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How do I go about finding a GOOD watchmaker ?

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Old Mar 9, 2009 | 12:55 AM
  #1  
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Smile How do I go about finding a GOOD watchmaker ?

The wife has been given her father's gold retirement watch. He received it some 30 yrs ago but can no longer see it due to failing eyesight.
It is a wristwatch, inscribed but no makers name apparent, it has not been used for many yrs, just kept in a box in a drawer.
She would like to know what make it is and have it cleaned and checked out so needs to find a good watchmaker who can do this, rather than a general watch seller--repairer.
Where does she begin to look, apart from yellow pages !??

Any ideas ?

Cheers and thanks

JBL
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Old Mar 9, 2009 | 01:09 AM
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Why dont you try one off these mate.

Watches & Wristwatches Auctions at Bonhams

Might be worth sending them an email and seeing what they would advise. Or try a local auctioneers (a decent one) who will point you in the right direction failing all that contact david dickinson lol. good luck mate,
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Old Mar 9, 2009 | 01:47 AM
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Post a picture of the front and back on here. Also, if you can - get the back off and show a picture of the movement.

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Old Mar 9, 2009 | 03:18 AM
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I can recommend an excellent watchmaker in Greater Manchester. You have to send stuff via Special Delivery and its returned the same way.

I have a collection of old Omegas along with several other valuable watches and I would trust him with any and all, including the Rolexes.
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Old Mar 9, 2009 | 03:24 AM
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Time Repairs - Watch, Clock, Repair, Straps
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Old Mar 9, 2009 | 12:20 PM
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Thanks for all the useful information and links.
I have found that the watch is a Certina and have contacted their Customer service to see if they have a local-ish outlet/repair place.
Apologies to Mods for posting the original in the wrong section, typical of doing something when tired !

Cheers
JBL
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Old Mar 9, 2009 | 12:23 PM
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bhi - clocks, watches &amp the art and science of timekeeping

The British Horological Institute is the official body in the UK I believe.
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Old Mar 9, 2009 | 10:33 PM
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Brian is a BHI graduate and I recommend him wholeheartedly. Id certainly use a BHI grad rather than the manufacturers agents!
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Old Mar 9, 2009 | 10:34 PM
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Youre looking at £50-£70 to completely strip it, clean it and re-assemble it, time it and seal it.
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Old Mar 9, 2009 | 11:44 PM
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Cool

Thanks again.
Cost of clean/service is second to the quality of the work done.
I rather assumed, perhaps mistakenly, that the manufacturers' own qualified repair people would be the safest to use.
No rush so will make enquiries and decide from that.

Cheers

JBL
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Old Mar 10, 2009 | 12:01 PM
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Try giving Brendan Hoey a call, he should be able to sort you out. He did an excellent job on a 1960's Omega for me last year.

Watchmaker, Casemaker & enamel dial maker. Brendan Hoey
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Old Mar 10, 2009 | 02:08 PM
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Any pictures Iwan?
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Old Mar 10, 2009 | 02:57 PM
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No I'm afraid not, I sold it shortly after I got it back as it was a bit small for my liking. He did a lovely job on it though.
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