Choosing a Watchmaker for Watch Repair

A fine watch is an investment and even an antique or vintage watch that is not working can be a good investment. Fine watches will last way longer than the bargain watches that are made today. Not only are luxury watches made to last in first place, they can be repaired for less than the cost of replacement. Newer watches don’t last and they are so inexpensive to buy new, they aren’t worth repairing. When you have a fine watch that needs repair, it is important to find a watchmaker who is skilled and experienced.

Jeweler

Even though it is the watchmaker that is repairing the watch, a jeweler employs him or her. It is that jeweler that will provide the documentation and the guarantee. A skilled watchmaker needs to have experience and work for a reputable jeweler. Choose a jeweler who has been in the jewelry business for a long time. Know the following about the jeweler that employs the watchmaker:

Years in business
Storefront location
Guarantee
Experience in business

It is important to choose a watchmaker that is working for reputable jeweler who will stand behind their watchmakers and the repairs that they do.

Manufacturer

Some manufacturers still offer watch repair services and have watchmakers employed by them. The manufacture usually provides specialized training for the watchmaker so that they are experts on the watches manufactured by them. Many manufacturers are no longer employing watchmakers and they contract out repairs. Usually it is just repairs that are covered by a warranty that are done by manufactures who don’t employ a watchmaker.

Training and Experience

A watchmaker should be professionally trained and certified to do repairs that are needed. A poorly done repair can reduce the value of a fine watch. In addition, the work done can be expensive, but if it isn’t done right, can cause even more expensive problems. Certified Master Watch & Clock Makers work with watch detailers and watch restorers to repair watches. Experience is a big plus when it comes to watch repair. Swiss-trained watchmakers are experts in watch repair and restoration.

Certification

A properly repaired fine watch will be certified after repair. Once the watch is repaired, there are further steps to be done like regulating, case tightening, pressure checking, and a final control check.

Before trusting your fine watch to a jeweler, spend time talking to them and finding out exactly what services and guarantees that they will provide. Gray & Sons have been in business since 1980. They have a team of certified, experienced, and highly trained watchmakers who can be trusted to repair your luxury watch. When it is time to buy a fine watch to add to your collection, Gray & Sons has a large selection of luxury watches available for purchase.