Watch service / battery change

[ridds]

If you have a watch from a certain London based manufacturer who charges £90 for a full quartz, chrono, battery change and service my word of advice is:

Don't bother. I did, thinking the manufacturer may take great care of their product.

• Returned to me the first time not cleaned at all. Hadn't even been near a ultrasonic bath.
• Emailed explaining the issues with photos and they stated it can't be so, can't see the dirt etc etc.
• Sent a document highlighting the issues with text to explain, suddenly they could see it and it would be addressed.
• Came back again still showing signs of muck, even though they were going to inspect it very carefully before returning.

I was a huge fan of the brand before this experience. The watch has been in daily use for 3 years and showing very little wear.

Save your money and take your watch to Timpsons for its new battery.

[Variomatic]

ridds][... said:

Save your money and take your watch to Timpsons for its new battery.

Or even to a proper watch repairer rather than a cobbler / key-cutter / ice cream seller.

Ok, don't think they've actually started selling ice creams yet but you should get the idea

[GC8]

Id avoid them. If you take a reasonably decent watch there youll find out that they have a cosy arrangement with the manufacturer, accompanied by an excessive bill.

[SVS]

Avoid whom? Timpsons?

[GC8]

Yes. I only have one quartz, which is a very old Omega MegaQuartz. Its nothing like a modern quartz watch and on modern batteries itll need a replacement every year at least, so I was looking for a cheaper alternative than Swatch.

Timpsons wanted an outrageous fee for sending it off to Swatch and wouldn't even open it for me, as they have an airtight deal.

Their using a picture of a Rolex on their advertising is comical.

[Variomatic]

GC8 said:

Yes. I only have one quartz, which is a very old Omega MegaQuartz. Its nothing like a modern quartz watch and on modern batteries itll need a replacement every year at least, so I was looking for a cheaper alternative than Swatch.

Timpsons wanted an outrageous fee for sending it off to Swatch and wouldn't even open it for me, as they have an airtight deal.

Their using a picture of a Rolex on their advertising is comical.

The 1310? Technically curious movement that one, complete with (adjustable) worm drive, anti-reversing click, and magnetic coupling on the hour wheel. Stereo microscope strongly recommended for adjustment of the click.

They really hadn't quite worked out the best way to build a quartz movement when they made that one

[GC8]

1325. Similar but different, I believe. 15 jewels too, which is four more than a Rolex Oysterquartz.

[Variomatic]

At least they put the motor in the right way on that one

[SVS]

That's odd re: Timpsons. I've always found Timpsons to be very good for battery changes - perhaps not the cheapest, but the reseal comes with a written guarantee. Maybe it's an Omega-specific issue.

[Variomatic]

SVS said:

That's odd re: Timpsons. I've always found Timpsons to be very good for battery changes - perhaps not the cheapest, but the reseal comes with a written guarantee. Maybe it's an Omega-specific issue.

Yep, I believe they gave a written guarantee on the one I put right recently after the reseal they charged for (as an unrequested extra) during a clasp repair. When challenged about the extra they explained it was because they'd changed the battery while it was in the workshop. On an automatic chronograph.

The owner wasn't terribly happy with them, especially seeing as they'd left the back finger tight and filled the watch with the dirt that inevitably accumulates around the back threads

[GC8]

Whilst I don't have a definitive answer, I came away with the impression that it was all 'premium' Swatch brands, not just Omega.

[BHC]

GC8 said:

Yes. I only have one quartz, which is a very old Omega MegaQuartz. Its nothing like a modern quartz watch and on modern batteries itll need a replacement every year at least, so I was looking for a cheaper alternative than Swatch.

Timpsons wanted an outrageous fee for sending it off to Swatch and wouldn't even open it for me, as they have an airtight deal.

Their using a picture of a Rolex on their advertising is comical.

My only quartz is an Omega Constellation and I almost laughed when Timpsons quoted £90 and 4 weeks wait for a new battery.

[GC8]

I will guess that this is the same cosy deal price that I was quoted Brian. I remember asking whether they would change the battery on an Oysterquartz as they had a picture of a Rolex in their promotional material, but I was put firmly in my place by the Timpsons man who told me that Rolex didn't make quartz watches...

[BHC]

GC8 said:

I will guess that this is the same cosy deal price that I was quoted Brian. I remember asking whether they would change the battery on an Oysterquartz as they had a picture of a Rolex in their promotional material, but I was put firmly in my place by the Timpsons man who told me that Rolex didn't make quartz watches...

it's remarkable how difficult it is to find someone do a simple job. And when I had an Oysterquartz my then father-in-law used to try to convince everyone it was fake because "a Rolex doesn't tick"