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Independent watchmaker to service a 2254 in SE England

Speedy2254
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As per the title my 2254 is now 12 years old & needs a service. Can anyone recommend a good independent watchmaker I can contact to ask about getting this done?
I live in Maidstone Kent but work in London.
Thanks
J
 
davidswiss
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Both STS and Simon Freese are expert in Omega and are in Essex, not far from you.
 
Spacefruit
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Or use post and wonder what you can do with all that free time
 
nonuffinkbloke
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davidswiss davidswiss
But not as much fun as a visit.
For anyone learning or enthusiastic about fine quality mechanical watches, a visit to Swiss Time Services, or Simon Freese Watchmakers, is well worth the effort.

With STS, it may be possible to get a quick tour of the premises. It's an impressive set up and very interesting to see the various stages of service.

With Simon Freese, it's just great to be able to spend a little bit of time, asking questions and learning about how your watch works, from someone who really knows. Great customer service from a real expert.
Edited:
 
Speedy2254
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Thanks for the replies, I had a good chat with Simon Freese this morning, I think he's nearest to me & he says he can do the job - result! Thanks again for the recommendations.
 
Martin_J_N
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Speedy2254 Speedy2254
As per the title my 2254 is now 12 years old & needs a service. Can anyone recommend a good independent watchmaker I can contact to ask about getting this done?
I live in Maidstone Kent but work in London.
Thanks
J

Ooh a fellow member from Kent 👍
 
Eve
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Speedy2254 Speedy2254
Thanks for the replies, I had a good chat with Simon Freese this morning, I think he's nearest to me & he says he can do the job - result! Thanks again for the recommendations.
How did you reach him, the last time i wrote him an email i never received a reply. Then i wrote to STS and had a rapid reply in a matter of 15 minutes.
 
Speedy2254
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Eve Eve
How did you reach him, the last time i wrote him an email i never received a reply. Then i wrote to STS and had a rapid reply in a matter of 15 minutes.
I followed the link that was posted above & rang the number on the website. I did ring right on 0900 so I might have been lucky?
 
nonuffinkbloke
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Eve Eve
How did you reach him, the last time i wrote him an email i never received a reply. Then i wrote to STS and had a rapid reply in a matter of 15 minutes.

STS is a larger operation with more office staff to take calls and reply to e-mails. Simon works with his wife Kelly, in a smaller set up. Yes it can take a bit longer for e-mail response, but I bet if I call him now, either he or Kelly will answer the phone. If he doesn't, he's probably busy at the time.

If he was doing a delicate adjustment on your watch, would you want him to leave it to answer the phone?😀
Edited:
 
Eve
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nonuffinkbloke nonuffinkbloke
STS is a larger operation with more office staff to take calls and reply to e-mails. Simon works with his wife Kelly, in a smaller set up. Yes it can take a bit longer for e-mail response, but I bet if I call him now, either he or Kelly will answer the phone. If he doesn't, he's probably busy at the time.

If he was doing a delicate adjustment on your watch, would you want him to leave it to answer the phone?😀
Ok i understand. It is totally fine with me, i just wasnt sure if he was on holiday or whatever.
I was not aware that he only operates with his wife. It probably also mean generally longer waiting period for service? Do people prefer him to STS?
 
OmeGez
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I used ‘The Watch Doctor’ for my 2254 and no complaints. They’re Omega approved.
 
nonuffinkbloke
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Eve Eve
Ok i understand. It is totally fine with me, i just wasnt sure if he was on holiday or whatever.
I was not aware that he only operates with his wife. It probably also mean generally longer waiting period for service? Do people prefer him to STS?

I think that depends on what watch you have and what you need done. As I said, STS is a larger set up, with the advantages that come with that. It's been in business for longer.

Simon is a smaller, more recently established business, but you get a personal service from a real expert, who used to be the workshop manager at STS.

Have a read of one of the introduction pages from Simon's website. That'll give you an idea of the set up:

http://www.simonfreesewatchmakers.com/about-1/
Edited:
 
Eve
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Thank you for a very detailed comment!
I have read this introduction once before, but i guess i was a bit confused by this line "Simon Freese Watchmakers are able to offer a comprehensive range of repair options, and will always go the extra mile to help." Somwhow it made it sound as if there are many watchmakers working in his workshop, not just Simon and his wife.
 
padders
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I believe he has an assistant or apprentice working with him. No I don’t mean Kelly. At least he did at the start of the year.
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