Repairing cheap watches
Discussion
As with so much these days, the price of labour means that cheap watches probably get chucked rather than fixed. However, I have a couple of cheap watches that are of rather sentimental value that I’d like to get looked at, even if replacement would be cheaper.
One is a quartz Tissot PRC200 chrono that my dad gave me - I haven’t used it for about 15 years, from memory the battery didn’t seem to last long but I don’t know if it was due to poor/cheap fitting.
The other is a Seiko 5 which was my first automatic watch. It suddenly started losing time about 10 years ago and I stopped trusting it. I spoke to a watch repairer who told me he suspected he knew what the problem but it was impossible to pin him down to repair it so I gave up in the end.
Are the likes of fixmywatch.co.uk any good for watches like this?
One is a quartz Tissot PRC200 chrono that my dad gave me - I haven’t used it for about 15 years, from memory the battery didn’t seem to last long but I don’t know if it was due to poor/cheap fitting.
The other is a Seiko 5 which was my first automatic watch. It suddenly started losing time about 10 years ago and I stopped trusting it. I spoke to a watch repairer who told me he suspected he knew what the problem but it was impossible to pin him down to repair it so I gave up in the end.
Are the likes of fixmywatch.co.uk any good for watches like this?
I have never used an online watch repair service, only ever a trusted local watch repair shop. Never use Timpsons!
I have about six watches and wanted to change some of the straps around so I bought myself a relatively cheap watch repair kit from amazon. It came with all the tools you need from changing straps to replacing batteries. All I did was watch a couple of videos on Youtube to get an idea of how to do the tasks I wanted and I found it really easy.
I probably wouldn't do the work myself on a high end watch, but to do battery changes/straps etc it is really easy.
I have about six watches and wanted to change some of the straps around so I bought myself a relatively cheap watch repair kit from amazon. It came with all the tools you need from changing straps to replacing batteries. All I did was watch a couple of videos on Youtube to get an idea of how to do the tasks I wanted and I found it really easy.
I probably wouldn't do the work myself on a high end watch, but to do battery changes/straps etc it is really easy.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Watches/comments/43g4rh/q...
I've heard elsewhere that giving the watch a slap (behind/on the back) can help.
It's down to you to take the risk, obviously, but if it's already broken, what's the harm in breaking it more?
I've heard elsewhere that giving the watch a slap (behind/on the back) can help.
It's down to you to take the risk, obviously, but if it's already broken, what's the harm in breaking it more?
Hoofy said:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Watches/comments/43g4rh/q...
I've heard elsewhere that giving the watch a slap (behind/on the back) can help.
It's down to you to take the risk, obviously, but if it's already broken, what's the harm in breaking it more?
As a serial eBay bargain hunter, I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve bought a non working watch that’s ticking away merrily after a good trip through the Royal Mail. I've heard elsewhere that giving the watch a slap (behind/on the back) can help.
It's down to you to take the risk, obviously, but if it's already broken, what's the harm in breaking it more?
Perhaps, instead of servicing, you should just post the watch to yourself…
Having used him for a couple of watches myself, I'd highly recommend Richard Rigg, who used to frequent these parts. Great service, quick turnaround, and he tells you what he's found and how much it will cost, and prices are more than reasonable. You can find him at riggarepairs.co.uk
Oceanrower said:
Hoofy said:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Watches/comments/43g4rh/q...
I've heard elsewhere that giving the watch a slap (behind/on the back) can help.
It's down to you to take the risk, obviously, but if it's already broken, what's the harm in breaking it more?
As a serial eBay bargain hunter, I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve bought a non working watch that’s ticking away merrily after a good trip through the Royal Mail. I've heard elsewhere that giving the watch a slap (behind/on the back) can help.
It's down to you to take the risk, obviously, but if it's already broken, what's the harm in breaking it more?
Perhaps, instead of servicing, you should just post the watch to yourself…
Re: the 5, Seikomods sell the NH35/36A movements for £50 (or £20 on aliexpress). I'd be looking to chuck in a new movement.
There is a sizeable community around modding Seikos, a large proportion of which will be 5s. If it's not something you want to do yourself, you might be able to find an enthusiastic modder who will do it for beer money...
Alternatively there are websites which offer modded seikos for sale. I'd imagine they could whip out the movement and chuck in a new one in the blink of an eye
There is a sizeable community around modding Seikos, a large proportion of which will be 5s. If it's not something you want to do yourself, you might be able to find an enthusiastic modder who will do it for beer money...
Alternatively there are websites which offer modded seikos for sale. I'd imagine they could whip out the movement and chuck in a new one in the blink of an eye
NiceCupOfTea said:
As with so much these days, the price of labour means that cheap watches probably get chucked rather than fixed. However, I have a couple of cheap watches that are of rather sentimental value that I’d like to get looked at, even if replacement would be cheaper.
One is a quartz Tissot PRC200 chrono that my dad gave me - I haven’t used it for about 15 years, from memory the battery didn’t seem to last long but I don’t know if it was due to poor/cheap fitting.
The other is a Seiko 5 which was my first automatic watch. It suddenly started losing time about 10 years ago and I stopped trusting it. I spoke to a watch repairer who told me he suspected he knew what the problem but it was impossible to pin him down to repair it so I gave up in the end.
