Kyle, I feel your pain. I had similar frustrations. I suggest having a good talk with him. I've suggested to him that he cut back on the number of watches he takes in. I know the next time I send him a watch that needs serious work, I won't expect to see it for some time, but when I do see it, it will be great. I have a feeling anyone working on vintage watches is going to have some detractors. I find old watches aren't an exact science all the time. They are almost like living things in that they have idiosyncracies and microscopic issues to deal with. I just know that each time I start to dig inside a 321, I have a new level of respect for any guy who can work on them...let alone the guy who can make those tiny parts in his shop. Also, I think it bears repeating that Dennis, though he is clearly upset with Jesse now, strongly recommended his work just a few months ago. We can all have down periods, but we must consider the guy's body of work, and his body of work is pretty impressive. Dennis, this isn't an attack on you. I know you have your issues with Jesse, but I want to try to be as fair as possible.

 

Yes, the check cleared.

No, the watches I paid to have repaired were not done - and two that did work properly no longer do.

I won't complain about the few hundred out the window because I'm just happy to have my watches back.

 

I have had quite a few personal, non-watch related conversations with Jesse. I can unequivocally state that he is one of the nicest gentlemen I have ever spoken with. With that said, this is about "business".

Granted, what Jesse does, by and large, compared with what he charges is pretty impressive. But I have had two of my watches returned to him at two different times for seemingly unrelated issues. I returned the 751 Seamaster to him after it was serviced as it wasn't even close to COSC (fine for a 43 year old watch, but it was off by ~35/s a day) and I wanted to have a new second hand put on (the existing one had no tail). The 750 Seamaster came back fine then shortly developed a problem building up power on the winder/wrist, so it was sent back (it also had a problem with the QS date). Over the 1+ year since I had these initially repaired they have been in my possession for only a few months, having sent them, along with a newly acquired 751 Constellation, to Jesse in March. It has been 2 weeks since I was told they would be sent out. Since I have already received my mail, I'll assume it will now stretch into a third week.

So again, this has nothing to do with Jesse the man. It's about Jesse the businessman. Right now, that is where my dissatisfaction lies.

 

Hey, as I noted before, I was plenty irritated with him for similar reasons. I suppose one question we all have to ask ourselves is: How many guys are out there doing this kind of work...and will they charge me double...and STILL have small issues from time to time after the repairs are done. If anyone thinks his watch will always be perfect after service, he is lying to himself. These items are far too complex to expect them to never have subsequent issues. If you have another guy who makes you happy, I say use that guy. I'm sure there are options. As for the cal. 321 watches, I have found several guys who SAY they can service them, but when push comes to shove, very few are truly competent, and I have seen none who take so much pride in the minutia as Jesse does. I am not here to promote Jesse. I just want him to get a fair shake. I agree, as a businessman, he may not be the most adept...if he were, he'd charge double, but he isn't a businessman....he's a craftsman...and maybe an artist. If anyone has a watchmaker who can service a 321 for 400 or less....refinish the case to look like new, sharp edges, brushed where it should be...replace and clean dials, make parts such as screws and levers and anything else you can imagine...please send me the name. I have heard one or two good things about Steve, but frankly, I heard dozens of good reviews on Jesse or I would have never sent him my watches. If you were looking for a guy to do vintage military watches, I'd say Scott McCoy in Austin, but he won't touch these watches. And much to Jesse's credit, he hasn't posted in this forum to tell his side because it would probably degenerate into ugliness.

 

Well, I guess it comes down to either he is overwhelmed and/or not being forthright in his promises. If someone tells me it's going to take them X amount of time to do something, then it is up to me to decide if X is acceptable. It is also incumbent upon the person asserting X that it is therefore reasonably met. Such is not the case. If you are okay with that, so be it, but please do not minimize the fact that self-imposed deadlines are either not being met or are simply lip-service.

As I said, if Jesse had told me from the get-go that this would take so long, I'd have little to complain about. Had Jesse not told me that the watches were on the way, I'd have little to complain about. Fact is, he has told me that they would be shipping at the end of the week, on separate weeks. They haven't, so that's fibbing. There is no excuse for that. Also to be considered, at this point there may be no side for Jesse to post. The benefit of the doubt can only go so far. I've been more than gracious in my dealings with Jesse. At this point, my grace is wearing thin.

Hopefully I will receive my watches next week.

 

I heard the same "shipping on Monday" line several times myself. I was extremely frustrated. If I were not comfortable with his work/ways, I would certainly never send him another watch. For me, this whole watch collecting/repairing biz is an odd thing. The servicing is as much an art as a science in many cases, and art can be a tough thing to place on a schedule. Factor in the difficulty in finding parts, and the art becomes even more complicated. Imagine Van Gogh stopping in the middle of "Starry Night" because he couldn't find the correct blue paint and searching for 3 months (on Ebay) to get more. The real danger is, of course, that you receive an ear in the box with your watch. I still say I want Vincent doing my painting rather than some schmuck who takes half the time and care and does half as good a job...leaving me with a finger painting of the night sky instead of a masterpiece.

 

But what if the correct paint wasn't used, and Vincent just told you a story about searching for it to buy time? Jesse worked on my Genève 562 and the watch did not work properly when I got it back. It wouldn't wind or set properly, and kept stopping at 36 seconds. Steve looked at it and knew the wrong set bridge was in the watch. Why didn't Jesse know? Or did he, but just tried to put in a part that was similar he already had around the shop and tried to make it work? Either way, a guy who's screen name is omega564 isn't inspiring trust if he can't fix the classic Omega automatics.

 

Well, maybe Steve is the guy. I'd like to hear some other recommendations for Steve's work. Has anyone else used his services? How is his work on cases? Does he polish screw heads and every other tiny part of the movement? How are his prices? I'm open to new experiences if there are references.

 

I thought long and hard about who to send my watches to when I frist joined here. Have a strange mix, all bought in my youth while in the Navy. A Omega Seamaster 861 145.016, a Breitling Chronomat, and a Zodiac Sea Wolf. Lots of folks can do the Omega and the Breitling, Zodiacs are hard to get parts for. Was not really wanting to send three watches to three different watchmakers. Sent them all to a Zodiac specialist, a family store with Grandpa, father and son all watchmakers. After the issues reported here I am happy. All of the watches were done correctley and with in reason, most expensive was the Breitling due to the cost of the 18K parts. Next as the Sea Wolf, cheapist was the Omega, just a COA.

 

Well I just went and looked at the receipt, The Zodiac actually was cheaper than the Omega. $1165 for all three. Breitling needed a crown and tube, full service + new battery and service of the UTC watch. Omega needed a COA, no parts.Did need the setting mechanism adjusted. Zodiac needed a bunch crystal, cannon pinion, repair quick set date, COA.

 

Is there a thread that discusses watchmakers, pros and cons? I'd be interested in knowing who does great work, prices, reviews, etc.

 

Got my two back (from Jesse) today after four months plus. All seems well so far, I'll let you all know

 

Sounds good!

 

How about you - seen yours yet?

 

Not yet, but maybe soon based on this.

 

Dennis,
Did the movement make it to you yet?