I need a watchmaker.. I have an old ladies dress watch , not even sure where I got it. One of the fancy 1950' s style with white gold and tons of very tiny diamonds on the watch and...

krashdragon

I have an old ladies dress watch , not even sure where I got it.
One of the fancy 1950' s style with white gold and tons of very tiny diamonds on the watch and bracelet ( strap ).
Watch doesn't run.
A jeweler I trust told me it needed to be overhauled by a good watchmaker, and he didn't know any. His watchmaker retired, and he's been trying to find one.
Does anyone here have any suggestions? Jewelers I can find, but a watchmaker seems to be a rarity.
Thanks
Mary A

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

krashdragon wrote:

I have an old ladies dress watch , not even sure where I got it.
One of the fancy 1950' s style with white gold and tons of very tiny diamonds on the watch and bracelet ( strap ).
Watch doesn't run.
A jeweler I trust told me it needed to be overhauled by a good watchmaker, and he didn't know any. His watchmaker retired, and he's been trying to find one.
Does anyone here have any suggestions? Jewelers I can find, but a watchmaker seems to be a rarity.
Thanks
Mary A

Not knowing where you are I will pass on this site - they say they service all 50 states and international - a family business for multiple generations:

https://www.nesbitswatchservice.com/?_vsrefdom=adwords?_vsrefdom=adwords&_vsrefdom=adwords&gclid=Cj0KCQjw0umSBhDrARIsAH7FCoeyJ8MkSwBH01jTNBGhsk9WdhV83o0G0BH9RtqWKPADzGoGEtO0dCUaAnW1EALw_wcB

Al Freeedman

I've used the following and have been very happy with them. They will give you an estimate
before doing any work.

Watch Repair USA
650 E. Algonquin RD.
Suite 350
Schaumburg,IL

customercare@watchrepairsusa.com
847-485-7474

Al

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I'd recommend Donaldson's Watch Repair https://www.donaldsonwatchrepair.com/

The watch technician is both Rolex and Omega certified. I've relied on him for several watches over the last few years. They do great work.
--Bob

krashdragon wrote:

I have an old ladies dress watch , not even sure where I got it.
One of the fancy 1950' s style with white gold and tons of very tiny diamonds on the watch and bracelet ( strap ).
Watch doesn't run.
A jeweler I trust told me it needed to be overhauled by a good watchmaker, and he didn't know any. His watchmaker retired, and he's been trying to find one.
Does anyone here have any suggestions? Jewelers I can find, but a watchmaker seems to be a rarity.
Thanks
Mary A

Rich2236 Loc: E. Hampstead, New Hampshire

krashdragon wrote:

I have an old ladies dress watch , not even sure where I got it.
One of the fancy 1950' s style with white gold and tons of very tiny diamonds on the watch and bracelet ( strap ).
Watch doesn't run.
A jeweler I trust told me it needed to be overhauled by a good watchmaker, and he didn't know any. His watchmaker retired, and he's been trying to find one.
Does anyone here have any suggestions? Jewelers I can find, but a watchmaker seems to be a rarity.
Thanks
Mary A

I don't know any jewelers who could overhaul your watch, but one hint... I have an American Waltham watch, dating back to 1872. I took it to quite a few jewelers to overhaul it. Most said no. But in my travels I did find one jeweler who would do my pocket watch on one condition, he had to tell me his history of watch repair, (which was quite impressive.) Only then, would he take my watch and overhaul it. To this day, when I use it, it only misses 2 minutes a week.
In other words, take your watch to jewelers and ask their qualifications. When you find the right one, go with him/her.

starlifter Loc: Towson, MD

krashdragon wrote:

I have an old ladies dress watch , not even sure where I got it.
One of the fancy 1950' s style with white gold and tons of very tiny diamonds on the watch and bracelet ( strap ).
Watch doesn't run.
A jeweler I trust told me it needed to be overhauled by a good watchmaker, and he didn't know any. His watchmaker retired, and he's been trying to find one.
Does anyone here have any suggestions? Jewelers I can find, but a watchmaker seems to be a rarity.
Thanks
Mary A

I don't know you location but Smyths Jewelers in Timonium MD is a very nice firm. 410-252-6666.

Canisdirus

Start with...who made the watch in the first place.

StanMac Loc: Tennessee

Thanks for all the resources in this post. I have a Seiko chronograph that needs repair. Hopefully one of the services mentioned in this post can do it.

Stan

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

One of the most interesting fellows that I have ever met was a master-watchmaker. He only opened for business one month out of the year for it would take him the other eleven months or longer to repair the watches and clocks.

Many that he serviced were handmade so he had to make the parts needed. Some of the pocket watches were so complex they were like working on a spaceship in a bottle. I suspect that watchmaking is becoming a lost art in today's world of commercialized and digital watches.

LDB415 Loc: Houston south suburb

My favorite uncle was a jeweler and watchmaker. If you brought him a teacup containing every loose piece of a watch in the morning he would return the cup and an excellently running watch to you in the afternoon. He had a shop in Snyder Plaza in Dallas. He was also one of only 3 people in all of DFW who did hand engraving. That allowed him to engrave inside curved surfaces like cups, etc., not just the outside.

For your need I would see if contact with the manufacturer is possible. They might have specialists to recommend. Also, there are at least a couple of significant watch forums I believe. They might also be able to recommend someone for the specific watch brand you have.

Good luck.

rwoodvira

I use this guy - he's reasonable and good - I'd send him a photo and see if he can help:
Mark Sirianni Watch Repair
25 Fraley St.
Kane, PA. 16735
814-837-9435
814-558-4818 (cell)
watchdoctorpa@gmail.com

CWW Loc: North Jersey

Hi, I too have pocket watch that needs repair. Is your jeweler still in business. If so, would you kindly send back his contact information. Thanks!

Smudgey Loc: Ohio, Calif, Now Arizona

Rich2236 wrote:

I don't know any jewelers who could overhaul your ... (show quote)

Jewelers do not work on watches, Watch Makers or Watch Repairmen work on watches.Watch making is rapidly becoming a lost occupation thanks to Quartz technology.

Amielee Loc: Eastern Washington State

It'll cost you. I have a zodiac aerospace wrist watch I bought in 1967 at the PX at the Presideo of San Francisco and If I remember correctly it cost about $400.00. I took it to our local watch repair shop and was told he would not work on it but if I could find someone it would cost a lot. Contacted a repair shop in Utah and sent them the watch then got an estimate back for $1480.00. A couple of months later Zodiac announced they would again manufacture the aerospace watch as an anniversary special and the cost was $1600.00. They were sold out the first day of the announcement. I tried to order the day after the announcement was made and all 1000 watches were sold. Try the manufacturer of the watch maybe they can help.

krashdragon

Thanks for all the replies. I'l l have to check some of them out.
Happy Easter!