WatchTech

Hi, Was reading a post about a member’s new Cartier Tortu strap change and it got me thinking. I know as steel is harder than gold, we need to be more careful. However, all the jeweller’s screw drivers I see for sale are steel. What do watch makers use fo... 

It is not always convenient to go to an AD or boutique to get straps changed!

One of the watch repairers I use has a bunch of bronze screwdrivers so as not to mark steel, let alone gold. I have never been able to find any bronze ones to buy for myself. Clive

Thanks for chiming in. You are right- the only material I can find is steel! BW, Chi Kai

A steel screwdriver blade is best even for gold. If it properly fits the slot it will not deform the metal. watchmakers routinely shape blades to fit a particular screw rather than just grab whatever is the closest stock size. If you check watchmaker supp... 

Thanks for this. So as long as the fit is good, it is ok to use a steel screwdriver for gold screws? BW, Chi Kai

Steel screwdrivers are the norm. When I was apprenticing my first jobs of the day were to straighten up the bench, inspect all the screwdriver, straighten and reshape the tips. ...  

Thank you!

...of the screw.