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Looking for a good UK Watchmaker

Q
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Hi,

I’ve inherited my dad’s 1950’s Seamaster CK2849. My dad was terrible and didn’t look after his watches (never serviced with some corrosion on the dial and a few dings). I’ve had it serviced at a local watchmakers but lost confidence in him when the crown and winding ‘stalk’ (apologies for my ignorance of correct terminology!) completely fell out when I wanted to adjust the time.

So, I was wondering if anyone could recommend a good watchmaker in the UK that I could approach for a service I can rely on.

Many thanks,

Robert
 
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Dan S
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If the watch was already serviced, maybe you just need to have the detent tightened so that the crown and stem don't fall out. That a minor thing and an easy fix. I don't think I'd want to invest in an additional service.
 
Q
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Dan S Dan S
If the watch was already serviced, maybe you just need to have the detent tightened so that the crown and stem don't fall out. That a minor thing and an easy fix. I don't think I'd want to invest in an additional service.
Yeah, I should take it back to our local watchmaker first to see if he can do this if it’s a simple job. Thank you for the prompt - it’s something I should have done straight away!

All the best,

Robert
 
Q
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Davidt Davidt
Also, WatchGuy.Co.uk and Mitka.Co.uk.
Brilliant - many thanks! It’s great to see a few recommendations coming up!

All the best,

Robert
 
DorsetOmega
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mitka.co.uk
He’s just done a wonderful job for me, which I’ll be posting about soon.
What Mitka does, and probably others do, is posts pictures of your watch online at various stages as he works on it. It’s a delight to follow the watch’s road to recovery. Like visiting a loved one in hospital, but so much more interesting.
 
Dan S
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Just to add another plug for @Mitka. He is also a collector, and is sincerely passionate about vintage watches. And obviously I'm pleased to see someone from a younger generation pursuing this profession.
Edited:
 
Q
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DorsetOmega DorsetOmega
mitka.co.uk
He’s just done a wonderful job for me, which I’ll be posting about soon.
What Mitka does, and probably others do, is posts pictures of your watch online at various stages as he works on it. It’s a delight to follow the watch’s road to recovery. Like visiting a loved one in hospital, but so much more interesting.
Seeing the work progress through regular photographs would be brilliant - I admit to loving watching youtube videos of watchmakers stripping down and rebuilding mechanical watches and would love to get a view inside my Omega - too nervous to try and have a look myself!

Many thanks for the further endorsement of Mitka!

Best wishes,

Robert
 
Q
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Dan S Dan S
Just to add another plug for @Mitka. He is also a collector, and is sincerely passionate about vintage watches. And obviously I'm pleased to see someone from a younger generation pursuing this profession.
Many thanks Dan - yes, I often worry where the next generation of professionals will come from!

All the best,

Robert
 
H
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Q Quince
Hi,

I’ve inherited my dad’s 1950’s Seamaster CK2849. My dad was terrible and didn’t look after his watches (never serviced with some corrosion on the dial and a few dings). I’ve had it serviced at a local watchmakers but lost confidence in him when the crown and winding ‘stalk’ (apologies for my ignorance of correct terminology!) completely fell out when I wanted to adjust the time.

So, I was wondering if anyone could recommend a good watchmaker in the UK that I could approach for a service I can rely on.

Many thanks,

Robert
Try The Watch Bloke?
 
norb1967
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+1 for Watch Guy! Worth mentioning that @Mitka used to work with Watch Guy before setting up on his own. You’ll be making a great choice with either. Watch Guy have done lots of mine and I can vouch for the quality of their work.
 
I
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I have had a bad experience with Watch Guy.
Asked a question for a fix for my Vintage omega but got a rude reply back about my choices to buy from abroad and not being able to send it back abroad for a fix and 'not fixing other people's errors'. Mind you I am paying him to fix the watch, not asking for free.
Shame as I will look elsewhere for servicing my mechanical watches.
 
p4ul
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I IAmZKWatches
I have had a bad experience with Watch Guy.
Asked a question for a fix for my Vintage omega but got a rude reply back about my choices to buy from abroad and not being able to send it back abroad for a fix and 'not fixing other people's errors'. Mind you I am paying him to fix the watch, not asking for free.
Shame as I will look elsewhere for servicing my mechanical watches.

Interesting first post.

I have visited and and used Christian (Watch Guy) multiple times and all of our interactions have been polite and positive. The work he has carried out for me has been exemplary and I will continue our relationship in the future.

Good luck with your search elsewhere.
 
Engee
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p4ul p4ul
Interesting first post.

I have visited and and used Christian (Watch Guy) multiple times and all of our interactions have been polite and positive. The work he has carried out for me has been exemplary and I will continue our relationship in the future.

Good luck with your search elsewhere.
Agreed. Many people here with plenty of experience with Christian, Johannes and Ray and have only good things to say about their attitude and work. It seems odd to come along here and to make a first post denigrating another person and his business. Of course, it's entirely possible that the poster caught them on a bad day, but nonetheless, an inappropriate way to introduce oneself to the forum.

I wonder if the poster has relayed the entirety of his interaction with Christian et al? I would not be surprised if an unhealthy exchange led to a loss of patience!

This will certainly not lessen my regard for Watchguy.co.uk.
 
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