self-winding watch repair

[Dan]

I realize this isn't a camera-related repair question but I also realize that many of you are watch fanatics, too. I'm looking for independent watch repairmen to do a basic CLA on my automatic Hamilton Khaki. Hamilton's repair center is quoting $190 and the only issue I'm having is slowly losing time so I feel there might be a more value-oriented solution.

The watch isn't expensive by most measures ($400) but I do value it and want to treat it correctly, so any guidance towards good repair folks, preferably on the East Coast, is appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Vince Lupo]

Maybe give Marc Ours a call at Marc Todd Jewelers in Severna Park. He is a watch guy and might be able to help you out.

 

[Dan]

Thanks Vince, I will.

 

[hap]

I have used these guys in Houston for my Breitling and sometimes Rolex watch cleaning and repairs. They are an Authorized Hamilton dealer. Very professional and nice. Easy to send your watch and they dont' take forever to get the job done.

http://store.ateliertx.com/service/

 

[Dan]

hap, I'm trying to keep it on the East Coast for now.

 

[GMOG]

A Watchmaker Says . . .

A Watchmaker Says . . .

You could call around local jewelry shops and see if they have a qualified tech who could simply regulate the watch for you. "Regulate" = "adjust to make run faster/slower". This type of service would probably not come with any guarantees.

Consider that the watch slowing down indicates some other problem, like dried up lubes and/or mechanical wear. How old is the watch? This is a different question from when the watch was purchased new. Sometimes a watch sits in a store's stock for a year or more before being sold. A lot of watch manufacturers recommend 5 - 7 year service interval. Problems usually start with dried up lubes, and that leads to wear on load-bearing surfaces. This is akin to running your car's engine without oil in it, but death comes more slowly in a watch.

Do you wear the watch daily? Do you enjoy using it? Is for real water-resistance important to you? If so then consider treating it and yourself to a solid service instead of a bandage. If you only wear it occasionally and it sits in a drawer for most of its life then go for the bandage (regulation only). This is what I would tell any owner of a potential project.

Only $190 for a full service? Sounds like a deal for what you get in return, especially considering that we're talking about a factory service center and results backed up by a warranty. As an independent watchmaker I would charge you more for the same deal. It would require most of a day's labor and the use of facilities and other materials that are expensive to maintain and purchase. Here's a general run-down on what would be done:

- Watch movement removed from casing;
- Casing cleaned/polished, assembled with all new gaskets, maybe even a brand new crown and crystal;
- Movement completely disassembled, all parts cleaned, re-assembled with fresh lubrication, probably brand new mainspring and other parts as needed;
- Watch tested for performance.

Hamilton is part of the Swatch Group. Looks like you could send it in directly, or find a local dealer/rep. Check out their service page:

https://www.hamiltonwatch.com/en-int/customer-service.html


Who am I? A Swiss-trained and certified watchmaker with 25 years experience. I used to service Rolex but nowadays I only work on vintage wrist and pocket watches. My certifications are from Switzerland (WOSTEP), and the USA (AWCI's CW21).

 

[hap]

Sound advice

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Where are watch forums. You could always register where without problems. Should be much more effective to get more valuable answers. Rather than in tripod/meters sub forum.

BTW. I like watches and have self-winding ones. But no way I would call 400 usd watch as "not expensive".

 

[Dan]

You could call around local jewelry shops and see if they have a qualified tech who could simply regulate the watch for you. "Regulate" = "adjust to make run faster/slower". This type of service would probably not come with any guarantees.

Consider that the watch slowing down indicates some other problem, like dried up lubes and/or mechanical wear. How old is the watch? This is a different question from when the watch was purchased new. Sometimes a watch sits in a store's stock for a year or more before being sold. A lot of watch manufacturers recommend 5 - 7 year service interval. Problems usually start with dried up lubes, and that leads to wear on load-bearing surfaces. This is akin to running your car's engine without oil in it, but death comes more slowly in a watch.

Do you wear the watch daily? Do you enjoy using it? Is for real water-resistance important to you? If so then consider treating it and yourself to a solid service instead of a bandage. If you only wear it occasionally and it sits in a drawer for most of its life then go for the bandage (regulation only). This is what I would tell any owner of a potential project.

Only $190 for a full service? Sounds like a deal for what you get in return, especially considering that we're talking about a factory service center and results backed up by a warranty. As an independent watchmaker I would charge you more for the same deal. It would require most of a day's labor and the use of facilities and other materials that are expensive to maintain and purchase. Here's a general run-down on what would be done:

- Watch movement removed from casing;
- Casing cleaned/polished, assembled with all new gaskets, maybe even a brand new crown and crystal;
- Movement completely disassembled, all parts cleaned, re-assembled with fresh lubrication, probably brand new mainspring and other parts as needed;
- Watch tested for performance.

Hamilton is part of the Swatch Group. Looks like you could send it in directly, or find a local dealer/rep. Check out their service page:

https://www.hamiltonwatch.com/en-int/customer-service.html


Who am I? A Swiss-trained and certified watchmaker with 25 years experience. I used to service Rolex but nowadays I only work on vintage wrist and pocket watches. My certifications are from Switzerland (WOSTEP), and the USA (AWCI's CW21).

Great advice and I did exactly that, i.e. sent it to the official Hamilton repair center in NJ. After calling around to a couple of local places, they were quoting the same price which made me realize sending it to Hamilton was a no-brainer.

 

[hap]

Where are watch forums. You could always register where without problems. Should be much more effective to get more valuable answers. Rather than in tripod/meters sub forum.

BTW. I like watches and have self-winding ones. But no way I would call 400 usd watch as "not expensive".

Not too long ago I succumbed to WAS (Watch acquisition syndrome). Love self winding watches. However, the feel of a (quality) manual winding watch is soothing, and strangely invigorating (until it becomes a pain).

It's sort of like preferring an old bare bones Leica.

 

[raydm6]

I had a broken mainspring in my Omega Speedmaster Pro repaired several years back. $700+ dollars.

Comes with the territory of owning manual wind watches.


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