Just met one of my fellow cruise passengers who has a couple of watches in need of servicing and he feels that he's getting a raw deal from the store who wants to charge him $750.

Can anyone suggest a reputable watchmaker in western Canada (Alberta) or anywhere else, even Toronto or the east would be OK. @Canuck , any tips?

I know Al is very busy but I'll also pass his details on in case he can fit a job in.

Many thanks if anyone can help.

 

Now that I've done a good deed, I'm off to have a nice cold beer, temp here in Tournon is 86f/30c.

 

I have dealt with Shane Ede of Toronto Watch Repair. Shane is highly recommended and extremely knowledgeable.
torontowatchrepair.ca

 

Since this is posted in the open forum, can you tell us what brand the watches are?

$750 may be a complete rip-off, completely reasonable, or very cheap depending on the watch and the scope of work involved...

 

The first one is a vintage Geneve, probably requires a service but not much info beyond that.
I think the second one is a Seamaster chrono, he said he pressed the wrong button and it seemed to lock up.

As we're in southern France and the subject watches are in Alberta I have to rely on his memory.

I just wanted to get some idea of watchmakers he could approach as he is one of the many people on the planet who have no idea about the things that are normal to us WIS types.

Here's a beer I had for you guys last night .

 

Is he suggesting that $750 is a raw deal to service 2 watches? If so, don't bother passing on my information.

 

Just the one watch Al (the chrono). As he's uneducated, I just want to point him in the right direction so he doesn't end up getting shafted and a sub-standard job.

I'm basically operating by remote control so all I can do is guide him to the source and let him make $ decisions.

 

I've heard Prime Time in BC is good to work with, though I havent used them myself.

 

Years back I had several good transactions with German Watchmaker in Vancouver.
(That’s the name of his company)

 

Although to my knowledge I've not had a watch in my shop that has been serviced by this establishment, his watches, service, and attitude are not well regarded on the Canadian Watch Collector forums...unfortunately I can't link to the thread as you have to be a member to read it, but there are multiple reports of dissatisfaction with his service...one example:

"WARNING! I have used PrimeTime with very unhappy results. He broke my VC automatic and just dumped it back in my lap :-( "

Proceed with caution...

 

In Vancouver, there is the firm founded by Otto Friedl (now deceased). Last I heard the business is now run by his daughter and son in law. Back in the day, Friedl had the repair franchise for many prominent Swiss Watch firms. Whether that is still the case, I don’t know. Might warrant some research. Or maybe someone can comment.

 

In the basement of the Fairmont in Vancouver .

http://www.ottofriedlwatchservice.com

@Archer, Thanks for the counter point.