Jump to content

Watch repairer recommendations


Recommended Posts

  • 4 weeks later...

Hi everyone! I am Ken and currently residing in Singapore. I have a vintage 1940s Phigied Monopusher with Angelus Caliber 210. I think i have over wound it and and now it doesn't run and i cannot set the time. However, the chrono function is working, start, stop and reset fine. I have tried to find a watch repairer to help me fix the watch but non of them willing to do so cost it's tedious to fix and they may not have the parts. I have sent it to an US watch repair company and they are asking USD1000 to fix it with complete service. I think it's way too high and it's way over my budget. I am wondering anyone can recommend good watch repairer with reasonable charges? Many thanks! 

IMG_20190830_110807.jpg

IMG_20190830_110820.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi, 

A friend of mine recently picked up a nice 1938 Universal Geneve Compur. It looked great in the seller photos, intact, etc. But it arrived with the chrono sweep hand dislocated. He gave it to me to reset the hand but on closer inspection once I had it in hand, the hand was actually broken, the tube was gone. 
I’ve only looked for the pieces at a fairly superficial level, in the case front and case back. Not there. 

So I wonder, has anyone experienced such a total disappearance and dislocation of a hand in transit like this? I get it, it’s old. But the hand tube not only broke but the tube become un-riveted from the hand too. It just seems like a lot of force to be required for such a break. 
FWIW the watch was very well packaged in quite a bit of bubble wrap and rigid box. 
Well, I’m in over my head (I’ve let him know as such). I am not at a skill level to repair a vintage chrono hand like this if I did find the tube somewhere in the movement. So rather than dig around to find it then send it to someone I suggested he send it to someone. 
can anyone recommend a watchmaker in the Seattle, WA, USA area that might be appropriate for this kind of job? 
I’d really like to hear your feedback on the experience of such a damage and who could help repair. 
Thanks! 

3-EB7-CFEC-48-EB-4-A0-F-AF5-B-ED4079-F0-

 

6-F84-BDBC-1976-4595-8-A4-D-65-DB38-CFFE

 

7-AC31-EE3-1-D91-4-F64-8-C46-31-CEBF86-A

 

96-BB3-EE4-0762-45-EE-BC54-0502-BBBE6-D5

 

9-D220-CB1-7-A78-4-F1-A-88-B0-ED47-B6-E8

 

A45382-D0-D49-C-4656-9-C5-F-3892-BBB8-B7

 

BC1317-B1-FB0-B-4-E41-892-A-A1-EEEA3379-

 

F705-A01-E-1-ACF-4211-B9-F7-173-B9-B2-C2

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hello Ken,

regarding age, complexity and probable wear of the movement, I would say the estimate is reasonable.

You will have to pay similar for European/US service by experienced pros. The chronographs coming from Asia to my workshop were all butchered in some way and in worse state than an defective but untouched watch.

If the watch is worth such investment will be your decision.

Frank

 

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

58 minutes ago, Watchtime said:

Maybe send it to Mark, he lives in Thailand now if I am correct?

Mark has not been taking repair work since a while, please do not set such expectations. Of course everyone is free to ask or confirm by using PM directly to him.

Regarding the $1,000 estimate, that doesn't specify if any part has to be replaced, hence it could be possible that work consist simply of servicing and mainspring adjustments, I think it's not reasonable but at the same time that is what  the market commands as the alternatives are few.

However there are many able watchmakers with online presence, for example watchguy.co.uk which lists servicing manual wind chrono starting at GBP250.

Another name that comes to mind is Archer Watches in Canada. I'm sure there are others

Edited by jdm
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1000 seems high if it's just a service and doesn't need parts. From the pics I can see the hairspring is in bad shape, possibly an easy adjustment, maybe not; the minute counter jumper is bent, adjusting those is a 'make or break' exercise often. Perhaps the staff is broken, if they are unavailable that would certainly push the price up several hundred bucks. It could be the estimate is high to cover eventuals, but might come out cheaper in reality.

The above 250GBP seems in line with Swiss repair prices, probably similar in the U.S., for a straight service no extras.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

6 hours ago, clockboy said:

Cousins supply hands you need their catalogue to assist. Even if you find the tube re-attaching is difficult. 

