UNPLANNED DOWNTIME: 12th Oct 23:45
PSA - Watch Servicing / Repair
What's Hot
My watch, and my dad's watch needed servicing.
I've got a 2018 Rolex Explorer II (216570). He has a 1968 Omega Seamaster Chronostop.
My watch had a run in with a security metal detector wand, when I was doing jury service. Ever since there has been an issue with the power reserve, but it still kept perfect time.
My dad's watch is just old. It's never been serviced, but still works perfectly.
Took them to Steven Hale (www.shwr.co.uk) in South Molton Street (W1K 5QE). They offer a postal service for anyone who can't visit in person. They are Rolex accredited and Omega approved.
Mine was back within 3 weeks. Fully serviced, and 1 part replaced. To fix the issue with the power reserve.
Once the work is done they offer a free case / crystal polish. I didn't have it done as all the scratches and marks are mine. I didn't like the idea of it just looking new again.
My dad's watch will take longer as it's old. They said up to 6 months for it to be returned. But he is having the case and crystal polished. The crystal on his is pretty tatty.
Cost of mine was a little over £600. I think my old man's is around the same price.
Very pleased with their service, and would happily recommend them.
I can't help about the shape I'm in, I can't sing I ain't pretty and my legs are thin
But don't ask me what I think of you, I might not give the answer that you want me to
0 LOL 2 Wow! 0 Wisdom · Share on Twitter
Comments
(23) Wristwatch Revival - YouTube
I'm scared to damage them - I own a few what I would call good watches, so instead I wear a cheap nasty Casio G-Shock GST-B400BB 1AER, if the battery ever needs changing, or the watch fails in some way, it's not worth the cost of replacing the battery - and maintaining the 200m/20bar water proof rating, or repairing.
@CavemanGrogg I can assure you the first time I dented my first proper watch it was heart-wrenching. I don't worry about them any more. It's freeing!!
I've had a few nice watches over the years (IWC Pilot, Speedmaster professional, Jaeger-LeCoultre) but all sold now. I kept losing them when drunk
But the market continues to flourish, people continue to buy them, myself included. I just don’t get it. I have absolutely zero other jewellery, but I have indulged in watches. But i just don’t understand why.
It’s not a market that is absolutely blasted with marketing spend either. We drink coffee because it’s rammed down our throats, you can’t get away from Nike and Adidas. But watches bomb along on their own free will. Yes there is marketing spend without doubt, but I doubt they would have continued without genuine desire from the consumer to carry on buying.
interesting market this, very resilient, hopefully it continues
"If it smells like shit...It is probably shit"
@cavemangrogg like @stickyfiddle said, I also got quite pissed off the first time I dinged it (put a scratch on the bevel). But I bought it to wear, and don't really think about it anymore. It's a tool watch and designed to be relatively robust, so as long as no disasters happen (like forgetting to take your watch off when being checked by a security guard with a metal detector), it should be fine.
@stickyfiddle I've heard some horror stories about Rolex's own servicing. They seem to be pretty uncompromising! My dad had to have the crystal refurbished. They said they can't replace it, but will try and polish it back past most of the scratches, but it was quite scratched. The case on his was actually in pretty good nick, so not sure he'll notice that much difference.
@Fishboy7 cheers. I've always had a soft spot for the Explorer II. I wanted a watch with dual time, and fell in love with the newer version, once they returned to the orange 24 hour hand, per the original version. I looked at IWC, Omega and Jaeger LeCoultre when I was trying to decide what to buy. I really liked the JLC watches.
@Rob1742 I know what you mean, but I think it's good to own a nice watch. Like you, I don't wear jewellery, unless you count cufflinks. Not even a wedding ring. I think watches will always interest people. For some from the engineering perspective, others looks, and for some I guess it's a status symbol.
Thanks @Jo-to-po @danishbacon .
@nero1701 I wasn't sure about the size when I was on the looking, but I really like it. I have always preferred the polar to the black face, although I like the floating hand effect you get with the black face version. I like the simplicity of the 6694 Oyster Date. Someone I work with has one. I think if I got another Rolex I'd look at a black face Milgauss.
I can't help about the shape I'm in, I can't sing I ain't pretty and my legs are thin
But don't ask me what I think of you, I might not give the answer that you want me to
Last year I was travelling back from Istanbul (Sabiha Gokcen airport) when going through security I chucked all my stuff including watch in the tray, went through the scanner and when I picked up the tray on the other side the watch was missing. I had my eyes off it for a few minutes so reckon someone else in the queue nabbed it.
This was a not too expensive watch I'd bought specifically for travelling luckily, but definitely you need to be careful with a more valuable watch !
I can't help about the shape I'm in, I can't sing I ain't pretty and my legs are thin
But don't ask me what I think of you, I might not give the answer that you want me to
Western Europe or around the Middle East I'm happy with anything, though usually my Speedster or Tudor BB58 as they're less sentimental than the IWC and a little chunkier so more visible if anyone's out for theft. Anywhere potentially sketchy like Egypt, Turkey, South Africa or India I'll take a Seiko or Hamilton just because there's no good reason to risk it.
Either way everything's insured and I've travelled enough to not look like an easy mark so I've never had any problems.
At any airport security I haven't been through before I'll put whatever watch I'm carrying in my bag or jacket pocket. I definitely don't leave it visible from the top of the tray if at all possible. TBH I do the same with my phone and wallet, partly because it speeds up the process as well.
I like mechanical watches because I still think it's incredible that an arrangement of springs and levers and gears can tell the time.
I am jolly tempted by either a Grand Seiko (spring drive, obvs) or a Habring² (jumping seconds) for my 50th. But they're into terrifying money.
You mean like a watch you keep in your pocket?
My dad laughed when he heard how much it would cost through Omega themselves.
Once he gets his watch back I’ll post some photos.
I can't help about the shape I'm in, I can't sing I ain't pretty and my legs are thin
But don't ask me what I think of you, I might not give the answer that you want me to
I can't help about the shape I'm in, I can't sing I ain't pretty and my legs are thin
But don't ask me what I think of you, I might not give the answer that you want me to
I am a watch geek, but a watch geek of slender means, but my watch is probably the most expensive thing on my person going through airports.