Reply With QuoteJust a quick bump for this in case anyone has any suggestions.
A friend at work has asked me for advice regarding a lovely Ultra-Chron she has inherited from her Grandfather. It seems to run OK but is very stiff to wind or change the time and the crown feels a bit wobbly. She says it was serviced about eight years ago, no idea where, and not used since then.
She plans to wear it a lot. Can anyone recommend someone to service it? As a family heirloom if I am going to suggest a watchmaker I’d like to know they had experience with this movement which I think is a bit unusual. Also I’d rather not suggest sending it off RMSD, even though I do all the time, just in case, hence looking for someone in London.
Any help much appreciated as always.
It is an absolutely lovely watch; fantastic condition, solid gold tonneau case brushed on the front and a great silvered dial.
Just a quick bump for this in case anyone has any suggestions.
Thank you. I know that Longines have a reputation for being supportive of owners of vintage models. I’ve also heard many tales of vintage watches returned from other manufacturers with alterations - cases polished, hands replaced etc.Originally Posted by Curtis
Can I ask, have you personal experience of using Longines to repair a vintage watch?
No!
Find someone who's into vintage watches to service it. Someone like Brendan would be ideal.
I`ve worked on old Longines watches in the past, they're usually straightforward, but I`m taking no more work on owing to other projects this year.
Second Brendan , he’ll not replace anything significant to the originality of the watch unless He has to and he’ll inform you first. Also does a tip top job for a reasonable price and turnaround.
Mark Wiles FBHI at Antique & Modern, East Barnet Village, North London specialises in vintage watch servicing / restoration, has Longines experience, can source parts if required .. and can also make parts. He also teaches horology.
https://www.clock-watches.co.uk … based in East Barnet for over 25 years
Contact Vanessa and have a chat with her. Free parking at rear of new premises in secure car park … car park has concealed entrance … drive down the slope to main public parking area
I have bought vintage Longines watches from Mark which he has serviced. If you check out the Ultra-Chron movement it does not appear to be any more complicated than any other Swiss automatic caliber. Most competent watchmakers should be able to remedy the crown/stem, stiffness/wobble.
dunk
Last edited by sundial; 14th January 2020 at 11:57.
"Well they would say that ... wouldn't they!"
Thanks all for the assistance. I’m familiar with Brendan’s work but my colleague doesn’t want to post her watch, which is fair enough however safe we all know RMSD to be.
I have a couple of options now to pass on, thanks again.
One potential problem with any vintage automatic is the mainspring barrel. Sometimes they’re very worn, and should be replaced, but the replacements often aren’t available or the manufacturer won’t supply the parts. If the barrel’s smooth- walled and in reasonable condition I can usually get it to work OK using the right braking grease ( costs £75 for 5g ) but if the barrel has cut- outs, like some if the ETAs and Omegas, there can be problems when they wear. The mainspring won’t ‘hold’ against the wall when the watch reaches full wind, or the spring starts to slip prematurely. This causes reduced amplitude and shorter power reserve, the watch will never give of its best but can usually be made to run to an acceptable standard considering the age. Hand- wound watches are a better proposition in this respect, no auto- winding to worry about!
Another headache with old watches is water resistance.......or lack of. Usually a new crystal and caseback seal will help, but the crown seal is often faulty so the watch will still leak. Sometimes a new seal can be fitted if a new crown isn’t available, but sometimes this isn’t feasible. The option is a generic crown, or to keep the original and accept the watch will leak if it gets wet, which for me is unacceptable.
Having spent a few days fighting with a 1958 Seamaster cal503 which has thrown up a few problems my enthusiasm for servicing / restoring old watches has taken a beating. Today got off to a bad start.......see my ‘Dear Wife’ post in the Bear Pit.........wifey tidied up and a small package containing recently ordered parts had temporarily disappeared, sourcing parts is hard enough so it makes sense not to lose them!
Paul, your ‘Dear Wife’ post made be laugh (a little ruefully). When I have raised similar ‘concerns’ in the past, I normally get the response that ‘if you’re looking for something you might have to move a few things’.
I’m sure my colleague won’t be bothered about water resistance to be honest, she is likely to be very careful in wearing it.
Yes, this morning didn’t go to plan, but thankfully the parts turned up!
As for water resistance, I don’t like watches that won’t keep water out if they get splashed, its all too easy to splash them whilst washing hands etc or walking from pub to pub in the rain. If a watch has been designed to be waterproof I virtually insist that it goes back to the owner with some water resistance, even if that means fitting a generic crown and glass.
Just checked the link to the firm in North London, never heard of them before but they sound OK. That’s probably the best bet if she doesn’t want to post it, but won’t be the cheapest option.
Rest assured that several TZ UK members including those in N London rely on Mark and Vanessa's expertise at Antique & Modern. The business has 4 watchmakers/clockmakers.
And that's rather a dogmatic statement to comment on their prices when you are unfamiliar with them?
But never mind :)
dunk
"Well they would say that ... wouldn't they!"
Look, I`m just trying too make the point that using a commercial firm who have accreditation from a major brand will never be the cheapest option, that's hard fact, they're told what they can and can`t charge. Folks like me are probably the cheapest option, folks who do it on a hobby basis and don`t rely on the income, but folks like me are struggling with the parts availability situation and consequently are not in a position to take some jobs on.
Some of us know what we're talking about when discussing the repair business, some don't. Frankly, I wouldn't be too bothered if I never fixed a watch for someone else ever again, it's getting harder and I refuse to compromise on quality, if I can`t do it to my own satisfaction I don`t do it, I`m well pissed off with it at the moment.
Hope that clarifies my comment in simple enough terms for you, Dunk, there was no need for your smartarse comment!!
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Last edited by walkerwek1958; 14th January 2020 at 20:23.
^^^ … Antique and Modern have, on several ccasions, provided FOC adjustments and FOC simple repairs to my watches … specifically Omega, IWC, and Rolex … the last one being an Omega chronograph regulation ... and all done 'while you wait'. Antique and Modern is an approved /accredited Omega service agency … and they're very helpful … and happy :)
dunk
"Well they would say that ... wouldn't they!"
They sound like a very good firm, the small matter of living 200 miles further north explains why I hadn’t heard of them, in no way was I implying criticism.
Being able to drop a watch in without using postal services is a big advantage, RMSD is very reliable but the £2500 limit is becoming more of a problem thesedays.
My advice to anyone who’s getting an old watch sorted out is straightforward: do it right and do it once, accept that it might cost a few £.
It’s a super watch, old Longines watches were excellent and they’re under-rated in my opinion.
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