Forums Latest Members

When you need a watch repaired, where do you go?

  1. PirateLou Dec 20, 2013

    Posts
    25
    Likes
    0
    I've got a few watches that are overwound and need a cleaning/tune-up. How would I go about selecting a proper place? I've heard of a guy in Pennsylvania that one can send their items out to and he does a good job. As I don't feel 100% comfortable doing that I was hoping to gain some insight on how to select a dependable watch repairman?

    Thanks in advance
     
  2. ulackfocus Dec 20, 2013

    Posts
    25,983
    Likes
    26,966
    If your referring to Mark Siriani, don't bother. He 'cleaned' the minute/second track off one of my dials. How could that happen when there were no instructions to clean the dial at all? Well, I can speculate that he doesn't fully disassemble the watch (which is why his prices are so cheap), and some of his solvent got onto my watch's dial. That's not servicing a watch IMO. This is how a real watchmaker does it:

    http://www.watchtalkforums.info/forums/thread17441.html

    We have watchmakers here - Steve / N2FHL in NJ and Al / Archer in Canada. The watchmaker in the link above is Sam Kalter in Philadelphia.
     
    PirateLou likes this.
  3. UncleBuck understands the decision making hierarchy Dec 20, 2013

    Posts
    3,416
    Likes
    7,733
    Lou, I use the restaurant method.
    I get good referrals from friends I trust and then I look for a place that is crazy busy.
    I grease the head guy to get service, see if I like it and then try to build a relationship of trust and communication.
    I am trying to establish 3 levels:

    Steve in Jersey, I would trust completely with a priceless family heirloom and any degree of complicated service on any watch. I have the trust and communication with him and hope he feels the same.

    For the next level, I belong to the local watchmakers association ($15 a year to join) met several nice contacts and have established a relationship with a local watchmaker that I would use for de-mag, cleaning and oiling, parts and basically anything Steve wouldn't want to mess with. I also get good leads on used tools and watches that are around.

    Level 3, a moron to change straps, clean and to attempt some basics. I'll let you guess who that is.
     
    PirateLou and epl108 like this.
  4. cicindela Steve @ ΩF Staff Member Dec 20, 2013

    Posts
    15,047
    Likes
    23,788
    Is he cheap::confused2::
     
  5. UncleBuck understands the decision making hierarchy Dec 20, 2013

    Posts
    3,416
    Likes
    7,733
    "Is he cheap::confused2::" (my reply button doesn't work).

    Steve, the moron costs me more than anybody.
     
  6. ulackfocus Dec 20, 2013

    Posts
    25,983
    Likes
    26,966

    Yeah, especially when he make bad buying decisions on eBay! :p
     
  7. cicindela Steve @ ΩF Staff Member Dec 20, 2013

    Posts
    15,047
    Likes
    23,788

    OK, never mind then, I guess I'll stick the the moron I have.:confused: