Watch servicing - who to go with?

Thirdfox · 13-04-2017 10:44am #1

It's about time to service some of my nicer pieces (ranging from plain eta 2824 to more esoteric 1866 chronographs).

I see some uk repairers with competitive (100-200 pounds) prices but seem to recall there being Irish ones too (Emily?)

Is there anyone Irish recommended - might need a dial relumed also (see this costs £7 in the UK).

sparrowcar · 13-04-2017 12:20pm

I think there was a thread a while back about Emily being non contactable for months and no replies from her? Can anyone recall?

Thirdfox · 15-04-2017 11:21pm

Any suggestions?

art · 16-04-2017 10:16am

I've several watches at this point in need of servicing. It's a shame reliable options aren't there bar very expensive shipping abroad. Basically, I've simply started shopping quartz the last year or two.

Thirdfox · 16-04-2017 12:25pm

art wrote: »

I've several watches at this point in need of servicing. It's a shame reliable options aren't there bar very expensive shipping abroad. Basically, I've simply started shopping quartz the last year or two.

Well quartz (or high end quartz) eventually needs servicing too.

Seems like UK is the way to go then.

Homer · 16-04-2017 3:14pm

Have you tried the likes of www.fast-fix.ie? They claim to have a chief horologist in their Dubdrum store that can service the likes of Rolex, breathing et al..
Also http://www.ichrono.ie/service-repair/ have a service offering for high end brands?

art · 16-04-2017 4:19pm

Thirdfox wrote: »

Well quartz (or high end quartz) eventually needs servicing too.

After 20 years or so!

You service a mechanical to prevent the movement degrading. You service a quartz when there's a problem, there's no need to service them as a routine.

Pinch Flat · 18-04-2017 10:43am

sparrowcar wrote: »

I think there was a thread a while back about Emily being non contactable for months and no replies from her? Can anyone recall?

I emailed and called her mobile a while back - left messages, no reply. I've seen her website is no longer hosted. I'm looking to get an Oris BC3 serviced

Thirdfox · 18-04-2017 1:58pm

Pinch Flat wrote: »

I emailed and called her mobile a while back - left messages, no reply. I've seen her website is no longer hosted. I'm looking to get an Oris BC3 serviced

It's a pity if Irish options are so limited that no-one can give any personal recommendations.

The UK guy I found via google is this guy:
http://watchguy.co.uk/price-list/

He does nice blog posts detailing the movements he services with plenty of photos and interesting insights. That's the kind of guy I would love to find in Ireland - reasonable prices, professional work and seems passionate about watches too.

art · 18-04-2017 11:46pm

The problem is how does it get there, an post won't insure it and a courier, for this type of thing, will cost the price of a nice watch in itself. Perhaps some cheap flights and hand delivery might work? Otherwise it's risk, which might not be worth it if your watch is a bit precious to you. I've two in particular need servicing, I'd risk it with one but not the other.

Thirdfox · 19-04-2017 1:38pm

Well I've started down the road to watch servicing myself (or at least watch tinkering) - tools are flying in as we speak, I'll probably take the Timezone school for a crash course and destroy a few cheap Chinese movements for practise (not intentionally destroy!)

I've got most of the equipment now to dissect a movement now, just need to finalise a few parts and I'll take the plunge, people will be able to see my process on the forum here.

Anyone have a ETA 2801 lying around that they would like to donate (after I've practised on a few 9 euro movements off ebay)? I see I can kinda work with a ST2130 and just the remove the autowinding bridge but as of now I'm definitely still in the absolute beginner stage so have no idea if "just" doing anything is easy or hard.

