Category: Latest News

As we are now approaching a year of Coronavirus restrictions in one form or another, it feels appropriate to make this next blog post about how we’ve remained open. We’ve continued to repair watches both modern and vintage, all thanks to our fantastic postal repairs service and our wonderful watch repairs team.

As you may be aware, we operate two showrooms (one in Lewes, the other in Uckfield) where we offer a huge range of services – including watch repairs – alongside sales of jewellery, watches and giftware. In order to comply with Covid restrictions we have been forced to close both showrooms for significant portions of the past year. While this may represent a challenge, we’ve worked hard over a number of years establishing our postal watch repairs service and this has remained open throughout.

WE Clark & Son has always offered a watch repairs service. We added to this in 2014, launching our in-house and postal service. Since then we have repaired thousands of watches and restored some truly remarkable pieces. As an independent workshop we offer repairs to a huge range of watches. We are able to obtain many obscure parts through our excellent network of suppliers and our watchmakers are experts in the repair of timepieces both new and old.

Our postal watch repairs service is simple to use – you fill in the form on our website to request everything you need to send your watch to us. This includes a fully insured, freepost special delivery envelope. You then package your watch and post it to us.

Once we receive your watch it is carefully examined by the watchmaker before we get in touch to discuss the work required and the cost involved. Once you agree and proceed the work we ask for a 25% deposit to be paid. Should you decline the quote, there is a small administration fee payable and we will return your watch back in its original condition.

Once we complete the work and finish testing your watch, it will be ready to release back to you. We then get in touch to arrange payment and return your watch – again via fully insured special delivery with guaranteed next day delivery by 1pm.

With the postal repairs service outlined above we’ve been able to continue offering a comprehensive range of watch repairs to customers all around the UK. We’ve been awarded the ‘Platinum Trusted Service Award’ by Feefo – this award is given to companies who offer exceptional customer service and it’s based on feedback and ratings given by previous customers. We’re proud to offer great service – it really is the foundation of our business.

So if you have a watch in need of repair – do get in touch with us. We remain open and remain committed to offering the same high levels of customer service and quality repairs. From full servicing of an Omega Seamaster or Rolex Datejust, through to battery replacement and resealing of a Tag Heuer Aquaracer, we are able to repair almost any watch.

We want to update you all on our current status and to reassure you that we are still very much open and operational despite the recently announced second lockdown.

Firsly – Please rest assured – all our watchmakers and watch repairs team take coronavirus safety measures seriously. That means everyone is adhering to the rules and is happy to continue working throughout.

We are able to continue repairing watches during lockdown because we have our excellent postal repairs service. With our special delivery freepost service, all watches are fully insured for up to £20,000 from the moment they leave your hand.

All you need to do is to request the freepost packaging here!

We’re happy to be trusted with repairs to a huge range of watches. From sentimental antique pocket watches, to modern Omega Seamasters or Rolex Datejusts – we see a huge variety of timepieces. It’s one of the great things about being involved in an independent watch repair workshop.

The nature of the repairs we conduct is hugely varied too. From refitting a loose hand, changing a broken glass and replacing a battery to refinishing the case and bracelet or a complete service – our range of repair services offered is extremely comprehensive.

Service is of huge importance to us and we will continue to provide our first-class service solely through our insured, freepost repairs until we are able to re-open our stores.

So please – If you have a watch in need of attention, do not hesitate to get in touch. Your support of an independent business is – as always – truly appreciated.

A phrase we often hear is “my watch has kept going for years and I’ve never had it serviced”. If this is the case, why should a watch be serviced?

We’ll concentrate on mechanical watches in this instance, as servicing is a little different when it comes to the majority of quartz watches.

It’s important to note, there’s a big difference between a watch which is working and a watch which is actually keeping time. If a watch has gone decades without seeing a watchmaker, yet it is still working, this is more down to the fantastic design of the watch movement (like the wonderful Swiss lever escapement) rather than a sign that your watch is in good condition. Most relatively modern timepieces should keep time to a lesser or greater extent. If your watch is losing or gaining minutes per day, this is certainly a warning sign that it needs attention.

Even if your watch is keeping time, there are many other elements to a watch movement which require regular maintenance besides those involved purely in timekeeping. If you have a chronograph function for example, or in an automatic watch the parts needed to wind the watch efficiently. Pictured below we have an image showing the automatic work from an Omega Seamaster we recently serviced. This watch was still running – albeit not especially well – and as you can see the automatic system is looking rather worse for wear.

In order for a watch movement to operate efficiently, it requires periodic maintenance in the form of a service. This involves (briefly) the entire mechanism being completely dismantled, cleaned, reassembled, oiled, adjusted and tested. It’s also checked for wear, with worn parts replaced. If a watch is left without servicing for prolonged periods, the oils and greases start to dry up or act to actually increase friction and parts are left to run dry which then causes increased wear.

