Commenting Watch Repairers

[watchpassionist]

i like uncle style. i dont think he cares if the watch parts will rust or not. to them maybe can remove rust. so no issue.

i think 2 months for a local watch repairer is too long. maybe compared to authorised agent, 2 months is fast as authorised agent is 6 months. so it is more about managing expectation.

why 2 months still not ready? i dont think they will ship just part(s) for one watch each time. not economical viable.

I ever asked these authorised agents why 21st century already n still so slow..... they said parts are send not by plane cos too ex , by shipping only. And yes u are right bro Triton, they only ship together 1 big lot.

[seiko.citizen]

i thought that parts in many movements would be somewhat similar and that they would have bought the common parts in bulk; and the more "exotic" parts would be brought in on an as needed basis.

[taxico]

Were you not told the price and waiting time, prior to leaving the watch with them?

it wasn't entirely their fault - i didn't want to wait for too long because i had just come back from a long (motor) bike ride and i was quite smelly - other customers may not feel comfortable with me in my riding gear.

the staff was quite busy, so when it was my "turn" i asked if they could fix it. "yes? okay, then let me know when it's ready," and i left.

as it was a minor job, i didn't think it would cost the price they charged me... afterall, JW is not RSC!

[watchpassionist]

ya never go during lunch hour there, very busy. Usually after 2pm they were be less crowds and u can feel more comfortable browsing the items and watches for sale there.
I have been JW many times, alw the waiting period is too much for me too. But the feelings after collecting back your watch and seeing it in good working shape, all the anger will dissappear.

For additional info...
RSC now adays charge high for repairing n servicing. Even verifications fees cost $107 now.
Send my Rolex redsub to verify and they say need minimal 3 days to check the s/no. Initially i'm a little agitated but then think is also for my good that they thoroughly go thru all details to verify my watch. 3 days later after receiving the verification receipt immediately i felt relieved. It was just 3 days to have peace of mind forever

[taxico]

Your watch needs a spare parts? how much is the price they charge? how long?

it was my opinion that my watch did not need any spare parts because all that was required was a press - something that i didn't have. plus, the watch was PVD'd (normal PVD) and i didn't want to press it myself so as to not scratch it in case i slipped up.

however i was told some new part(s) was necessary to fix my bezel... this is not a special gmt2ceramic bezel but a bezel for a few hundred dollar dive watch. i included the click spring that also fell out... i don't know what else needed to go in, but i am sure if it was a stainless steel watch, i could have pressed it back on myself.

the bill was not itemized, so i assume while they mean "part" i was probably paying for "labor"...

Servicing any watches be it pams, rolexs, pateks, aps, iwcs all takes an averages of 2 months now so no matter how we hate it, we just have to live with it at their mercy.

most uncomplicated watches, without part replacements or polishing, are actually serviceable and adjustable within a day.

it takes 15-30 minutes (max, for a rookie watch smith) to strip a movement. maybe another 15 minutes to dismantle the case. another 15-20 mnutes to clean all the parts with a machine, another 15-30 minutes to dry the parts out.

even if you air dry the parts, it will at most take 24 hours since shops all have air-conditioning...

then it's another few hours to assemble and oil the movement, and reassemble the movement and case.

timing can be adjusted within 15 minutes with a vibrograph/timer. double that if the customer requests for multiple position accuracy. double that again if it's a rookie with a micro-stella tool.

so if you went to an independent watch maker and he's free on the day he is assembling your watch, it will probably just take a few days to get the job done.

however most of these shops have to tend to walk-ins... so... it's quite a disruptive process.

at the official Svc Ctr, there are protocols to go through and probably a giant back log of watches waiting to be serviced (eg, before CNY period). but some times people get lucky... or a watch gets put at the right place at the right time...

i know of a VIP's branded perpetual calendar that took just 48 hours to turnaround - full overhaul, polished and timed to 5 positions.

i'd always say at this point... you pays yer money and you takes yer chances!

