Buy for one job first. A large kit can contain tools you cannot identify, while still missing the correct tip or holder for your watch. Treat the following as a shopping checklist, then confirm the exact dimensions against your watch and tool supplier.
| Job | Start with | Check before buying |
|---|---|---|
| Change a conventional strap | Spring-bar tool, soft mat, covered parts tray | Access to the spring-bar shoulder; tip width; lug spacing |
| Adjust a bracelet | The correct screwdriver or pin-removal tool, support block | Whether the links use screws, pins or pins and collars |
| Open a case | A holder and an opener matched to the case-back design | How the back opens and how it will close again |
| Assemble a mod | Movement holder, suitable drivers and tweezers, dial protection, hand tools | The component maker's instructions and hand-setting dimensions |
A sensible first purchase
Begin with a mat, a tray with a lid and the one tool needed for your first task. Make sure replacement tips are available. Inspect the tip under magnification: a damaged edge can slip even when the handle feels substantial. A screwdriver must engage the screw properly rather than merely enter the slot.
Boley's own kit list separates spring-bar, bracelet-pin, case-opening and battery tools. That is a useful reminder that a single pointed implement does not replace all four. It is a description of tool categories, not an endorsement of that kit.
Leave space for the watch
Lay out tools outside the immediate work area. Keep a clear place for the watch, another for removed components and a separate container for used batteries. Do not share the bench with food, drinks or children.
Before buying opening tools, read the case-back guide. For movement assembly, collect the NH35 parts checklist before placing an order. Tool ownership does not establish that a task is suitable for home repair.
When to hand it over
A valuable, sentimental, corroded or water-resistant watch is a poor practice piece. A professional can identify the correct opening method, inspect seals and arrange water-resistance testing. Learning on a purpose-made training kit is usually a clearer next step than working on your everyday watch.
Sources & further reading
- Boley: watchmaker's tool kit contents · Checked 2026-10-25