I did remove (and replace) a Vostok's stem and crown, and regulated it with an improvised timegrapher - but messing with a 100 euro watch is different to messing with a 4000 euro one...

pawrick · 26-04-2017 12:24am

Any recommendations for service/repair on a seiko quartz chronograph? Have it 18 years as my go to watch for everyday use but unfortunately it stopped working suddenly (new battery didn't get it running but might try another jeweller first). It's nothing expensive but was a gift so I'd like it working again if possible, otherwise will have to pick up a replacement soon for everyday use as I feel naked without it. thanks for any recomendations.

art · 26-04-2017 8:42am

I'd just drop that in to one of the fast-fix places, I've gone to the branch in Stephens green several times and found them personable and helpful. What they'll likely do is pop the back off, have a quick look and give you an estimate; if something is seriously wrong likely you'll find it more economical to buy a new one mind!

pawrick · 26-04-2017 11:49am

art wrote: »

I'd just drop that in to one of the fast-fix places, I've gone to the branch in Stephens green several times and found them personable and helpful. What they'll likely do is pop the back off, have a quick look and give you an estimate; if something is seriously wrong likely you'll find it more economical to buy a new one mind!

thanks for the recommendation, will check it out next time I'm in Dublin so

mailforkev · 27-04-2017 7:10am

I need to get an automatic Seamaster (2531) serviced, it's running a bit fast.

Fast fix in Dundrum say €350, will try a few other places next week.

Before I do, any recommendations?

iLikeWaffles · 28-04-2017 4:07am

I have a (circa) 1965/66 Seiko Sea Horse needing service anywhere around Dublin that would be trustworthy to leave it with.

07-05-2017 11:35am

art wrote: »

........

You service a mechanical to prevent the movement degrading. You service a quartz when there's a problem.........

Many folk reckon a mechanical service is only needed when there's a problem too. Parts will invariably wear to an extent.

Thirdfox · 07-05-2017 7:17pm

I guess I've seen too many photos of a watch's insides which hasn't been serviced to believe that only a service is needed when there's a problem. A stitch in time saves nine and all that - sure for the cheap Chinese watches in my collection I could just buy another movement and plop it in for less than the cost of a service but that's against my ecological senses (rightly or wrongly).

In fact I just sent off a ST2130 for a service at 2 times the cost of buying another ST2130 movement because I'm sentimental(foolish) like that.

art · 07-05-2017 8:04pm

Augeo wrote: »

Many folk reckon a mechanical service is only needed when there's a problem too. Parts will invariably wear to an extent.

Do wonder alright the extent of paying several thousand euros for something that is too fragile to last five years without getting a look at.

Thirdfox · 07-05-2017 9:49pm

Well I don't think it's about too fragile to last that long - but rather it's about keeping it in top mechanical shape. A car can probably(?) last for 100km without an oil change but you might need to trash the engine afterwards.

It's the price of paying into buying mechanical machines which are less accurate than cheap electronic counterparts. We say it's not purely jewellery - so we need to keep it well lubricated so we can say it's not just jewellery but functions as a timekeeping piece as well.

Someone else said it well I think - nowadays middleclass people generally can't see craftsmanship in front of their eyes anymore. But a mechanical watch can still be a good example of the art of a craft without paying x for a high end chair or crystal chandelier etc.

And I'm reading the novel Longitude by David Sobel right now - highly recommended read about the history of timekeeping and the number of lives it helped save during the age of exploration.

Anyway, deviating off course - no, I don't want to pay thousands to keep my watch collection in good mechanical shape - so I'll pay some for my Chinese stuff and learn a little about watchmaking myself and start to oil and clean my own stuff.

Thirdfox · 07-05-2017 11:22pm

Here's a good thread on this: they take the opposite view - I quite like it when it says a watch shouldn't be compared to that of a car - if a car goes wrong then people could die, if a watch goes wrong get it fixed...instead of going for regular servicing.

Will still get my watches pressure tested for diving watches. But you can see that plenty of watches can survive many decades without servicing:
http://forums.watchuseek.com/f23/rolex-never-serviced-4284346-4.html

Thirdfox · 07-05-2017 11:35pm

And finally one from Archer a WUS forumer who does nice teardowns and provides watch servicing in the US:
http://forums.watchuseek.com/f20/how-often-service-watch-watchmakers-view-789280.html

He says if the watch is new and uses a common movement then wearing until it breaks down makes ok sense i.e. ETA2824 and its derivatives. But if it's a vintage piece then you're trying to keep as much as the mechanisms working for as long as possible as it can be almost impossible to find replacement parts.

