Month: November 2022

We are experienced in the repair of almost every type and brand of watch here at WE Clark Watch Repairs. Perhaps the most common job we see on a day-to-day basis is replacing the watch battery.

It’s important to have your watch battery replaced by someone who knows what they’re doing for a variety of reasons. A professional watchmaker will have received proper training to look after your watch. In particular, if you have a nice watch from a prestigious brand, it really is worth letting someone with the appropriate training look it for you.

For example, trained watchmakers will, as part of the battery replacement service: check the entire watch, use good quality batteries, use the correct type of battery (you’d be amazed how often the incorrect battery is fitted), use correct methods fit the battery (eg. You won’t end up with fingerprints all over the insides of your watch) and use correct tooling (which will prevent damage to the case back and movement). As trained watchmakers we are fully capable of looking after your treasured watch.

Alongside replacing the battery, we offer a pressure testing service for water resistant models. If you use your watch in water, it will need pressure testing to confirm it is sealed and suitable for use in water. A battery replacement and pressure testing is more involved than a standard battery replacement. In order for a watch to be sealed for use in water, all the seals must be in good condition and the case must be clean and not damaged in any way which could compromise its water resistance.

Once we are happy everything looks good to proceed with pressure testing, we put the watch in our top quality Sigma pressure testing machine. This machine is able to test the water resistance of watches up to a rating of 300m (30BAR). The test is conducted using air pressure, and the machine tests the deformation of the case. As this is a “dry” test, watches are able to be tested complete – i.e. with the movement inside the case.

We do also have the option to conduct a “wet” test. We most commonly use this machine to pinpoint where a seal is failing on a watch. A watch case without the movement is attached inside the machine and we then increase the air pressure. If there’s a failing seal, this means the inside of the case will be pressurised. The case is then immersed in water and the pressure is slowly released. A steady stream of bubbles will be visible at the location of the damaged seal.

Suffice to say, we offer a comprehensive watch battery replacement service. To take advantage of our expert watchmakers, quality tooling and state-of-the-art equipment, do get in touch. We are able to repair almost any watch and we offer a comprehensive watch repair service. We cater to clients all around the UK thanks to our fully insured freepost watch repairs service. As Business Partners of the British Horological Institute and a Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award accredited business, you can be confident when dealing with us.

Yours sincerely

David Clark DGA PJDip PJGemDip CertGA

Managing Director

W.E. Clark & Son Limited

We often see Rolex watches in our workshop. Rolex as a brand need no introduction – the brand is synonymous with high-quality, luxury timepieces. These watches are well worth maintaining and often become heirlooms passed down between generations. In this instance we have a vintage model – a Rolex Oyster Precision for repair.

On initial assessment this watch was barely ticking. Inspection of the calibre 1210 manual wind movement showed the oils and greases crucial for the correct functioning of the watch were completely dried up. This watch clearly hadn’t been serviced in many years, so we needed to change that!

A full service involves complete disassembly of the movement, with each part carefully inspected for wear. Once everything is stripped down, we run the parts through our specialist watch movement cleaning machine. The cleaning machine uses a series of jars containing specialised cleaning or rinsing fluids to give everything a thorough clean. We combine the use of the cleaning machine with a form of manual cleaning during the disassembly process – this way be can be certain we’ll have spotlessly clean parts when we get to the reassembly stage.

After cleaning, the movement is carefully reassembled and oiled, plus we fitted a new mainspring as the old one was out of shape. A mainspring in excellent condition is crucial to ensure a properly functioning watch – the mainspring is the source of power for the movement after all. Once everything is back together we adjust and test the movement, before the dial and hands are fitted.

The watch case is given a light polish and thoroughly cleaned and dried, before the watch is fully reassembled. Now the complete watch can be tested.

For watches like this we recommend servicing every 3-5 years. This is to ensure optimal performance of the movement (as the oils and greases needed to keep the movement running properly need to be kept fresh) and to allow the movement to be checked for signs of wear and tear.

After a full service and new mainspring plus a clean and polish of the case, this beautiful Rolex is running very nicely once again.

