Watch repair kits can be used to make smaller fixes to most wristwatches and clocks, including repairs like battery-changes, wrist-strap replacements, and cleaning of the movements. Most will include kit for removing links from watches with metal straps too. If you’re a more advanced user, and confident with the kit, you may even be able to perform things like glass repair and even replacement of the hands, although these are very difficult for non-professionals to do. If your watch has a warranty or waterproof seal, be aware that opening it up may void this warranty and compromise the item’s waterproofing. So if this is important to you, your best option may be to have a professional perform the work instead. The materials in these kits are also handy for other uses too. It isn’t just about putting new batteries in remote control cars (opens in new tab), either. You can use them for repairing the arms of glasses, but if you find you’ve broken those beyond repair, we also have a guide to the best eyeglasses online (opens in new tab) too.
1. Stalwart 16-Piece Watch Repair Kit: Best watch repair kit overall
The Stalwart watch repair kit is a great value – it’s inexpensive and includes 16 quality items for fixing your watch. The kit contains tools to replace your watch battery, remove and replace metal watchband pins, and completely replace watchbands altogether. It is also useful for small jobs such as replacing batteries in your electronic devices and tightening the screws in your eyeglasses. Small screwdrivers and tweezers are handy to have around the house for many tasks. Unfortunately, it doesn’t come with a case, so you have to find a safe place to store all the pieces together. We would not recommend this watch kit for opening up timepieces that have been sealed for waterproofing, as you’ll likely need a special clamp to get the back off this type of watch. You’ll also struggle to make serious repairs to automatic watches, or anything that doesn’t run on a regular watch battery. However, at such a low price, it’s great value for most people.
2. Esslinger Deluxe Watch Repair Kit: Best for more complex repairs
The Esslinger Deluxe has 27 pieces and is an ideal watch repair kit for more detailed repairs to timepieces. It costs more than other kits we looked at but comes in a quality carrying case, has well-constructed tools and can assist you with all kinds of repairs. In addition to an eye loupe for magnification, the kit has a tool for replacing watch hands, a spring bar tool for removing pins and silicon grease to seal out moisture before you replace the watch back. If you’re more complicated work such as replacing gaskets, this watch repair kit has the tools you need, and it is suited for novices, advanced hobbyists, and professional jewelers alike. You don’t really need this for simple battery and writsband repairs, though, so if that’s all you’re doing then we suggest something a little simpler and cheaper.
3. AGPteck Deluxe Watch Repair Kit: Most versatile kit
The AGPteck watch repair kit is a 13-piece set that includes a case opener and holder, a wrench, a watch hand remover, a spring bar, and a link pin remover with extra pins in a separate case. It also includes one Phillips screwdriver, three flat-head screwdrivers with extra blades, pliers, tweezers and a double-headed hammer. That’s all you’ll need for repairs to most regular watches, and it’ll get the back off most watertight devices. All these pieces come in a handy carrying case, which is a nice bonus. In addition to watch repair, these tools are useful for hobbyists who repair battery-operated toys or electronics containing small screws. It’s a very versatile set of tools, and you’re not paying for those extra specialized watch-fixing items that tend to elevate the price.
4. Jomashop 16-Piece Deluxe: Good for simple repairs
This 16-piece watch repair kit has all the essential tools and is very economically priced. It doesn’t come with a case, so you have to find a safe place to store the pieces. It also lacks instructions, but the online help center on Jomashop’s website has many step-by-step instructions for repairs. You can remove a watch back using the kit’s bench knife blade or remove a link from a band with the spring bar removal tool. In addition to repairing watches, you can use this kit on a variety of other items around the house like eyeglasses.
5. SE JT6222 13-Piece Watch Repair Kit: Best for metal wristbands
The 13-piece SE Tools Watch Repair Kit includes many of the tools you need to work on small clocks and watches. This professional kit contains tools to resize a metal watchband and replace a watchband or battery, among other repairs. These are the most simple fixes you’ll be making, and this kit has everything you need to make them easy. The SE also includes an adjustable case opener to remove watch backs and 5 1/4-inch tweezers for picking up small pieces such as batteries. The tools in the kit are well constructed and durable, and they come in a sturdy zippered carrying case to keep everything together.
6. Utopia Deluxe: Great for electronics
The Utopia Tool’s Deluxe is a versatile repair kit you can use to fix watches and other jewelry as well as eyeglasses and electronic devices with small parts. It comes with a sturdy case and has a nice selection of helpful tools. While not the cheapest, it’s one of the most versatile, and is a great one to have in your home for general fixes. This 17-piece tool kit includes precision screwdrivers to remove your watch’s back without damaging the case. In addition, it has five screwdrivers, a 360-piece box of spring bars to fit a variety of watches, tweezers, an eye loupe, a double-headed hammer, a watch block, a watchband link remover, and an adjustable watch case opener.
