Reply With QuoteA very helpful list - thank you.
I've been on here almost nine years, I thought I might pass on the names of watch repairers who've not just done an excellent job but gone that bit further and helped out over and above what's necessary.
Duncan Potter https://www.genesiswatchmaking.co.uk/ Rolex accredited, has worked on all the Rolexes I've had plus a few Omegas. Rolex messed up what should have been a simple warranty repair on my 42mm Explorer 2 so it's going to Duncan for service.
Simon Freese http://www.simonfreesewatchmakers.com/ He used to run STS, where Omega sent all the 10-year-old+ watches in for service and has now set up on his own. Omega won't let STS or anyone else accredited service older Speedmasters etc but Simon can because he's not accredited. He services a huge number of rare and not so rare Omegas but can also service pretty much everything else. He's done some outstanding restoration work for me too.
Rich Askham http://thewatchspotblog.com/ is the long-suffering recipient of some of my biggest basket cases. He probably won't thank me for saying that though! Have a look at his blog, some great watches on there.
Duncan Hewitt https://thewatchbloke.co.uk/ is on here as thewatchbloke and is your man for Seiko (he services other watches too).
O.N.Atelier https://onatelier.co.uk/ is on here as .olli. and while relatively new to watch repairing is meticulous in his work. He's local to me and has not only serviced some of my watches but inspected some more before purchases have gone through just to make sure they're not clangers.
Abel Court http://www.heuertime.com/ Heuer specialist in Belgium. Is I think the best name in the world for Heuer work. All the others here can service your Heuer and some have lapping machines but Abel's service receipt is the one you want if you're selling your watch in the Heuer community. He's worked on a few of my Heuers and done a fantastic job.
James Hyman: on here as dreamboat10. An expert in lume, whether it be reluming a dial and hands in aged and non-working or shiny and bright lume or repairing broken lume and colour-matching it perfectly. Lots of very happy customers on TZ-UK.
Honourable mention:
Rocco http://www.watchworks.co.uk/ He's done a couple of watches for me (has a lapping machine) but been too busy the last couple of times I've asked (edit: or I just ask him to work on horror story watches). I think you need to catch him at the right time.
My apologies if I've forgotten anyone else! There are a lot of people I've not used so this isn't a definitive list of the best repairers etc, just a list of the ones I've used who've provided a proper first class service.
Last edited by Foxy100; 9th May 2019 at 08:05.
"A man of little significance"
A very helpful list - thank you.
Great list, thank you. Maybe one on the mods could make it sticky and keep it up to date.
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Ta much. Handy.
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I'd just add 'J E Allnutt' in Midhurst. Specialise in vintage watches and employ their own qualified watchmakers. Good shop...feels like something from decades ago.
Thanks for this - very useful.
FYI you've got "):" at the end of most of the links, so they don't work properly.
Thank you, I've corrected all the links!Originally Posted by ChrisA
"A man of little significance"
Great idea!!
I’ve actually messaged two for some work already ;-)
Chris
Very worthwhile, thank you. Can vouch for at least one on that list.
Bearing in mind everyone wants to see pictures, here's a watch Rich Askham sorted for me. I call it the Puck because it looks like someone's been playing hockey with it. The innards were in just as bad condition and Rich still hates me for it. I asked him to leave the case as is, I'm particularly fond of unpolished watches that show some patina.
Look at that case back and the marks on the case! Looks like someone tried to pop it open with a screwdriver.
Simon Freese saw some pictures of it and helped out with a few bits he had spare and it now works perfectly and looks like this:
I'd love to know how it ended up so beaten up but hope it's now enjoying its gentle retirement.
Edit: blimey, maybe I need to think a little about file size!
"A man of little significance"
I use Steve from Rytetime as he’s just up the road…. He turns his hand to most things, and delivers an A1 service…. He’s Semi retired now and only looks after existing clients (of which I am lucky enough to be one!). He’s servicing a compressor for me at the moment and I know he’ll do an A1 job…. It’s so good to have someone local…. I dread the day that he goes into full retirement
Really helpful and great idea-Thank you!
Great post - thanks, mate.
Another thank you for this list.
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Thanks for this great thread and recommendations.
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Hope people keep on adding to the this thread to keep it current.
Need to sort out the odd one of my watches.
Even though I don`t feature on the list (not claiming I belong in such exalted company with my limited self-taught background!) I think it's a great idea to have a list as a sticky. It helps to know who can do what and who specialises in certain things.
I'm less keen to spend time working on watches than I was a couple of years back, now that my wife's retired I have lots of other demands on my time.......not that I`m complaining. I also spend time playing grandad with my stepdaughter's youngster and taking her dog (Ozzy the Labrador) out, surprising how they can keep you busy.
If you'll all pardon the pun, I like to keep 'ticking over' with a watch job on the bench at all times, I`ve been working on my own stuff recently and that suits me because I can take as long as I like to do a job. My enthusiasm varies from day to day, that's not a basis for giving good customer service and that's one reason I don`t want to commit to many jobs.
