Many quartz watch movements are designed to be replaced rather than repaired when there's a fault. In many cases, even with movements of a "repairable" quality, it's actually more economical to replace rather than repair.
We keep most popular movements in stock and can source any others that are currently available. Turnaround varies from next day for stock movements to about a week for special orders.
Mechanical movements can also be sourced and replaced when required, although the higher cost in this case usually means that repair is a more sensible option unless severe damage, such as major water ingress, has occurred.
All movement changes include pressure testing for water resistance where appropriate and carry a 12 month guarantee.
Where replacement isn't an option, usually for older movements, we can also offer Watch servicing for repairable movements provided any required parts can be obtained.
We currently use a mix of Renata (Swiss made by Swatch group) and Seizaiken (Japanese made by Seiko) silver oxide and Maxell lithium cells. Our silver oxide stock is being moved towards Seizaiken because of potential supply problems on the horizon with Swatch group. These brands are used exclusively because, over nearly 20 years, we've found that their reliability - especially in leak resistance - is unsurpassed.
All battery changes include a replacement back seal if required by visual inspection, and pressure testing is available if required for water resistant watches to guarantee continued resistance. For personal visitors both can be done "while you wait", for postal customers return is normally within 24 hours of receipt. Unlike many repairers we don't charge extra for the same battery just because of the name on the dial!
If special seals (eg: replacement crowns) are required to reinstate water resistance then we quote at the time and there's no charge if you decide not to proceed. In that instance we even return postal jobs at our expense!
For mechanical watches (manual and automatic winding), and quartz movements where Movement replacement isn't a viable or economic option, we offer full servicing and repair with a 12 month guarantee.
Servicing a watch movement correctly requires it to be completely stripped so that every part can be examined for wear or damage. A simple quartz timepiece has around 20 - 30 parts, most of them just a few millimetres in size. For an automatic mechanical chronograph that parts count rises to several hundred, all of which must be correctly cleaned, examined, reassembled, adjusted and lubricated if the movement is to perform reliably.
We hold a large stock of current and obsolete parts and can source most others through both mainstream materials houses and specialist trade contacts.
While technology, such as cleaning and timing machines, can help and undoubtedly save time, watch repair is still an essentially "hands on" profession where the watchmaker's abilities are key. It's perfectly possible to successfully service almost any watch with nothing but loupes (eye glasses), tweezers and screwdrivers combined with traditional cleaning materials and suitable oil but it's not possible without the watchmaker's hands, eyes and knowledge - one slip of the tweezers when dealing with a pivot thinner than a human hair can spell disaster!
We offer a full range of watch repair and servicing options for quartz, electro-mechanical and mechanical watches. More details can be found under:
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