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TAG Heuer Monaco Service and Refinishing

Posted on by Stephen Irvine

TAG Heuer Monaco Service

As a TAG Heuer Authorised Workshop, we regularly see a whole range of TAG Heuer watches for repair. These repairs range from smaller jobs like watch battery replacement and resealing to full servicing and refinishing. In this instance, we’re conducting the latter—fully servicing and refinishing the case of a TAG Heuer Monaco watch.

On arrival, this watch was not working. Inspection of the watch movement showed it had not been serviced in some time, with dried-up oils and greases alongside wear to the automatic winding mechanism. For watch health, it is important to regularly service your watch.

The movement powering this watch is the TAG Heuer Calibre 6—a high-quality automatic movement with a date function and sub-dial seconds at 6 o’clock. The base calibre is an ETA 2895-2. To service the watch, we first fully disassemble everything. The movement is progressively taken apart, with each component checked for wear before running most parts through our watch movement cleaning machine. Certain components, such as the calendar ring, are left out to prevent damage.

Precision Servicing for Long-Term Reliability

Once the movement parts are clean and dry, we begin reassembly. We follow the manufacturer’s technical documentation and use only the specified oils and greases. During inspection, we noted that the reversing wheel and rotor bearing needed replacing. Additionally, we replaced the mainspring to ensure a strong, reliable power source for years to come.

“A well-serviced automatic movement isn’t just about keeping time—it’s about preserving the craftsmanship and performance that make a watch truly exceptional.”

To clean and polish the case, we completely disassemble it before refinishing each element using a variable-speed polishing machine with different polishing mops and compounds. Specific wheels help maintain the flat lines of the case, while a graining wheel reintroduces the grained finish to the case sides.

The Final Stages: Reassembly and Testing

Once the case work is complete, we rebuild it with brand-new seals and refit the glass and case tube. We then reinstall the fully serviced movement.

“Restoring a luxury watch is about more than aesthetics—it’s about ensuring it continues to perform flawlessly for years to come.”

After a full watch service, this TAG Heuer Monaco is back to excellent working order. The refinishing work has restored its aesthetic condition to an exceptional standard, ensuring years of reliable use for its owner.

Tag Heuer Monaco Service and Refinishing Before and After

Summary

As a TAG Heuer Authorised Workshop, we recently completed a full service and case refinishing for a TAG Heuer Monaco watch. The watch arrived non-functional due to dried oils and wear in the movement. After fully disassembling and cleaning the Calibre 6 movement, we replaced key components, including the reversing wheel, rotor bearing, and mainspring, ensuring long-term reliability. The case was carefully refinished to restore its original aesthetic, using specialist polishing and graining techniques. After reassembly with new seals and final testing, the watch is now in excellent working order, ready for years of continued use.

Looking to Have Your TAG Heuer Monaco Serviced and Repaired?

At W.E. Watch Repairs, we specialise in servicing both modern and vintage timepieces, including TAG Heuer watches. As an official TAG Heuer Service Centre, we provide expert repairs, precision movement servicing, and meticulous case refinishing to restore your watch to its best condition. Whether your Monaco requires a full service, movement repairs, or aesthetic restoration, our skilled watchmakers ensure it receives the highest level of care.

Take advantage of our Royal Mail Special Delivery FREEPOST service—your watch is fully insured for up to £20,000 throughout its journey, offering complete peace of mind.

Book your TAG Heuer Monaco for a service todayand trust us to restore its performance and appearance with expert craftsmanship.

Bell & Ross WW1 Heritage Watch Servicing

Posted on by Stephen Irvine

Bell & Ross Watch repair in Lewes

Bell & Ross was founded in 1994, specialising in watches designed with divers and pilots in mind. They also produce a range of vintage-style watches such as this one – a WW1 Heritage model.

Identifying the Issues: Why the Watch Needed a Service

Our client’s watch arrived working but not keeping good time. Inspection of the movement revealed the watch to be in need of a service. We identified wear to the reversing wheel and found many pivots to be running dry. Ideally, an automatic watch like this should be serviced every 3-5 years. This helps to prevent wear by ensuring oils and greases are fresh.

“Regular servicing is essential for preserving both the performance and longevity of an automatic watch.”

The movement powering this watch is an ETA calibre 2892-2. This is a very popular, good quality automatic movement found in many top brands including Omega, Corum, Longines, Baume & Mercier, and Tag Heuer. Interestingly, this watch does not have a date display; however, the movement is an unmodified version, so it still retains the date-setting position with the crown pulled out one click.

The Service Process: Disassembly, Cleaning, and Reassembly

To service and repair this watch, it is first fully disassembled and each part inspected. As previously mentioned, wear was found to the reversing wheel. This is often a point for significant wear, as it is a key component in the automatic winding mechanism. We also noted some adjustment was needed to correct the hairspring so it runs flat and true.

