I was inspired by Gianluca's posting of a disassembly of a cal 12 movement, to try a bit of minor watch repair myself. I'll stick to working on to replaceable watches for now (or at least for the next 20 years); I think if (for example) my A&F 2447 needs repair, I'll send it to Nic/Abel/Jasper or other experts, definitely not one to do myself!!

I had a three questions to start off with:

1) Calibre 12 movements watches are pretty expensive these days, even if not Heuer signed. Are there cheaper movements which are similar to the cal 12 that are worth practicing on? I have a bunch of women's watch small movements which I picked up for a few dollars, and an old Russian watch from a flea market. But the movements are much cruder than a cal 12, not sure it is appropriate practice. Any idea for better cheap-ish movements to practice on?

2) Gianluca has a little sentence that strikes a huge amount of fear into my heart... "Next step is removing the hands. You need specific tools to do it and can risk bending or damaging them. I always have a bit of fear every time I have to do it." ....Yeah, ruining the dial and hands would cause "a bit of fear"! The problem is this is a topic of it's own which Gianluca (rightly) skips over. Are there suggestions what tools to use for this? The two manual hand-held lifters or the all in one contraption?

3) Final question; are people OK with these of topic questions? There are watch making fora in other places on the internet, but it's useful to get Heuer (or at least cal 12) specific advice here.

Any advice appreciated (even if it is a negative answer to question 3).

Shaun