Thread: Watch repair advice

Just to play devil's advocate (as the guys at the shop probably would if it came to it), cane you prove the difference in how the watch looked between when you dropped it off and when you came back for it 3 weeks later?

Trust me, I believe you at your word, but if they place the burden of proof on you, I think you'll be in a tough spot.

Since you have remained civil thus far, I think you'll be able to remain civil and work things out to your satisfaction. That said, I would probably go to a different shop in the future.

A skilled watchmaker could probably repair it...

First off let me agree with holli4pirating and ask can you prove the condition it was in when you took it in for the follow up after wearing it in the pool? Again not a judgement of you simply how the watch repair world works. I think remaining civil is the way to get your watch back in as good a condition as you can and then take it for a look see at a FACTORY Authorized service provider and see what they say as to condition and the repairs done in the past. If it was not done properly they will know if it was A) factory parts B) done to factory standard.

To find the one of three authorized factory service centers go to:
Hamilton Watch | The American Brand Since 1892#

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I have collected, not a huge collection but all nice pieces, military style watches for some time. I buy from only a select few places because I know they get their watches from the factory and they either service themselves or will actually send it in to a factory repair center if someting goes wrong. You might pay a few dollars more up front but avoid these types of issues in the long run.

$250 for seals and a new crown? head for the hills. That's the problem with mechanical watches. Finding a competent repairer who charges an honest price but don't get me started.

First a 100m watch I would never ever wear in a jacuzzi. The water agitation and temp can play havoc. I'm not even sure I would treat a 200m watch like that. You can get condensation in a watch but it usually presents itself as a very fine fogging inside the xtl and it disappears quickly with no ill effects. What you have there is water leakage and the watch should have been checked for rust and should have had a complete overhaul at that point.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

$250 for seals and a new crown? head for the hills. That's the problem with mechanical watches. Finding a competent repairer who charges an honest price but don't get me started.

First a 100m watch I would never ever wear in a jacuzzi. The water agitation and temp can play havoc. I'm not even sure I would treat a 200m watch like that. You can get condensation in a watch but it usually presents itself as a very fine fogging inside the xtl and it disappears quickly with no ill effects. What you have there is water leakage and the watch should have been checked for rust and should have had a complete overhaul at that point.

Yep I would not take anything in a hot tub, Nothing marked water resistant like the Hamiltons are goes under water, only the dive watches. This after discussion with a dealer I trust who has been in the busines 30 years and sold some of the finest military type watches ever made. I mean the good old days of hand winding.

Thanks for the replies guys, I'm really glad to get your thoughts.

Oh believe me I know that I have no ground to stand on when it comes to previous condition. The guy tried to pretend not to see the water droplets with a loupe that I could see with my naked eye, so I would not bet much on his recollection of how my watch looked when I brought it in. That's why I pretty much gave up on trying to get them to clean up the face. I just want it dry and sealed at this point.

What ****es me off is that they probably left it fogged up over Christmas and are now covering their ass by pushing the angle of "How odd, it looks the same to me". At this point I'm definitely not going back there.

I also have faith that it can be repaired, but the cost worries me. I doubt that it's worth the money for what I spent on it originally. On that note I would frickin' love a manual wind military watch. Can you put me in touch with that dealer?

What about cleaning up the water damage myself? I've seen instructions for assembling automatics and I used to be big into painting miniatures, so hard could it be? Famous last words, I know.

Hamilton makes in their Kaki line manual wind watches as a matter of fact I have one myself. Zeno watch makes military styles and manuals too.