The disassembled movement is run through our Elma Solvex watch movement cleaning machine, while the case is cleaned in a separate ultrasonic cleaner. After cleaning, the movement is carefully reassembled and oiled with replacement parts fitted. We follow the movement manufacturer’s technical specifications for this calibre, ensuring all correct oils and greases are used.

Testing the Timekeeping and Water Resistance

Once cased up, we adjust and fine-tune the timekeeping to make sure the watch is as accurate as it can be. We always endeavour to get timekeeping as accurate as we can, and various factors can affect this, including the calibre of the movement, age, and condition of the watch.

“Precision is the heart of horology—fine adjustments can make all the difference in a watch’s accuracy.”

One of the last elements of the job is to pressure test for water resistance. This WW1 Heritage Bell & Ross is rated to 50m water-resistant. We are able to test to this depth using our Sigma watch pressure testing machine, which can safely test watches at ratings of up to 300m water-resistant. Finally, we refit the strap before the watch will go on test prior to return to our client.

Summary

This Bell & Ross WW1 Heritage watch arrived working but was not keeping good time. Upon inspection, we found wear to the reversing wheel and dry pivots, indicating it was due for a service. The watch houses an ETA 2892-2 automatic movement, a high-quality calibre used by brands such as Omega and Longines.

The service involved fully disassembling the movement, cleaning each component, and replacing worn parts. After careful reassembly and lubrication following manufacturer specifications, we fine-tuned the timekeeping for optimal accuracy. The final steps included pressure testing for water resistance and refitting the strap before returning the watch to the client.

Regular servicing every 3-5 years is crucial to maintaining an automatic watch’s longevity and precision, ensuring it continues to perform as intended.

Is your Watch Overdue a Service or Repair?

Try our Royal Mail Special Delivery FREEPOST service, all watches are fully insured for up to £20,000 throughout their postal journey from the moment the package leaves your hand to when it is received by you. Book yours in now! 

Omega De Ville Quartz Watch Service and Repair

Posted on by Stephen Irvine

Omega De Ville Quartz Watch Repair on a turquoise background

We love Omega watches – be it a modern or vintage watch model, they’re always excellent quality and almost always worth repairing. We are very familiar with repairing Omega watches, such as our recent servicing of an Omega Speedmaster Chronograph and the repair of an Omega Constellation. Testament to this, Omega was in the top three brands we saw the most in our workshop last year, joining Tag Heuer and Rolex at the top of our list.

The History of the Omega De Ville

This watch is an Omega De Ville model. The De Ville range began in 1960 as a sub-category of the Seamaster collection. De Ville watches offered a more refined look than the sporty Seamaster models. In 1967, De Ville watches became a range in their own right, dropping the Omega Seamaster name. It remains to this day a core part of the Omega range of watches.

“Omega De Ville watches have embodied refined elegance since 1960, standing apart from the brand’s sportier models.”

Diagnosing the Issue

This De Ville is a quartz model, powered by the Omega calibre 1434 movement. This is a vintage quartz movement produced around 1990, so this watch is approximately 35 years old. The watch is not working on arrival despite a new battery having been fitted. Inspection and testing of the movement show the circuit is working, though the hands are not moving. This suggests something is blocking one of the wheels and preventing the transmission of power to the hands.

As we disassemble the movement, we find a couple of faults. Firstly, we find some damage to the yoke assembly – a part involved when setting the watch. This will need to be replaced. We also find some debris attached to the rotor. This is quite common as the rotor is a permanent magnet, so it tends to draw in any magnetic debris that may enter the case. These issues tend to crop up over time but are easily rectifiable with regular watch servicing.

Repair and Testing

We fully disassemble the movement and run all appropriate components through our Elma Solvex cleaning machine. Parts like the circuit do not go through the cleaning machine, as this would damage the sensitive electronics.

Once clean and dried, we begin assembly, rebuilding and oiling the movement as per the manufacturer’s technical documents. Once rebuilt, we test the movement with our Watch Master quartz testing machine. This allows us to check the power consumption and rate of the movement, alongside a few other tests. We find the watch to be running a little fast – gaining approximately one second a day. While this may not sound like much, it is for a quartz watch, especially one of good quality. While modern quartz movements cannot generally be adjusted for timekeeping, this vintage movement can – we can tweak the timekeeping using a part called the Trimmer. After a very slight, careful adjustment, we get the timekeeping down to gaining one second a month.

“A well-serviced vintage Omega quartz movement can still rival the precision of modern watches—this De Ville now gains just one second per month.”

Now we can reassemble the complete watch, ready to go on test before return to our client. It’s always a pleasure to work on Omega watches, and this one was no exception.