Thanks, I agree with you. Rebuilding a hand looks very difficult. 
 

3 hours ago, Watchtime said:

I am happy to look in my parts drawer if you know the size

I will measure it and let you know. 
 

3 hours ago, praezis said:

As clockboy advised: easiest is a new (blued) hand. Length must match, at least not shorter. Bore of the tube (probably 0.26...0.28mm) can be adjusted.

Else a new tube can be made and rivetted to the hand.

Frank

I’ll have to talk to the owner, confirm if he wants it to stay all original or if a replacement hand is acceptable. 
 

2 hours ago, nickelsilver said:

I would make a new tube, the hand seems original. Not sure how many watchmakers are around WA who do any turning work, but I know Matt Henning in MA does parts making pretty much exclusively and also works by mail pretty much exclusively, and is a square dealer.

Thanks! I’ll reach out to a Matt. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

14 hours ago, jdm said:

Mark has not been taking repair work since a while, please do not set such expectations. Of course everyone is free to ask or confirm by using PM directly to him.

Regarding the $1,000 estimate, that doesn't specify if any part has to be replaced, hence it could be possible that work consist simply of servicing and mainspring adjustments, I think it's not reasonable but at the same time that is what  the market commands as the alternatives are few.

However there are many able watchmakers with online presence, for example watchguy.co.uk which lists servicing manual wind chrono starting at GBP250.

Another name that comes to mind is Archer Watches in Canada. I'm sure there are others

Thanks for the recommendation. I will check it out with watchguy.co.uk and Archer Watches!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

15 hours ago, praezis said:

Hello Ken,

regarding age, complexity and probable wear of the movement, I would say the estimate is reasonable.

You will have to pay similar for European/US service by experienced pros. The chronographs coming from Asia to my workshop were all butchered in some way and in worse state than an defective but untouched watch.

If the watch is worth such investment will be your decision.

Frank

 

This is the detail work to be done for the quoted price. Managed only to bargain it down a little w USD75 discount. I find the glass replacement is too high and told them to exlude changing the glass but they rejected my suggestion. I really like that watch but not sure to put in that much of money in. With a little bit more, probably i could get another working piece chrono. 

Capture1.JPG

Link to comment
Share on other sites

13 hours ago, nickelsilver said:

1000 seems high if it's just a service and doesn't need parts. From the pics I can see the hairspring is in bad shape, possibly an easy adjustment, maybe not; the minute counter jumper is bent, adjusting those is a 'make or break' exercise often. Perhaps the staff is broken, if they are unavailable that would certainly push the price up several hundred bucks. It could be the estimate is high to cover eventuals, but might come out cheaper in reality.

The above 250GBP seems in line with Swiss repair prices, probably similar in the U.S., for a straight service no extras.

The repair said need some parts as per the quotation. Hence the high price. For US1k, i think i can get some decent vintage chrono. So now i m considering should i proceed onot.....

Capture1.JPG

Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 hours ago, KenTan said:

 I find the glass replacement is too high and told them to exlude changing the glass but they rejected my suggestion.

These crystals are normally about $10. I find thara estimate to be greedy. 

Please s when using quote to reply do not include the full text, especially images. It makes the thread less readable. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

6 minutes ago, jdm said:

These crystals are normally about $10. I find thara estimate to be greedy. 

6 minutes ago, jdm said:

These crystals are normally about $10. I find thara estimate to be greedy. 

Please s when using quote to reply do not include the full text, especially images. It makes the thread less readable. 

 

That's why i am not really keen to let them do the repair, especially they have rejected my request not to replace the crystal and said it's mandatory. In Singapore, i think the price for changing a crystal is abt $30-$50. 

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On the face of it this does seem to be a rather enthusiastic estimate.

For comparison I checked out the "Watch Guy's" online price list (this guy is well respected as an independent), and his price for a basic service on a manual wind chrono without an hour recorder is £250. This doesn't include the cost of a mainspring which he will replace so add about £20 for that, or other spare parts that are required, but it does include the crystal.

As he says " All other repair work, including fitting new crystals, is usually included in the service price unless it is extensive. Case and bracelet cleaning is also included in the price, but not polishing."