If you have a particularly rare or old watch, this may cause issues as worn parts may not be freely available. This could lead to parts needing to be made, exponentially increasing the cost of the repair. You also may have heard about some Swiss brands restricting the availability of their parts for even their modern timepieces. Another reason to look after your watch! That said, we are lucky in that we can source many such parts. Service intervals for different models do vary, though we suggest 4-5 years as a general guide.

We have encountered some surprise from clients at the need to maintain a watch regularly to ensure it’s continued longevity and accurate performance. The analogy I like to make is with servicing your car. Imagine your watch movement is like a tiny engine. If you wear it daily, it’s ticking away 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. It’s a truly remarkable thing. Imagine running your car like this! The need for maintenance seems a little less surprising thinking about it in such terms.

When you have a quality timepiece from the likes of Rolex, Omega, and Tag Heuer, it makes sense to look after it. By ensuring your watch is kept regularly serviced it will continue to provide you with years and years of reliable service and may then become an heirloom to pass on to the next generation.

Do you have a watch in need of servicing? Contact us to see how we can help.

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If you use your watch in or around water we recommend having it checked regularly for water resistance. Our suggestion is to have it checked every 12 months.

It’s necessary to do this because water resistance is not a permanent characteristic of a watch. In order to be water resistant, watches use various different types of seals and gaskets. These seals are perishable – the rubber can dry out for example. It’s of paramount importance that these seals are clean and in good condition.

One opportunity for a seal to be compromised is during a battery replacement – this is one reason why it’s important to take your watch to a trained watch repair specialist. There are many different ways an untrained individual may accidentally cause issues when changing a battery. We could probably write multiple blog posts about this subject alone, without even mentioning the numerous ways they can compromise water resistance too.

To give one example, if the case back is not cleaned prior to opening, dirt and debris from the case back can easily enter the case when the case back is removed. This may work its way into the movement and stop the watch, as well as interfere with the seal. If this watch were to then be worn in water, it could leak and a very costly repair bill would follow.

Suffice to say we follow industry standard best practices when replacing batteries and pressure testing watches. Let’s assume the battery has now been replaced and the seals are checked/replaced and greased properly. Once the case back is secured, this is when we can put the watch into our pressure testing machine.

We’re lucky enough to have an excellent pressure testing machine – the Sigma SM-8850. This is a brilliant piece of kit, which is able to test watches rated up to 300m water resistant. It tests using air pressure, so it is connected to a compressor (which in turn is fitted with a booster as it requires plenty of pressure). By using air pressure we are able to test the watch complete. From a user perspective it’s straightforward to use – taking just a few minutes to perform two different types of test, then providing us details of the performance of the watch alongside the overall pass/fail result. You can see some images of the pressure testing machine below.

Do you have a watch in need of a battery and/or pressure testing? Get in touch and see how we can help.

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We are all too aware of the challenges facing the world at this time. Our postal watch repair business, though, remains fully operational. This part of our business operates in such a way that there is no face-to-face requirement to meet with customers. This does not mean that our customers receive any less than they would expect in relation to service. Initially, we receive email enquiries for our customers about watch repairs. The sheer variance is sometimes mind boggling; from a 150 year old family pocket watch, to a simple battery replacement on a 2 year old watch.

Once the enquiry is received customers may hear back from Daniel Blackford, who is the Director in charge of Watch Repairs. He will then issue a FREEPOST Royal Mail Fully Insured Special Delivery Envelope pack, containing protective packaging and instructions on what we required in order that a quotation to repair can be offered.

Once the customer’s cherished timepiece is safely received, a receipt email will be sent to reassure our customer.

We are now regarded as one of the UK’s leading watch repair service, taking on many watch repairs and restorations that often many others just refuse.

This is an example of some of the interesting a wonderful timepieces we have released back to our customers this week.

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Watches shown include: Pocket Watches, Military Watches, Rolex Watches, Omega Watches, Vintage Watches, Longines Watches.

I can personally reassure you, my family business has been established for over 200 years. If you are kind enough to allow us to work on, I would like to offer a personal guarantee, please contact me via the contact us section should you have any questions.

Yours sincerely

David Clark P J Dip P J Gem Dip Cert GA
Managing Director
W.E. Clark & Son – W.E. Clark Watch Repairs

Due to the ongoing success of our watch repair service, we are delighted to announce that we have an on-site repair workshop at our Lewes showroom. Dan has been trained in watch repair and is currently undertaking further training with the BHI (British Horological Institute) to become further qualified.

Dan at work in our Lewes workshop

With our Master Watchmaker undertaking the repairs and restoration to vintage and antique timepieces, Dan works on the more modern timepieces. There are many jobs that we can undertake on-site now thus making us a destination for all your watch repair requirements.

For example, we have specialist equipment that can diagnose the issue within a quartz (battery operated) watch movement. This has benefits such as we are able to service some quartz modules instead of having to replace the entire module which would cost more.

Elma quartz movement analyser

We stock hundreds of replacement glasses and domes for older timepieces. This means we can quickly replace broken or cracked glass. Another common issue we encounter is issues with the hands of watches, maybe they are out of alignment, again we can remedy this.

