Watchmaking tools:
embodying the art of precision
Maison Alcée has developed a solid wood presentation box includes 17 watchmaking tools, each with a specific purpose. Maison Alcée’s watchmaking kit includes some tools that have been developed especially to make it easy for the uninitiated to use them. Your watchmaker tools will enable you to assemble every component of the movement, from the barrel arbour assembly through to installing the hands.
These professional watch tools have been designed to immerse you in the world of watchmaking and help you understand how a watch works. That’s because the movement in the Persée timepiece is actually based on that of a wristwatch, built on a larger scale.
Our watchmaking kit also allows you to perform maintenance on your desk watch clock and even serve as a watch repair kit if required after a few years’ service. Each stage of the assembly process – and the relevant tools for watchmaking supplied in this attractive kit – offers enthusiasts the opportunity to glean further insights into watchmaking expertise.
Watchmaking tools:
screwdrivers
Your watch tool kit includes a set of watchmaker’s screwdrivers, each with a different coloured ring depending on its size. Each time a screw is referred to, the appropriate screwdriver must be used to avoid incorrect movements and over-tightening. Your watchmaking kit comprises four screwdrivers in all. Each watchmaker’s screwdriver is a meticulously designed tool, developed especially with novices in mind.
Just like all the desk watch clock components in your prestige kit, your screwdrivers are also 100% manufactured in the Jura valley straddling France and Switzerland. The blades have been specially developed and use non-hardened beryllium copper to mitigate the risk of scratches. It’s the first time our manufacturing partner has opted for this solution – a great way of protecting your beautiful desk watch clock.
Watchmaking tools:
the oil spike
The top of the oil bottle has been cleverly designed in such a way that it can be opened and closed by a watchmaker with one hand – a highly practical detail that’s of crucial importance when assembling your desk watch. The oil spike itself also features a very precisely calibrated tip so you can deposit exactly the right amount of oil required for each desk watch clock component.
The oil used for this watch tool devised by Maison Alcée is a non-drying oil, viscous enough to remain in place on the movement’s shafts.
This watchmaker’s tool is vital to ensure your magnificent desk watch works properly. The lubricant must be applied in the spots shown in the guide as part of proper care for your desk watch clock, so as to avoid the need for repairs in the future.
Watchmaking tools:
loupe
The loupe is the watchmaker’s iconic piece of equipment, boasting remarkable properties. Loupes come in a range of different magnifications; the one supplied with your watchmaking kit provides 2.5X magnification, the must-have magnitude for your work. While it takes a little practice at first to get the loupe properly installed on your dominant eye, using it soon becomes second nature.
Place the larger side of the loupe against your eye, open it wider than usual and then as you would normally: the loupe will adjust itself quite simply and remain in position. The sharpest views are obtained at a distance of some 6 centimetres from the item being observed.
“Every detail of these professional tools for watchmaking has been specially designed to ensure that any novice can assemble their own timepiece.”
Watchmaking tools:
chamois cloth
The chamois cloth is undoubtedly the softest of your tools for watchmaking, and one of the most effective. Made in France from high-quality microfibre material, it embodies the painstaking attention to detail lavished on your watchmaking experience. Your chamois cloth is much more than just a piece of fabric: for watchmakers: it will become your faithful companion, used to clean each component with delicacy and precision, thus preserving the beauty and integrity of your fine piece of horological art.
The chamois cloth is an essential watchmaking tool that bears witness to Maison Alcée’s commitment to giving you everything you need to assemble your desk watch clock with the utmost care and precision. It’s a must-have in any professional watchmaker’s toolkit!
Watchmaking tools:
tweezers
Watchmaker’s tweezers consist in two parts that together act as a spring, used to pick up smaller watchmaking components. While larger components such as the circular feet and the dial can be picked up with the fingers, the smaller parts (especially those in the grey box) must be handled using tweezers.
Unlike the other watch tools in your kit, using the tweezers will call for a little practice: try picking up the hands and setting them down on the chamois cloth before attempting to transfer the precious and tiny parts of Persée over the vast expanse of your workbench!
Maison Alcée has opted for brass rather than stainless steel tweezers to minimise the risk of scratches that could be caused by less experienced users.
Watchmaking tools:
finger cots
Any budding watchmaker needs a set of finger cots to have a fully professional toolkit: they play a crucial role in preserving the condition of each component.
Best watchmaking practice involves working with latex finger cots on four fingers of each hand: the thumb, index finger, middle finger and ring finger. This is to prevent the natural acidity of the skin corroding the components. Finger cots also protect against the effects of sweat, which could cause your watch tools – or indeed the various components of your desk watch clock – to slip.
Watchmaking tools:
membrane box
At the heart of your watchmaking experience lies your membrane box, a distinctive, essential watchmaking tool. The membrane box is used to protect the regulating organ from external impacts of any kind, thus keeping it safe during the assembly process.
Your beginner’s watchmaking kit will allow you to learn how to assemble your own desk watch. It’s an ideal introduction into the world of watchmaking – and Maison Alcée will be more than happy to be by your side as you embark on this adventure!
“Each kit’s wooden presentation box includes 233 components – all made by hand, mostly in the Jura and 17 clock-making tools, most crafted expressly for beginners.”
“Enthusiasts will receive a beautiful watchmaking kit containing all 233 components of the movement and the externals, all the required tools for watchmaking and a beautiful 150-page book.”
“The tools and the guide are accompanied by a mechanical movement developed by Maison Alcée with the help of one of France’s Meilleur Ouvrier de France ‘best independent watchmakers’ and horology teachers.”
“Each hand-crafted wooden box contains 233 components and 17 watchmaker tools.”
“The wooden presentation box includes 17 clock-making tools, including many designed especially for novices.”
“Each kit contains all the components and necessary tools, as well as an exhaustive guide enabling consumers to take on the role of a craftsman.”
“The watch tools and the highly detailed book are there to help you every step of the way as you create your very own timepiece bearing your name.”
Optimum precision thanks
to watchmaking tools
Precision is a key factor in watchmaking, ensuring that timepieces from watches to clocks of all sizes work properly and continue to do so in the long term. That’s why having a watch repair kit including a full range of precision tools is so vital. These tools allow professional watchmakers to perform repairs and maintenance on clocks and watches without any risk of damaging the fragile components.
The most important feature of tools in watchmaking toolkits is their precision, especially for assembly, repairs and maintenance of clocks and watches.
Watchmaking tool care
Care is essential to ensure your watch tools perform properly and remain in good condition. Each repair tool requires specific care to avoid premature wear.
Regularly cleaning watch tools with a soft cloth and non-abrasive products is recommended to remove dust and oil residue so that the precision of your tools for watchmaking remain as good as new during assembly, maintenance and repair of your timepieces.
Your watchmaking tools should so be stored in a dry, moisture-free environment to prevent them corroding – especially important for steel items. Making sure you have a watch repair kit comprising a full range of high-quality tools and taking proper care of them ensures that the kit itself is long-lasting, that the work you do on clocks and watches is effective, and that the movements in question remain as accurate as when they were first made.
