies | mid-range | 4,2/5 |
| Jorest Armband-Set | Links and spring bars | Steel | low-priced | 3,9/5 |
| Mocoli Entmagnetisierer | Demagnetising, 220 V | Metal, electric | low-priced | 3,8/5 |
| Jorest Batteriewechsel-Set | Battery, spring bars, case | Steel with plastic handle | low-priced | 4,0/5 |
| Jorest Gehäuse- und Bandset | Case opener, shortening links | Steel | low-priced | 3,9/5 |
The sets in detail
Eventronic watchmaker tool set, 154 pieces
- Extensive set for battery changes, strap adjustment and spring bar swaps in one case
- Includes case opener, screwdrivers, spring bar tool and replacement bars for common tasks
- A good start for handling typical small jobs yourself instead of going to the watchmaker every time
- As with all inexpensive complete sets, some individual pieces are hobby rather than workshop quality
Los Gatos watch repair set, 149 pieces
- Extensive collection with pin pusher, hammer, tweezers, openers and spring bar tool
- Covers battery changes, shortening bracelets and swapping spring bars for beginners
- Many spare parts included, so worn bars can be replaced right away
- No substitute for professional workshop tools in daily use
Jorest watch tool set
- Solid set for battery changes, shortening straps and swapping spring bars
- A pin pusher for removing bracelet links is already included
- Clearly organised, well suited as a first tool set of your own
- For screw-down or water-resistant cases, the watchmaker is still the one to go to
Brüder Mannesmann watchmaker tool set M11760
- Complete set in an aluminium case: 5x loupe, case openers for pressed and for screw-down case backs, spring bar tool, spring bar assortment, O-rings, tweezers and a screwdriver set
- Covers exactly the jobs for which you would otherwise make the trip to a specialist: battery changes and strap changes on pocket watches and wristwatches
- A fixed model number, M11760, from an established German tool brand instead of changing marketplace names, which makes reordering and finding spare parts easier
- Entry-level segment: the set does not match the precision of professional tools such as those from Bergeon, and it is explicitly not intended for work on the movement
ORAGKE watch press with 12 dies
- Press with twelve plastic dies for cleanly closing cases with a snap-on back
- Vertical pressure guidance distributes the force evenly, and the dies protect against scratches
- Useful if you want to reliably close snap-on case backs again after a battery change
- Only for cases with a snap-on back; screw-down backs and water-resistant watches belong with the watchmaker
Jorest watch strap tool set
- Focused on everyday metal bracelet work: removing links and swapping spring bars
- According to the manufacturer, includes twenty spring bars and thirteen replacement pins as wear parts
- With a user manual that explains the procedure step by step for beginners
- Not a complete set; for a battery change you also need an opener and screwdrivers
Mocoli Watch Demagnetiser
- Solves one specific problem: a magnetised watch that suddenly runs much too fast or too slow
- Simple push-button use, suitable for quartz and mechanical watches according to the manufacturer
- A sensible addition when magnetism disturbs timekeeping accuracy
- Purely a specialist tool, of no use for strap or battery work
JOREST watchmaker tool set for battery changes
- Covers exactly the jobs that are reasonable to do at home: changing the battery of a quartz watch, swapping a strap and removing links
- The case back opener works with a blade and lever, and a pin pusher for metal bracelets and a spring bar tool are included
- Smaller and cheaper than the large cases with over a hundred pieces, most of which stay in the box anyway
- The usefulness ends with screw-down or water-resistant cases: without a seal replacement and pressure test, the watch belongs with a watchmaker
JOREST set for opening cases and shortening bracelets
- The case wrench grips screw-down case backs positively, instead of you slipping with a blade and scarring the edge of the case back
- The pin pusher removes links from metal bracelets, which is the most common job after buying a watch online
- Both functions in one purchase instead of two individual tools that barely differ in price
- It partly overlaps with the battery change set; buying both together only makes sense if you really need both focus areas
Whether one of your watches is magnetised at all, you can tell from a suddenly strong gain. How to check and fix this is explained in our guide on whether your watch is magnetised. For all other tool questions the rule simply stays: purpose first, then purchase.
