Servicing Independents
Assume an independent goes out of business for whatever reason and has a *relatively* straight forward time only movement or chrono. Where do you even find someone qualified to service a nicer piece without worry?
I see some watchmakers like Kari V in the past have said their movements are easy to service and designed to be so...
But then I wonder who is actually out there offering to take on work like this? Nothing really shows up on Google. I ordered a Voutillainen anyways b/c life is short, but I figured it was worth asking the forum.
that is the same for me
it is already difficult to find a repair shop for my Vulcain. There is only one small service boutique in Germany and the big brands like Wempe refuse to work on it for guarantee reasons
I also wonder who will take care of vintage watches.
I learn that many new young watchmakers actually start their career by restoring old watches. So my solution is to focus on indie brands with great finishing skills on well-known movements with a few names like Pikullik, Sushkov, Nesterenko or Koivukoski....
Many talented third party watch makers who can handle the service and repair or in some cases the independent has been training a second in command or many trainees
in that case they can help with the watch. S
I am not too worried about “servicing”.
I am more concerned about availability of parts if some components need replacing.
there are watchmakers that can make their own parts if needed or repair the existing one, I wouldn't be worried, if you do a google search several of them come up
or ask a well known independent watchmaker, they can recommend someone to you Paul Gerber is semi-retired but he was the type of mega watchmaker that could repair, enhance anything
that wouldn't be an issue if the Independent watchmaker is no longer with us, and if it is done by a well known watchmaker, think Classic Car Restorations, many parts have to...
be remade because the company doesn't exist anymore.
Got your point…but keeping
It 100% original means a lot to me. I own several indies which I dont think I have to worry at this time yet. I am wondering whether the brands would go the corporate way so that even when the founder is not around, the brand will continue to thrive and p...
Come to New York, there is a nice watchmaker here.
London has the Struthers, who can work on anything that's not HYT.
It is a real problem
Parts availability is certainly an issue, but also the adjustment information. A qualified watchmaker most likely will be able to service the base movements, but specialty modules such as unusual time displays etc. require adjustment documentation. I used...
This issue, in one form or another, pops from time to time
I believe that there are 2 aspects. Special watches, with special parts (like silicocarbonmarble ...) will have problem, I don't see anyone making parts for RM.. Watches with "metal" parts, can be restored, even if you need to make parts from a cost. In ...
Might be a new topic: do you...
Delay getting your watch serviced in fear of physical or cosmetic damage upon return?
Sometimes yes, especially if we're just talking about service recommendations related solely to time or insistence of service based on only on a time interval, It's easy to then fall into
"if it ain't broke, don't fix it". Because of this my service intervals are usually primarily based on symptoms more than time.
Absolutely
I waited long enough until I had the opportunity to go to Geneva and get my watch serviced by the company itself.
There are actually quite a few watchmakers capable of
maintaining indie's watches. Could be watchmakers who have been working for the brand, could be other indies producing their onw watches, or just skilled repair workshops. Any conscientious and meticulous watchmaker is capable of assembling and reassembli...
These watchmakers exist
they need to be able to make parts from scratch of course. I have one in Germany who has been able to solve any problem I have thrown at him so far, including very complicated and indie movements. Best Andreas