Summary

This Omega De Ville, powered by a vintage calibre 1434 quartz movement, arrived in our workshop non-functional despite a fresh battery. Our inspection revealed a damaged yoke assembly and magnetic debris on the rotor. After a full disassembly, cleaning, and repair, we carefully adjusted the timekeeping, bringing it to an impressive accuracy of one second per month. Now fully restored, this elegant timepiece is ready to be enjoyed once again.

Looking to Have Your Omega De Ville Serviced?

At W.E. Watch Repairs, we specialise in servicing both modern and vintage timepieces. If your Omega De Ville needs expert repairs, movement servicing, or precision tuning, our skilled watchmakers are here to help.

Take advantage of our Royal Mail Special Delivery FREEPOST service—your watch is fully insured for up to £20,000 throughout its journey, ensuring peace of mind from the moment it leaves your hands until it is safely returned.

Book your Omega De Ville for a service today and let us restore it to peak performance!

TAG Heuer Blue Dial Aquaracer Chronograph Service and Repair

Posted on by David Clark

TAG Heuer Blue Dial Aquaracer Chronograph Service and Repair banner

From our on-site workshop in Lewes, Sussex, we offer a full range of repairs including part jobs like battery changes and glass replacements through to full servicing of the vast majority of brands including Omega, TAG Heuer, Longines, Breitling and Rolex. Servicing your watch regularly is an important part of extending your watches life.

Disassembly and Diagnosis of the TAG Heuer Aquaracer Automatic Chronograph

In this instance, we are working on a TAG Heuer Aquaracer Automatic Chronograph with a blue dial. This watch is working but not keeping time and the date is not changing on arrival with us.

To find the source of the problem we need to disassemble the movement. This watch uses a TAG Heuer version of the ETA 7750 chronograph – a good quality, reliable chronograph movement used in many different versions by numerous quality watch brands. To find the source of the faults we need to disassemble the movement. During the course of this disassembly, it becomes apparent this watch hasn’t seen a watchmaker for some time as we note most oils and greases are completely dried up.

“A key to a successful repair is attention to detail. We carefully inspect each movement, ensuring that all components are properly cleaned, lubricated, and replaced as needed to restore full functionality.”

Repair Process and Parts Replacement

Inspection of the dial side of the movement reveals two faults – firstly, the finger of the date change wheel has completely broken off. This is a common fault when watch owners attempt to change the date on these chronographs when the date change wheel is already in position to click the date over. By attempting to manually correct the date when this wheel has moved into place, it can force the finger piece out of shape or, as in this instance, break it off completely. The simple advice to avoid this is to only correct the date on a 7750 family chronograph when the hands are in the bottom half of the dial.

We also find the driver cannon pinion is faulty. This is an important component, and it needs to fit with just the right amount of friction in order to allow the hands to be set and to still drive the hands during normal timekeeping.

Both the driver cannon pinion and date change wheel are replaced as part of the service. We also replaced a worn reversing wheel and changed the mainspring.

Testing and Final Inspection

As an authorised service centre for TAG Heuer, we are able to order the required parts to complete this repair direct from the manufacturer. We ordered the required movement parts, as well as a set of replacement seals. Only authorised workshops can order these parts from TAG Heuer.

To service and repair the movement, it is fully disassembled, checked and cleaned – going through a manual cleaning process before a cycle in our Elma Solvex RM automatic cleaning machine. Once parts are completely clean and dried, we can commence reassembly of the movement. During reassembly, we follow the manufacturer’s technical guidelines in terms of oil and grease usage, as well as the use of other treatments such as epilame.

“As an authorised TAG Heuer service centre, we are able to provide genuine parts and expert craftsmanship to ensure your watch is restored to its best condition.”

On top of the movement repairs, we give the case and bracelet a clean, alongside fitting replacement seals before we test the complete case – minus the movement – in both a wet pressure tester and a dry tester to confirm water resistance. We can now reunite all elements of the watch. With the movement refitted and everything checked on the time-grapher, we can close the case back before a final dry pressure test.

With the works completed we now test the watch using an Elma Cyclomotion watch winding machine, as well as testing in static positions and for the correct functioning of all features including the chronograph and quick date change. After the testing period is complete, this excellent TAG Heuer Aquaracer Chronograph can be reunited with its owner. Servicing a watch can take anywhere between a couple of weeks through to a number of months, learn more about how long it takes to service a watch here.

Summary

In this article, we walk through the repair process of a TAG Heuer Aquaracer Automatic Chronograph, showcasing the expertise and attention to detail required for servicing high-end timepieces. From diagnosing issues such as a broken date change wheel and faulty driver cannon pinion to the comprehensive servicing process, including part replacements and thorough testing, we highlight the precision and care involved. As an authorised TAG Heuer service centre, we ensure the use of genuine parts and follow manufacturer guidelines to restore the watch to its optimal condition, ultimately returning it to its owner fully functional and as good as new. If you have any questions about this process, use our ‘Ask A Watchmaker‘ function and we would be more than happy to help!

