Watchmaker recommendation in Brooklyn, NY?

[Thommas]

Hi forum members,

I'm hoping someone can recommend a skilled watchmaker in Brooklyn (ideally) or even Manhattan that services vintage watches.

I had a guy right by me (Brooklyn Heights area), but the reality of Covid forced him to shut down his store. He was my go-to for most straightforward jobs (cleaning, service, adjustments, crystal replacement, etc.). Might not have asked him to overhaul very precious pieces but he was very reliable and easy to deal with.

I'd love to find someone who can handle all of the above and a bit more, like service a Speedmaster 321 or other valuable vintage movements if needed.

Would appreciate any recommendations! Thanks.

 

[MTROIS]

For servicing a vintage watch like a cal 321, I would highly recommend Hamilton Jewelers in Princeton, NJ.
Ask for JC or Eric.

 

[gbesq]

Ron Gordon in Manhattan is very good.
https://www.rongordonwatches.com/

 

[Thommas]

gbesq

Ron Gordon in Manhattan is very good.
https://www.rongordonwatches.com/

Thanks for the recommendation! I gave him a call and dropped off a few watches that needed some attention this afternoon.
Should get a quote back later this week and hopefully everything works out nicely.

 

[MTROIS]

Thommas

Thanks for the recommendation! I gave him a call and dropped off a few watches that needed some attention this afternoon.
Should get a quote back later this week and hopefully everything works out nicely.

😲 That was QUICK!!! 👍

 

[Thommas]

MTROIS

😲 That was QUICK!!! 👍

Starting easy with a crystal change on a dress watch and a crown change for a watch that I bought with the wrong crown and was able to source an original. If that goes well we'll go up in complexity!

 

[timoss]

Tempvs Fvgit in Manhattan has been recommended by a member here. Super nice guy. They are currently servicing a chrome of mine so we’ll see...

ther is also an authorized IWC services in Brooklyn whose name is slipping my mind at the moment but I imagine they should be decent....

 

[Redwes25]

timoss

Tempvs Fvgit in Manhattan has been recommended by a member here. Super nice guy. They are currently servicing a chrome of mine so we’ll see...

ther is also an authorized IWC services in Brooklyn whose name is slipping my mind at the moment but I imagine they should be decent....

Jack Freedman is an IWC specialist in BK - https://www.superiorwatch.com/

 

[timoss]

Redwes25

Jack Freedman is an IWC specialist in BK - https://www.superiorwatch.com/

That’s the one! Thx.

 

[Thommas]

Thommas

Thanks for the recommendation! I gave him a call and dropped off a few watches that needed some attention this afternoon.
Should get a quote back later this week and hopefully everything works out nicely.

Well that didn't go as planned. He's quoting me around $1k per watch, for 3 watches (pictures below) that I left with him. I asked for an overhaul on only one of them (Wittnauer). The Longines I asked for a crystal change, and the Bulova a cleaning and crown change (found an original crown I wanted to replace the current one with).

$3k for service is about double what those 3 watches cost me, and I'm hoping I can find a solid watchmaker that would 1/ be cheaper overall, and 2/ not suggest a complete overhaul for every watch I bring him. Would love more NYC independent watchmaker recommendations if members have any.

 

[MTROIS]

Thommas

Well that didn't go as planned. He's quoting me around $1k per watch, for 3 watches (pictures below) that I left with him. I asked for an overhaul on only one of them (Wittnauer). The Longines I asked for a crystal change, and the Bulova a cleaning and crown change (found an original crown I wanted to replace the current one with).

$3k for service is about double what those 3 watches cost me, and I'm hoping I can find a solid watchmaker that would 1/ be cheaper overall, and 2/ not suggest a complete overhaul for every watch I bring him. Would love more NYC independent watchmaker recommendations if members have any.

😵‍💫😲!!!

Uh oh!! 🤨🤦

I can't really recommend anybody else as my only experience with a place located in Manhattan was sub par when it comes to servicing vintage watches.

On the other hand, I remember reading an article in the NYT about a long standing shop in Grand Central I think... Let me dig this out.

 

[MTROIS]

MTROIS

😵‍💫😲!!!

Uh oh!! 🤨🤦

I can't really recommend anybody else as my only experience with a place located in Manhattan was sub par when it comes to servicing vintage watches.

On the other hand, I remember reading an article in the NYT about a long standing shop in Grand Central I think... Let me dig this out.

Duh!! It seems that the place is called Grand Central Watch!! 😁

 

[Thommas]

MTROIS

Duh!! It seems that the place is called Grand Central Watch!! 😁

I've used Grand Central watch before. While not exactly cheap they were more reasonable and had excellent reviews on all the main review sites. Since they're literally inside the station I always figured they mostly catered to busy commuting professionals charged a premium for that. Might have them quote me for those repairs to compare.

 

[MTROIS]

Thommas

I've used Grand Central watch before. While not exactly cheap they were more reasonable and had excellent reviews on all the main review sites. Since they're literally inside the station I always figured they mostly catered to busy commuting professionals charged a premium for that. Might have them quote me for those repairs to compare.

Got it. I should have known that you knew these guys...
Everybody needs that "watch guy" who can do the "relatively easy" type of job you are describing, but as you have experienced yourself, with fewer people in the trade AND a tough economic environment, it will become tougher and tougher to find these rare birds.
May be a watchmaker in training who can do this on the side...

PS: your Longines is quite handsome

 

[Dan S]

Thommas

I've used Grand Central watch before. While not exactly cheap they were more reasonable and had excellent reviews on all the main review sites. Since they're literally inside the station I always figured they mostly catered to busy commuting professionals charged a premium for that. Might have them quote me for those repairs to compare.

I think that you will find GCW doesn't get such glowing reviews on this site.

 

[abrod520]

Try Tempvus Fvgit, I've had good experience with specific requests (ie, not requiring a complete overhaul for just a crown change etc)

 

[timoss]

That’s a pretty steep price for those services. As for GCT, I bet they will be similarly priced and in my experience refuse to do anything but a full ($$$) service on a watch.

Try one of the other recs made here.