If you own a vintage pocket watch you need to carefully choose a company to perform repairs on it. Pocket watch repairs on antiques are much more difficult and require a higher level of skill and expertise. In some instances it may require fabrication of new parts. Below I will discuss where to get your pocket watch fixed, what questions you should ask, and share my experience with the pocket watch repair near me.
Pocket Watch Repair Near Me – Get Your Pocket Watch Restored
If you are looking for “pocket watch repair near me” or “Where to get my pocket watch fixed”, see the map below…
As an alternative to pocket watch repair, you can also look for antique watch repair. These shops are often very similar and can provide the same level of service.
Selecting The Best Pocket Watch Repair Shop
For an old pocket watch, you need to be very selective on whom you trust your timepiece to. Vintage pocket watches are very sensitive and some contain 1000’s of tiny mechanical pieces in the movement. I would advise that you call around to several shops and get quotes. You want to establish though not only the price, but how familiar they are with your specific make and model.
When I first contacted the pocket watch repair near me, I asked them to provide me pictures of before and after work they completed for other customers. I also asked for details about their process. You want to see how thorough their process of disassembling, reassembling, and cleaning the watch is. You may also want to ask about part fabrication or costs of them finding parts on the secondary market. Lastly you want to ask about if they provide any guarantees on their work.
If a shop tells you they are an expert on your brand, then ask for proof of past work. Just because they say they can do it, doesn’t mean they have worked on your type of pocket watch before. It’s ok to be through and ask what certifications they have and why you should trust them over a competing shop.
Pro Tip:
Here is tip for selecting a pocket watch repair shop. Call them up and see if they know what collectors look for. Tell them you have an 1854 Breitling Laederich that you want to sell and you need it polished. Any good pocket watch repair place, should advise you not to polish a timepiece like that because it will devalue it in the eyes of a collector. If a shop is willing to tell you NOT to do something that you are willing to pay them for, it’s a good way to establish some trust.
There are No Pocket Watch Repair Shops Near Me…
If you don’t have a local pocket watch repair expert, my next best advise is to send it away for work. For a vintage timepiece you can honestly search the globe for a trusted and expert horologist to perform the work. I know it can be difficult to send away something so expensive. It is imperative that if you mail it, you insure the package for the value of the pocket watch.
Before You Repair an Antique…
Getting an antique pocket watch repaired does not always mean you are adding value. Actually some collectors will say fixing it may decrease what the watch is actually worth. To most people who don’t collect it would seem impractical that a broken antique watch is worth more then one that works. The trick with a vintage pocket watch is that less is actually more. That even includes polishing it!
Real collectors want authenticity and originality, not fabricated parts or parts from watches from the same time period. Collectors love the look and feel of old antiques. Every time piece tells a story and dings, scratches, and blemishes are all part of the heritage. My advise is that id you intend to sell this pocket watch later, then do less work on it.
With the pocket watch repair near me, I say to things specifically when I drop it off: Do not polish it and don’t add any replacement parts that aren’t original. If you aren’t specific they may polish it without asking. They may also add needed parts from a pocket watch from the same time period if they can’t find your original part.
The watch part that needs to maintain the most integrity is the bezel and any piece that contacts it. If you do want work done on your timepiece, make sure the work is on the inside and not the outside. The look and feel of the watch are the most important part to a collector.
Of course if you don’t think you will sell your timepiece, then all my advise above is for naught. If you have a family heirloom do what you will. Just know the risks and how getting certain work done will impact it’s future value.
Common Pocket Watch Repairs
While there are many different issues you could experience with a pocket watch here are the most common according to the pocket watch repair near me.
Crystal Replacement
The crystal is what some folks call the glass. It is the clear material that covers and protects the dial and hands. Old pocket watches mostly were made with mineral glass and game in many different shapes and sizes. On a vintage pocket watch it isn’t a difficult repair to fix or replace a crystal. A new crystal can also be fabricated.
The most common crystal issues people have are cracked or scratched glass. Cracked glass requires a replacement. A scratch might be able to be buffed out depending on how to deep it is.
if you require original parts, your repair will certainly take longer and cost more money. On a vintage pocket watch the shop will need to search for an original crystal on the secondary market.
Replacing the Chain
A chain swap is one of the simplest repairs a shop can do. That is because no mechanical pieces are involved in the process.
An original chain is often difficult to find on the secondary market and will add time and money to your service. You may be able to find a similar chain from the same time period as your timepiece was manufactured in.
Crown and Stem Repair
The crown is the knob that turns on the side of the watch. The stem is the internal pin that connects between the crown and the internal movement. A crown and stem repair on a classic pocket watch can be very expensive. This is mostly related to how difficult it is to find an original stem. In many cases a new stem needs to be fabricated.
A bent crown doesn’t always trouble. You may be able to get the pin straightened out and solve the problem. The issue becomes much bigger if the pin is damaged or has pushed so far in the watch that it also damages the movement.
Movement Overhauls
If you have an old timepiece that works, routinely getting it serviced and the movement overhauled is your best option. Any work on the movement will be expensive as it requires a very tedious technician to perform the work. Work on the movement will be one of the most expensive repairs you will come across for a pocket watch.
Pocket Watch Repair Near Me – Wrap Up
Before selecting a pocket watch repair shop, you should understand your watches value. You should also know what your goals are such as selling it or just getting to work for your enjoyment. When you call shops, be thorough, ask questions, and ensure they are qualified to perform your asks. They should ask you alot of questions as well about your preferences and how their work may impact the value of the timepiece. That’s what I have learned from the pocket watch repair near me.
