Featured Can it be fixed? Who fixes watches?

Discussion in 'Jewelry' started by BMRT, Jun 15, 2019.

  1. BMRT

    BMRT Jewelry cherry-picker, lover of silver

    Friends,

    I found a watch I really loved and purchased it as a gift to give for a dear friend. It’s an 1896 Waltham sterling piece. I don’t know much about it but it was beautiful.
    Unfortunately the postal service seems to have had its way with it. Now it has arrived with the glass shattered and the hands busted out.

    Is this something that can be repaired? The watch was sold in working condition and came with its little key. However after whatever it was that happened to it I’ve no idea if it’s working anymore.

    Can anyone recommend someone who I can send it to in the United States? I really don’t want to scrap it. Any advice would be appreciated if this sort of thing is even worth repairing. 2B6069AF-B74D-4571-826F-72AFA6884920.jpeg 3135B1C0-4D0C-498B-A0A1-FCA1E8E0FADC.jpeg 96CCB6A5-F1CB-48E7-BF57-3A94813D09F7.jpeg 94842378-347C-4664-B3CD-D7D05F6F66A6.jpeg
     
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  2. spartcom5

    spartcom5 Well-Known Member

    From the motion blur in the balance wheel it appears to be working. Any competent watchmaker in your area would easily put he hands back on and install a new crystal. I dont think I would spend too much to ship it to someone however. Just Google search watchmakers in your area?
     
  3. BMRT

    BMRT Jewelry cherry-picker, lover of silver

    I live in the central coast, everyone here installs batteries lol. The closest city who may have someone is a few hours away in Santa Barbara or Los Angeles.
     
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  4. Jeff Drum

    Jeff Drum Well-Known Member

    https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/search/result/waltham/7054821

    If it was running before it is probably still running. Hands don’t look broken, just need to be put back. Only part needed (assuming it IS running) is the crystal, which is the most commonly replaced part. It’s a standard size and tons of Waltham pocket watches so should be easy for the watchmaker to get the part.

    Finding a watchmaker is the hard part, I’m afraid I can’t help with that, but you may be lucky in your local area; an older watchmaker away from the big city because rents are much more affordable.

    As to whether worth repairing, maybe not, since the case is nicer than the watch (see link above, 7 jewel watch). But if it is running and just needs a crystal, then shouldn’t cost too much to get a nice old authentic antique pocket watch.
     
    Last edited: Jun 15, 2019
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  5. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

    It's nice enuf..but...just an average watch with average movement....
    I fear to fix it...at that distance , is going to cost more than it's worth.
    There must be a watchmaker closer.....but I'm unfamiliar with where you live.

    As a friend...I have to point out that to damage a watch like that...in that way, to my mind means it was shipped in a padded envelope and run over by a tank ! or dropped from a high overpass.....!
    It was indeed poorly packed...
     
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  6. afantiques

    afantiques Well-Known Member

    A moderately dextrous person can reinstall the hands, the minute hand goes on the square in the center, push fit, make sure it agrees with the hour hand for time, that is, that it points to the relevant quarter according to the hour hand, and the seconds hand has a 'pipe' that slips onto the seconds arbour that you will see in the middle of the seconds dial. These are tweezer jobs. The glass is a common size, your problem is finding someone who has one, of course.
    The NAWCC may be able to help locating a watch repairer somewhere near you. There are no watchmakers any more since George Daniels died.
     
  7. spartcom5

    spartcom5 Well-Known Member

    My bad but is the first picture of the movement from the seller? If so I have no idea if it is working now or not. Quite possible that it isn't now...
     
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  8. daveydempsey

    daveydempsey Moderator Moderator

    I heard on the radio yesterday that watch makers don't die.

    They run out of time :rolleyes::D
     
  9. silverthwait

    silverthwait Well-Known Member

    Owwwwwwwwch!!! LOL!
     
  10. bluumz

    bluumz Quite Busy

    There's an excellent watch/clock repair that I use near me but I'm in Michigan.
    Despite the ease of the hand and crystal replacement, there's still likely going to be a minimum charge of $30-60 anywhere you go. I hope the seller gave you at least a partial refund due to the incompetence of his packing method?
     
  11. BMRT

    BMRT Jewelry cherry-picker, lover of silver

    I contacted the seller and sent photographs of what happened. I received an answer almost immediately. The seller told me they sent a good item and if it was damaged in transit I should contact the postal service/and/or file a claim with the site. They have sent similar items overseas before and never had a problem. I had a hard time not being scandalized since a plastic ziplock bag and a soft envelope with 1/4 of bubble wrap insulation seems a poor method to mail an old watch from Europe to America. The seller offered no solution, either to receive it back as a return or lower part of the price I paid. They simply side stepped it as not their problem.

    I finally asked if I could return it. The purpose of the purchase was a gift, not a project.

    I know some folks are not a fan of online sites but I was appreciative of being able to open a claim with the site.

    The seller sat on my last message with no response for about 6 days when I requested to return the item. I finally filed a claim instead.
     
  12. antidiem

    antidiem Well-Known Member

    I think you made the best decision to return it for refund.
     
  13. Ownedbybear

    Ownedbybear Well-Known Member

    Under European law, it's the sellers responsibility and they know that.

    Ridiculous packaging. I'd have swathed it in bubble, put it in a small stout double walled box and then a jiffy. I have shipped clocks, as af knows. ;)
     
  14. aaroncab

    aaroncab in veritate victoria

    If it was eBay open a return case on Ebay ....don't try to file a postal claim as only the shipper can do that...

    EBay seller is always responsible to get the item to you in its original condition ...if it breaks in transit it is their responsibility and eBay will side with you.
     
  15. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

    shipped just like i suspected it was...... throw it back at em...they deserve no better !
     
  16. Firemandk

    Firemandk Well-Known Member

    There is a good watch repair guy , a Vietnamese Gentleman who has been in the business 20 plus years in San Jose . His shop is Hop Sing Watches. Don't know how much longer he will be in Business...his rent keeps going up , his kids are all through with college. He put a proper face on my 70's Orient Dive watch for about $20 and showed me why the one the guy put in in Hong Kong didn't fit right . I was lucky to buy the correct burnt Orange color from Thailand via Ebay .... Crystals can be had cheap on ebay if you know what size you need .....

    https://www.yelp.com/biz/hop-sing-watches-san-jose
     
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  17. Figtree3

    Figtree3 What would you do if you weren't afraid?

    Good idea, and I hope it turns out well for you!
     
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  18. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

    wasn't Hop Sing a cook on a TV show??
     
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  19. Jivvy

    Jivvy the research is my favorite

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  20. coreya

    coreya Well-Known Member

    Hop sing = Bonanza cook if I recall!
     
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