This buying guide classifies the common sets honestly: from the large all-round cases with well over a hundred pieces, through specialised press tools, to the demagnetiser for the individual case. We tell you what really matters when buying and, just as important, where the line lies beyond which the work belongs with a watchmaker. The basis is the manufacturers' specifications for the models; the ratings are editorial assessments without laboratory testing. Our overview of tools and care provides the wider context.
What a watchmaker tool set needs to do
A set that works in everyday use stands or falls with a few core tools, not with the total number of pieces. The most important item is a cleanly made spring bar tool with fork and pin tips, because that is how you change straps and replace tired spring bars. Just as important are a case opener for press-fit case backs, fine screwdrivers in several widths and a sturdy pin pusher for shortening metal bracelets.
The large sets tempt with figures like 149 or 154 pieces, but the lion's share of those are replacement spring bars and replacement pins in various lengths. That is practical, but says little about the quality of the actual tools. So look for usable details: tools with a good grip, clean tips that do not slip, and proper storage in which nothing gets jumbled. How a strap change works step by step is shown in our guide to changing a watch strap.
Choose the size of the set according to need
Not everyone needs the large case. If you only change the strap occasionally, a small set or even a single spring bar tool is enough. An extensive all-round set pays off as soon as you regularly change batteries, shorten bracelets and look after different watches. And for individual special tasks such as closing a press-fit case back or demagnetising, there are dedicated tools that sensibly complement an all-round set.
Honest limits: what you do yourself and what belongs with a watchmaker
This is where this advice becomes clear, because this is exactly the point where most DIY attempts go wrong. A simple set is intended for battery changes on watches with a press-fit case back, for adjusting metal bracelets and for changing spring bars and straps. These are low-risk jobs that work well with a bit of patience and a soft surface.
As soon as water-resistant watches, screw-down case backs or valuable pieces are involved, sensible DIY work ends. Anyone who opens a diver's watch without a proper seal check risks water getting into the movement at the next rain. Work on the movement itself, regulating or cleaning movements, belongs in trained hands anyway. Our principle is therefore clear: a tool set saves you the simple trips to the specialist, but does not replace him for anything demanding.
A related misunderstanding concerns polishing with tools from such sets. Aggressive refinishing removes material and can round off edges, which is why we advise against it. The one honest exception is polishing plastic crystals, which we explain in detail in the guide on polishing acrylic glass. When in doubt, valuable watches are left untouched.
Which set for whom
If you want to make a single purchase and look after various watches, you are best served by an all-round set: the Eventronic with 154 pieces and the Los Gatos with 149 pieces fully cover battery changes, strap work and spring bar replacement. Both come with enough spare parts that tired spring bars can be replaced straight away. For beginners who prefer something a little more manageable, the Jorest set is a decent alternative.
If you already have a basic tool and are looking for a targeted addition, take a look at the specialists. The Jorest bracelet set is ideal if you mainly shorten metal bracelets, the ORAGKE press closes press-fit case backs cleanly after a battery change, and the Mocoli demagnetiser helps with the one watch that has been thrown out of rhythm by magnetism. These tools complement a set but do not replace it.
And if you realise through all this that storage matters more than yet another tool, you are right: a good watch box against dust and scratches and a watch roll for travel often protect the collection more effectively than any repair. You can check specific individual models in our individual reviews, and our knowledge section offers an overview of all care and technology topics.
Conclusion
A watchmaker tool set is a small investment with great everyday value, as long as you stay realistic about what it can do. For most people, an all-round set from Eventronic or Los Gatos is enough, covering battery changes, bracelet adjustment and spring bar replacement and sitting in the low price range. Specialists such as the ORAGKE press or the Mocoli demagnetiser complement it for individual tasks. The decisive limit lies at the water-resistant and valuable case: there, no tool saves you the watchmaker, who properly checks the seal after opening.
The text of this page was created with an AI language model and was reviewed and approved editorially before publication. Editorial responsibility lies with Seydhan Cakmak. The product images shown are not AI images but manufacturer and retailer photos from the Amazon catalogue, which we embed unchanged.
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