Are the likes of fixmywatch.co.uk any good for watches like this?
You can get a modern nh35/36 for your Seiko 5 which will hand wind. Depending on the age of the Seiko, it maybe the old shake to wind movement (can't remember model#)One is a quartz Tissot PRC200 chrono that my dad gave me - I haven’t used it for about 15 years, from memory the battery didn’t seem to last long but I don’t know if it was due to poor/cheap fitting.
The other is a Seiko 5 which was my first automatic watch. It suddenly started losing time about 10 years ago and I stopped trusting it. I spoke to a watch repairer who told me he suspected he knew what the problem but it was impossible to pin him down to repair it so I gave up in the end.
Are the likes of fixmywatch.co.uk any good for watches like this?
If you want a local UK source of parts, then Cousins is the goto store for guaranteed genuine parts. Price fluctuates from £30-40 for the movement.
-Cappo- said:
Having used him for a couple of watches myself, I'd highly recommend Richard Rigg, who used to frequent these parts. Great service, quick turnaround, and he tells you what he's found and how much it will cost, and prices are more than reasonable. You can find him at riggarepairs.co.uk
Agreed, great watchmaker. From memory I believe that he'd achieved a 25 year Master certificate service from Omega. Really nice lad too.Hoofy said:
Ryyy said:
Oceanrower said:
Perhaps, instead of servicing, you should just post the watch to yourself…
...through evri 
He does want the watch back!
They also fitted a new battery to my 30 year old Rotary for £12 and that's now working a treat and also have a modern Rotary which had a new movement fitted elsewhere for £80 but stopped working after 3 months so that will be their next challenge
Ask for a quote first though! Gladers01 said:
A few weeks ago i had a mishap on the bike and in the impact my Mondaine Evo2 ended up with the hour, minute and second hand falling off plus a scratched glass so i gave it to Timpsons who sent it away to their repair centre in Wolverhampton and 10 days later it was returned all working again and good as new, the cost was £10.
They also fitted a new battery to my 30 year old Rotary for £12 and that's now working a treat and also have a modern Rotary which had a new movement fitted elsewhere for £80 but stopped working after 3 months so that will be their next challenge Ask for a quote first though!
£10?! Not sure about those prices for Timpsons in London. £25 for a lifetime battery offer. £100+ to fit a Breitling battery (they wanted to send it off).They also fitted a new battery to my 30 year old Rotary for £12 and that's now working a treat and also have a modern Rotary which had a new movement fitted elsewhere for £80 but stopped working after 3 months so that will be their next challenge
Ask for a quote first though! Your Tissot will simply be fitted with a new calibre, wherever you send it. With a cheap set of tools and a little patience this is easy to do yourself. And cheap.
Seiko UK are justly famous for customer service and will revive your 5 for you no problem.
I have a hobby of buying non-runner Seiko watches for buttons online and fiddling about with them. Usually I stick to Kinetics - they're easy.
Earlier this year I transplanted a 5M62 Kinetic calibre into a 5 which is now reliable and very accurate, but looks original.
Repairing and modifying Seikos is a very rewarding bit of fun and everything you can possibly need or want is easily available online.
You know you want to...
Seiko UK are justly famous for customer service and will revive your 5 for you no problem.
I have a hobby of buying non-runner Seiko watches for buttons online and fiddling about with them. Usually I stick to Kinetics - they're easy.
Earlier this year I transplanted a 5M62 Kinetic calibre into a 5 which is now reliable and very accurate, but looks original.
Repairing and modifying Seikos is a very rewarding bit of fun and everything you can possibly need or want is easily available online.
You know you want to...
Error_404_Username_not_found said:
Your Tissot will simply be fitted with a new calibre, wherever you send it. With a cheap set of tools and a little patience this is easy to do yourself. And cheap.
Seiko UK are justly famous for customer service and will revive your 5 for you no problem.
I have a hobby of buying non-runner Seiko watches for buttons online and fiddling about with them. Usually I stick to Kinetics - they're easy.
Earlier this year I transplanted a 5M62 Kinetic calibre into a 5 which is now reliable and very accurate, but looks original.
Repairing and modifying Seikos is a very rewarding bit of fun and everything you can possibly need or want is easily available online.
You know you want to...
Yep, Seiko UK repaired an old SKX I got from a car bootie, just over £100 a couple of years ago. Still keeps perfect time.Seiko UK are justly famous for customer service and will revive your 5 for you no problem.
I have a hobby of buying non-runner Seiko watches for buttons online and fiddling about with them. Usually I stick to Kinetics - they're easy.
Earlier this year I transplanted a 5M62 Kinetic calibre into a 5 which is now reliable and very accurate, but looks original.
Repairing and modifying Seikos is a very rewarding bit of fun and everything you can possibly need or want is easily available online.
You know you want to...
Their turnaround is a bit slow but I can't fault the work and price.
Miguel Alvarez said:
The problem I’ve found with timpsons is each shop ranges from amazing to downright useless and the prices vary from peanuts to extortionate. One place wanted to charge me £40 to take a link out of a bog standard steel bracelet because it was a cartier.
Useful to know. Will try another Timpsons.Gassing Station | Watches | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff