Variomatic

Author
Discussion

texaxile

3,290 posts

150 months

Thursday 24th March 2016
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Joe,
sorry to add to your woes, but I've got a TAG which needs looking at…suspect battery dead but it has not been used or worn for several years, it just stopped and was put back in the box apparently.

Can I fire it off to you over the next couple of weeks (more likely to be mid April) for a check?.

Cheers
Pete

Variomatic

2,392 posts

161 months

Thursday 24th March 2016
quotequote all
pleased to help, fas - wanted to get them back out before they got caught up in the double bank holiday post!

And, Pete, no problem sending a quartz Tag through for checking but I'm afraid that, as things stand with my work load, I won't be offering a Tag level of service - informing you that it needs a full service, new hands, new dial, and that'll be 4 figures Sir - unless it really really REALLY needs them laugh

Troubleatmill

10,210 posts

159 months

Thursday 24th March 2016
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Variomatic said:
pleased to help, fas - wanted to get them back out before they got caught up in the double bank holiday post!

And, Pete, no problem sending a quartz Tag through for checking but I'm afraid that, as things stand with my work load, I won't be offering a Tag level of service - informing you that it needs a full service, new hands, new dial, and that'll be 4 figures Sir - unless it really really REALLY needs them laugh
Triggers broom?

texaxile

3,290 posts

150 months

Saturday 26th March 2016
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Troubleatmill said:
Triggers broom?
nope, Joe's biglaugh

IroningMan

10,154 posts

246 months

Saturday 26th March 2016
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Variomatic said:
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.
Fab - many thanks.

Jimmy Recard

17,540 posts

179 months

Saturday 26th March 2016
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Joe has had two TAG Heuers of mine for a bit of work and what stands out is that his customer service is NOTHING like what you get with TAG Heuer.



















































I had both watches back next day, they hadn't been scratched or dented and no one tried to blame me for ruining them and charge me hundreds of pounds to correct non-existant problems!Imagine if TAG Heuer could do that....

Vvroom

1,170 posts

190 months

Wednesday 15th February 2017
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A week ago I sent this to Joe. It was not working and 2 bits (technical aren't I) had fallen out of the mechanism. Joe told me what I needed, ordered a part and made another (!) all for an extremely reasonable fee. Honest and straightforward to deal with. It's now ticking away happily. A big thank you.


battered

4,088 posts

147 months

Wednesday 15th February 2017
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That's very tasteful. Baume & Mercier?

Vvroom

1,170 posts

190 months

Wednesday 15th February 2017
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battered said:
That's very tasteful. Baume & Mercier?
Yes. Early 50s I think. Thank you

texaxile

3,290 posts

150 months

Thursday 16th February 2017
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Vvroom said:
Yes. Early 50s I think. Thank you
Very nice it is too. I felt a slight pang of jealousy looking at that!.

Did you contact Joe at his place of work?, he's been very quiet here lately, I wondered what had happened to the old boy.

GC8

19,910 posts

190 months

Friday 17th February 2017
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Extremely busy, I believe.

Vvroom

1,170 posts

190 months

Friday 17th February 2017
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texaxile said:
Vvroom said:
Yes. Early 50s I think. Thank you
Very nice it is too. I felt a slight pang of jealousy looking at that!.

Did you contact Joe at his place of work?, he's been very quiet here lately, I wondered what had happened to the old boy.
Yes I did. I rang the main number and there was no answer. Joe did 1471 or similar and got back to me within 10mins.

subsea99

464 posts

173 months

Saturday 25th February 2017
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Just had my 1990 SD serviced by Joe and again 1st class service as always,thanks Joe


NiceCupOfTea

25,287 posts

251 months

Sunday 2nd July 2017
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Contacted Joe just over a year ago regarding my Seiko 5 losing time and my old Tissot needing a battery and a service. He was very helpful but I forgot all about it. They are still sitting in a box and my wife's Tissot needs a battery as well so I'd quite like to get them sorted.

Is he still about, he's not posted in over a year...

GC8

19,910 posts

190 months

Monday 3rd July 2017
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Busy, I believe.

NiceCupOfTea

25,287 posts

251 months

Monday 24th July 2017
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Anybody been in touch with him at all? Sent him a couple of emails over the last month and not had a reply at all...

ecain63

10,588 posts

175 months

Monday 24th July 2017
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Try calling his shop, Anglesey Watches & Clocks

rat840771

2,023 posts

165 months

Monday 24th July 2017
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He's about. Sorted my Sinn clasp out for £35 all in, better than £250 for a replacement from Sinn.

All done in under 1 week.

Great service.


Trev450

6,320 posts

172 months

Monday 24th July 2017
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He is about but very busy. Did a service and repair work for me only a couple of weeks ago. As suggested, try phoning.

Deebo007

177 posts

183 months

Tuesday 14th July 2020
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Hi All, I've been trying to contact Joe to arrange a repair on my WAJ2110 Tag. Has anyone heard form him lately? I've texted, called and messaged via facebook with no response.

Thanks,
Dave