Old or vintage watches come in many different styles. The good news is that an old watch which is of reasonable quality can almost certainly be repaired by a trained professional. The repair of old watches is arguably a skill set in its own right, as these timepieces often need far more work to restore them to excellent working order than contemporary watches. If you have an old watch in need of repair, contact a vintage watch repair specialist like us to discuss your requirements.
“An old watch isn’t just a timepiece; it’s a story waiting to be preserved for the next generation.”
The exact definition of what constitutes a vintage watch is up for debate. Some brands consider anything made outside of the past 20 years to be vintage. From our perspective we wouldn’t consider a watch made in 2003 to be particularly old – we tend to think of vintage as anything pre- 1980s. Even then, when you specialise in vintage watches as our master watchmaker does, the 1980s are relatively recent! We’ve worked on a range of truly antique timepieces, including a verge pocket watch dating from 1799.
The repair and restoration of truly old watches is a very specialist skill. As parts are most likely not available, it may be necessary to make replacement parts if a component is found to be defective. Any restoration work on antique or historically significant timepieces also needs to be conducted in
a sympathetic way.
Many watchmakers these days are trained exclusively in the repair and servicing of modern movements. This provides a decent foundation in watch repair, though seems aimed at channelling young watchmakers into manufacturers workshops where parts are freely available. So what happens to the millions of vintage watches needing to be repaired as the older generation of watchmakers retire? There is some hope – educational institutions like the British Horological Institute (of which we are Business Partners) are keen to pass on the skills needed to work on vintage watches to the new generation.
“Servicing a watch isn’t just maintenance—it’s safeguarding the precision, craftsmanship, and legacy of a timeless piece.”
This is positive, as vintage watch movements come in thousands of different variations – often with their own quirks and idiosyncrasies. Having the training and experience to work on these watches really is a specialist skill – one we’re delighted to say our own expert Master Watchmaker possesses to the highest level.
If you have an old watch and would like to have it repaired, or if you’re simply looking for some advice, please do not hesitate to contact us. You can do so using our Ask the Watchmaker feature. Our entire team is experienced dealing with vintage watches and we’d be delighted to help.
Summary:
Old watches, especially vintage or antique timepieces, can often be repaired by skilled professionals. Repairing vintage watches is a specialised craft that may involve creating custom parts and using techniques tailored to unique, often delicate mechanisms. As parts for older watches become rarer, expertise in this field is more vital than ever. With proper care, even timepieces from the 18th century can be restored to working order. If you own a vintage watch, trust a qualified expert to handle its repair with the care and precision it deserves.
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