Looking to Have Your Tag Heuer Aquaracer Serviced and Repaired?

At W.E. Watch Repairs, we specialise in servicing both modern and vintage timepieces, including TAG Heuer watches. As an official TAG Heuer Service Centre, we offer expert repairs, precision tuning, and full servicing, ensuring your watch receives the highest level of care. Our skilled watchmakers are here to help restore your timepiece to peak performance.

Take advantage of our Royal Mail Special Delivery FREEPOST service—your watch is fully insured for up to £20,000 throughout its journey, ensuring peace of mind from the moment it leaves your hands until it is safely returned.

Book your contemporary or vintage TAG Heuer watch for a service today and trust us to restore it to optimal condition!

CWC Vintage Chronograph Service and Repair

Posted on by David Clark

CWC Vintage Chronograph Service and Repair on a green banner, WE Clark Feature Image

Restoring a Vintage CWC Chronograph

Our fully equipped on-site watch workshop offers a full range of repairs – from smaller jobs like battery changes and glass replacements to full servicing of the vast majority of brands including Omega, Tag Heuer, Longines, Breitling, and Rolex, as well as vintage watch repairs. In this instance, we are working on what at first appears to be a military-issued CWC watch. CWC has a very interesting history supplying watches to MOD specifications for military personnel. However, this model was never actually issued – we can tell by the presence of the date display at 3 o’clock, demonstrating the version and authenticity of the vintage watch. Otherwise, it is almost identical to the non-date watches issued to RAF personnel.

“A watch’s history tells a story, but expert restoration ensures it continues ticking for generations to come.”

 

It’s a good quality mechanical watch, with the aforementioned date display and a 30-minute chronograph. The movement powering this vintage watch is the Valjoux 7765. These movements were manufactured between 1983-1998 and are very similar to the ubiquitous 7750 chronograph.

Repairing Water Damage and Replacing Components

On arrival with us, it was in very poor condition. There was significant water ingress, a missing pusher, and the chronograph seconds hands were completely bent and distorted. It needed a significant amount of work to get it back to excellent working order. Most old watches can be restored by expert watchmakers; learn more about our vintage watch repair service.

The water ingress had mostly affected parts involved in setting the hands and winding the watch – these include the ratchet wheel, crown wheel, clutch wheel, and winding pinion. These all needed to be replaced, along with various other components. It only takes a small amount of water damage to render a watch component unfit for purpose, so it is very important to avoid using a watch around water if it is not water-resistant. If you have a water-resistant model, you must avoid pressing pushers/adjusting the time when in water and ensure it is checked regularly to confirm it is still appropriately sealed.

“Even a small amount of water damage can render a watch component unfit for purpose—regular servicing is essential.”

Cleaning, Reassembly, and Final Testing

Once we have the movement fully disassembled and checked, the movement is cleaned – going through a manual cleaning process before a cycle in our Elma Solvex RM automatic cleaning machine. Once parts are completely clean and dried, we can commence reassembly of the movement. During reassembly, we followed our typical servicing procedure using the manufacturer’s technical guidelines in terms of oil and grease usage, as well as the use of other treatments such as epilame.

Alongside the work to the movement, we need to replace the missing pusher. We are able to source an original CWC pusher for this model, and this is fitted using a Horia 2015 tool – a very adaptable piece of kit, perfect for jobs like fitting pushers and tubes. The case is given a thorough ultrasonic clean before we can reunite all elements of the watch.

“Every serviced watch undergoes rigorous testing to guarantee accuracy, power reserve, and flawless chronograph functionality.”

 

With all works completed, we now test this excellent CWC chronograph to ensure good timekeeping within tolerance, appropriate power reserve, and the correct functioning of the chronograph. Once testing is complete, it is released ready for collection by our client. If you’re interested in the process of restoring vintage watches, or you have any questions about servicing your watch, contact us using our Ask the Watchmaker form.

Expert Vintage Watch Restoration at W.E. Clark & Son

At W.E. Clark & Son, our specialist watchmakers provide expert servicing, precision restoration and refurbishment for vintage watches and luxury timepieces. Recently, we fully restored a vintage CWC chronograph suffering from water damage, missing components, and mechanical wear. Using original parts and industry-leading techniques, we carefully repaired the movement, replaced worn elements, and conducted thorough testing to ensure accuracy and longevity.

If your timepiece needs servicing or restoration, contact us today or visit us in store to discuss how our expert team can bring your watch back to its best.

Need Your Vintage Watch Serviced or Repaired?

Take advantage of our Royal Mail Special Delivery FREEPOST service for a secure and hassle-free experience. Your watch is fully insured for up to £20,000 throughout its entire journey, from the moment it leaves your hands until it’s safely returned to you. Trust our expert watchmakers to restore your timepiece with precision and care.

