Month: May 2023

We are experienced in the repair of almost every type and brand of watch here at WE Clark Watch Repairs. In order to repair watches to a high standard, we have invested in the best quality tools and equipment for our workshop. While you may find budget versions of some equipment, the calibration and quality is – speaking from experience – not the same.

One important part of watch servicing is cleanliness. A watch movement needs to be spotlessly clean to ensure it works to the highest possible standard. If it is not properly clean, the running of the watch will be adversely affected, which may result in poor timekeeping and shorter service intervals. There are different methods available for cleaning a watch movement, but the choice of professionals is a quality watch movement cleaning machine.

To use a watch movement cleaning machine, we first have to strip down the watch movement. It is important to fully disassemble the mechanism as if shortcuts are taken and it is left partially assembled, there is no way of being certain that it is fully clean (it’s also impossible to have fully checked some of the components for wear if they’re not disassembled and inspected). In our workshop we generally pre-clean movements by manually using pegwood and horological essence to clean a number of parts before they then go through the cleaning machine. This is another way we ensure absolute cleanliness.

Once disassembled and pre-cleaned, the various parts are loaded into the cleaning basket which is attached to the cleaning machine itself. Watch cleaning machines come in various brands, makes and models. We have experience using a range of machines – from the vintage Elma Super Elite and L&R Tempo 400, through to modern industry standards like our current machines – the Elma Solvex RM and Greiner ACS 900. Each machine does things a little differently, though the principles are similar. The cleaning basket is immersed and rotated in a number of jars of cleaning fluids and rinse solutions, before finally being dried off.

Some machines like the Greiner use ultrasonics in one of the jars to help with the cleaning process. The use of ultrasonics in watch cleaning machines is cause for debate amongst some watchmakers, as at least with some vintage watches, the ultrasonics may cause parts like the pallets to come loose. Machines like the Elma Solvex RM do not use ultrasonics – indeed they use Elma’s alternative “vibrasonic” principle. In our experience both machines do a fantastic job and when combined with thorough disassembly and pre-cleaning, they ensure watch movements are thoroughly cleaned.

Suffice to say, if you trust us with the repair of your watch, it will be taken care of by expert watchmakers and repaired using the best quality tools and equipment. 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 FGA DGA MJVA PJDip. PJGemDip.

Managing Director, JVA Registered Valuer®

W.E. Clark & Son Limited

We see a whole range of watches come through our workshop – from modern quartz through to 19^th Century pocket watches, we’re able to repair almost any make and model of watch. In this case we have a vintage automatic Mappin watch, dating from the 1960s. This watch has been exposed to water and it is in rather a sorry state.

On initial assessment this watch was not functional. It was impossible to set the hands or manually wind the movement. On opening the case it revealed the reason why – significant water damage throughout large areas of the ETA 2375 automatic movement. With damage so extensive our options for repair are limited. We want to preserve as much of the original watch as possible, but a watch is a functional item, so it needs to work. We secured a vintage donor movement of the same calibre to use for parts – we did everything possible to preserve originality but many parts still needed to be replaced.

The parts we were able to save from the original movement were de-rusted as necessary and cleaned by hand, before being put through a cleaning cycle in our movement cleaning machine. After cleaning, these parts are checked before combining with the donor components for another round in the cleaning machine. After cleaning the movement is carefully reassembled and oiled, plus we fit a new mainspring. A mainspring in excellent condition is crucial to ensure a properly functioning watch and the original was “set” and made of an older, less reliable material. Once everything is back together we adjust and test the movement.

On top of the damage to the movement, the dial was also water damaged. This went to our specialist dial restorer to be fully restored. The dial is completely stripped back and through a variety of techniques, the dial is gradually refinished back to as near a match to the original dial as possible. In instances of dial restoration work we always consult and advise our clients on the best way forwards prior to any work taking place. This ensures a fully satisfactory outcome at the end of the process.

The gold case was given a light polish and a new plexi-glass fitted, before watch is ready to be cased up. We re-unite the dial and hands with the movement, then refit these into the case. We can then double check the watch is working to a good standard on our timegrapher before it goes on test.

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.

Yours sincerely

David Clark FGA DGA MJVA PJDip. PJGemDip.

Managing Director, JVA Registered Valuer®

W.E. Clark & Son Limited

From vintage pieces over 100 years old, through to modern watches, we see a huge range of timepieces in our workshop. In this instance we’re looking at a Tissot Couturier watch from within the past 15 years or so.

Tissot are a Swiss watch manufacturer, founded in Le Locle in 1853. Nowadays they produces a broad range of watches – both quartz and mechanical – and cater towards the mid-value price point of the market. Notable models include the T-Touch, PR100, PRS 516, PRC 200, T-Wave and Le Locle.

This Tissot Couturier is an automatic watch, and was not functional on arrival. Initial inspection suggested a broken mainspring – something we’d later confirm during disassembly. The movement powering this watch is made by ETA – a calibre 2834-2. This is a 25 jewel automatic movement with a day-date complication.

During disassembly we check everything as we go to make sure it’s in good order. As mentioned we found the mainspring – the source of power for the movement – to be broken. A broken mainspring means a watch will not function at all. This will obviously need to be replaced. We check and pre-clean the movement by hand during the disassembly process before the movement is put through a cleaning cycle in our cleaning machine.

During reassembly the movement is rebuilt using certain oils and greases to lubricate the mechanism. We follow the manufacturer’s specification for the correct oils and greases to ensure optimal performance. A new mainspring correct for this calibre is fitted as part of the work, and once reassembled we can test the movement using our Witschi Watch Expert IV timegrapher, before putting the complete watch through pressure testing for water resistance.

Yours sincerely

David Clark FGA DGA MJVA PJDip. PJGemDip.

Managing Director, JVA Registered Valuer®

W.E. Clark & Son Limited