Many modern timepieces are water resistant, and this means working on them is all well and good, but the correct equipment is required to ensure the watch is pressure tested afterwards to ensure it remains safe to use to the stated depth. Within our workshop we have such equipment, that will ensure you can use your timepiece in water to the stated depth. Prices for this service start at £35.

Sigma Watch Pressure Testing Machine

We live in unprecedented times. AI, automation and a whole host of other globally significant advancements have changed the world in countless ways in the past two decades. The internet has transformed virtually every aspect of our lives. Mobile phones are a necessity and social media is hugely influential. We are witnessing the development of driverless cars. Climate change is threatening our very existence. So, where do pocket watches fit in to all of this?

A brief history of the pocket watch

Pocket watches have been around since the 17^th century (ever since the 16^th century, small round timepieces have been carried as a status symbol, but were at that time not small enough to fit into pockets). Early pocket watches were bulky and came to fruition after Peter Henlein, a German inventor, created the first timepieces that didn’t require falling weights.

Early pocket watches weren’t very accurate, but that all changed with the invention of the lever escapement (first introduced by English horologist, Thomas Mudge). In the late 1850s pocket watches in America were being manufactured using mechanised production lines with standardised parts.

At that time pocket watches were used on the railroads for accurate timekeeping. After a railroad engineer’s pocket watch lost time for 4 minutes, causing the famous Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway crash in 1891, stringent standards were subsequently applied to pocket watch production.

Wrist watches, which became popular during the 1^st World War, and the development of the quartz mechanism, led to pocket watches falling out of fashion. There was a short revival of interest in the pocket watch during the 1950s as a result of the three-piece suit, but the wristwatch became the timepiece of choice for decades.

In recent years, along with the explosion of interest in vintage, the pocket watch has once again become a sought-after piece of gentlemen’s attire.

The vintage trend

The interest in antique and vintage mechanical pocket watches has spiralled in recent years. Vintage is a growing trend across the board from furniture, lighting, artwork, clocks, and jewellery to clothing.

The pocket watch is an iconic accessory. Celebrities, including Johnny Depp and Justin Timberlake, have been spotted wearing them, as has business man and entrepreneur Peter Jones.

In the W.E. Clark watch repairs workshop there has been a sharp increase in the number of older pocket watches coming in to be restored to their former glory. The demand for vintage pocket watches is booming.

Built to last

Our experienced watch repairer at W.E. Clark, Daniel Stent, says “Our clients like the history behind pocket watches – often these are passed down through the family.

Furthermore, vintage pocket watches were built to last – the quality is often significantly better than you’d get from a modern piece. Take a Hamilton Railroad Pocket Watch for example. You can pick these up for relatively little money given the great quality, with many having features like a safety pinion, fantastic finishing to movement, gold centre wheels, and 5-position adjustment.”

Throw-away era on its way out

People are starting to reflect and shift away from the throw-away era that has become the scourge of modern life. The impending climate crisis is in part driving the U-turn. Younger generations in particular are taking this global threat seriously. Quartz watches brought timepieces to the masses, but the vast majority became throwaway commodities.

The popularity in pocket watches is largely down to a change in consumer attitudes. Younger generations in particular are much more focused on environmental issues and sustainability. Nostalgia also plays a role in vintage consumption, with consumers keen to preserve history and memories in our fast-paced world.

Our watch repairer, Daniel says, “Society is moving away from the ‘throw-away’ era – people demand items with longevity. Good quality vintage pocket watches (and wristwatches for that matter) certainly have this. Provided they’re properly maintained they’ll continue to give many years of excellent service.”

“We recently had a Jaeger Le Coultre GSTP model in for repair – these were issued to the military during World War Two. This was a very fine quarter repeater chronograph; a lovely antique silver verge fusee piece. We also see many examples from brands such as Waltham, from the ubiquitous Traveller, through to the Vanguard and Crescent Street models.”

If you have a pocket watch that is a family heirloom languishing in a safe, jewellery box, or at the back of a drawer, why not bring it back to its former glory. We can fully restore any pocket watch.

If you would like to know more about pocket watches, read our beginner’s guide to pocket watches here.

Award winning watch repair service. We are delighted to announce that for the 4th year running, we have been awarded the coveted 2019 Feefo Gold Trusted Service Award.

This is achieved by providing consistently excellent customer service. So by looking at the great feedback we received via our Feefo reviews, we seem to be getting it right.

Once a watch repair or restoration is completed, we send this back to the customer. And then ask them for their feedback as to how they felt we carried out the repair, and dealt with communication overall. These reviews are processed via the independent review platform Feefo.

Our latest review:

27th February 2019- Mr Toulson- 5*
“Prompt, competent and efficient and easy to contact”

Please click the image below to see some of our great reviews here:

We understand that it can be a daunting prospect to send your cherished timepiece away for repair. Let us reassure you, as a family company that has been established for 200 years, we take grat pride in delivering the best service possible.

You can either request a Freepost envelope and send your watch to us via our postal watch repair service. Or bring your watch to us at our showrooms in East Sussex.

Yours sincerely

David Clark
Managing Director
W.E.Clark Watch Repairs