Book your vintage watch service today!

Do Jewellers Buy Old Watches?

Posted on by David Clark

Tudor Black Bay GMT on a wooden surface banner

Many people are looking to part with old watches that no longer work as desired, hold personal value or perhaps they are looking for additional funds to spend on something else. Simply put, many jewellers do indeed buy old watches. The specific watches purchased may vary from jeweller to jeweller but are impacted by the condition of the watch, brand, age and desirability.

What Types of Watches Do Jewellers Buy?

We offer a variety of refurbished watches for sale in our pre-owned range. When we buy watches we are like many other retailers, in that we are looking for desirable watch brands. These may include Rolex, Omega, Tag Heuer, Cartier, Breitling and Patek Philippe amongst many others. We look for brands like these as their watches are good quality and repairable (even if the watches are sold in need of repair). Lesser quality brands may still be purchased by some retailers, though these may be less likely to sell as the demand may not be there.

“Luxury watches hold their value remarkably well, making them a smart investment for buyers and sellers alike.”

 

Pre-owned and vintage watches offer an excellent way for customers to enter the luxury watch market more affordably. Vintage watches offer many advantages over their new counterparts, especially if buying from a retailer who has fully serviced and restored the watch in question. They often are of excellent quality (in excess of new watches from the same brands in some instances!) and come with interesting history and designs. 

What to Expect When Selling Your Watch

If you are selling a watch to us, it is a very straightforward process. You can bring the watch into one of our showrooms and we will check and value the watch, providing you with a fair price for the watch. If you have the original box, paperwork and receipts it is useful to bring these as we may be able to offer you a higher price. Unlike selling with online marketplaces, selling to us is secure and complete hassle-free. We also offer immediate payment.

“A reputable jeweller ensures a smooth, transparent transaction—offering you peace of mind and the best possible value for your watch.”

 

If you see a pre-owned watch you like in our window, we are flexible to offer trade-ins. This way you can use your existing watch as a stepping stone, trading it in towards the purchase of a different timepiece. 

Before selling your watch to a retailer we advise you to do some research – make sure this is indeed a reputable retailer to sell to. Check Google reviews and make sure they have knowledge about watches. These trustworthy retailers will offer you a fair price on your timepiece. 

Summary

Selling your old watch to a trusted jeweller is a secure and straightforward way to part with it. Retailers often seek luxury brands, especially vintage and pre-owned models because these watches, even in need of repair, are valued for their quality and desirability. When selling a watch, you’ll receive a fair price and immediate payment, with the possibility of a higher offer if you have the original box and paperwork. Some retailers also accept trade-ins toward new purchases. Always ensure you’re dealing with a reputable retailer for a hassle-free transaction. Contact us with confidence to begin your seamless watch selling or jewellery selling process.

Not Ready to Part with Your Vintage Watch? Get it Repaired Instead!

Try our Royal Mail Special Delivery FREEPOST service for expert servicing and repairs. Your watch is fully insured up to £20,000 throughout its journey. Book now!

Omega Speedmaster Chronograph Servicing

Posted on by David Clark

Omega Speedmaster Chronograph Servicing close up, green background

From our fully equipped watch workshop In Lewes we offer a full range of repairs – from smaller jobs like battery changes and glass replacements through to full watch servicing of a wide range of brands including Omega, Tag Heuer, Longines, Breitling and Rolex. 

Disassembly and Servicing of the Omega Speedmaster Movement

For this job, we are working on an Omega Speedmaster, similar to the Omega Speedmaster Triple Calendar Chronograph that we serviced a while back. We often see Speedmasters in the workshop – a testament to the enduring popularity of these watches. This model is an automatic chronograph with date. The three sub-dials indicate seconds, plus chronograph minutes and hours. The centre second hand is for the chronograph seconds.

“The Omega Speedmaster is a testament to enduring craftsmanship and reliability, with many owners trusting its chronograph functionality year after year. Despite wear over time, the movement remains a classic in the world of automatic chronographs.”

 

It arrived in well-worn condition and had not been to a watchmaker in many years, so this means worn-out parts are highly likely, especially those involved in the automatic winding mechanism. Despite the lack of previous maintenance, our British Horological Institute-qualified watchmaker brings extensive experience in repairing vintage watches.

First, we disassemble the movement. This Omega Speedmaster uses an Omega calibre 1164, which is an Omega customised version of the ETA calibre 7750. These are good, solid chronograph movements and the 7750, in different variations, has been used in quality automatic chronograph watches for many decades.

As anticipated, wear is found in the automatic mechanism – both the rotor bearing and the reversing wheel need replacing. Most oils and greases are dried up, though everything else appears in good order besides the mainspring which we replace as standard.

