UK service needed

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AshR40

·May 25, 2021

Hi everyone,

Looking for recommendations for a UK based person to do a service on the below watches.

These are two of my grandfather's watches which he has had for years (alongside a 42mm pilots watch for comparison).

I don't know anything about the watches other than some things written on the seamaster.
I do however want to get them serviced starting with the seamaster as I would wear likely wear it. I would love the gold to be cleaned up but not sure if its dipped or rolled.

Any recommendations on a watch maker who could service these would be great.

Thanks

 

20210525_130434.jpg - 13.6 MB

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sirtaifun

·May 25, 2021

The Seamaster is "dipped" to identifie by the "20" which means 20mycrometer gold on the case.

 

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Franco

·May 25, 2021

I think Simon Freese is the only one to send Omegas in UK.

 

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jaguar11

·May 25, 2021

STS would be another option...

 

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Franco

·May 25, 2021

Simon Freese was the boss at STS up to about 5 years ago. Honestly have not used STS since, are they good recently?

 

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obstando

·May 26, 2021

+1 for Simon Freese

 

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Edward53

·May 26, 2021

Franco

I think Simon Freese is the only one to send Omegas in UK.

jaguar11

STS would be another option...

Those are two top of the range watchmakers. You will get the best service but you will pay accordingly. The right choice if you have something like an Ed White Speedmaster or an early Seamaster 300, but for these two watches it's overkill, like getting a Rolls Royce dealer to service a Ford Fiesta. There are plenty of other vintage specialists in the UK who will do a perfectly adequate job for a lot less. The only caveat being that the Cosmic requires the right tool to open it and not everyone is willing to tackle them.

 

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Franco

·May 26, 2021

For example?

 

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joeshoup

·May 26, 2021

Duncan Hewitt is quite good, though I don't know his availability.

 

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Edward53

·May 26, 2021

Franco

For example?

Christian the Watch Guy and Richard Askham at the Watch Spot are two that spring to mind. Many others have been mentioned on this forum. I can't remember all their names but some intelligent Googling and a search on here for the names thrown up would be a start.

 

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MRC

·May 26, 2021

Edward53

Christian the Watch Guy and Richard Askham at the Watch Spot are two that spring to mind. .

Rich is the guy for 1960/70s Heuers and Cal 11 movements in particular, but he doesn't do Omegas. If I had any mechanical Seikos I'd be sending them his way too.

 

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new_heuer

·May 27, 2021

@ChrisN Is also very good

 

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percymon

·May 27, 2021

Watchguy serviced my mk2 speedy , no complaints at all and 70+ photos of the process.

 

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Edward53

·May 27, 2021

MRC

Rich is the guy for 1960/70s Heuers and Cal 11 movements in particular, but he doesn't do Omegas. If I had any mechanical Seikos I'd be sending them his way too.

He's done four of my Omegas, a 551, a 505, a 266 and a 601. I was very happy with his work. Nice guy too, easy to get along with.

 

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Danwales

·May 27, 2021

I have used Michael Swift before and his work has been good. You won't get photographs of the service like some repairers just a good old fashioned service for around £70. Yes , you do have to send your watch to the Isle of Bute but I haven't found that to be massively inconvenient.