Honest Accounts from People Who Have Trusted Us with Their Watches

The Situation

A Swiss cylinder movement, unsigned, dating from approximately 1890. The owner had received it from an aunt who had kept it in a drawer for thirty years. The mainspring was broken and the movement had not run in memory. The case was intact; the bow needed re-soldering.

The Work

Full disassembly, ultrasonic cleaning of non-blued steel parts, hand cleaning of blued components. A mainspring of appropriate length and strength was sourced. The cylinder escapement was in reasonable condition and required adjustment rather than replacement. Bow re-soldered and case polished lightly at the owner's request.

The Result

The watch ran reliably within approximately four seconds per day on delivery — good for a movement of this age. The owner received a full written account of all parts touched and the regulation readings. It is now worn regularly.

"I did not expect to be able to wear it. I am glad I asked."

The Situation

A small French carriage clock style travel watch from the 1940s, with a white enamel dial that had cracked in one corner and lost paint around two of the hour markers. The owner had been told elsewhere that full refinishing was the only option.

The Work

Conservation cleaning removed grime and revealed that the original surface was sound except at the crack and two marker areas. We stabilised the crack with a consolidant and referred the marker restoration to our dial studio partner, who matched the original enamel painting. The surrounding surface was not touched.

The Result

The dial retains its original surface with two discreet areas of careful restoration. Under normal light, the repairs are not apparent. The owner was given photographic documentation of the work and kept the option to do nothing further open at each stage.

"They were patient about explaining what was possible before touching anything."

The Situation

A slim Japanese dress watch from the mid-1960s with an original movement that had seized and suffered internal damage. The case and dial were in very good condition; the owner wished to continue wearing it.

The Work

We presented the owner with two options: a slim Japanese mechanical replacement caliber of comparable dimensions, and a quartz alternative. They chose the mechanical. The new movement was fitted, tested, and regulated. The work was completed within the original timeline estimate.

The Result

The watch is now worn daily. The movement change is noted in the owner's documentation. The case and dial remain entirely original. No external modification was made to accommodate the replacement movement.

"A practical solution handled in a considered way."