Apologies for the mixed message, on the one hand I`m almost addicted to watch work but on the other hand I find it hard to get motivated some days.............maybe it's all part of getting older and grumpier. The difficulties with parts supplies hasn`t helped, I think it's ground me down a bit if I`m honest.
Paul
A valuable thread. Thank you.
Brendan webwatchmaker.com
Great post. I have used Simon Freese and Rich Askham. They have both gone way beyond the call of duty for me, and made my watches run smooth. One glaring omission is Swiss Time Services. Maybe the relative big boys in this company but a fantastic place
Great post and I have a couple that I could do with fettling if I can get a bit out of advice please .
One is a CWC Fat Boy that runs and then stops intermittently ( tried battery ) I don’t think it’s anything drastic anybody from the list in particular?
The other is a Vintage Speedmaster I’ve had for years that wants servicing , Simon Freese you think or STS ?
BTW that Tissot looks fantastic and I wouldn’t mind one of those myself.
Yup done some great work for me in the past.
Seconded ( and I made the list too)
Cheers..
Jase
Withiut wishing to to derail this excellent thread, as you’ve even said yourself this post does have mixed message. For clarity, should people who need watch repair contact you, or leave you in peace?
Andy
Wanted - Damasko DC57
Bodo on here (Guy) has been ace with Seiko for me.
Dear Paul,
You certainly do belong on this list !
You contribute more informative and educational posts than any other independent on this forum.
Your passion for watches is obvious and your watch work is often highly praised here.
We don't need to lose any indies even if we can get a bit frustrated at times.
As you know I am happy to help with parts if I can, although one or two of my contacts have retired and others have been restricted by Swatch as to how much they can send.
Tell the missus to go shopping and stay close !
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Woodland technical (seems to be able to restore the impossible and his webpage his hilarious)
Duncan (The watch bloke) superb service lots of photos of the work done.
I have used Ryetime in the past (he did my Turkish railways watch) but last I contacted him I think he was working with someone else (all be it that was about a year ago at least)
Last edited by robert75; 29th April 2018 at 17:15.
Very useful information; thanks for posting
Double ditto!
That's nice.
And fully deserved.
Very useful thread, thank you !
Very useful thank you. Thank you !
Excellent thread and certainly one to be considered as a Sticky.
This post is a great idea.
Agreed about Steve at Rytetime. It’s been a while since he did some
Sterling work for me so I may not have made his list, but he’d certainly be on my contact list if I needed work done.
Simon Freese sorted out an issue on one of my Omegas that was looked at by STS on a Friday afternoon and had to go back. He has provided some useful advice in the past too.
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Great idea and information ! Thank you :)
I’ve never used Paul but admire his work & comments generally, but also concur with Bodo (Guy) being excellent with Seiko
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Very useful, I have a couple of vintage Omega pieces which will be due a service within the next year
Thank You for an excellent post - very useful info
regards
Terje
Following on from an earlier Hero post I wanted to add to the thread as good workmanship and reliable watch repairers surely benefit from good publicity.
James Hyman has just re-lumed my Seiko 6309 7040. Exceptional workmanship and superb communications from start to finish!!
Before and after pics included, thanks James, twas a real pleasure doing business with you, Regards, David
Can also add very positive experience with Duncan Potter,Simon Freese and Duncan Hewitt and James Hyman who is some sort of lume wizard I reckon as he has worked a few miracles for me.
I would like to add Andrew Leftley (also a member here) at http://www.timeworldservices.co.uk/
He specialists in military time pieces and rebuilt my 1938 Cal 40 Hanhart Mono Pulse.
Totally top chap who really knows his stuff. Based in the South West.
Whoever does not know how to hit the nail on the head should be asked not to hit it at all.
Friedrich Nietzsche
I’ve used Paul, Rytetime, Duncan (twice) and recommend them all.
If you are in the NW and would like to drop your watch in person and collect, I can also recommend Brian at TimeRepairs
http://www.time-repairs.com
He’s based in Chadderton.
great thread! following for future need.....
Have used Paul (Walkerwek1958) for a vintage Omega and he done a great job on a complex hairspring.
Currently have a vintage Seiko with Duncan Hewitt as he is known for vintage Seiko so looking forward to seeing that one once it’s done, and my vintage Speedmaster was serviced by Brendon just before I purchased it and it runs very well..
Great thread too..
Thank you for this thread. Very useful for future reference.
Olivier serviced my PRS-82 recently and he offers a top service and he's a really nice guy too. Serviced it to perfection and had the knowledge to source some hard to find parts from overseas due to the superseded ETA 2783 movement. Couldn't recommend him enough.
http://onatelier.co.uk/
Last edited by WillHarris2306; 12th November 2018 at 17:25.
This is the kind of thing he does too, can't find, buy or restore the originals? Make some new ones:
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bp2th2UnfLg/
"A man of little significance"
May I add Michlmayr in Norwich to this list. They are an authorised Omega & Longines repairer & the owner Simon has been an accredited Rolex watchmaker for 28 years.
Just what I needed as my PRS 82 has just gone on the blink.
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