Discussion
BrewsterBear said:
I've tried emailing Variomatic twice; once through here and once to the sian@angleseywatches.co.uk address on your website, but not had a reply unfortunately. If you don't want the job I'm asking for then a simple "no thanks" would do.
Not had anything come through from here that I can see & I'm afraid Sian is still a littke slow on admin aftwr hwr operation last month.The email registered on here is watchmaker1 at hotmail dot com and should work direct if the PH system is playing up.
Although I may also be a bit slow responding right now because I'm having to cover the repairs, parts ordering, post, shop counter, phones, books and walking the hounds while Sian's on the mend. Any delays come with my sincere apologies for only being human
Edited by Variomatic on Friday 18th March 13:25
BrewsterBear said:
I've tried emailing Variomatic twice; once through here and once to the sian@angleseywatches.co.uk address on your website, but not had a reply unfortunately. If you don't want the job I'm asking for then a simple "no thanks" would do.
Or ... just phone him.. a 3 second google and he is the first hit. 
He does seem approachable, friendly etc etc.
Another positive recommendation for Variomatic for me- Joe fixed a Raymond Weil of mine. Not only was the cost of repair ridiculously cheap, but I also suspect that other 'repairers' would have given up as not fixable or only with a bunch of new spares (if they could be found).
I did experience some communications issues too via email- but this was not due to Joe, there were a few issues with email via Pistonheads in my case- emails simply not being delivered.
Extremely happy with what I got; been meaning po post up a couple of photos...
I did experience some communications issues too via email- but this was not due to Joe, there were a few issues with email via Pistonheads in my case- emails simply not being delivered.
Extremely happy with what I got; been meaning po post up a couple of photos...
Must just be me then. I tried calling with no answer and I sent two emails from different sources with no reply. It's hardly handbags, just my experience. The reason I tried to get in touch was all the recommendations on here. I have no doubt his work is excellent, but it's not much good if you can't get hold of him.
Complaining you haven't got time to reply to potential customers while merrily posting on a forum for days without reading your business emails doesn't fill me with confidence. Sorry to hear about your wife. I hope she convalesces soon.
Complaining you haven't got time to reply to potential customers while merrily posting on a forum for days without reading your business emails doesn't fill me with confidence. Sorry to hear about your wife. I hope she convalesces soon.
I have two pieces with him at the moment, both not worth much from a cash point of view but very much so for personal reasons, although they look poorly he has assured me he will do his best to repair them, I was told he is bogged down with work and that is fine, I am sure I will get a call when he has had chance to look them over properly.
Good work is worth waiting for I.M.O.
Good work is worth waiting for I.M.O.
I'm genuinely sorry if you feel disappointed, BrewsterBear, but as (while Sian's recovering) essentially a one-man-band I have two basic options:
I can continue to accept any and all jobs and continue keeping prices as reasonable as possible. Which means working horrendous hours, doiing clocks in the evening once the shop's shut, often following up admin and messages to midnight or beyond (pretty sure a few round here have woken up to 1am replies to a query!), and occasionally missing an email or phone call as I try to keep up.
or:
I can do what most other indies have chosen to do and concentrate on the low volume, high profit, side of the business by servicing an Omega or Rolex a day at twice what I currently charge, and actually have time to think, check emails, or take a proper day off, in between jobs.
I really do apologise for missing your messages but I certainly don't apologise for choosing the first of those options because doing so helps to keep repairs accessible to as many people as possible, and makes a lot of otherwise non-viable repairs worthwhile for the owners.
I can continue to accept any and all jobs and continue keeping prices as reasonable as possible. Which means working horrendous hours, doiing clocks in the evening once the shop's shut, often following up admin and messages to midnight or beyond (pretty sure a few round here have woken up to 1am replies to a query!), and occasionally missing an email or phone call as I try to keep up.
or:
I can do what most other indies have chosen to do and concentrate on the low volume, high profit, side of the business by servicing an Omega or Rolex a day at twice what I currently charge, and actually have time to think, check emails, or take a proper day off, in between jobs.
I really do apologise for missing your messages but I certainly don't apologise for choosing the first of those options because doing so helps to keep repairs accessible to as many people as possible, and makes a lot of otherwise non-viable repairs worthwhile for the owners.
I had a similar situation where I was returning my Fortis for a repair with Variomatic and for a week I tried all methods of trying to get hold of him with no luck for a week, and I began to think that I had done something wrong. But I 'correctly' assumed that he was off looking after his wife. Eventually Vario came back to me once he was back, watch sent and excellent FOC repair carried out.
Just a suggestion Vario - If you are off and the workshop is shut can you provide an Out of office message explaining that you will be back in X days if an email/call is made?
Just a suggestion Vario - If you are off and the workshop is shut can you provide an Out of office message explaining that you will be back in X days if an email/call is made?
Haven't really got a single brand preference for batteries, although I stick to one (apartfrom a couple of sizes that are only available in Renata).
The biggest question for me is "have I ever seen one leak?" Tendency to leak is the absolutely worst thing a battery can do because it's odds on to destroy the movement.
Over the past 20-odd years the answer for popular brands is:
Assorted chinese: leagage almost guaranteed, often before they're even fitted.
Rayovac: leakage very common, often before they're flat so the leak is the first sign of problems.
Varta: fairly often leak but usually after they've been dead for a few months.
Energiser: much like Varta and only offer a very reduced range
Renata: occasional leaks, almost always from "long dead" watches left in drawers for a year or two but a couple of times in "working" watches.
Seiko, Seizaiken (Seiko alternative brand), Maxell, Sony, Panasonic: never seen leakage.
Obviously the above doesn't allow for the popularity of the brands (eg: Renata are used more than Seiko so more likely to come across the failures) but the list down to Varta are, in my experience, too much of a risk to be worthwhile.
Personally I use Seizaiken wherever possible with Renata filling in the (mostly semi-obsolete) gaps in the range.
The biggest question for me is "have I ever seen one leak?" Tendency to leak is the absolutely worst thing a battery can do because it's odds on to destroy the movement.
Over the past 20-odd years the answer for popular brands is:
Assorted chinese: leagage almost guaranteed, often before they're even fitted.
Rayovac: leakage very common, often before they're flat so the leak is the first sign of problems.
Varta: fairly often leak but usually after they've been dead for a few months.
Energiser: much like Varta and only offer a very reduced range
Renata: occasional leaks, almost always from "long dead" watches left in drawers for a year or two but a couple of times in "working" watches.
Seiko, Seizaiken (Seiko alternative brand), Maxell, Sony, Panasonic: never seen leakage.
Obviously the above doesn't allow for the popularity of the brands (eg: Renata are used more than Seiko so more likely to come across the failures) but the list down to Varta are, in my experience, too much of a risk to be worthwhile.
Personally I use Seizaiken wherever possible with Renata filling in the (mostly semi-obsolete) gaps in the range.
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