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.
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.
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 17th century (ever since the 16th 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 1st 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.
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.
