Lens suggestion

Eric Nepean wrote:

mount evans wrote:

I thought I should point out that since the watches are larger than a four-thirds sensor, true macro mode shouldn't be needed for those. Photographing the "parts" on the other hand...

And if they aren't actually macro, in lieu of focus stacking, can't you illuminate them very brightly and use a smaller aperture to increase depth of field?

True that a magnification of 1X is likely not needed.

But a macro lens will still be needed if the magnification required is more than 0.3X, and may still be the most economical choice for magnifications greater than 0.15X.

Among the non-macro M43 lenses the 12-40/2.8 and both 12-60s have a maximum magnification 0.31X, the 100-400 has a maximum magnification of 0.5X (but is very expensive)

There are a few more that have a maximum magnification between 0.2X and 0.3X

Some of the M43 lenses have a maximum magnification of only 0.1x

If the OP likes to fiddle rather than spend money, there are cheap plastic extension tubes for m4/3 that provide electronic connections, so autofocus lenses will work with them, that allow you to get closer to the subject that you could otherwise and thereby increase magnification, using the lenses you already have.  Usually they are sold in a set of two, 10mm and 16mm, though I see some sets go longer.  I would recommend starting out with a small amount of extension, and see how things work out.  Some people even use extension tubes on lenses that already claim to be macro lenses; I cannot speak to the technical details of doing that.

Wow, there are classier versions for sale cheap now than when I got mine.  These have what actually looks like a micro four thirds flange on them--mine were all plastic and really cheesy:

Automatic Extension Tube for Olympus Panasonic Micro Four Thirds M4/3 System Camera Lenses 10MM 16MM (Metal Auto Focus Plastic Body)

I have started a thread over in the Macro forum asking which m4/3 lenses "play nice" with extension tubes:

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/64002043