W. N. Mates Posted November 18, 2008 Report Share Posted November 18, 2008 I've searched the forum as much as I can, but can't see any reference to UK based modders or watchmakers. Ive got an IWC 3717 rep with an asian 7750 motor, recently purchased, and the movement is all over the place (gaining over 15 minutes a day), whilst the handwind facility doesn't work easily, and the crown hardly screws down. Although it was one of the "Don't worry, we personally inspect all watches prior to sale, and we don't drop ship" sites, when I asked the dealer I bought it from if I could return it (within 1 day of receipt), I was told to send it back to China myself! So, I need to have someone either fix it or (maybe preferably) fit a gen Swiss 7750 movement. Does anyone have any idea who could do this for me in UK please? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg_r Posted November 18, 2008 Report Share Posted November 18, 2008 I've searched the forum as much as I can, but can't see any reference to UK based modders or watchmakers. Ive got an IWC 3717 rep with an asian 7750 motor, recently purchased, and the movement is all over the place (gaining over 15 minutes a day), whilst the handwind facility doesn't work easily, and the crown hardly screws down. Although it was one of the "Don't worry, we personally inspect all watches prior to sale, and we don't drop ship" sites, when I asked the dealer I bought it from if I could return it (within 1 day of receipt), I was told to send it back to China myself! So, I need to have someone either fix it or (maybe preferably) fit a gen Swiss 7750 movement. Does anyone have any idea who could do this for me in UK please? TomHighway is UK based. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bibbs Posted November 18, 2008 Report Share Posted November 18, 2008 (edited) I'm looking for a UK based one too. I've put up details of a place in Wokingham (near-ish) that I've been advised will do the work. I've crossed the two local ones off already. One was "My father-in-laws eyesight isn't good enough to do the chrono's anymore" The other "No". Edited November 18, 2008 by Bibbs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edgematic Posted November 18, 2008 Report Share Posted November 18, 2008 and what about lumejobs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plant Posted November 18, 2008 Report Share Posted November 18, 2008 I take all my reps to a little place called The Clock Workshop in West Kirby on the Wirral. They have serviced and repaired a few for me now without concern for them being reps! PM me if you want their number, I know they will happily receive by post, repair then post out again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gadget Man Posted November 18, 2008 Report Share Posted November 18, 2008 (edited) I contacted TomHighway in September and although he did send 1 reply, I am still waiting for him to reply to the next 3 PM's I sent him.....I decided he cannot be relied upon. I am based in Yorkshire and wish there was a modder/watchmaker here on the forum that was willing to do work for the UK members, I think it's fair to say he would get plenty of work. We need someone who can service, repair, re-lume, waterproof, CG mods etc etc here in the UK Edited November 18, 2008 by Gadget Man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bibbs Posted December 1, 2008 Report Share Posted December 1, 2008 Well I've spoken to another watchsmith (Hartley Wintney - Hook, Hapmshire). Happy with reps, but they are looking at Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugwash Posted December 1, 2008 Report Share Posted December 1, 2008 Well I've spoken to another watchsmith (Hartley Wintney - Hook, Hapmshire). Happy with reps, but they are looking at Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bibbs Posted December 1, 2008 Report Share Posted December 1, 2008 I hadn't, but I will now. Thanks for the heads up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krayfish Posted December 1, 2008 Report Share Posted December 1, 2008 Tom Highway takes AGES to reply, and I mean AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGES! I'm VERY lucky that I tracked down a retired Clockmaker/Watchmaker who works from his workshop in his home, he is in his late 60's, had all the lathes to make his own parts and movements and has a personal collection of 1000's of watches. Hes has draws and draws of ETA's, all the kit you would imagine a watchmaker to have, and a very very nice calm manner about him. He services Gen Rolex's Omegas and your run of the mill quartz movements. I kinda stumbled across him and will be taking my Omega down for a service this week, along with my Rolex to get him to put another ETA movement in there. He will be Fixing Dr Tub's Rolex which he took apart lol This old fella kinda lives in the stone age!....works by reputation only, and has made my day as he is only a 40mile round trip for me. The big bonus is him not charging silly prices, and I can drop stuff off by hand and be happy in the knowledge I'm not being ripped off. Because of his Age, and the fact he gets lots of local buisness he is not interested in recieving posted items, and the hassle of sending things off messing about with internet payments, its easier for him to have people physically take things to him, and them collect and pay cash on collection. Top fella. Seeing him later in the week.......bottle of scotch on its way to him as a thanks for looking after me and to keep him sweet S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bibbs Posted December 1, 2008 Report Share Posted December 1, 2008 Where about is he? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krayfish Posted December 1, 2008 Report Share Posted December 1, 2008 Where about is he? Its kinda like the Shire........hehe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delboy Posted December 1, 2008 Report Share Posted December 1, 2008 Hi i emailed Tom with a problem i had with a snapped crown he replied straight way and offered to look aat the watch i sent it out to him on friday and recieved a reply to the problem the next day. He is a great guy good communication throughout would use his service anytime. Cheers Del Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krayfish Posted December 1, 2008 Report Share Posted December 1, 2008 Hi i emailed Tom with a problem i had with a snapped crown he replied straight way and offered to look aat the watch i sent it out to him on friday and recieved a reply to the problem the next day. He is a great guy good communication throughout would use his service anytime. Cheers Del Well I was gonna use tom.........he took a month just to reply! Its hard to find a good one though, none of the highstreet outlets will help, your usual watch fixing people just dont know how to work on mechanical stuff, they only adjust straps, and change batteries..... And I'm not comfortable about sending letting my watches go and be worked on where I cant see them. No way am I sending off replica stuff to watch smiths, no way thanks! lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bibbs Posted December 1, 2008 Report Share Posted December 1, 2008 I too am not too happy about posting stuff. But if it's the only way, it'll have to be done. I'm half tempted to DIY .. but I don't have the time at the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krayfish Posted December 1, 2008 Report Share Posted December 1, 2008 I too am not too happy about posting stuff. But if it's the only way, it'll have to be done. I'm half tempted to DIY .. but I don't have the time at the moment. I'll help you out you have a PM. Dont DIY........ask Dr Tub about DIY servicing.....lmao His watch is only good as a babies rattle now........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomhighway Posted December 1, 2008 Report Share Posted December 1, 2008 Guys, very shortly my web site will be up and running where you can book jobs online, and I will receive emails quicker. Its sometimes hard to reply to emails/pm`s constantly. I am sorry If I havnt followed up anything, but currently I dont do Lume or Ar work. Hopefully in the NEw Year if demand is sufficient enough. I am doing a lot of repair/servicing work not just on this board so work has to take a spot. Small jobs can be turned around in good time. I cant believe I took a month to reply to anybody though!! I have some watches that have been ready for collection for over 2 weeks , no replies to emails etc. Maybe you know who you are!!! TomH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xlr8r_y2k Posted December 4, 2008 Report Share Posted December 4, 2008 Guys, very shortly my web site will be up and running where you can book jobs online, and I will receive emails quicker. Its sometimes hard to reply to emails/pm`s constantly. I am sorry If I havnt followed up anything, but currently I dont do Lume or Ar work. Hopefully in the NEw Year if demand is sufficient enough. I am doing a lot of repair/servicing work not just on this board so work has to take a spot. Small jobs can be turned around in good time. I cant believe I took a month to reply to anybody though!! I have some watches that have been ready for collection for over 2 weeks , no replies to emails etc. Maybe you know who you are!!! TomH Hi Tom, I sent you a watch for repair back on the 31st of October, I've pm'd you a couple of times thru the board over the last month but never got a reply, maybe mine is one that's waiting for collection? I've sent you another pm so if you coyuld check that and get back to me that would be great. Thnx. xL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Dr.TuB Posted December 4, 2008 Report Share Posted December 4, 2008 Tom, please re-lume!!! we need an EU based re-lumer... some people are just not comfortable with sending watches (outside of EU) oversea for services and re-lumes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krayfish Posted December 5, 2008 Report Share Posted December 5, 2008 Well after much looking about on here and chewing over the prices, I'm sticking with my face to face watchmaker, he just gets more and more interesting, he will deal with others