Once fully disassembled the movement is cleaned – first going through a manual cleaning process before a cycle in our Elma Solvex RM automatic cleaning machine. When parts are completely clean and dried, we can commence reassembly. We follow the manufacturer’s technical guidelines for the correct usage and placement of oil and grease, as well as the use of other treatments such as epilame. 

As part of the service we fit the replacement parts – a new mainspring, reversing wheel and rotor bearing. We always endeavour to fit a new mainspring as part of a service, though it’s especially important when dealing with a watch like this. The mainspring is housed inside a barrel which is buried in the very depths of the movement underneath all of the chronograph mechanism, so replacing it is not straightforward without the watch being fully stripped down.

“Replacing the mainspring is not a simple task—its position deep within the movement, under all the chronograph mechanisms, requires careful disassembly. This meticulous attention to detail is essential to ensuring the Speedmaster continues to perform at its best.”

 

Alongside the movement servicing we give the case and bracelet a light polish, clean and fit replacement seals as appropriate before conducting a pressure test to confirm water resistance. We can now reunite all elements of the watch. With the movement refitted and everything checked on the timing machine, we can close the case back before a final pressure test. 

Final Testing and Reassembly: Restoring the Omega Speedmaster to Perfection

With the works completed we now test the watch using an Elma Cyclomotion watch winding machine, as well as testing in static positions and for the correct functioning of all features including the chronograph and quick change of the date. After the testing period is complete this superb Omega Speedmaster Chronograph can be reunited with our client. If you’re interested in the turnaround time for watch servicing, have a look at our article  “How Long Does A Full Watch Service Take” to learn more about the factors that can affect the timeline and how we ensure a thorough, efficient process for every watch we service.

Summary

At W.E. Watch Repairs in Lewes, we provide comprehensive watch servicing, from basic repairs to full movement overhauls. In this case, we serviced an Omega Speedmaster, addressing wear in the automatic winding mechanism and replacing critical components like the rotor bearing and mainspring. The movement was carefully cleaned, reassembled, and tested to ensure optimal performance. Our team follows precise technical guidelines to restore watches to their original functionality.

Looking to Have Your Omega Speedmaster Serviced?

At W.E. Watch Repairs, we specialise in servicing both modern and vintage timepieces. Whether your Omega Speedmaster needs a full service, precision tuning, or expert repairs, our skilled watchmakers are here to help.

Take advantage of our Royal Mail Special Delivery FREEPOST service—your watch is fully insured for up to £20,000 throughout its journey, ensuring peace of mind from the moment it leaves your hands until it is safely returned.

Book your vintage watch for a service today and trust us to restore it to peak performance!

How Long Does A Full Watch Service Take?

Posted on by David Clark

Watch servicing workshop, watch battery change

Wondering how long it might take to have your vintage watch serviced? The amount of time it takes to fully service a watch depends on numerous factors, including the type of watch, the complexity of the movement, the experience of the watchmaker and the specific servicing practices used at the watchmaker’s workshop. Generally speaking, to fully service a mechanical watch it can take anywhere from a couple of weeks through to a number of months, including time for testing and the sourcing of parts. If you’re unsure if you should have your watch serviced, our ‘What Happens If You Don’t Service A Watch?” article may be of interest to you.

Understanding the Types of Watch Services

There are various types of watch servicing available – many brands now classify any intervention as having to fall within one of these brackets, as they won’t offer the option to complete a “part job” (i.e. just replace the glass only). For example, if we take a simple quartz watch: a “battery service” may be defined as the replacement of the battery. A “maintenance service” would include a new battery, ultrasonic cleaning of the case and bracelet, new seals and pressure testing for water resistance, such as for this Omega Speedmaster Chronograph. A “complete or full service” would include everything previously mentioned, alongside complete disassembly, cleaning, reassembly and oiling of the movement, with all worn components replaced and the option to restore the aesthetic condition of the case and bracelet. These definitions do vary from workshop to workshop, so it’s important to make sure you understand what’s included when you take your watch for servicing. When we quote for repairs we itemise everything for our clients so there will be no surprises when you collect your watch.

The duration of a watch service is affected by the complexity of the movement. A simple quartz watch will undoubtedly be serviced and ready much quicker than an automatic chronograph. With more complicated movements there are significantly more components (and often more faults to find and correct) and the level of skill needed to work on these watches is higher. Add into this equation the age of a movement, how well it has been looked after (or not!) and how common the movement is, all of these will affect the speed of service.

