Watch Repairs Archives - W.E. Clark & Son Limited

Omega De Ville Quartz Watch Service and Repair

Posted on February 20, 2025 by Stephen Irvine

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 February 17, 2025 by David Clark

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.

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 February 10, 2025 by David Clark

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!

Omega Speedmaster Chronograph Servicing

Posted on February 5, 2025 by David Clark

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.

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 January 31, 2025 by David Clark

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 January 26, 2025 by David Clark

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.

Servicing 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 January 20, 2025 by David Clark

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!

Tag Heuer Formula 1 Calibre 16 Chronograph Service and Repair

Posted on January 7, 2025 by David Clark

Our fully equipped on-site watch workshop offers a full range of repairs – from smaller 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.

We are an authorised service centre for Tag Heuer, so our workshop has been assessed by the brand and we are able to order the required parts to complete Tag Heuer repairs to a high standard.

“Precision restored. Performance guaranteed. Our expert service brings your Tag Heuer Formula 1 Calibre 16 Chronograph back to life—ready for years of reliable timekeeping.”

For this job we are repairing and servicing a Tag Heuer Formula 1 Automatic Chronograph. This watch is working on arrival, though the date is not clicking over at 12 o’clock. It’s been a number of years since this watch last saw a watchmaker so a full service is the most appropriate intervention. First we disassemble the movement. The Tag Calibre 16 chronograph is based on the ubiquitous ETA 7750. No major faults are found, just the usual signs of deterioration of the old oils and greases.

Once 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 follow the manufacturers technical guidelines in terms of oil and grease usage, as well as the use of other treatments such as epilame.

Alongside the movement repairs we give the case and bracelet a clean and fit replacement seals before testing 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 timing machine, we can close the case back before a final dry pressure test.

Summary:

This Tag Heuer Formula 1 Calibre 16 Chronograph underwent a comprehensive service and repair at our fully equipped on-site workshop. As an authorised Tag Heuer service centre, we disassembled, cleaned, and reassembled the movement to manufacturer specifications, resolving the date-change issue and restoring the watch’s optimal performance. The case and bracelet were thoroughly cleaned, seals replaced, and water resistance tested. Following a series of rigorous functionality tests, the watch was returned to its owner in immaculate condition, ready for years of reliable use.

Looking to have your Tag Heuer Watch Serviced and repaired?

Try our Royal Mail Special Delivery FREEPOST service, all Tag Heuer 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!

Can Old Watches Be Repaired?

Posted on January 1, 2025 by David Clark

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. Or, if you are looking to sell your watch, learn why a jeweller might be the perfect person to buy your timepiece.

“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.

Looking to have your Watch Serviced and repaired?

What Happens If You Don’t Service A Watch?

Posted on December 15, 2024 by David Clark

We strongly recommend our clients have their mechanical watches serviced every 3-5 years. If you don’t service your watch regularly, the oils and greases designed to keep the mechanism working properly can dry up. This may cause worn components, erratic performance and lead to greater expense long-term when eventually repaired. For example, this Christopher Ward C8 Pilot watch seemed in reasonable aesthetic condition, however needed considerable internal servicing and replacement.

As part of a watch service we also check/replace seals and gaskets. This is especially important if you use your watch in water. We’d even go so far as to suggest you have a water resistance check every year, as rubber seals are perishable and even minor water ingress into a mechanical watch is a major problem.

“A watch may run for decades without servicing, but regular care ensures it thrives for generations.”

Of course some watches do not need to be serviced quite so regularly. Quartz watches have longer service intervals as quartz movements are far lower torque, with (generally) less moving parts and they use much thinner oils in a lower quantity.

There are also some mechanical movements designed to have longer service intervals. Those with a co-axial escapement for example. Omega recommend their watches using this escapement are serviced every 5-8 years.

We’ve heard numerous customers over the year say words to the effect of: “I’ve had this watch for 20/25/30+ years, I’ve never had it serviced and it’s always kept perfect time”. So what’s our response to this?

Well, all of the above still applies even if your watch is keeping “perfect time”. Indeed, “perfect time” may well prove to not be so perfect when we test the movement on a Timegrapher. The fact it’s still working after so long without any care or attention is more testament to the genius of the watch mechanism than a sign your watch is in good condition.

It’s worth bearing in mind there are numerous components in a watch which are unrelated to the timekeeping too – parts such as the hand setting and winding mechanism. These also need oils and greases in good condition to work well. Once we examine the movement it’s a certainty that many parts will need replacing – this number will only go up the longer a watch is left without any maintenance.

With more unusual or vintage watches, parts can be harder to come by, and when they are available they often command higher prices. It’s especially important to stay on top of maintenance and servicing of these watches.

The analogy we’ve heard used is one drawing parallels with a car – you have your car serviced regularly and it’s used only occasionally. A watch is a mechanical mechanism which runs all day every day, so it stands to reason this shouldn’t be neglected!

If you have a watch due for a service, 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 all types of watch – both modern and vintage. We’d be delighted to help.

Summary:
Regular servicing is crucial to keep your mechanical watch in excellent condition. Neglecting maintenance can lead to dried-up oils, worn components, erratic performance, and costly repairs. This is especially important for water-resistant watches, as seals and gaskets degrade over time. Even if your watch appears to be running perfectly, unseen wear could still be causing damage. Vintage or unusual watches are particularly vulnerable, as replacement parts can be rare and expensive. Like a car, your watch requires regular care to ensure it continues running smoothly for years to come.