The Mechanical Watch Movement Exploration Kit is a beginner-friendly kit, designed and made in Surrey, UK (from £75), that lets you take a real self-winding automatic mechanical watch movement apart and rebuild it in about two hours, with every tool included and free expert support. It is a movement-only kit — there is no case, dial or strap — so it is about understanding the mechanism rather than ending up with a wearable watch.
No experience needed · About 2 hours · All tools included
Ever wondered what actually makes a mechanical watch tick? This kit lets you find out with your own hands. Clear step-by-step instructions guide you through taking apart a real self-winding mechanical movement, piece by piece, then rebuilding it — learning how the mainspring, gear train and balance wheel work together to keep time.
You don’t need any experience. The kit is designed for complete beginners, most builders finish in around 2 hours, and every tool you need is in the box.
What’s in the box
- Mechanical watch movement with automatic (self-winding) mechanism
- Movement holding clamp
- Set of high-precision tweezers
- Precision screwdriver
- Watchmaker’s finger cots
- Small parts containers to keep every component safe
- Step-by-step educational instructions for disassembly and reassembly
Stuck? We’ll help — free
Every builder gets free access to our technical support team, whichever kit you choose — 99.6% of customers complete their build with our help. If a step has you puzzled, get in touch and we’ll walk you through it.
Choose your kit
Basic Kit (£75) — one movement, full tool set and instructions. Everything you need to explore.
Upgraded Kit (£115) — adds a second mechanical movement: use it for spare parts if a tiny component goes astray, keep it as a complete working movement to compare against as you build, or take a second run at the challenge. Our recommended choice for gifts.
At a glance
- Kit type: movement exploration kit — you disassemble and reassemble a real movement. Movement only: no case, dial or strap; not a wearable watch
- Movement: real self-winding automatic mechanical movement (Basic Kit: 1 · Upgraded Kit: 2)
- Skill level: beginner — no experience needed
- Typical build time: about 2 hours
- Tools included: movement holding clamp · high-precision tweezers · precision screwdriver · watchmaker’s finger cots · small parts containers
- Instructions: step-by-step written instructions for disassembly and reassembly, plus the “Skeleton Movement Kit” video on the Instructions page
- Next step: the Mechanical Watch Upgrade Kit (£169.99, Silver or Black) turns your rebuilt movement into a complete, wearable skeleton watch
- Support: free technical support for every builder — 99.6% of customers complete their build with our help
- Warranty: 12 months on faulty parts
- UK delivery: free · Royal Mail Tracked 24 · 1–2 working days · same-day dispatch before 3 pm
- Returns: free within 30 days of your order
- Made in: designed and made in Surrey, UK
Frequently asked questions
Do I need any experience to use the Movement Exploration Kit?
No. The instructions assume you have never touched a watch movement before — the kit is designed for complete beginners.
How long does it take?
Around 2 hours for most builders. It packs away easily, so you can spread it over a few evenings if you prefer.
What tools do I need — are they included?
Everything you need is in the box: a movement holding clamp, high-precision tweezers, a precision screwdriver, watchmaker’s finger cots and small parts containers. You do not need to buy any tools.
What kind of movement is it?
A real self-winding automatic mechanical movement. You take it apart piece by piece and rebuild it, learning how the mainspring, gear train and balance wheel work together to keep time.
Do I end up with a wearable watch?
No — this kit is about the movement itself; it does not include a case, dial or strap. If you want to wear what you have built, the Mechanical Watch Upgrade Kit (£169.99, Silver or Black) adds the case, dial, hands, strap and finishing tools so your Exploration Kit movement becomes a complete skeleton watch. Or choose a Mechanical Skeleton or Mechanical Diver kit to build a full watch from the start.
What is the difference between the Basic and Upgraded kits?
The Basic Kit (£75) has one movement, the full tool set and instructions. The Upgraded Kit (£115) adds a second movement — useful as spare parts if a tiny component goes astray, as a complete working movement to compare against, or for a second run at the challenge. The Upgraded Kit is our recommended choice for gifts.
Will the movement run when I have rebuilt it?
Rebuilding a movement to full running order is a real watchmaking challenge and cannot be guaranteed first time — that is part of what makes it rewarding. If you want the certainty of a working movement at the end, choose the Upgraded Kit and keep its second movement intact.
Is it a good gift?
It’s one of our most popular gifts for watch lovers — a hands-on experience rather than another object for a shelf.
What if I get stuck — and what about warranty, delivery and returns?
Every builder gets free access to our technical support team — 99.6% of customers complete their build with our help. Faulty parts are covered by a 12-month warranty. UK delivery is free (Royal Mail Tracked 24, 1–2 working days, same-day dispatch before 3 pm), and returns are free within 30 days of your order.