Wibbs · 08-05-2017 10:04am

TBH beyond the fast rising prices of vintage mechanicals I'd want, servicing, more the lack of local servicing for vintage mechanicals was one of the primary drivers of my collecting veering towards the early quartz/electronic era. They were cheaper to buy, had far fewer moving parts and less torque through same, so once they worked they kinda kept on working. Plus because they were cheaper I had less of a worry posting them to a couple of lads who work on them in the UK. Some were simple enough so that I could delve into fiddling with them myself(and when they were cheap I got spare movements).

Of my mechanicals I became more concerned about wear and tear. The rising prices, many if not most far above what I originally paid, make me extremely nervous about posting them. EG I have a Heuer BUND in dire need of fettling, but they're now selling for anything between three and four thousand quid. No way is that going in the post to Germany. Too risky. I've been very lucky so far and haven't suffered losses in the post, but at that price point I don't want my luck to run out.

Winterlong · 08-05-2017 10:28am

iLikeWaffles wrote: »

I have a (circa) 1965/66 Seiko Sea Horse needing service anywhere around Dublin that would be trustworthy to leave it with.

I get my vintages serviced by Michael Swift in scotland. Very reasonable prices and it is clear that he loves his trade.
But, his lead times are very long. Expect to be without the watch for 2-3 months. And he does not accept online payment or credit card so you need to post him a sterling bankdraft (available from the postoffice or bank) once he has completed the work and advised you of the final price + postage.

CarltonBrowne · 08-05-2017 11:12am

Winterlong wrote: »

But, his lead times are very long. Expect to be without the watch for 2-3 months.

You hear a fair bit of whinging elsewhere about long lead times for servicing and I have some sympathy if you're talking about big outfits like Rolex or Breitling. With a one man band I, more often than not, find myself saying "I think I should be able to manage; let me have a look but I think I have one or two other watches I could be wearing".

Winterlong · 08-05-2017 11:13am

CarltonBrowne wrote: »

I have one or two other watches I could be wearing".

Just one or two!!!!

iLikeWaffles · 08-05-2017 3:55pm

Got quote €180 for full overhaul of movement ultrasonic clean from watchfix D2. What are they like haven't looked into anyone else yet.

Winterlong · 08-05-2017 4:01pm

iLikeWaffles wrote: »

Got quote €180 for full overhaul of movement ultrasonic clean from watchfix D2. What are they like haven't looked into anyone else yet.

Expensive! All watch servicers should use ultrasonic cleaning so dont be too impressed by that.
My local guy did a service on my 1962 day/date manual wind seamaster for €110.
Michael Swift does it for STG£60 odd with another few quid for postage.
Chronos are more expensive, as are watches or automatic movements.

alexw · 08-05-2017 4:06pm

My husband & I both have Cartier watches and we get them serviced in Dawson Jewellers in D2. Excellent service, nice staff, good value & no delays. Last time I dropped in they told me watch only needed a new battery. Weirs on Grafton street had insisted on sending them to Switzerland & it took 8-10 weeks. That's why we switched following a recommendation from a friend.
Couldn't speak highly enough of them.

iLikeWaffles · 08-05-2017 4:25pm

Winterlong wrote: »

Expensive! All watch servicers should use ultrasonic cleaning so dont be too impressed by that.
My local guy did a service on my 1962 day/date manual wind seamaster for €110.
Michael Swift does it for STG£60 odd with another few quid for postage.
Chronos are more expensive, as are watches or automatic movements.

When did you get that done who did it for you. Will be shopping around so to speak.

I haven't got a clue what is expensive would be the first time getting a timepiece serviced. Don't think I'd have the balls to post it anywhere.

Winterlong · 08-05-2017 4:29pm

iLikeWaffles wrote: »

When did you get that done who did it for you. Will be shopping around so to speak.

I haven't got a clue what is expensive would be the first time getting a watch serviced. Don't think I'd have the balls to post it anywhere.

