Watch repairer recommendations

[WillFly]

Ariste Racine started his watch production in 1913 in the Jura mountains north of Geneva. The name "Racine" had already been copyrighted, so Ariste reversed his surname and registered the trademark as "Enicar". The firm produced watches up until 1988. There were massive sales to the Middle and Far East, and you have to watch out for repaints, fakes, etc. This is a nice clean one from the 1960s, with an AR 1010 movement in it.

 

 

Edited January 30, 2014 by WillFly

[autowind]

Another fine watch in remarkable condition with a high quality movement,  well worth keeping and preserving,  I notice it has got Incabloc shock protection.  Incabloc in it's self is fascinating in the way it works and how they ever manufacture such tiny, tiny jewels and settings is a mystery to me.

 

RogerC

[Marc]

That's a nice clean example.

[Craig]

Horrible feeling not being able to sign your own work with your own name, still a great idea doing it in reverse another beautifully preserved example Will.

 

How may watches do you have in your collection?

[WillFly]

At the moment I have:

 

15 American mechanical hand-wound pocket watches, of which 11 are Railroad Grade and the rest 3 are US military with a 4th UK military with an American (Elgin) movement.

 

15 mechanical hand-wound wristwatches: 4 Roamer, 3 Hamiltons (1 with a Swiss ETA 6497 movement), 3 Wittnauer, 1 Enicar, 1 Elgin, 1 Paul Jobin, 1 Longines, 1 Smiths. All pre-1970 with the exception of the Swiss Hamilton.

 

2 modern quartz watches: 1 Certina DS Podium chronograph and a Seiko Solar.

Edited January 30, 2014 by WillFly

[Len33]

Hello, everyone,

I have a 'Swiss Emperor' chronograph (Valjoux 72 movement) which needs to be serviced.

I have emailed Mark twice about this, but have had no replies.

Can anyone recommend a reliable place to get the necessary work carried out?

I'm in the Harlow, Essex, area; but posting wouldn't be a problem.

Thanks.

Len.

 

 

 

 

[oldhippy]

You could get in touch with the B H I tell them what you have and where you live, they will then be able to tell you of a suitable watch-repairer/maker who can undertake such a repair. Just go to their web site. 

[ro63rto]

I've read good things about this guy. Not had any experience myself nor do I personally know anyone that has. Do your own normal research when choosing someone.

http://watchguy.co.uk/?s=valjoux&submit=Search

[vinn3]

i like that web site.  vinn

[Peterburke340]

Hi Len

I'd be more than happy to carry out the service for you. I have serviced this movement numerous times. Please PM me if you want further information.

Best wishes Peter

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Timezone]

Hi Folks:

Can anyone recommend a watch repair shop which can reassemble a balance with stud, balance wheel, regulator, stud support and lower and upper indexes for an ETA 6497-1?  The local jewlers I've asked in my area don't want to touch it.  Phone number would be welcomed.  

Thanks,

Timezone (Central NJ)

[matabog]

You mean you have it disassembled? Give it a go!

This forum is for advice on how to tackle the watch. 

[Timezone]

Hi:  Thanks for the encouragement but I don't have the level of expertise required for such a delicate repair.  The hairspring has to be reattached and I assume the balance has to be calibrated which would involve test equipment which I don't have. It was my inexperience that broke it in the first place.  Thanks for your reply.

Timezone

[matabog]

Easiest would be to order a balance complete and replace alltogether.

B

[matabog]

Also a picture would be nice

[Timezone]

As far as I know ETA does not make a complete balance.  I asked Frei and Esslinger and both said the same.  I've attached a pic of the parts and new balance wheel still in it's sealed package. The bridge is a little blurry. I purchased the balance wheel from Esslinger.

Timezone

[matabog]

Does the balance spring have the stud attached to its end?

[Timezone]

Yes.

[matabog]

Are the regulator pins straight? (meaning not bent by mistake)

[Timezone]

As far as I can tell , yes.  The hairspring got tangled and pulled away from the bridge.

[matabog]

Then you got all you need.

Bite the bullet and put it all together.

I recommen channels on YT: watchrepair and perplxr

[Timezone]

I asked for a professional watch repair person/ company in my post.  If a local professional watch repair man said he couldn't do it I sure as heck am not going to try it.  

Timezone

[matabog]

This forum is for watch tinkering, like I said. If anyone had known any professional around your place, he would have helped you by now.

[jdm]

I understand the OP's desire to not make things worse than what they are. There are tasks for learners and others for watchmakers.

Suggest to use this search: https://members.awci.com/AWCIWEB/AWCISearch/MemberSearch.aspx

 

[Timezone]

JDM:

Thanks for your response. I am a learner NOT a watchmaker. I will try the AWCI and find someone there.  Again, thanks for your advice.

 

Timezone