ok. So I took a watch I have to a place that does repairs, they came recommended, just to get a crystal replaced. The owner? said oh it’s a Gubelin and I said well actually it’s an Eterna. A what!? Oh no! An Eternamatic I tell him. But it says Gubelin on the dial. Ugh. Maybe I should just leave I’m thinking. He says he’ll let me know Monday how much. Free estimates he says. $60-100. I’m thinking that sounds high but I’ll wait and see. So I left the watch there, I know, what was I thinking, and no matter what, I’m getting it back Monday.

 

60 to a 100 for a crystal change?? What currency is that ? Rubles?

 

I don’t think I’ll be taking anything there to get repaired. I’d rather spend the money and send my stuff to Canada where I had a guy who’s now certified Omega. He’s $750 Can to overhaul an my El Primero which is probably reasonable compared to Zenith. If it wasn’t a crystal with tension ring I could do it myself

 

Contact details please!

 

Of the guy in Canada?

 

Yes please

 

Little shop of Horology in Port Credit. Mississauga. Good guy. Jason Chisholm from England. When I lived there I always went to him. If he wasn’t busy he’d always open my watch have a quick look and chat. I heard he’s now Omega certified.

 

Thank you.....I’m in Ottawa, but would drive that far for a good service when it is due for my Constellation.

 

I was going to mail my El Primero to him but he thought it better not to since it was going across the border. I’ll take a trip there and give it to him

 

Many are signed with the logo...



Cheers, Al

 

So I got the ‘free’ estimate today for crystal replacement. $99.95 + tax of course. I’d rather buy a crystal online and hammer it in. I’m going to look at getting a press

 

This is going to go well…

 

It really shouldn't be more than $20 (if anything).

 

Pretty sure @Archer is in Canada. He clearly knows his way around a watch. Try sending him a PM.

 

Dude - you need to find a new watchmaker. In SF here - just to tell a quick story:
I got a new T38 for my Explorer II 1655, so I brought it into get installed. At the same time, I wanted to have a similar look to my 1675 (no cyclops), but only one T38...he told me he would see what he could do.
Not only did he fit the T38 for my 1655 - he took a T116, shaved off the cyclops, and put it on my 1675 for me. He said he has always wanted to try, but didn't really have a reason, until I asked. Pressure tested the watch.

Do you know how much he charged me? $0.

GOOD WATCHMAKERS ARE OUT THERE!!

W

 

I believe you meant to say *THIN watchmakers are out there - because if you don’t pay them, they don’t eat haha

It does sound like you found a good guy - but I can’t do what I do for a living for free, nor do I expect others to. I think it’s a bit of a misnomer to equate good with free. A reasonable price on a job well done will suffice for me.

+1 the hammer (buy a press and give it a go, you can break 3 crystals and still save some dough)

 

For the crystal, and to take the old one off and put the new one on.?

As stated above a Genuine crystal is $50 to $60 if a plain one your still looking at $10 or $15 just for a crystal. Tension ring crystal maybe more.

 

Haha - you are right - I guess what I was trying to say was that $100 for a crystal change is a bit on the crazy side. I wouldn't expect my watchmaker to do things for free for any random person who shows up. My guys does great work, and I pay him (and pay him well) when he services my watches, and I have been his customer for years now. Always has done an amazing job, and always willing to go above and beyond for his customers - that's the main point.
W

 

Little shop of Horology?! Best name for a watch shop, ever!