So all in at about £270 plus the cost of spare parts. That works out at about $330.

What we don't know for sure is what parts are needed, or what the cost of procuring those parts is, although $610 is a bit ambitious to say the least.

 

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

 Price of crystal depends on quality. I just sent the picture to watchmaker I know, fixed final price is $ 160 all parts and polishing included. General resort MS only.

I approve of the work but not lubricants, I think lubricants here are fake bottled and branded moebius.  

Hope I am not violating forums policies.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

15 hours ago, Marc said:

On the face of it this does seem to be a rather enthusiastic estimate.

For comparison I checked out the "Watch Guy's" online price list (this guy is well respected as an independent), and his price for a basic service on a manual wind chrono without an hour recorder is £250. This doesn't include the cost of a mainspring which he will replace so add about £20 for that, or other spare parts that are required, but it does include the crystal.

 

I have contacted Watch Guy and the reply was they agreed if those are the work to be done, the cost will be around the same. However i still think USD140 is way too much. 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just a comment, and a bit OT.

I'm a hobbyist and I put my heart and soul into every watch I service and repair (any watch takes me at least a day), and I often marvel over the - in my honest opinion - low prices that professional watch repairers charge for their work. How can they survive!?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.




  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Topics

  • Posts

    • I've remained silent on this thread, and at the risk of upsetting everyone, the thing that worries me the most the the apparent absence of Mark. The moderators do a great job and the members also pitch in, and the site seems to run itself, but it is a concern for the future of this forum when the owner is absent for all intents and purposes. Like many of the comments above I would hate to log in one day and things be closed down as I rely on this site for ideas and knowledge and also cheer me up. maybe the Moderators could reach out to him, assuming he does not read this thread, and express our concerns and let us know the plans going forward? some kind of WRT ark
    • That was the exact reason for me starting this thread watchie. Still we haven't worked out how the regulars are going to hook up if it goes tits up. I honestly think something should be arranged to stay in contact, we all help each other so much. 
    • Yeah ive watched that a few times before,  i couldnt find my old school dividers to scribe it up 😅 Yep thats the guy i bought a roll from . Thanks Nicklesilver that answers that perfectly and more or less what i thought an experiment over time would prove . The jumper arm is quite thick along its length, i left it that way intentionally, i thought the original was probably very thin, i didnt see that it was already missing. Setting isn't particularly stiff as such just positive, i still need to take it out and polish where it mates with the stem release. 
    • Yes, "Sold out" is difficult to understand. There doesn't seem to be a lot going on. It's been nine months since any new video was published on the Watch Repair Channel. The Level 4 course on watchfix.com has been in progress for what feels like forever (several years!?). Maybe Mark's enterprises aren't doing well or perhaps already so profitable there's nothing much to motivate him for more material. Or, perhaps these days he's more into crochet. The real reason is probably something entirely different but it would be nice/interesting to know. I don't mean to sound gloomy or pessimistic, but I wouldn't be surprised to be met by an HTTP 404. Every day feels like a gift. Speaking of watchfix.com I've been postponing the "Level 5: Servicing Chronograph Watches" course for a very, very long time. Anyway, I just enrolled on it so it's going to be very interesting to see the videos. I must say, IMO there's nothing really that can compete with Mark's courses when it comes to presentation and video quality. It's simply world-class and makes me associate with some really expensive BBC productions.
    • Steel has some funny properties, or at least counterintuitive. The modulus of elasticity is effectively (not exactly, but close enough) the same for steel that is annealed and hardened. What changes is the point of plastic deformation* . If the movement of your spring doesn't pass that, it should work fine. It looks a little thick, I would thin it a bit maybe from the main body out about halfway, maybe 10-20% thinner (not in thickness, along its form). But if it works it works!   *So- if you have two bars of the same steel, one annealed, one at 600 Vickers (general hardness watch arbors might be), clamp them to a table so the same length is hanging out, and put a weight on the ends, they will bend the same amount. But if you continue to add weight, then remove it, at a point the annealed bar won't return to its original straightness. That's the point of plastic deformation. But up to that point, as springs, they are the same. However- their wear characteristics will be very very different. And getting the hardened bar past its point of plastic deformation takes a lot more effort.
×
×
  • Create New...