Watch Repairs in the NW (or further afield)
Discussion
The pins that hold the face in place on my watch have bent/snapped, leaving the 12 o'clock position off centre.
The watch is a 20 year old Raymond Weil. I've taken it to a local dealer and they sent it off for repair, it came back with a note saying that the parts were obsolete but they'd do me a good deal for PX against a new one.
I wasn't 100% happy with this response as their business is to sell watches and I thought I was being milked a bit.
So, I've taken it to a local independent who said initially that it was a simple fix, likely 2 weeks to get it sorted. They've contacted me today to say 'the parts are obsolete and there's not much we can do'...
What I need is someone who 'repairs watches' and doesn't just 'fit parts'.
Can anybody recommend a decent repairer? Ideally based in NW England but I work in N.Yorks a lot and have regular trips to Cheltenham so fairly flexible around these areas too.
The watch is a 20 year old Raymond Weil. I've taken it to a local dealer and they sent it off for repair, it came back with a note saying that the parts were obsolete but they'd do me a good deal for PX against a new one.
I wasn't 100% happy with this response as their business is to sell watches and I thought I was being milked a bit.
So, I've taken it to a local independent who said initially that it was a simple fix, likely 2 weeks to get it sorted. They've contacted me today to say 'the parts are obsolete and there's not much we can do'...
What I need is someone who 'repairs watches' and doesn't just 'fit parts'.
Can anybody recommend a decent repairer? Ideally based in NW England but I work in N.Yorks a lot and have regular trips to Cheltenham so fairly flexible around these areas too.
If you dont mind posting it, I would be happy to have a look for you. Im in newcastle.
No charge for investigating, then i would estimate for repairs.
It is likely that the previous repairer was not willing to spend their time on it, but as a watchmaker, one should be making parts if none are available
I suspect you need some new dial feet made and attached. Worst case scenario, the dial could be affixed to the movement but thats a last resort.
Anyway, send me a message if you want to discuss further.
No charge for investigating, then i would estimate for repairs.
It is likely that the previous repairer was not willing to spend their time on it, but as a watchmaker, one should be making parts if none are available
I suspect you need some new dial feet made and attached. Worst case scenario, the dial could be affixed to the movement but thats a last resort.
Anyway, send me a message if you want to discuss further.
If the dial feet have snapped there's going to be an element of risk there. The "correct" way of repair is to solder new dial feet on, but get it slightly wrong and the heat will wreck the dial. It's also expensive. You can also, I think, buy plastic feet to glue/bond to the dial , though these are less robust.
As a last resort, it is possible to use a small pad of glue to hold the dial in place, but that is moving dangerously close to the world of bodging which, understandably, many watchmakers wouldn't want to go near unless you explicitly free them from any expectation of a warranty, and many others would still baulk at the idea.
With this, you are basically asking someone to glue your dial on, which will have implications should it ever need serviced again (as the next guy will be faced with the same problem. And possibly glue spread throught the movement).
As a last resort, it is possible to use a small pad of glue to hold the dial in place, but that is moving dangerously close to the world of bodging which, understandably, many watchmakers wouldn't want to go near unless you explicitly free them from any expectation of a warranty, and many others would still baulk at the idea.
With this, you are basically asking someone to glue your dial on, which will have implications should it ever need serviced again (as the next guy will be faced with the same problem. And possibly glue spread throught the movement).
- edit* just re-read your post re: fixing it. Quartz movements can be serviced, but if the circuit or coil is damaged it's usually game over if you can't find a donor movement with good parts.
Edited by glazbagun on Wednesday 13th June 13:06
andy97 said:
Try Joe at Anglesey Watches and Clocks. Recommended by many people on here.
I posted a watch to him by recorded delivery and received great service.
Another thumbs up for Joe .He repaired two watches (easy repair) while I waited ,the third a expensive watch needed parts but was ready in 3 weeks and a fraction of the authorised dealers price .He does accept posted items if you don’t fancy a trip to HolyheadI posted a watch to him by recorded delivery and received great service.
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