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Repairs
We perform all watch and clock repairs
on premises at either of our two workshops with the
exception of some speciality work such as clock case
refurbishment (which is carried out in our wood working
workshop) and watch dial restoration.
We give free estimates before undertaking
any major work, so feel free to pop in with your timepiece
or courier it to us. A postage and packaging charge
will apply if a return courier is required.
Repairs undertaken by ourselves range
from a new battery in your watch right up to complete
rebuilds of entire timepieces.
We can carry out the following tasks:
Clocks
Watches
- Pins, spring bars & straps (leather, metal,
rubber, silicon, nylon and speciality styles)
- Strap adjustment, repair & safety chains
- Batteries, seals & pressure testing
- Stems & crowns (dust proof, water resistant,
screw down & fancy)
- Glasses (from plain round to fancy or specialty
shapes)
- Mainsprings, dial feet, and any mechanical repairs
- Overhauling and servicing
- Movements & circuits for quartz watches
- Case polishing, repair & re-plating
- Dial and hand restoration
- Pocket watch covers/pouches, bows & keys
Clock repairing
Upon receiving your clock, it is removed
from the case and an estimate is provided (if required).
Inspection is usually same day but may take up to a
week depending on the workload at the time. We will
then phone, fax or email you with the estimate.
Your approval is then required before any work is undertaken.
Once completed, we thoroughly test
the clock (within its capabilities). This testing is
done in two stages. First we bench the movement in a
specially made frame. Once we are satisfied the clock
is performing to standard, the movement is mounted back
in the case and tested again. This can take up to 2
to 3 weeks depending on the run duration of the clock.
We then contact you when your clock
is ready for collection. We can deliver and set the
clock up in your home if preferred, or if required,
can courier it to you. A delivery or P&P charge
may apply.
Watch repairing
Minor repairs to watches such as fitting
new glasses is usually an overnight process, batteries
and straps can be done while you wait. Pressure testing
for water resistant watches takes about an hour.
Overhauls and services to watches usually take between
5-7 working days once the approval for the repairs is
received from you. Again, as with clocks, once repairs
are carried out we put the watch through a thorough
testing phase and all get timed on electronic timing
machines. New batteries are supplied in servicing quartz
watches.
If your timepiece if required for a
special occasion or by a certain date, please let us
know so we can make sure it is ready in time.
All efforts go to providing as quick
a turnaround as possible but delays can occur, especially
for older articles where parts may need to be ordered
from overseas or manufactured.
Payment is expected upon completion of work.
Watch & Clock Overhauling
An overhaul/service of a timepiece
is required on a regular basis as with a car. But unlike
a car, where you can undo the sump plug and drain out
the old oil, watches and clocks need to be taken apart
to have all traces of the old oil and dirt removed.
In overhauling your timepiece we start by removing the
movement from the case. The movement is then completely
dismantled, including all calendar gear, automatic winding
and shockproofing, strike, chime, alarm & chronograph
mechanisms as well as removing all mainsprings from
their barrels. Each part is then cleaned by hand to
remove any visible dirt, oil & grease before being
placed into clock ultrasonic baths or automatic watch
ultrasonic cleaning machines to be thoroughly cleaned.
Because the automatic ultrasonic cleaning machines used
for watches contains waterless cleaning and rinsing
solutions the dismantled parts come out ready for bench
work, the clock parts on the other hand require more
attention before engineering can start. After the clock
has been in the ultrasonic baths for a sufficient period,
the parts are then removed and rinsed in clean water
before being hand dried and placed into specially made
drying boxes where hot air is blown over the mechanism
to remove any moisture still present.
Now the real work can begin.
Each and every wheel, lever, spring
and plate is inspected for wear, corrosion and faults.
Any worn pivots are then polished as well as the pallet
faces in clocks. Bushing is required for most clocks
and older type watches, with some clocks needing upwards
of 20 bushes to bring the wheels back into line. As
well as all of this, any warn or broken parts are either
repaired or replaced. A bent or broken tooth in a clock
wheel for instance, has to be removed, cut out and a
new tooth made and inserted into the defective wheel.
Once all the engineering work is completed and the parts
in question tested, the plates of clocks only are lacquered
(watch plates don't require lacquering). Assembly can
now take place.
Special oils are necessary to lubricate the movements
of watches and clocks, with many timepieces requiring
four or five different oils and greases in order to
run correctly. Once fully assembled and lubricated,
testing is then carried out with watches put onto an
electronic timing machine to check timing, beat and
amplitude, while clock movements are mounted in custom
made frames to test all the complicated functions such
as striking or chiming.
Cleaning and polishing of cases is
also carried out and any extra refurbishment that has
been requested such as new glasses, straps, dial restoration
etc. is completed. Refurbishment of clock cases may
also be undertaken as discussed with the client.
Finally once all aspects of the repair are up to the
highest standard, the case and movement are brought
back together and final testing is done. The seals on
watch cases are also checked and water resistant watches
are pressure tested.
Guarantee
All work carried out comes with a written
guarantee of up to two years. This guarantee covers
the quality of workmanship for the repair carried out
only. If a problem does arise we will be happy to remedy
this for you free of charge. This guarantee does not
cover damage of defects arising from accidents, unfair
treatment, water (rust) damage, wear & tear, or
failure to carry out the instructions explained at time
of collection or on information sheet. Watch strap/bracelet
damage or damage to the glass or case, and/or interference
with the movement are not covered by this guarantee.
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