The 'local' guy is a fella in nutgrove shopping centre. He sells watches from a small shop there but takes watches in for servicing too. He does not service them himself but sends them out to some other person to do the servicing.
Takes a week. Seemed to do a good job on what is a relatively inexpensive watch.
I last used him in 2014 and have used Swift since then due to lower cost and reputation.
https://www.michaelswift.co.uk/

None of my vintage watches are worth much more than 500 though.

iLikeWaffles · 08-05-2017 4:39pm

Winterlong wrote: »

The 'local' guy is a fella in nutgrove shopping centre. He sells watches from a small shop there but takes watches in for servicing too. He does not service them himself but sends them out to some other person to do the servicing.
Takes a week. Seemed to do a good job on what is a relatively inexpensive watch.
I last used him in 2014 and have used Swift since then due to lower cost and reputation.
https://www.michaelswift.co.uk/

None of my vintage watches are worth much more than 500 though.

Thanks for the link.

Bateman · 08-05-2017 5:34pm

I am dreading getting my Seamaster done when it comes up for the first time, will definitely be foraging for this thread when the time comes

Thirdfox · 08-05-2017 5:38pm

Maybe by then I'll be ready to start operating on other people's watches :P

Winterlong · 08-05-2017 6:43pm

Thirdfox wrote: »

Maybe by then I'll be ready to start operating on other people's watches :P

This book was absolutely invaluable to me when I started out.
https://www.amazon.com/Repairing-Clocks-Watches-Anthony-Whiten/dp/0719801907

But I still get all in a fuddle when it comes to handling hairsprings.

iLikeWaffles · 08-05-2017 10:46pm

Winterlong wrote: »

But I still get all in a fuddle when it comes to handling hairsprings.

Suppose I'd want a qualified Horologist do the work. Don't suppose they'll have a certificate hanging on the wall.

Might bring it into William Lawless on Manor St. See if they would know anyone or could recommend, specialises in clocks reckon the opinion would be neutral if he can't do the work on it.

Thirdfox · 09-05-2017 12:21am

Winterlong wrote: »

This book was absolutely invaluable to me when I started out.
https://www.amazon.com/Repairing-Clocks-Watches-Anthony-Whiten/dp/0719801907

But I still get all in a fuddle when it comes to handling hairsprings.

Yup - I've requested it from the local library already. Just waiting for the movement holder and hands remover to arrive - as well as a few old movements sold as a lot on ebay - 5 movements for 10 euro should keep me occupied for a while.

fmul9798 · 14-05-2017 3:55pm

mailforkev wrote: »

I need to get an automatic Seamaster (2531) serviced, it's running a bit fast.

Fast fix in Dundrum say €350, will try a few other places next week.

Before I do, any recommendations?

Did you manage to get it done?
Have a 2531.80 Cal 1120 that I want to have serviced, but won't post it anywhere and not going the AD route. Case and strap are immaculate so I just want the movement serviced as it's running slow.

mailforkev · 14-05-2017 5:39pm

fmul9798 wrote: »

Did you manage to get it done?
Have a 2531.80 Cal 1120 that I want to have serviced, but won't post it anywhere and not going the AD route. Case and strap are immaculate so I just want the movement serviced as it's running slow.

Have been busy so haven't gotten around to it yet. I work in Dublin city centre so am going to pop into Weirs etc in the near future and just see what they say. To get a baseline figure at least.

TBH, if I don't find a better solution I'll prob just end up throwing money at the problem to make it go away and go AD.

California Dreamer · 13-09-2020 12:24pm

I didnt want to go and start a new thread and some of the answers above are still current. I think my Brietling needs a service. Does anyone have any recomendations or is a trip to weirs on the cards?

893bet · 13-09-2020 12:33pm

What’s the ref number and what’s the issue?

California Dreamer · 13-09-2020 12:56pm

893bet wrote: »

What’s the ref number and what’s the issue?

A17331 and its losing time.

893bet · 13-09-2020 1:18pm

California Dreamer wrote: »

A17331 and its losing time.

How much time?

Suggest buying a cheap demagnetiser unit as a first port.

Servicing, when the cost of servicing is likely to be 20% of the watch value is a fools game (one I have played.).