Yours sincerely

David Clark DGA PJDip PJGemDip CertGA

Managing Director

W.E. Clark & Son Limited

Rolex make exceptional quality, luxury timepieces. Their watches stand the test of time, given due care and attention, with vintage Rolex watches often becoming family heirlooms passed down between generations.

This watch is a vintage Rolex Datejust, using the Rolex calibre 3035 movement. This movement was introduced in 1977 and Rolex used it for just over ten years before it was succeeded by the calibre 3135. The calibre 3035 is a 27 jewel automatic movement with hacking and a quickset date. Rolex used it in many models as well as the Datejust, including the Submariner, Date and Sea Dweller.

On initial assessment this watch was in well used condition. The case, bracelet and glass were showing plenty of scratches through years of year. Inspection of the movement showed the oils and greases crucial for the correct functioning of the watch were dried up. Our client requested a full service alongside the options of a new glass and case refinishing.

When we service a watch we completely disassemble the movement, with each part carefully inspected for wear. Once everything is stripped down the parts go through our specialist watch movement cleaning machine. After cleaning, the movement is carefully reassembled and oiled, plus we fit a new mainspring. Once everything is back together we adjust and test the movement, before the dial and hands are fitted.

While the movement is seperate from the case, we take the opportunity to do the refinishing and to replace the glass.

We strip down the case and bracelet before refinishing it to the best standard we can, while maintaining a critical eye and not compromising or making worse any wear to the shape of the case. We use a number of different polishing mops and wheels during this process. After the refinishing is complete and the case is clean, we fit the replacement glass. All that’s left is to reassemble the complete watch and it’s ready for testing.

For watches like this we recommend servicing every 3-5 years. This is to ensure optimal performance and to allow the movement to be checked for signs of wear and tear.

Do you have a Rolex Datejust watch in need of repair? Get in contact with us to see how we can help. We are able to repair almost any Rolex watch and we offer a comprehensive watch repair service. We cater to clients all around the UK thanks to our fully insured freepost watch repairs service. You can also bring watches in to our showrooms based in Lewes and Uckfield, Sussex. As Business Partners of the British Horological Institute and a Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award accredited business, you can be confident when dealing with us.

Yours sincerely

David Clark DGA PJDip PJGemDip CertGA

Managing Director

W.E. Clark & Son Limited

Longines are one of the biggest names in watches, with a rich history extending back to their founding in 1832. These days Longines are a brand under the umbrella of the Swatch Group, sitting alongside other top names like Tissot and Omega.

Our client’s Longines is a fairly recent model – approximately ten years old – a Conquest automatic watch, with a 24 hour hand and date. It was reported to have a date change related problem, and as it had not been serviced, this was certainly required.

The movement powering this watch is an ETA calibre A07.171. This is part of the ETA Valgranges range – large movements derived from the excellent 7750 chronograph. This calibre has 24 jewels and a theoretical 46 hour power reserve. It beats at 28,800 beats per hour.

To service the watch, the movement is completely disassembled and pre-cleaned, with each part inspected. The disassembled movement is then run through our specialist watch movement cleaning machine, while the case and bracelet are cleaned in an ultrasonic cleaner. After cleaning the movement is carefully reassembled and oiled. The dial and hands are then refitted, before the complete movement is fitted into the case.

After the watch is correctly reassembled, it is pressure tested to ensure it remains water resistant. This model is rated to 300m water resistant and we are able to test to this depth using our Sigma watch pressure testing machine. This specialist machine uses air pressure and a special sensor to test for the deformation of the case when under pressure. If this falls outside of specific parameters, the watch fails. This watch passed to 300m.

Now this fantastic Longines Conquest watch can go on test – confirming its timekeeping and functions are working correctly before we return the watch to our client.

Do you have a Longines watch in need of repair? Get in contact with us to see how we can help. We are able to repair almost any Longines watch and we offer a comprehensive watch repair service. We cater to clients all around the UK thanks to our fully insured freepost watch repairs service. You can also bring watches in to our showrooms based in Lewes and Uckfield, Sussex. As Business Partners of the British Horological Institute and a Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award accredited business, you can be confident when dealing with us.

Yours sincerely

David Clark DGA PJDip PJGemDip CertGA

Managing Director

W.E. Clark & Son Limited