Why These Watch Restorers Are Blowing Up on YouTube

Why would a watch restorer turn down a job? For Rich from Wristwatch Rescue, every watch on his bench has to come with a story. In this interview we talk about how he learned watch repair while recovering from an accident, why his channel moved from "gearhead" teardowns to the people behind the watches, and which tools are worth paying for when you're starting out (hint: tweezers and screwdrivers). Along the way: a Seiko Pogue worn every day by an engineer on the Apollo program, a watch bought on opening day at Walt Disney World, a Navy pilot's Rolex picked up in Naples, and a pair of 1883 twin pocket watches engraved "Ruby May". Plus his four-camera macro setup, machining his own watch case on a CNC, and why, after years of only showing his hands, he's finally stepping in front of the camera. Follow Rich: Wristwatch Rescue on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok and Patreon @WristwatchRescue Support the channel: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/casualwatchreviews #watchrestoration #watchrepair #vintagewatches CHAPTERS 0:00 Meet Rich from Wristwatch Rescue 0:18 Reviewers vs. restorers: two worlds of watch YouTube 1:17 An accident, online classes and learning watch repair 2:11 From "gearhead" videos to telling the backstory 3:09 Who watches: learners vs. the fascinated 4:07 The kid who took everything apart, and why you film yourself 5:24 Story over Rolex views: the Apollo-era Seiko Pogue 7:15 A Disney World watch from opening day 8:17 Starter tools: what's worth paying for 10:44