We offer a full range of repairs in our fully equipped watch workshop – from part jobs like battery replacement through to full servicing of the vast majority of brands including Omega, Tag Heuer, Breitling and Rolex.
This job was an involved one – working on a Tag Heuer Lewis Hamilton Carrera Chronograph which arrived to us in poor condition. Our client wanted it restored and refurbished back to an excellent standard.
On arrival the entire case and bracelet were heavily marked and scuffed. In particular the fixed bezel was in poor condition. The crown was damaged and in need of replacement, plus the movement (a Tag Heuer calibre 16, based on an ETA 7750) was in desperate need of a service.
We are an authorised service centre for Tag Heuer, so we are able to order the required parts to complete this repair. We ordered a new bezel, crown, pushers and seals – these were all fitted as part of the job. Only authorised service centres can order these parts for Tag Heuer watches. We’ve been assessed by Tag Heuer so you can be confident we have the skills and correct brand specific tooling to repair your watch.
Alongside ordering in these parts, we refinished the watch case and bracelet. To do this we use a variety of different wheels and polishing compounds to achieve the desired finish. The bracelet on this watch has a brushed and high polish finish, so we mask off the bracelet in sections to create this effect.
Servicing the movement involved completely stripping down the Calibre 16 automatic chronograph movement. These are good quality movements with a considerable number of parts. Everything is checked and cleaned by hand, before being put through our watch movement cleaning machine. Reassembly and oiling can then take place. We use a variety of different lubricants and oils based on the part and function. We adhere to the manufacturers specification for this, as given on the movement data sheet.
Once the movement is serviced, we can begin complete reassembly. We reunite the movement, dial and hands with the newly refurbished case. We can then pressure test the complete watch for water resistance before it goes on test prior to collection by our client. A job well done – the watch looks fantastic after this intervention.
Yours sincerely
David Clark FGA DGA MJVA PJDip. PJGemDip.
Managing Director, JVA Registered Valuer®
W.E. Clark & Son Limited