watch servicing

Printable View

08-11-2013, 08:55 PM
Asian_defender

watch servicing

Trying to find a decent guy to service my watches. Seeing as how the previous threads are about 2 years old now, I thought I would start a new one.

Tried the following places already :

Watch warehouse - ok I guess, had the crystal of 2 watches replaced there. Took a bit longer then quoted. Prices were good, the only complaint I have is that I see a tiny hair between the case and the crystal. They refuse to go through all that hassle to remove a hair so they won't get my business again.

Swiss watch clinic - by far the worst service I have ever received. It was suppose to take 2 days to get me a quote to service a Seiko. I call every week and he tells me Monday he"ll call me back with a quote. It has now been 5 weeks, I'm just going to show up tomorrow morning and take my watch back. He's quite rude to deal with as well.

Anyone with some good suggestions? I hear about this Joe guy but the sears in Chinook was gone a long time ago.
Plus someone in the north would be wicked as I am all the way up in sage hill.
08-11-2013, 09:11 PM
Cos

.
08-12-2013, 08:26 AM
statick

Depending on the extent of the work you need done, it may be worth sending to the right chap who'll do it well and for a reasonable price. Al of Archer watches is in Ontario, but his work is great... http://www.archerwatches.ca/service.html
08-12-2013, 12:13 PM
Neil4Speed

Quote:

Originally posted by Cos
Joe retired unfortunately. Alberta Water Repair or Alberta Watch Service is/was pretty good and they are still around. They used to be in the +15 near Sanjel but I think he has since moved.

I got my watched serviced at AWR about two months ago $120. Service wise seemed competent, but what he sold me on was the warranty that if anything went wrong that they would take care of it ("we even keep all the paperwork for you") Of course, come just one month later, same problem and they said it wouldn't qualify for warranty because it was "dropped". The watch definitely wasn't dropped or abused (simply used in the office) but a nice convenient way for them to get out of covering it. It wasn't expensive the second time around about ($30) but still annoying that after all.
03-03-2014, 02:30 PM
flipstah

Just thought I'd bump this thread to recommend a watch repair/service.

Kong's Watch & Clock Repair
100 - 4th Avenue SW
Calgary, AB, T2P 3N2

Hours of Operation:
Mon - Fri: 9:00am - 5:30pm
Sat: 11:00am - 4:00pm
Sun & Holidays: CLOSED

He serviced my vintage Seiko that I haven't worn in years because the crown got dislodged from the mechanism and my Hamilton Pan Europ Cal 11 so he has a lot of service with vintage time-pieces. He also does the usual battery changes and has an extensive collection of Seiko watches for sale.

I'm very happy with the results I got and he's still searching for parts for my Hamilton so he has knowledge on sourcing.

Just a thought since Joe from Sears has retired.
03-03-2014, 03:33 PM
Asian_defender

Thanks for the bump, I just got my Seiko back from Watch warehouse after 9 months, yes 9 months. it was 5 months for a basic service because they needed to order new parts for it. Unfortunately the power reserve was 5 hours after I got it back so it was another 4 months to get it fixed.

Don't know how these guys stay in service
03-03-2014, 03:35 PM
flipstah

Quote:

Originally posted by Asian_defender
Thanks for the bump, I just got my Seiko back from Watch warehouse after 9 months, yes 9 months. it was 5 months for a basic service because they needed to order new parts for it. Unfortunately the power reserve was 5 hours after I got it back so it was another 4 months to get it fixed.

Don't know how these guys stay in service

That sucks. Kong was able to service my Seiko in 3 weeks. The Hamilton took a long time because of part sourcing.
03-03-2014, 03:37 PM
Asian_defender

How long did the hamilton take?
03-03-2014, 03:48 PM
flipstah

Quote:

Originally posted by Asian_defender
How long did the hamilton take?

December - tomorrow.

He's still having issues finding an original date wheel for it (it's a vintage watch) but the overhaul took 3 weeks as well.
03-03-2014, 03:53 PM
Asian_defender

Well, I don't feel so bad now about my original service taking 5 months. My Seiko is about 16 years old.
03-03-2014, 03:57 PM
flipstah

Quote:

Originally posted by Asian_defender
Well, I don't feel so bad now about my original service taking 5 months. My Seiko is about 16 years old.

My Seiko is from the 80s haha. The Hamilton is from the 70s.
03-03-2014, 04:33 PM
Pacman

I saw Joe at the Sears in Southcentre mall a few weeks ago. He's still working as of last month.
03-03-2014, 04:39 PM
flipstah

Quote:

Originally posted by Pacman
I saw Joe at the Sears in Southcentre mall a few weeks ago. He's still working as of last month.

Now I know two watchmakers. Even better. :thumbsup:
03-03-2014, 05:26 PM
Nels

Our watch smiths have over 20 years of experience and everything is done locally. All our work comes with one year warranty. Come check us out sometime!

London Town Square
Suite 505-3545 32 Ave NE Calgary, AB T1Y 6M6
(403) 285-1133

and

Crowfoot Village
750, 20 Crowfoot Cres NW, Calgary, Alberta T3G 2P6
(403) 262-1116

If there are any questions or concerns, please pm me or contact one of the stores. Thanks!
03-03-2014, 05:51 PM
Asian_defender

Quote:

Originally posted by Nels
Our watch smiths have over 20 years of experience and everything is done locally. All our work comes with one year warranty. Come check us out sometime!

London Town Square
Suite 505-3545 32 Ave NE Calgary, AB T1Y 6M6
(403) 285-1133

and

Crowfoot Village
750, 20 Crowfoot Cres NW, Calgary, Alberta T3G 2P6
(403) 262-1116

If there are any questions or concerns, please pm me or contact one of the stores. Thanks!

Who should I ask for if I show up looking for a quote?
03-03-2014, 05:54 PM
sneek

Quote:

Originally posted by Pacman
I saw Joe at the Sears in Southcentre mall a few weeks ago. He's still working as of last month.

Joe serviced a few watches for me in Nov. and did a fantastic job :clap:

I started sweating when I read that he retired!
03-03-2014, 06:08 PM
Nels

Quote:

Originally posted by Asian_defender

Who should I ask for if I show up looking for a quote?

Tina would be knowledgeable to help you out at the Crowfoot location and Paul at the London Town Square location. Thank you.
03-03-2014, 08:35 PM
psi_klops

I've used Alberta Time Services once...my Dad uses them all the time.

It took a week or two iirc for a service.

205 321 6 Ave SW Calgary, Alberta
T2P 3H3
(403) 266-5834
03-03-2014, 10:38 PM
Weapon_R

I've dealt with both Imperial Jewelers and Kong's and both are top notch.