Petitpierre Makes The Worlds Best Watchmaking Tools

When I talk about watches too much to my non-watch friends, I get called a ‘tool’ often, which, along with being very rude, is pretty accurate. I’m seen as someone who bases their whole personality on one, very obscure thing. It’s fine, honestly. I know this hobby isn’t for everyone, and I’m happy to talk about it even if the other person isn’t listening. It’s catharsis.

What I keep to myself however, is my new found obsession with tools. Partly because I don’t want to make it too easy for people to call me one, and partly because I know that even less people will understand. To be specific, I’m in to instruments that can be used to create something else. They can be of any category, writing, mechanical, watchmaking. If it’s thoughtfully designed and produced, It interests me.

I truly believe that only a well-made tool can create a well-made object.

Go on, say it. ‘You’re a well-made tool’…

Hagoromo Chalk

I want to tell you about watchmaking tools, but first, for some context, let’s talk about chalk.

There’s a brand called Hagoromo based in South Korea (formally Japan) that makes chalk so good, that mathematicians hoard the stuff.

Founded in 1932, the company set out to make chalk that embodied their idea of lightness and grace; the name ‘Hagoromo’ translates to ‘feathered robe’ after all. The chalk was renowned for it’s buttery smooth writing feel, vivid colours and perfect dust control, until in 2015 when the company closed. This obviously caused world wide pandemonium and panic buying in the academic community. Seriously, mathematicians hoarded Hagoromo chalk like it was the end of the world. Here’s the proof.

Luckily, South Korean company Sejongmall Co., Ltd. took over and shipped all the chalk-making equipment and Japanese engineers to their headquarters. Hagoromo Chalk is still produced in South Korea today, and is widely considered to be the Rolls-Royce of chalk. The uncompromising attitude with which it is produced makes it special, along with the angel tears in the ingredients (watch the video), and there are examples of this in so many industries around the world. Safe to say I’ve ordered some Chalk and I don’t even have a blackboard.

The takeaway here is that my enthusiasm is directly proportionate to the amount of effort someone puts into something. It doesn’t even matter what it is.

Ok, enough about chalk. Let’s get back to watches.

Who is Petitpierre?

In 1962, a gentleman named Freddy Petitpierre founded a microtechnology workshop in Neuchâtel. The firm focused on Micro mechanics and metrology (the science of measurement) until Freddy’s son Boris joined the company and pushed for expansion into the watchmaking, aeronautics and medical industries. Fast forward to today and they still produce for these key industries, but what is most interesting to me, is their foray into the consumer space.

Underpinned by the usual Swiss quality and attention to detail, Petitpierre creates the most incredible watchmaking tools on the planet. Like my chalk example from above, they are at the top of their field and are used by all the big brands. When I worked at a Rolex Boutique, the branded tool kit was a Petitpierre unit. Even though most of the tools were broken because of the absolute barbarians I was working with, they remained a pleasure to hold and to use. In the range is a full suite of screwdrivers, two extraordinary tool kits and some wooden magnifiers. I feel like Rolls-Royce isn’t a good enough parallel for Petitpierre.

The TR-ACR Torque Screwdriver

When it comes to choosing a watchmaking screwdriver, there are a few things to consider.

1. The tool tip - It must be sharp, accurately sized and durable.
2. The handle - Must have enough girth to get a good hold of, and knurling to increase grip.
3. A spinning top - When resting the forefinger on the end of the screw driver, it must spin in a satisfying manner. Also, when you spin it like a fidget toy, it must be smooth and quiet.
4. The weight - There’s nothing worse than a tool that feels insubstantial in the hand. It must inspire confidence in its ability to withstand abuse, but also be stable, secure and agile.

You can tell I’ve thought about this a lot.

The flagship tool from Petitpierre is the TR-ACR Torque Screwdriver and it looks, and feels, like a component straight off the international space station.

It’s made from anodised aluminium, has a hand-adjustable torque setting (from 5 - 55 mNm), interchangeable aluminium identification rings and a quick-change bit system. If that all sounds like mumbo jumbo to you, then you’re not alone. In layman's terms, the TR-ACR Torque Screwdriver can adjust the level of max turning force it can exert, so as not to over-tighten screws, can be customised with coloured metal rings, and can have different-sized bits attached at a moment's notice. All of that complexity fits inside its handle. Engineering-wise, it’s an impressive piece of equipment.

I want one, but I fear my wife will disapprove of me spending 560 CHF on something I will probably only ever use to tighten the screw on my glasses.

The Passion Watchmaker's Toolbox

Time to ramp things up a bit.

If you are a wealthy watch collector with a desire to annoy everyone else at the watch meetup with your conversation about the importance of high-quality tools, the Passion Watchmaker’s Toolbox is for you.

The box itself is made from Madagascan Ebony, can be customised with a brass plaque and in my opinion, looks nicer than most watch boxes. In terms of the tools, you get everything the aspiring watch enthusiast will need to take care of their collection. A set of precision tweezers, a watchmaker's knife (platinum-plated aluminium body), two screw drivers, also platinum plated with ebony handles, and a spring bar tool. Oh, and I forgot about the best bit, you also get a dial maker's brush, made with bristles of squirrel hair. Love it.

The Tradition Watchmaker's Toolbox

If you’re even more wealthy and have extra room in your closet, you can get The Tradition Watchmakers Toolbox. The mac-daddy of all brag-worthy watchmaking accoutrement. You get all of the above, plus a hammer with a solid Macassar ebony handle, a blower made from, you guessed it, Macassar ebony and platinum-plated brass, even more screwdrivers and a sharpening stone. There’s a total of 54 tools included, and they are all made by hand in Switzerland; even the squirrels are Swiss.

I’m not actually sure that they are, but wouldn't it be amazing?!

To paint a picture of the type of people who are buying these tools, I want to share a quote from the Petitpierre website that I found particularly impressive.

‘A Siberian monk has ordered a non-leather version (of the Tradition Toolbox) to give to his master, the Dalai Lama, in person. And more recently, Sir Jony Ive, ex-vice-president and Apple product designer, ordered one for his personal use and another for a famous friend. This is a great paradox: the man who designed the Apple Watch remains deeply passionate about mechanical timepieces.’

I like to think the Dalai Lama is into Seiko Modding and sits in his room with his Tradition Watchmakers toolbox modding an SKX to look like a Rolex GMT Master. Who can blame him, even his holiness can’t skip the waitlist.

At 3,450 CHF and 19,500 CHF, respectively, the Passion and Tradition Toolboxes are indulgent objects that, at most, only marginally improve on performance over the Bergeon tools most people use. If, however, like me, you subscribe to the adage that only the best of everything will do, the tools from Petitpierre will tickle your fancy like no other. Hagoromo chalk, a beautiful Patek Philippe or a Charles Simon watch briefcase are all in the same category of product. The best of the best.

Petitpierre tools are for people who will happily empty their bank accounts if it means the objects they surround themselves with are thoughtful, beautiful and considered. People who think this will do’ isn’t a part of their vernacular.

The annoying thing for me, however, is that I have that mindset, but lack the required resources to do anything about it. First world problems I guess.

One day I will buy the Tradition Watchmakers Toolbox, knowing full well that I’ll never be skilled enough, or motivated enough to use them to their full potential. Having them on my shelf will be enough.

Whether it’s watch tools, chalk or any number of well made product, I’m happy to embody the ‘all the gear and no idea’ trope. Bring it on.

Cya in the next one x

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P.S. This article is light on images, I know. I'm awaiting response from Petitpierre for some more.

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