Reply With QuoteI would use him without hesitation, if he has access to parts.
And started on his own.
http://www.simonfreesewatchmakers.com/
Good?
Bad?
Sameysame?
Last edited by watchlovr; 3rd April 2017 at 16:26. Reason: spelling
I would use him without hesitation, if he has access to parts.
Should be alright if they supply him the parts...
Thank for the heads up on this! Emailing now :)
+1Originally Posted by phil h
I'd give him a try. I presume he will have a lapping machine?
One of many questions I'd like an answer to.
They are not cheap for someone starting up.
Is it likely that they would supply an ex-employee who has set up in competition, and not a long-established company such as Genesis ?
Interesting news and a few questions raised which are worth pursuing.
Like many, I have dealt personally with Simon and have the highest regard for his knowledge, the quality of his work and his integrity.
It is surely not STS who would supply him but Omega themselves (ie Swatch UK). STS who are a separately owned organisation are supplied directly by Omega with parts. If Simon can satisfy Omega that he works to their standards of service (and at present he seems to work to higher standards) then I should think it possible that Swatch would give him authorised status if they were happy his set up was up to scratch and supply him also.
Last edited by Padders; 3rd April 2017 at 22:25.
could something like this be pre arranged? Would be a huge gamble to set up on your own without knowing he could carry on getting parts?
Good luck to Simon who has done great work on my two vintage Speedmasters.
He has been working at STS in 2016 and 2017 having been the person who I have dealt with for both Ball and Omega servicing and repair. I am collecting a watch on Wednesday so will be interested to see if he is still there.
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Very surprised to hear this.
I`m sure Simon knows what he's doing with regard to parts supply. Getting accreditation isn`t just about the person, it's as much about the facilities. Omega keep raising the bar in this respect, making it ever more expensive for someone to get set up properly on a one man band basis. Some of the stipulations are just overkill in my opinion.
Does anyone have contact details for him if he isn`t at STS any longer?
Paul
The website linked by the OP has contact details. The land line doesn't seem to be in service yet but there are also a mobile no. and email address listed. He was still with STS last Friday so it is early days.
Last edited by Padders; 3rd April 2017 at 22:52.
His new workshop only opened today. I'll be popping in on Thursday with a speedy for service and will report back then ;)
I don't think Simon is going to have any lack of work, he's excellent to deal with and does work to the highest standard, I'll be sending my vintage Omegas to him instead of STS.
"A man of little significance"
Simon is an incredibly helpful chap and I would be interested in finding out more about his new business.
Great to hear and he's even based in Maldon where I used to live so shouldn't be a problem dropping off when that repair/service is needed?!?
Cheers for the heads up!
Chris
What makes you say Maldon, please?
Hopefully he will be able to work on automatic Lemania movements, in particular the 5100.
I agree with above comments re what a good guy he is. I found that he was very helpful whilst at STS.
It's on his Contact page mate.....
Thanks...I'd missed that.
Just been to collect my speedsonic. The first time that Simon has not seen to me. I was told that he has moved on.
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I went to visit Simon today, he has a great set up and I think he is relishing spending more time at the bench and less time performing management duties.
While I will miss his presence as the face of STS, I am happy to have another reliable place to service watches, and his skills with regards to specialist parts making will be more available when needed.
Very positive news overall.
I trust the work is to the same high standard?
He was still there when I took it back last month and it has been ready a couple of weeks waiting for me to travel down so I can't comment.
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I have two ready to go for a service just now; a MKii Speedmaster and a 861 Moonwatch, so they'll go to Simon rather than STS. My MKii has an excellent, original case so I wouldn't have been wanting to have any casework done, but, unless Simon has a lapping machine STS may remain the preferred option for those that need such work done.
Sent two of my Speedy Pro's to Simon yesterday by RMSD. He called today to confirm they landed safely. Great personal service, but I'm betting he gets swamped with work when people track him down!
Very few watch cases need a lapping machine or micro-welding to restore/refinish. I`m sure Simon will have a contingency for this.
I`ve no idea what Simon's set-up is like, or whether he's got anyone working with him. Ideally, someone to do the refinishing work is a big help.....and definitely someone to do the admin and posting out!
Paul
If you want it doing right then you have to be prepared to wait I suppose. Sounds like hes doing well which is nice to read!
I was speaking to Simon this morning about mine and he was saying that he was inundated with work at present, so I am not surprised to see this. He is a victim of his own success with people on here and the OF recommending him and it has resulted in his increase in workload.
A nice problem to have I suppose, better than sitting there with nothing to do.
I reckon it took him a week to line up those spring bars, and another one to put them away again. Only joking!
A slightly old thread but I've just sent off my SD 16600 (which was noisy to wind and running fast) also my sisters 1920s Rolex which i mentioned in another thread as it is damaged.
Dealing with Simon to this point so far seems top notch!
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