through myself. I have checked out the best prices on here and found him to be the best by a mile. So as much as I might regret it, if anyone is struggling and needs a watch servicing/repairing will be more than happy to help (in small numbers subject to another member here being happy with the quality of the work being carried out) I dropped 5 off to him today, two Breitlings A7750's, a Gen Omega, a vintage chrono and my Euromariner ETA. I am in the uk, he is very trustworthy. All watches will be stripped to their underpants and moving parts and then lovingly cleaned, lubricated then put back together, sprinkled with fairy dust & blessed with long life......then sent back at warp speed 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bibbs Posted December 5, 2008 Report Share Posted December 5, 2008 Sounds good Steve. I'll have a close look at my two 7750s when they come back. As you say, for the price and quick turnaround, he can't be beat. If you need a hand with helping others, let me know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krayfish Posted December 5, 2008 Report Share Posted December 5, 2008 Sounds good Steve. I'll have a close look at my two 7750s when they come back. As you say, for the price and quick turnaround, he can't be beat. If you need a hand with helping others, let me know Absolutly, two people is better than a one man band, would mean people here can get a quick turnaround (which we all know is rare in the rep game) and a proper service where the work is carried out to the full. I will be speaking to him later today, if he is happy with taking on the extra work then myself and Bibbs may suggest an idea to the UK end Euro Users on here, I know what a nightmare it can be if you have a stunning watch that you cant get serviced, or worse............fixed........, its a huge worry to have spent serious money on a watch and worry all the the time about what to do IF and When it breaks down due to having never been serviced. Will provide more info on this soon, and I'm sure Bibbs will write down the truth about the value for money he would have paid and the work carried out on his A7750's. I'm very straight down the line, no messing people about, and my Watchmaker is VERY passionate about his work, He has a personal collection of 1000's of mechanical watches Yea.......you read that right......., I saw a cabinates yesterday at his home with various Vintage Omega's, how the hell he collected so many over the last 40 odd years I will never know! He does not do Lume's but CAN get it done, although I got the impression he is not keen on getting involved as its very specialised. With regards to crystals, damage, broken movements, general servicing, replacing Asian movements with Swiss and everything else he is more than capable. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Dr.TuB Posted December 5, 2008 Report Share Posted December 5, 2008 hey steve, how much does it charge (parts and labor) for swapping asian movements out with swiss eta (non chrono) how much does it charge for a full service of A7750 and swiss eta? Absolutly, two people is better than a one man band, would mean people here can get a quick turnaround (which we all know is rare in the rep game) and a proper service where the work is carried out to the full. I will be speaking to him later today, if he is happy with taking on the extra work then myself and Bibbs may suggest an idea to the UK end Euro Users on here, I know what a nightmare it can be if you have a stunning watch that you cant get serviced, or worse............fixed........, its a huge worry to have spent serious money on a watch and worry all the the time about what to do IF and When it breaks down due to having never been serviced. Will provide more info on this soon, and I'm sure Bibbs will write down the truth about the value for money he would have paid and the work carried out on his A7750's. I'm very straight down the line, no messing people about, and my Watchmaker is VERY passionate about his work, He has a personal collection of 1000's of mechanical watches Yea.......you read that right......., I saw a cabinates yesterday at his home with various Vintage Omega's, how the hell he collected so many over the last 40 odd years I will never know! He does not do Lume's but CAN get it done, although I got the impression he is not keen on getting involved as its very specialised. With regards to crystals, damage, broken movements, general servicing, replacing Asian movements with Swiss and everything else he is more than capable. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krayfish Posted December 5, 2008 Report Share Posted December 5, 2008 hey steve, how much does it charge (parts and labor) for swapping asian movements out with swiss eta (non chrono) how much does it charge for a full service of A7750 and swiss eta? Will Pm You...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Dr.TuB Posted December 5, 2008 Report Share Posted December 5, 2008 thanks steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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