A list of the must-have watch tools for the watch obsessed!
There comes a point for every person who collects watches where you suddenly realise you need to add, upgrade or just improve the watch tools you have. Initially, when you first get into the hobby you can survive for a while with a basic spring bar tool, but eventually, you’ll want to remove a link from a bracelet yourself, try and shift that pin that seems to be stuck and you’ll be desperate to take a look at that beautiful movement in detail.
Don’t worry though, we’re here to give you a helping hand when looking for the best watch tools available. If you’re just getting into the hobby or you’re looking to better what you already use - we have you covered.
1. A quality springbar tool

Spring Bar Pin Removal Tool (1058) Available Here! - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
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- £12.00
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There are a few watch spring bar tools we’d recommend here with each serving a slightly different purpose.

Professional Spring Bar Tool (1004) Buy it here! - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
The first is our Professional Spring Bar Tool (1004). With an RRP of £18, this option strikes a brilliant balance between quality and value for money. A benefit of this tool is you have a wider fork for leather straps, a thinner one for metal and also a flat-ended piece (useful for attached metal bracelets back onto the watch). Check it out here.

Spring Bar Pin Removal Tool (1058) Available Here! - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Finally, we have the daddy of spring bar tools, the Bergeon spring bar tool 6767-F. This is easily one of the best springbar tools on the market and can last a lifetime. Bergeon has been creating watch tools for over 200 years with anyone who is anyone working on watches using their tools. The Bergeon 6767-F is £23 and available here) but this level of quality is precise and reassuring.
Professional Spring Bar Tool (1004) - £18
Spring Bar Pin Removal Tool (1058) - £12
Bergeon spring bar tool 6767-F - £23
2. Watch link removal tool

The WatchGecko Watch Strap Link Removal Tool available here! - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
This link pins remover is designed so you can lay the bracelet on the tool and turn the handle which results in pressure being added to the pin holding the links together. After just a few turns, the pin will have been pushed out fully and you’ll be able to remove the link.
Some bracelets use screws so will require screwdrivers (more on those in a minute) but if your bracelet has pins, a watch link removal tool should be in your ownership. It’s worth checking this before you pick up a tool, just to make sure you have the right watch link removal kit.

Metal link removal tool available here! - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Here are a couple of watch pin removal tools that are extremely handy at getting the job done with ease:
Metal link removal tool - £18
Link removal tool - £12
3. An Eye Loupe

Geckota Eye Loupe available here! - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Naturally, you have a range of options here. To start with there is the Geckota Eye Loupe. This is a solid entry-level loupe if you’re starting from nothing and will serve you extremely well.

Premium Geckota Metal Eye Loupe available here! - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Available with 3x, 5x, 10x and 20x magnification, there is plenty of choice for the serious collector. Check them out for yourself here!
4. Calipers or a lug width tool

Calipers are a must for any serious watch collector - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Head over to Amazon for a wide selection and make sure you’re looking at a digital pair. It will make reading the measurement so much more accurate.

Surprisingly handy and easy to use, add our Lug Width Measurement Tool to your cart here! - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Alternatively, if you’re looking to just have something that can help you measure the lug width of a watch or strap, check out our handy watch strap tool! It's a handy little piece of kit to have lying around that makes checking lugs or straps a breeze.
5. Spring bars

Do yourself a favour and grab a set of spring bars! - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
There are a few ways to get your hands on spring bars. If you only need a set or two then you can pick up the exact size you need here (make sure you use those calipers or lug width tools we just spoke about to get the right size!). Available in bags of three spring bars (in case one goes pinging across the room, we’ve all been there).

Set of 20 Standard Diameter Replacement Watch Strap Spring Bars available here! - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Check out our range of impressive, well-priced watch straps here including:
Leather watch straps
Rubber watch straps
Military style watch straps
Metal watch straps
6. Demagnetizer

A watch demagnetizer is a must! - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
A demagnetizer is one of those pieces of kit you don’t think you’d need until you do. Nowadays we spend most of our lives surrounded by magnetic fields of some sort. From headphones, laptops, iPads, PCs and microwaves you name a piece of tech and it probably has magnets in it (even the latest iPhone had a huge round magnet on the back).
Magnets can cause issues for mechanical watches so for this, a demagnetizer is your friend. Once you know your watch is magnetized (there are phone apps to help with this) simply place your watch on top of the demagnetizer, push and hold the button for 10 seconds, slowly lift the watch and release the button. Double-check with the app to make sure it's a good job done and you’re off!
A demagnetizer can be had for around £10 on Amazon.
7. Screwdrivers

a quality set of screwdrivers, 1.6mm available here and 2.5mm available here! - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
When it comes to grabbing yourself a set of screwdrivers, like most things on this list there are options. To start with you’ll need to decide on the tip size to go for. We’ve found that 1.6mm and 2.5mm should cover all bases for you. You can of course go down the Bergeon route, but this can be a pricey one (Bergeon tools can set up back up to three figures), especially if you’re starting from zero screwdrivers in the collection.
If you’d rather opt for a screwdriver that isn’t going to cost as much as a daily beater watch, we offer well priced (and well made) 1.6mm and 2.5mm sized screwdrivers here for £12 each.
8. Caseback remover

A range of watch caseback removing tools - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine

Geckota Case Opener available here! - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
There are a few options here with the most traditional choice being a case opener like this one seen here. This tool is best used on watches that have notches in their caseback which you will want to line up to the tool. Another solid option is a caseback friction ball. Although this looks like a stress ball on the surface, this is in fact a handy tool for removing screw on casebacks. The benefit here is that you don’t use any metal tools so no chance of scratching a watch. This works best on casebacks that have already been off the watch before as tight, factory sealed casebacks will require more elbow grease.

The Geckota Case Opener Knife (Available here) and a friction ball for removing those tricky casebacks - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
9. Pliers

Pliers are extremely useful to have nearby when dealing with watches - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
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Similar to a standard set of pliers would be springbar curving not everyone will need these as it all depend on if your watch spring bar position is close enough the case cause straps scuffed when fitting rolex are main culprit here so you owner and like changing for bars useful investment won want squeeze fully but little curve allow add them strap bend away from ensure thing past check out our curving spring bars
10.PolyWatch

Grab a tube of PolyWatch here! -Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine.
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- £20.00
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To remove those scratches grab yourself a tube of Polywatch. The innovative plastic deformation technology, which slightly softens the clear lacquer on the crystal filling in any areas of damage, polishes away scratches and imperfections in seconds.
You won’t need to add much to the crystal (a small dab should do), simply get yourself a soft cloth and slowly spread the Polywatch around the acrylic in a circular motion. Repeat until the less than desirable scratches have been removed and you’re winning!
Pick up a tube of PolyWatch here.
One final ‘nice to have but not essential' suggestion is a UV light. They're a fun tool for those of you out there who are addicted to lighting up the lume on your watch.

A blue light torch is a bit of fun and ideal for lighting up the lume on your watch quickly! - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
To pick up your own set of these tools, you’ll next stop will be over to our accessories section where you’ll find a brilliant selection of must-have tools for any watch lover:
Our full range of watch tools here!