Factors Influencing the Duration of a Watch Service

The experience of a watchmaker is another factor. If you have been trained in the servicing of a particular movement with significant experience working on them day in and day out, you begin to know specific pitfalls to look out for. While a tray full of 100+ parts may look bewildering to someone inexperienced with a movement, with experience this changes. Invariably this leads to more speed when it comes to the completion of a service. Specific workshop practices will hugely affect the duration of a service. While there are industry standards, different workshops like to test their watches in different ways and the workflow through the workshop can vary. In our experience, you should be very sceptical of a watchmaker who “services” and returns your watch in a matter of days, as at the very least the testing has been sub-standard. Watch polishing, for example, may sound simple but it requires specialist training and expert precision to achieve the best results. Entrusting your timepiece to a reputable workshop ensures it is restored to its finest condition, preserving both its beauty and value. Look out for positive Google reviews, authorised workshops and experienced watchmakers – this will be a good sign that your watch is being looked after by a reputable business that does not cut corners.

“A high-quality watch service is not a rushed process. From model-specific delicate disassembly to thorough testing, a proper service can take weeks or even months to ensure precision, longevity, and reliability.”

Summary

The time required for a full watch service depends on multiple factors, including the type of service, the complexity of the movement, the experience of the watchmaker, and the workshop’s specific practices. A simple quartz watch may be completed relatively quickly, whereas intricate mechanical movements can take weeks or even months, especially if rare parts need sourcing. Reputable watchmakers follow detailed processes, including thorough testing, ensuring longevity and precision. At W.E. Clark Watch Repairs, we pride ourselves on expert craftsmanship, transparent pricing, and a commitment to quality—ensuring every timepiece is serviced to the highest standard, without cutting corners.

Looking to Have Your Watch Serviced?

At W.E. Clark Watch Repairs, we specialise in servicing and restoring luxury timepieces with the utmost precision. Whether your watch requires a routine maintenance service, a full overhaul, or expert repairs, our master watchmakers ensure every detail is handled with care. As a jeweller and watch repair company, we also buy watches — if you are looking to part ways with a vintage or branded watch, get in touch.

Take advantage of our Royal Mail Special Delivery FREEPOST service—your watch is fully insured for up to £20,000 throughout its entire journey, giving you complete peace of mind.

Book your watch service today and trust W.E. Clark for expert craftsmanship and exceptional service!

Omega Bicolour Constellation Servicing and Repair

Posted on by David Clark

Mounted Omega Constellation watch on a red leather background

The Omega Constellation is an iconic luxury timepiece. It’s a very popular watch, so, unsurprisingly, we see many of these in our workshop, as well as many Omega Speedmaster watches. Launched in 1952, it became one of Omega’s flagship collections, recognised for its distinctive pie-pan style dials, which later evolved into a range of other dial designs. The Constellation is best known for the “claws”, found at 3 and 9 o’clock, a feature introduced in the 1980s and found in both stainless steel and gold depending on the exact model.

Evaluating the Omega Constellation’s Wear and Performance

On arrival, our client’s watch was working, though the timekeeping was poor. There was plenty of general wear including scuffs and scratches all over the case and bracelet.

Inspection of the movement revealed the usual dried oils and greases, as is common when a watch requires a service. This Omega Constellation is powered by the Omega calibre 1120 movement – an automatic mechanical watch movement of excellent quality. This is a modified version of the ETA 2892A2 – a movement produced by ETA, one of the top watch movement manufacturers. The modifications are designed to improve performance, with 23 jewels and a three-arm Glucydur balance amongst the modifications made to the base movement.

“Precision is at the heart of every Omega timepiece. Our expert repairs restore both function and beauty, returning your watch to its original brilliance.”

 

Signs of Previous Repairs and Component Wear

This particular movement has clearly needed watch repair in its history, as we can see signs of previous disassembly, notably where the incorrect screwdriver size has been used, so the edge of the screwdriver ends up touching and marking the plate. This does not cause a functional issue, but nevertheless, it is undesirable and should obviously be avoided. We also note the train wheel bridge has been replaced at some point, and the reversing wheel is almost completely worn through.

Watch repair watch component cogServicing and Restoring the Movement and Case

To repair the watch it is fully disassembled and each part inspected, with defective components replaced. The disassembled movement is run through our specialist watch movement cleaning machine, while the case and bracelet are cleaned in a separate ultrasonic cleaner. After cleaning, the movement is carefully reassembled and oiled with the replacement parts fitted.

Once cased up we fine-tune the timekeeping to make sure the watch is as accurate as it can be. As this model is chronometer rated it is very accurate – when new it went through a series of strict tests to ensure excellent timekeeping accuracy. We always endeavour to get timekeeping as accurate as we can and various factors can affect this, including the calibre of the movement, age and condition of the watch.

All that’s left is to thoroughly test this excellent Omega Constellation watch before it is ready to return to our client.

Summary

At W.E. Clark Watch Repairs, we specialise in restoring luxury timepieces like the iconic Omega Constellation. This particular model, powered by the high-quality Omega calibre 1120 movement, arrived in our workshop with poor timekeeping, visible wear, and signs of previous repairs. Our meticulous process involved a full disassembly, deep cleaning using specialist equipment, and the replacement of worn components. Once reassembled, we fine-tuned the movement to ensure exceptional accuracy. As trusted experts in horology, we take pride in delivering precision restoration, maintaining the integrity and performance of every watch we service.

