Watch Repair Tools for Testing

No watch repair tool is useful unless the problem can be properly diagnosed. To assist in this, there are several types of testers available for the watchmaker.

A pulse tester is used to evaluate quartz movements and normally is a non-invasive watch repair tool. The watch is placed on the tester's pad, and if the movement's pulse is detected, a beep or flash (or both) announces the findings. Some models have a feature that, in cases where there is a pulse but no hand movement, will send an impulse which will often free up the gears and return the watch to functionality.

For testing the mechanical operation of a quartz watch, one popular watch repair tool is a magnetic tester. These send an impulse to propel the gears and hands, and often, this is all that is needed to repair the watch.

Waterproof testers, as the name implies, tests a watch's waterproofing. These watch repair tools enable the repairman to verify that cases and crystals have been resealed properly. These are sometimes used by jewelers to demonstrate the waterproofing to a customer and can be an effective sales aid. Waterproof testers can represent a sizable investment, with most models costing in excess of $500.

Another handy watch repair tool is the coil tester. These test the coils and the circuitry of electronic watches without having to open the case, and are most often used when giving estimates of repair costs.

No set of modern watch repair tools would be complete without a battery tester. Many of these allow for testing without the necessity of opening the case, and many of them may even be able to test the circuitry. Some offer the option of emitting a pulse (like the pulse testers) that can often jump start the watch making further repairs unnecessary. Others will also test the mechanical workings of the watch. Depending on the features desired, these watch repair tools can be as inexpensive as $10 or as costly as $75.

Watch repair tools for testing are valuable additions to the workbench. They facilitate repair estimates, analyzing the problem, enabling the watchmaker to be sure repairs have been correctly performed, and, in some cases, will even take care of the repair.