Hey guys.
Simon Freese no longer polishes or refurbishes watch cases and bracelets (will still as part of a service) He sent my JLC master Quartz back and said on the phone they have taken the decision as it no longer makes economic sense.
A real shame really, but understandable.
Anyway any recommendations as to where I can get this work done?
Thanks
Last edited by Redwolf; 22nd January 2020 at 17:18.
I'm sure JLC would do this and do it with the utmost expertise? I'd never trust an independent with refinishing any watch from a premium brand tbh but of course everyone has different mileage.
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What people don't realise is how time-consuming refinishing work can be, I can well understand Simon's decision. Anyone doing watch work commercially needs to earn money, and you don`t do that spending hours refinishing cases and bracelets.
I gave it up because I find it mind-numbing, it's too tedious, and people don't want to pay a fair price for the time involved. I`m also disillusioned with the general disregard for refinished watches too, the disparaging comments from the so-called experts when they see a vintage watch that's been refinished are annoying, even when the works been done to a high standard the crusty farts who 'know about these things' dismiss the watches.
I've just refinished 3 vintage Omegas, one for myself and two for a forum guy, but that's it from me, I`m doing no more for a few months.
I don`t know where the answer lies on this, to refinish watches requires the skills to fully strip the case down, and if you're able to do that you're probably well-placed to do movement work and make a few bob. It reminds me of painting cars, you need a certain type of mind to do it, there's a lot of skill/technique needed but it's so bloody monotonous.
Have to smile at Ryans comments above, I`ve seen some of the work Omega service centre have done in the past on SMP bezels........enough said!
I've never had reason to use them myself however I have heard good things about http://www.watchworks.co.uk/ , it might be worth contacting them to see what they can do.
Already tried them, and they won’t do it because it’s not a rolex and that’s all they work ok apparently.Originally Posted by CardShark
That's a shame. I got in early enough and Rocco lapped an old Heuer and old Omega for me before he changed the rules after being overwhelmed with work.
You could try Swiss Time Services, they can lap a watch case back into shape.
"A man of little significance"
I can well believe that. Trying to do a service for people as self employed skilled worker is one of the hardest things you can ever do because of the people you deal with want to pay you like you were unskilled
I don’t understand this. Instead of not doing it why not put a cost in the hours it takes and charge a accordingly? If people want to pay that price everyone wins and with someone like Simon people may well pay the price.
I offered that to him, I said what price would you do it for, he also said he was worried about the watch and. It being able to get parts for it playing a part in his decision.
Simon is always incredibly busy anyway and usually has a waiting period before normal servicing can be done, so hopefully it will speed this side of the business up a little.
Title changed and thread updated to reflect that he does still do it (as part of a full service) as I don’t wanna give wrong information.
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