Presumably you’ve got a watch that needs repairing
and you’d like to know what to do with it, who to send it to, how much
will it cost, how quick will you get it back, can I repair
it and will you get a good job done?
or Swiss WOSTEP
training qualifications and at least 5 year’s experience.
As a Fellow of the Institute of
some 33 years and former head of the School of horology in Manchester,
where the only WOSTEP training course in the UK was delivered, I
know such qualifications don’t come easily.
Repair costs depend
on the make and type of watch, what work is required and what
materials are needed. See the separate web page for a costs
breakdown. Some brand agents operate a restrictive practice in
terms of supplying of spare parts, - watches have to be
returned to their workshop for even the most minor of repairs. This
results in a long delay and usually an expensive bill. The legality of
this restrictive practice attitude is currently being tested in the
European Community Courts, but until it is resolved there may
be problems obtaining parts for some repairs. This
constraint applies to every independent watchmaker and probably has
nothing to do with their competence, but it does take away your right to
choose your own repairer. Contact me if you need more info about this or if
you’re thinking about buying a watch and want know which companies
operate this restrictive practice at this time.
