Practical Watch Repairing [Hardcover]

Donald De Carle (Author), E. A. Ayres (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 28, 1996

This book describes the theories and processes of repairing and adjusting the modern watch in precise and meticulous detail. De Carle takes his reader through every stage and operation of watch repairing, and with 553 illustrations, it can justifiably claim to be the best illustrated book on practical horology yet issued, and one of the best of its kind on any subject.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Donald de Carle was a Fellow and Medallist of the British Horological Institute and a Freeman of the City of London by virtue of being a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers. He contributed to the Encyclopaedia Britannica and was the author of many other horological works including Clock and Watch Repairing, Complicated Watches and their Repair, Practical Clock Repairing, Watch and Clock Encyclopaedia, Clocks and their Value, Horology ('Teach Yourself Series'), Practical Watch Adjusting and Springing, The Watchmaker's and Modern Engineer's Lathe, Watches and their Value, etc. Donald de Carle died in 1989.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 319 pages
• Publisher: N.A.G. Press; 3rd edition (June 28, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0719800307
• ISBN-13: 978-0719800306
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.8 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (48 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #700,294 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Donald de Carle was a Fellow and Medallist of the British Horological Institute. He contributed to the Encyclopedia Britannica and was the author of many horological works.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

66 of 67 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a must have book, July 16, 2000

By 

Jim Shepherd (Arcadia, IN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Practical Watch Repairing (Hardcover)

This book contains a wealth of information on basic watch theory and a thorough dicussion of hand wound mechanical watches. It covers problems that can be encountered and methods to correct a wide variety of them. He offers proven techniques for disassembly, diagnosis, cleaning and lubrication and reassembly of non-complicated watches. The only detractions I've found is the assumption made that the reader has experience with watchmaker's lathes and the tool recommendations are sometimes very dated.

44 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars easy instruction., June 5, 2004

By 

Michael Rybikowsky (Charlotte Hall, Maryland USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Practical Watch Repairing (Hardcover)

I bought three watch books. This is this is the one that did what I wanted. Very easy to follow book. It makes you want to take apart a watch right away.

40 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Mechanical Watch Repair Text, November 24, 2005

By 

Russell S. Wickham (McMinnville, TN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Practical Watch Repairing (Hardcover)

This book was originally published in 1946, and it's still in print because it's the best. The text is straight forward, clear and easy to understand. The illustrations are very helpful, maybe even excessive, but to someone who knew nothing about the subject before starting the book, that's not so bad. The newer editions have a small section on quartz repair, but due to the advances in electronics, it is dated. The theory is helpful, but those seeking to learn quartz repair only probably need another book. All in all, it is a great book highly recommended to anyone who would like to learn watch repair.