[watchpassionist]

it was my opinion that my watch did not need any spare parts because all that was required was a press - something that i didn't have. plus, the watch was PVD'd (normal PVD) and i didn't want to press it myself so as to not scratch it in case i slipped up.

however i was told some new part(s) was necessary to fix my bezel... this is not a special gmt2ceramic bezel but a bezel for a few hundred dollar dive watch. i included the click spring that also fell out... i don't know what else needed to go in, but i am sure if it was a stainless steel watch, i could have pressed it back on myself.

the bill was not itemized, so i assume while they mean "part" i was probably paying for "labor"...



most uncomplicated watches, without part replacements or polishing, are actually serviceable and adjustable within a day.

it takes 15-30 minutes (max, for a rookie watch smith) to strip a movement. maybe another 15 minutes to dismantle the case. another 15-20 mnutes to clean all the parts with a machine, another 15-30 minutes to dry the parts out.

even if you air dry the parts, it will at most take 24 hours since shops all have air-conditioning...

then it's another few hours to assemble and oil the movement, and reassemble the movement and case.

timing can be adjusted within 15 minutes with a vibrograph/timer. double that if the customer requests for multiple position accuracy. double that again if it's a rookie with a micro-stella tool.

so if you went to an independent watch maker and he's free on the day he is assembling your watch, it will probably just take a few days to get the job done.

however most of these shops have to tend to walk-ins... so... it's quite a disruptive process.

at the official Svc Ctr, there are protocols to go through and probably a giant back log of watches waiting to be serviced (eg, before CNY period). but some times people get lucky... or a watch gets put at the right place at the right time...

i know of a VIP's branded perpetual calendar that took just 48 hours to turnaround - full overhaul, polished and timed to 5 positions.

i'd always say at this point... you pays yer money and you takes yer chances!

after reading your post i agree with your scenario. The problem lies not in your part, is just that they do not do repair immediately on your watch. The technician there is only for strap changes, check the problems of watches, change batteries, give quotations. We won't know wat is the exact parts that your watch need for the long waiting time so could not comment on that.
But overall wat the experience like beside the price and long waiting time? the feel of satisfaction? Is the job well done?

[damienloh]

My sub now hospitalised for 2 weeks.

[triton]

boss, you doing survey now ah?

But overall wat the experience like beside the price and long waiting time? the feel of satisfaction? Is the job well done?

[feilong108]

Erm....to change a bezel seem like a 5 min affair...with the right tools and skills...

Went to my regular watch shop for a bezel change for my old rolex sub as i do not have the skills to DIY ....10mins is all it takes for the boss to do that job........

Cannot see how come it takes so long for a simple bezel change job...

Me not a watch tech..just a regular watch siao dude here..

[seiko.citizen]

agree removing bezel to replace with new insert is a piece of cake. trick is to use a thin but strong butter knife with a sharpened edge; the best would be to have the right tool.

lever at the 4 o clock position and watch out for the spring round at 11:30 position.

nb: this was done on a mate's GMT2

[psee]

Agree that changing bezel insert shouldn't be too difficult with the right tools and skills ... Waited abt 15 - 20 mins when I brought my GMT-II to RSC for a change in bezel inserts 1+ yr ago ...

[watchpassionist]

As we all are not there so is difficult to comment why it takes a long time, could be any other problems lies with the watch that JW found out that need spares?

Bro triton.... me hope to receive more inputs from the readers so can analyse whether my recommendations for the above few watch repairers/ shops selling watches was good or not.
Having more ppl speak up is gd for all to read , we want hear everything not just good but also bad experiences. By all means not just only me , we accept mistakes and criticisms , wat i want in this thread is to spread words of some good shops as a guideline, lastly as we all know too , the best shops in the world be it hourglass, apple, mcdonald's .. there is bound to have positive and negative remarks. No one in this world will ever agree with another person views 100%. So mine are just recommendations not a 'must' go to this shop so n so....

[feilong108]

i last went to JW for a very minor service on an independent (not expensive) watch brand.

i could have fixed the watch myself but didn't feel confident that i could do it without scratching the PVD off...

i was charged a ridiculous sum for putting the bezel back on the watch, plus it took weeks for them to do that.

me wasn't happy at all...! whatever the case may be, the owner seems quite qualified, but sometimes when businesses get big, certain personal touches disappear.

Erm....i do not know if taking weeks to do that bezel change is considered long time anot....but to me it is certainly a very long time for a simple job....

And bezel changing need not open up the watch at all...external thing....

[psee]

bro watchpassionist does have a point there ... while I do not have any servicing experiences with JW (or most other independent service providers), I do like to drop by JW's occassionally and my personal experiences there had been positive (& Mr JW seem professional and friendly IMHO)

As we all are not there so is difficult to comment why it takes a long time, could be any other problems lies with the watch that JW found out that need spares?

[feilong108]

Been to JW for a few times and John is very nice chap to talk with......but i am puzzled about the lengthy waiting period for a simple bezel change job...

Sorry if i OT too much on this topic...simply curious that is all...