Looking to Have Your Omega Constellation Serviced?

At W.E. Clark Watch Repairs, we specialise in restoring modern and vintage timepieces. Whether your Omega watch needs servicing, precision tuning, or expert repairs, our master watchmakers are here to help.

Take advantage of our Royal Mail Special Delivery FREEPOST service—your watch is fully insured for up to £20,000 throughout its entire journey, from the moment it leaves your hands to when it is safely returned.

Book your Omega watch in today and experience expert care you can trust!

Omega Speedmaster Moon Watch Chronograph Servicing

Posted on by David Clark

Omega Speedmaster watch on a green background banner

Our fully equipped on-site watch workshop offers a full range of repairs – from smaller jobs like battery changes and glass replacements to full watch servicing of the vast majority of brands, including Omega, Tag Heuer, Longines, Breitling, and Rolex.

The Iconic Omega Speedmaster – The Moon Watch

For this job, we are working on an Omega Speedmaster, an Omega model we are experience in watch servicing. This is an iconic vintage watch model of Speedmaster, often referred to as the Moon Watch. It gained global recognition when it became the first watch worn on the moon during NASA’s Apollo 11 mission in 1969. The watch passed rigorous NASA testing, including resistance to extreme temperatures, shock, and vacuum conditions, proving its reliability in space. The original Moon Watch featured a manual-winding movement, the Calibre 321, which was later replaced by the Calibre 861, before, as found in this watch, the Calibre 1861 was used.

“The Omega Speedmaster Moon Watch is more than a timepiece—it’s a symbol of endurance, precision, and history. Rigorously tested by NASA and worn on the moon, its legacy continues through expert servicing and restoration, ensuring its reliability for generations to come.”

 

Diagnosing the Issue – A Broken Mainspring

The Calibre 1861 movement is a rhodium-plated version of the Calibre 861. It’s an 18-jewel mechanical chronograph movement of excellent quality. On arrival, our client’s watch can be wound indefinitely, giving a strong indication that the mainspring is broken.

To confirm our suspicions, we need to fully disassemble the movement, as the mainspring barrel is in the very depths of the mechanism. During disassembly, no major faults are found, just the usual signs of deterioration of old oils and greases. We first disassemble the chronograph mechanism, which then allows us access to the “base” movement. Once we reach the barrel and open the lid, we find the mainspring is indeed broken. This is no problem – we can fit a replacement mainspring after cleaning.

Cleaning and Reassembling the Movement

Once fully disassembled, the movement is cleaned – first going through a manual cleaning process before a cycle in our Elma Solvex RM automatic cleaning machine. When parts are completely clean and dried, we can commence reassembly. We follow the manufacturer’s technical guidelines for the correct usage and placement of oil and grease, as well as the use of other treatments such as epilame.

Case, Bracelet, and Final Testing

Alongside the movement servicing, we give the case and bracelet a thorough clean, give the bracelet a light refinish, and polish up the original Omega dome. We can now reunite all elements of the watch. With the movement refitted and everything checked on the timing machine, we close the case back before a final pressure test to confirm water resistance.

Returning the Restored Omega Speedmaster

With the works completed, we now test the watch to ensure it functions as expected before it is released for return to our client. After the testing period is complete, this fantastic Omega Speedmaster Moon Watch can be returned to our client.

We take great pride in restoring both vintage and modern timepieces from the world’s most esteemed brands, ensuring they receive the expert care and precision they deserve. Every watch holds a unique story, and we understand the significance of entrusting it to skilled hands. Our commitment to excellence means your cherished timepiece is maintained to the highest standards, preserving its legacy for years to come. If you own a vintage watch in need of repair or simply seek expert advice, we invite you to get in touch. Use our Ask the Watchmaker feature to connect with our knowledgeable team, who have extensive experience in restoring and servicing vintage timepieces. We would be delighted to assist you.

Summary:

At W.E. Clark Watch Repairs, our expert horologists deliver precision servicing for luxury timepieces. For this Omega Speedmaster Moon Watch, we diagnosed a broken mainspring, expertly disassembled and cleaned the movement, and performed a delicate reassembly following manufacturer guidelines. With advanced equipment and skilled techniques, we restored full functionality, refinished the case and bracelet, and conducted rigorous accuracy and water resistance tests before returning the watch to the client.

Looking to have your Omega Watch Serviced and Repaired?

Try our Royal Mail Special Delivery FREEPOST service, all watches are fully insured for up to £20,000 throughout their postal journey from the moment the package leaves your hand to when it is received by you. Book yours in now!