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The Balance Wheel

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The Balance Wheel Community

Watchmaking & watch-modding forums

Ask, answer and show your builds: movement servicing, calibres, modding, collecting and the trade.

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Welcome & Community

Announcements
News from The Balance Wheel. Read-only — staff post here.

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Check Spam Folder! by ricardo · 2 days ago
New members & introductions
New here? Say hello and tell us what you work on.

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Just looking for a place to help by ricardo · 4 days ago
Site feedback & help
Bugs, ideas, how do I…

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The text when reading the topics hurts my eyes its like its to bright or the white cramps it all together. by quality · 3 days ago

The Workshop

Movement servicing & repair Q&A
Strip, clean, oil, reassemble — faults, symptoms and fixes.

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The Basics: Why do watches need this? by quality · 2 hours ago
Tools & bench setup
Screwdrivers, tweezers, staking sets, lighting and the bench itself.

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Getting Started in Watchmaking: Essential Tools for Beginners by quality · 4 days ago
Cleaning & lubrication Q&A
Cleaning machines, fluids, oil charts and where each grade goes.

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I am going to post a few cleaning machines questions for watches. by ricardo · 4 days ago
Cases, crystals & water resistance Q&A
Opening tricks, crystal fitting, gaskets and pressure testing.

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hanging out at a workbench on the work bench other side of the room. by ricardo · 11 minutes ago
Lume, dials & refinishing
Relume work, dial restoration, hand refinishing and polishing.

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Does reluming a watch affect its market value? by ricardo · 3 hours ago

Calibres

Seiko & Japanese movements
NH35/36, 4R/6R, 7S26, Miyota — servicing quirks and parts.

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Cross-Compatibility & Hidden Traps: Upgrading 4R to 6R or Swapping in an NH35 by ricardo · 4 days ago
ETA, Sellita & Swiss movements
2824, 2892, SW200/SW300, Unitas and friends.

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ETA, Sellita & Swiss Movements — What Are You Actually Choosing? by quality · 6 hours ago
Chronographs & complications Q&A
Valjoux 7750, Venus, column-wheel work, calendars and moonphases.

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The Mechanics Behind Complicated Watches by ricardo · 1 day ago
Vintage & pocket watch movements
Ébauche ID, mainspring sizing, worn-out pivots and bushings.

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Vintage Pocket Watch Repairs by gizmo · 1 day ago

Watch Modding & Builds

Seiko mods
SKX, Turtle, NH35 builds — dials, chapter rings, bezels, crowns.

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List of the top 10 Seiko Mod builds and styles dominating 2026 for the SKX, Turtle, and NH35 by ricardo · 1 day ago
Scratch builds & kits
From a pile of parts to a running watch.

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Building a Watch From Parts by ricardo · 1 day ago
Straps & bracelets
Lug widths, endlinks, sizing, spring bars and where to buy.

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Watch Straps & Bracelets by gizmo · 1 day ago
Show your build
Finished it? Post wrist shots and a parts list.

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Collecting & Identification

What is it? Identification help Q&A
Post clear photos of the movement and caseback and we will help.

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Vintage & restoration
Honest projects, donor hunting and how far to take a restore.

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Valuations & buying advice
Is it worth it? Should you buy it? Ask before you commit.

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The deal room
Spotted a bargain on parts or a project? Post it.

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The Trade

Going pro: training & careers
BHI courses, WOSTEP, apprenticeships and getting your first bench job.

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Running a watch business
Pricing a service, insurance, workshop kit-out and getting paid.

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What’s It Like Running a Watch Business? by quality · 1 day ago
Parts sourcing & suppliers
Where to get that part, generic vs genuine, and supplier reviews.

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Where Do You Source Watch Parts? by ricardo · 1 day ago

The Balance Wheel

Watchmakers' Bench Members
Members-only — Watchmaker & Elite plans.

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Members only
Elite lounge Members
Elite-only.

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Members only
Off-topic
Everything that is not a watch.

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What's the most used app on your phone? by gizmo · 1 day ago

Latest activity

hanging out at a workbench on the work bench other side of the room. ricardo · Cases, crystals & water resistance · 11 minutes ago
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hanging out at a workbench on the work bench other side of the room. quality · Cases, crystals & water resistance · 13 minutes ago
hanging out at a workbench on the work bench other side of the room. ricardo · Cases, crystals & water resistance · 18 minutes ago
Q
hanging out at a workbench on the work bench other side of the room. quality · Cases, crystals & water resistance · 28 minutes ago
hanging out at a workbench on the work bench other side of the room. ricardo · Cases, crystals & water resistance · 43 minutes ago
Q
hanging out at a workbench on the work bench other side of the room. quality · Cases, crystals & water resistance · 50 minutes ago