Vintage watch repair

[Braxton36]

I've exhausted all of my local possibilities so I'm asking you guys. None of our local jewelers will touch this one. I'm trying to have the balance staff on my dad's late-1930's rolex wristwatch repaired (replaced, actually). Any suggestions as to where I can go? Thanks for any advice.

 

[Flitcraft]

Rolex has a repair facility in Texas and one in New York. I'm surprised your local jewelers didn't offer to contact them for you.
For some repairs, and given the age of the watch, yours may be one of them, Rolex recommends sending the watch to their facility in Switzerland. Its usually easier to have a jeweller do that, but it sounds like that's not an option for you.
You can check out Rolex's website, but I know for a fact that Paul Duggan in Boston does excellent work. I've purchased watches and had repairs made there. Very trustworthy and can generally give you a pretty accurate quote. Their website is pduggan.com. Send them an e-mail and see if they can help.
Good luck, and keep us posted!

 

[Solid Citizen]

Braxton's Rolex

Suggest you try to find a certified Rolex dealer, or an antique watch repair person. Local antique dealers may be able to give you some leads. Forget the mall jewlers they just sell inventory & if its not quartz forget it. Had my Fathers old vintage Omega watch repaired several times at an old time jewler that did repairs. You need a jewler not a sales person who says he's a jewler. Good luck! Peter

 

[Braxton36]

Thanks for your help

I've emailed the Duggan folks and will hope for a positive response. Meanwhile I keep trying to wind this battery powered replacement I'm wearing and it's driving me nuts!

 

[shamus]

I agree, find a Rolex dealer and ask if their service man is rolex certified. Also they may know the current models but not a bubble back or what your watch is.

I don't know if your watch is worth sending overseas to fix or not. Sometimes it gets pricey. I had an older IWC and had to send it out and it was not cheap to say the least.

It might even be cheaper to find that same model working and use it than get it fixed as parts might be hard to find.

 

[jamespowers]

Let me say this. It has more sentimental value than monetary value I am sure Brax. No matter what it costs it will probably be worth wearing the same watch that you father wore all those years ago.
The balance staff should not be all that hard to find. Otto Frei & Jules Borel out here on the west coast ((510) 832-0355) should be able to find the part if Duggan can't but I am sure they can. There are a few other parts suppliers if that doesn't work.
There is just something about having the watch that a family member wore that can never be replaced by another watch. Believe me, I know.

Regards to all,

J

 

[John in Covina]

I have a bulova watch from my Dad that is in a classic design similar to the Hamilton Tank watches. It has a gold case in the longish rectangular shape.

I was thinking of having it repaired, as it doesn't run. Does any one know of a Bulova specialist? What do you think it will cost to have it done.

As to new there is a Bulova Minute Repeater, I have my eye on.

Sincerely,

John in Covina

 

[Pilgrim]

One option

We have an actual watchmaker locally who I have faith in - he has done nice work on my 70's Tissot dive watch. If you don't find a Bulova specialist, I'd be glad to get you in touch. There's also a semi-retired gent who has a watch repair shop in his home, and he doesn't touch anything but the older mechanical watches.

 

[bburtner@moran]

I've exhausted all of my local possibilities so I'm asking you guys. None of our local jewelers will touch this one. I'm trying to have the balance staff on my dad's late-1930's rolex wristwatch repaired (replaced, actually). Any suggestions as to where I can go? Thanks for any advice.

Tough part to get.Have Rolex repair guy here in Staten Island NY.Worked for Rolex in Switz.He is amazing.

 

[Mike in Seattle]

I guess I'm living in a dream world...I didn't seem that long ago that watch repair shops and jewelers could deal with watches without batteries. <Watches without batteries! Fancy that, Marge - what will they think of next?!?!?!>

I was winding my grandfather's 20's/30's watch the other day and the main-spring broke. At least that's my assumption since it winds & winds & winds without stopping like it normally did. If you hold it to your ear as you wind, you can hear a little "tink" after a few winds. I'm taking that to mean the broken spring gets a certain amount of tension before it unwinds in the housing or whatever you'd call it. It will run for about an hour and then stop.

I've been to two jewelers in town, three at the mall and the watch repair shop at the mall. I explain the situation, they take it in back and then come back a few minutes later and tell me it doesn't need a battery, there's no place for a battery and don't know what the problem could be. Am I alone in remembering that in the 60's, 70's and up into the late 80's, this was a pretty common repair...along with crystal replacement and new winding stems?

Anyone care to recommend a good watch repair shop that would like a little business via UPS? I've also got my dad's 1940's Longine that needs some work. He decided to have the face repainted (I know...I know...) before giving it to me when I graduated college. They did, at best, a so-so job, in my opinion, on this "restoration" job. Mom was horrified - she'd given it to him as a wedding gift and was really angry. I was crushed but had to accept it gracefully because he thought he'd done something really wonderful and was in decling health at the time. Without the "updating" it was a great gift. I'd like to have the nice modern blindingly bright white paint and crappily re-drawn dial removed and have the original lovely patinaed ivory face back if at all possible.

So if you know of a good watch repair for vintage watches, let me know. I left the watch at one shop to get an estimate several days ago and every time I think about it, the more I feel I should get it back and find a pro. It shouldn't take this long to decide if you can replace a main-spring or not.

Thanks gang!
Mike

 

[Clyde R.]

Mike,

There are several that come to mind. Try Richard Gilbert of Asland Investments first. He's a reputable dealer who co-authors "The Complete Price Guide To Watches" every year along with Cooksey Shugart. I know Gilbert could probably help out. Here's a link to his ebay store:
http://stores.ebay.com/Ashland-Antique-Watches-and-Jewelry

Good Luck!

 

[Tomasso]

RGM does excellent work but be warned, they are a bit pricey.


http://www.rgmwatches.com/repair.html

 

[scotrace]

.

PM Michaelson. I think he can point you in the right direction. Or JamesPowers.

 

[shoeshineboy]

i have a jeweler in town that could do it, if he didn't know it, his father would.his father retired with 40 years in the business and his son is no youngster either.

Mark the shoeshine boy

 

[pablocham]

If you are in Seattle, you might try this place in bellevue: http://www.pocketwatchrepair.com/

 

[adamgottschalk]

Alex and Co. Jewelers, PDX

I took a great 1910 pocket watch to Alex's once, downtown Portland. They specialize in Hamilton, new and vintage. I'm sure they'd be happy to take something by mail. Phone: 503-223-1368.

 

[Vornholt]

I would recommend Matt Henning at henningwatches.com. He's always done excellent work for me. He's particularly good at pocket watches.

 

[Mike in Seattle]

Thanks for all the great tips - I'm thinking I'll go with the one in Bellevue since it's close to home. No ads in the phone book and strictly business via mail. I'll see how they do on the first watch and then maybe talk to them about restoring...or unrestoring...the Longine too. I'll keep you updated and post pix even.

But I've kept all the other links just in case and for future reference.

 

[Feraud]

A 1950's Bulova wristwatch question...

My dad's watch needs servicing. The winding stem spins freely and does not wind the watch.
Does this mean the watch is overwound, or is there a broken spring?
I would like an idea of the problem before I take it in for repair.

Thank you

 

[shoe_pup]

In Seattle

There used to (and may still) be a place on Capital Hill that did really nice work on a vintage Oris of mine about four years ago. Wish I still had their card, but it was betwen Pike and Pine on maybe 13th Ave. I hope I'm remembering right, because they were good folks.