Sunday, August 5, 2018

Watch Repair - Antique/Vintage Repair, Restoration and Preservation

If you own antique watches or clocks, how often should you look to get them serviced? If it's in poor condition or looks cosmetically bad, is it worth fixing? Getting a watch restored back to it's original condition or simply getting it working properly again can be a decent investment. How far do you go to repair old clocks and watches?

To help answer these questions, we must first define these terms:

Repair Generally, when you have a repaired watch, it does so with the aim of returning it to a functional state so that it can be used. Repair simply involves repairing what caused the clock to stop working or to run incorrectly. This may be due to dirt and the accumulation of old oil and simple cleaning / greasing would suffice. Other common repairs include replacement of balance staff due to a broken pivot or replacement of worn jewelry.



The casing, the shank and the winding / adjustment mechanism may also need repair, as they are vulnerable to wear or tear. A qualified repair person completes this type of work in an ethical manner, using a good workforce appropriate for the particular clock. If the watch is of common grade, spending more money than it is worth is not necessarily advised (but, of course, this depends on the owner).

Restoration A clock that is returned completely to its original state is considered restored. This not only implies putting it in working conditions, but also solving the problems of movement and aesthetics of the case, and refinishing the dial and needles if necessary. Proper restoration implies (as far as possible) the use of period materials, vintage methods and restoration of factory specifications. A qualified watchmaker will know the correct methods necessary to restore a particular watch.

Preservation A watch that is rare or has a special historical significance may be a candidate for preservation. The concept of preservation is to maintain and stabilize the piece in its found condition. The work is only done by checking to make sure that any deterioration or corrosion that may have started is stopped, and the piece will be available for a long time in stable conditions. It is not put back into operation, nor are the pieces replaced or polished. In fact, it is desirable to preserve the tarnish or "patina", since the watch can lose value if it is polished.

So, what kind of service do you need? It really depends on you. If you have a wrist or a pocket watch that you use regularly, then you may just want the service to work properly, but you may not need it cosmetically perfect. If you have a family heirloom that has sentimental value or a collection watch that is valuable, you may want it to be functionally and cosmetically restored. If you find a very special watch that is very rare, you can choose to do very little with it and implement preservation techniques.


The responsibility of a qualified watchmaker / repairman is:
  • Help determine the approximate monetary value of the watch
  • Explain (in non-technical terms) the options
  • Explain the ramifications of each option and make recommendations
  • Cite the cost of repairs
Keep in mind that not all watchmakers are qualified to perform an accurate evaluation of certain rare watches, but they should be able to provide a value close enough for most common watches. Once you have all the information, then it is your decision. As with any repair service, they should not continue with the work until they have provided instructions and authorization. Click here to get detailed information about the antique watch,

Contact Information

Philips Auctions

Address: 47 Glenferrie Road, 

Malvern, Victoria, AU, 3144

Telephone: (03) 9509 6788

Fax: (03) 9509 3455


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