California Dreamer · 13-09-2020 1:19pm

893bet wrote: »

How much time?

Suggest buying a cheap demagnetiser unit as a first port.

Servicing, when the cost of servicing is likely to be 20% of the watch value is a fools game (one I have played.).

5-6 seconds a day.

893bet · 13-09-2020 1:27pm

Seconds a day or minutes? If it’s seconds forget the demag.

It’s spec is -4/+6 seconds a day so It is running very close to specification....leave it alone....

banie01 · 13-09-2020 1:43pm

893bet is right if it's 5/6 seconds a day it's within spec.

If you want it serviced Breitling will be pricey but will come with the added reassurance of an AD service with whatever warranty the offer.

I think the calibre 17 is a decorated 2824 ETA and as such any competent watchmaker should be well able to service it.
That said, I don't know if I'd want to hand off my Breitling to a non AD for a service.

That said, I did get my Sinn serviced and pressure tested in J.A Daly's in Limerick last year. Will see if I can dig out the price

California Dreamer · 14-09-2020 7:18am

banie01 wrote: »

893bet is right if it's 5/6 seconds a day it's within spec.

If you want it serviced Breitling will be pricey but will come with the added reassurance of an AD service with whatever warranty the offer.

I think the calibre 17 is a decorated 2824 ETA and as such any competent watchmaker should be well able to service it.
That said, I don't know if I'd want to hand off my Breitling to a non AD for a service.

That said, I did get my Sinn serviced and pressure tested in J.A Daly's in Limerick last year. Will see if I can dig out the price

5/6 seconds a day turns into a 1-2 minutes after a month. Is that within spec???

893bet · 14-09-2020 7:28am

California Dreamer wrote: »

5/6 seconds a day turns into a 1-2 minutes after a month. Is that within spec???

Yes. The spec is per day.

That could turn into 36 minutes per year and it is still in spec and still very accurate.

As a test for two weeks I would full wind watch and leave the watch in different positions and time it.

Ie full wind and then leave it face down for 24 hours and time. Full wind and leave it face up and time, full wind then crown down and time etc.

Thirdfox · 14-09-2020 7:58am

California Dreamer wrote: »

5/6 seconds a day turns into a 1-2 minutes after a month. Is that within spec???

5-6 seconds out of the 86,400 seconds in a day is 99.992% accuracy.

Put it another way - if you were running a marathon 99.992% accuracy means you ran an extra/were short by 2.9 metres after running 42195 metres.

Some new mechanical movements can get 0.5 seconds accuracy per day (grand seiko tourbillon, zenith defy lab) but if absolute accuracy is desired high accuracy quartz (or radio controlled quartz) would be my recommendation. Some HAQ (high accuracy quartz) can be accurate to 5 seconds a year or better and radio controlled is accurate because it constantly updates the time every night.

Wibbs · 14-09-2020 8:24am

California Dreamer wrote: »

5/6 seconds a day turns into a 1-2 minutes after a month. Is that within spec???

Very much so. Especially if it's losing 5/6 seconds a day consistently(a watch that is day on day out by exactly 30 seconds slow/fast is actually more accurate than one that loses 5 seconds one day and gains 8 another). That's not too far off COSC standards for a mechanical chronometer rating.

Back in the old days when the first electronic movements came out and got better accuracy than the mechanical, the company Bulova who had the Accutron tuning fork movement advertised "accurate to a minute per month" which was considered unreal accuracy. Mechanical watches of the time no matter which brand or how expensive would rarely get close to that outside of lab conditions.

So yeah in my humble there's nothing wrong with your Breitling and like Thirdfox said if you want more accuracy then watches like grand seiko tourbillon, or high accuracy quartz, or radio controlled stuff would be the way to go.

Thirdfox · 14-09-2020 1:04pm

By the way I've just sent a Longines off to Alan Tully in Galway - will let people know how I get on.

It was nice to An Post registered post offering insurance now - €1800 insured for €5.50 is pretty good in my eyes. Anything below €1500 costs 4.50

Watch servicing - who to go with?

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