Spare Parts

Everyone working with watches knows the problem: spare parts. Especially for older watches, it can be really hard to find the right part. Never mind the right price.

I know that every watchmaker in the world sits on a huge amount of parts. A lot of these never get used, people don’t even know what they have (I am a bit guilty here as well), and when they give up working, the parts often end up on the tip, never to be seen again.

Some people are out there collecting the parts and selling them on Ebay, and I’m forever indebted to their effort.

I’ve been tidying up lately, and I’ve recorded some of my spare parts in a database – the effort is here. This will allow anyone in the world to have a peek, and to contact me shall they require something I have (if I’m willing to part with it).

I’m thinking about developing this system for an unlimited amount of users, so that anyone who has parts can upload their stock (and manage it), and be contactable through the site. Over time, this could not only develop into a nifty stock administration for anyone who has parts, but it would make them accessible worldwide.

If you are a watchmakers or a parts dealer, or if you just sit on some stock, please let me know if you are interested. I’m not looking to make money out of this idea, and I would throw in the programming for free. I just don’t want those parts to end up on the tip! So please leave a comment here if you are interested, and let me know what features you need (bulk upload from spreadsheets, stock updates from a third system, etc…) so that I can gauge the magnitude of the project.

11 thoughts on “Spare Parts

  1. Hi there
    I’m not a watch expert, repairer or maker. Just to say, great idea though. This is what the internet was made for.

    Sad to think that people have no issue throwing things rather than just thinking for a moment.

    Anyway, keep it up
    Cheers
    Pete

  2. In the Netherlands we have a forum for watchmakers for the same reason.
    uurwerkherstellers-forum.no
    There are over 300 participants and I think you can play along as well.

  3. Brilliant idea, much better to find a genuine part, such as a balance staff than to have to make one!
    And yes, I know of watchmakers who have passed away and their families have binned everything, including tools and old watch movements, such a waste.
    Sounds like an epic task, though I am sure any repairer, collector or restorer will thank you, especially now that so many manufacturers operate a closed shop policy.

  4. Christian good day please count on me with this initiative i have some stock of spare parts specialy longines and some other that can do help some one please tell me wen i send you mi list of parts, its a great idea to share and in some ways try to relieve the headache of having the right part hope this go big.

  5. I set up a shop housing mine and other parts that we made available as a shop for the outside world to buy. I won’t put the address in unless you allow me to but it was more for somewhere I and a few friends stock can see what we have.. great idea! We are all guilty of having boxes of stuff to which were unsure what we have !

    • No problem putting your url up here – I will pass this idea by others, and if there is enough interest, I’ll go ahead and develop the software.

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